Fuzzy Logic

Yet another episode where I feared for Irving’s life. I don’t think that dinner-in-the-dark scene could have felt more menacing, and now I suspect that Burt’s definition of ‘scoundrel’ has less to do with affairs and more to do with something much worse. Incredible season of television so far from every vantage point.

Thank goodness for that quick shot of Scott on the boat. Of course, I was so stressed at that point that I wondered if it were a *metaphorical* boat sailing into the great beyond, but my daughter talked me down from the over-analytical edge. Car accident was a misdirect; reveal was the boat. Okay. Deep breaths. Which is all to say that I love this show, I love these characters, and I will miss them until (fingers crossed) the next season.

That ending got me. For the past six episodes, I have been waiting for Glasses Lady to be revealed as working with the hijackers, pretending to be a victim while really in league with the bad guys. In hindsight, of course it’s the crying woman with whom Sam shares that early conversation about loved ones at home. She was even given a name right upfront: Amanda. Presumably Amanda is going through with a solo suicide mission because those aforementioned loved ones are under threat. The plane was always intended to go down, and the other hijackers have no clue about Amanda’s involvement. I’m guessing we will get Sam the Negotiator in the final episode, finishing that conversation he started with Amanda hours earlier.

This finale makes me more hopeful that Steve might survive the whole series because it feels like the Duffer Brothers gave his intended death scene to Eddie. Sacrificing himself for the group (specifically Dustin), even throwing in an 'I love you' moment. Didn't feel entirely earned with Eddie, would've felt entirely earned with Steve. But I am not complaining!!!!! I am relieved. I was expecting to see that very scene play out between Dustin and Steve in the last episode of the whole series, and am crossing my fingers it will now not come to pass.

I completely own my shallowness, but I don't care if a real-life Nancy and a real-life Steve wouldn't work out. I think they spark and I want Joe Keery in a big old swooping romantic scene. Anybody see Free Guy? I want that last moment, Stranger Things-style. And I get why Nancy is the romantic answer now, with just one season and change left to go. This show has been careful to keep Steve's flame for Nancy burning. Steve has always labelled that relationship as 'love,' and I think the Duffer Brothers will pay it off next season. If I had to speculate about the next two episodes, I bet we'll get a flip-flopped bookend of the end of Season One, where we think Jonathan has a shot with Nancy....only to find that she still is with Steve. This time, I think Robin will pep-talk Steve into telling Nancy how he feels, Steve heads to the Wheeler house...only to find that she is still with Jonathan.

I’ve been expecting Steve/Nancy ever since Robin was officially out of the romance running. With only two seasons left, I figured that the Duffer Bros. would realize they likely couldn’t introduce another new romantic interest who would be as well-liked as Robin…but they wouldn’t want to give up on a Steve romance entirely (because hello???? Keery gives good romance). So enter Nancy (again). I’m good with it. Nancy and Steve were a couple with chemistry waaaay back in the pilot, and that was before both became bad-asses.

Steve’s cough-cough moment of impending doom had better be happily resolved in the final two episodes of this season.

I am expecting an adult Van reveal next week at the reunion. Her scars were too distinctive…too easy to imagine an older red-headed actress with the same facial scars in a dun-dun-DUN moment.

Execellent point. Nate’s storyline has been redundant to me all season (though, admittedly, Nate’s arc differs from Jamie’s in that it also compromises Ted and Beard as characters). And wow am I tired of narratives that explore a guy’s abusive behavior. Just because the writers think the psychology is on-point doesn’t mean I want to watch it on this show. Why has Nate earned such a big subplot this season? Why not another supporting character with a new story? Nate is wrecking the season for me…and Roy is saving it. Wonder where the balance will be after the season finale?

Oh, I saw that dog, too! And then thought about that dog for the remainder of the episode. Edited to add: As much as I admire the actor who plays Dylan (seriously, go watch him in The Society - ridiculously appealing guy), I felt like all of the Dylan subplot was a waste of time last night. The questioning scene, the extended chase scene...why? If the narrative consequence was supposed to have been Jesse's handing over the picture, why not just have Jesse's mom find the picture or have Jesse reconsider? The episode felt busy and fragmented. Not its best showing.

At this rate, I will be more shocked if Zabel survives this episode than doesn't.

I am similarly cursed, and I like Zabel a little too much, so... Am hoping that we do get properly spoiled if Zabel is bad/getting killed off. The beauty of lowered expectations.

My first thought was that the date was Drew's birthday (because the age seems to fit), but then I thought that Mare would've had a much more startled and troubled reaction if that were the case? It does feel like the show might be connecting Kevin and Erin...

I’m guessing two different guilty parties for Katie’s disappearance and Erin’s murder. Maybe a religious/church connection for Katie, and then something much closer to Mare’s home for Erin. There’s been way too much made of the ear surgery’s cost; could that Post-It note have been more of an obvious neon sign? I do think that Frank was sexually involved with Erin and the next episode will deal the possibility that Frank is the baby’s father...with DNA ultimately ruling him out and making the audience cross him/that connection off the suspect list prematurely. While I think that the weepy cousin (cousin??) is the most likely father of Erin’s son, I’m speculating that Erin approached Frank, asking for money for the ear surgery, claiming that the baby was Frank’s (even if she knew that to be a lie). And I bet Frank’s ‘perfect’ fiancé found out somehow, and then killed Erin in response. So as of right now, I’m going with Faye.

I thought the disappearing of the restaurant patrons was intentional, showing us that Luther and Allison are in their own little world together for that initial moment of reunion. The effect was similar to the dance scene in the Pride and Prejudice film starring Keira Knightley, when all others vanished as Elizabeth and Darcy focused on each other, then reappeared once the spell was broken. Effective.