My Authoritah: Changing Seasons

Stranger Things season 3: Complete!

I recently finished watching season 3 of Stranger Things. I have some criticisms about character development, but the final episodes packed an emotional wallop that left me biting my lower lip in order to constrain my emotions.

My criticisms:

1. Mike is essentially a useless character at this point. While he was a driver of the plot in season 1 (and his relationship with Eleven was both sweet and expertly crafted), by this point in the series he is reduced to a bit part in a fairly routine back-and-forth teen drama with Eleven. I found the relationship between Steve and Dustin far more compelling. Steve actually has what I would argue to be the most dramatic character arc of anyone in the series (from shallow bully to selfless savior). I am very much on “Team Steve.”

2. Nancy and Jonathan similarly have some relationship troubles that essentially go nowhere, and as a result their characters fall flat. They bicker for awhile, fight the Mind Flayer together, and make up. There is an emotional farewell in the season finale between them, but that’s the only true high point.

3. Detective Hopper spends the first 6 episodes essentially being a caricature of his previous self. The season 1 Hopper was a detective with layers: tormented by the loss of a child and prone to self-abuse, but still retaining a heart of gold. He’s left with little to do in this season but act grumpy and yell at people, and I never fully believe that his chemistry with Mrs. Byers is authentic until the final episode. The season somewhat redeems itself with the character by giving him an incredibly emotional sendoff.

In spite of these flaws, which I consider to be minor, the series is still highly entertaining. I love the subtle nods to 80s cinema such as the Terminator lookalike hired to kill Detective Hopper (although he is Russian and not Austrian). The series also has clever plays on 80s materialism at the apex of the Reagan era. The mall worship is very apparent.

The Mind Flayer is an imaginative and horrifying opponent for the protagonists. I’m not sure how one thinks of such a thing. It seems like an amalgam of every night terror I’ve ever had.

FInally, the Billy character has a vital moment of redemption in the final episode that stuck with me. In episode one he is among the most loathsome individuals I’ve ever seen a series. Steadily though, the season sprinkles depth to his backstory. By the finale, he comes full circle and in his final moment, fully redeems himself. That’s screenwriting at its finest.

Servant season 4: say wha?

I truly do not know why critics are fawning over season 4 of Servant. To me it’s a routine retread of past seasons, and a nonsensical one at that.

What arrested us in the first place was the mystery of a doll that has the ability to turn into a woman’s baby, which is eerie because the baby supposedly died in a horrible accident. That mystery is gone now and in its place is a tiring “war” between a religious cult and a nanny with some strange mystical powers. I can’t help but yawn because I’ve seen it all before.

I’m still watching, but not because I’m compelled. I just want to see what the resolution is.

This season is the most poorly-written of all of them. My criticism is similar to my remarks on Stranger Things. Sean is now a one-dimensional imitation of his character from past seasons. Naive, overly submissive, and constantly moping around, there seems to be nowhere for the character to go. He’s in a perpetual state of sadness, which would be gripping if there were any hints of potential change in him.

The saving grace for me is Rupert Grint. He’s a true scene-stealer and brings more complexity to his character than the rest of the cast combined. Hopefully he’s recognized for this performance.

Slipknot

Slipknot released a surprise single called “Bone Church.” The instrumentals are interesting and certainly take me to a certain melancholy time and place in my life. It’s not the sort of song with a strong hook or an upbeat melody. It plays more like a dirge. I’m not sure what to think of it yet.

I do wonder if Slipknot is tired of their own commercial success. Free of their label, they seem more keen to experiment. Maybe that’s for the best. They don’t need to release metal songs with blast beats anymore, and with their members entering their 50s, it might not be reasonable to expect.

Let’s see what they have in store…

The Weekly Plunder: Week 6 - Divine Intervention

Gray hues streak the sky and a dense fog hangs over the tops of the downtown Saint Louis buildings as I write this. The lack of sun renders everything pallid and gaunt.

I attempted a bicycle ride this morning. A mile uphill started the ride and it was particularly grueling for the foot. Pain shot through the upper left part of the sole, the same spot where the most severe sprains occurred from the injury. It’s the spot I have felt with every step, with every movement, over the last few months. I guess it’s my “Achilles Heel”.

The thought that the pain could carry for much longer gave me a feeling of despair (I know, logically, that the foot will heal eventually). I wondered, though, if this was my purgatory, to be constantly yearning for a healthier tomorrow that doesn’t seem to arrive (this must be the inevitable conclusion to aging). It’s strange to me that in extreme moments we seek out biblical metaphors for our problems. Everything is rendered hellish or heavenly or purgatorial.

I kept pedaling, thinking that it was unfair that I should be beaten by my own damned foot.

And as I thought this, I just kept pedaling. And slowly the pain in my foot subsided, for reasons I don’t understand. Hours later, the foot felt better still. Miraculously better. Suddenly I was walking reasonably well. I hadn’t done that since I was 35. I don’t know if the feeling will hold, but some things make no sense.

What I’m doing: I am thinking about stories, in general, and where they come from. I’m also thinking about fall and the beauty in a ground strewn with puddles, fallen acorns, and brittle yellow leaves. I’m thinking about walking, running, and swimming. I’m thinking of the past and present and the wonderful lives that have crossed paths with mine.

What I’m listening to: 1. “A Crisis of Revelation” by Trivium. I’m a sucker for a fast metal song with a solid chorus. 2. “Hunter’s Moon” by Ghost. An odd song dedicated to Michael Myers about sibling love, devotion, and obsession. 3. “AEnima” by Tool. 4. “Goodbye Blue Skies” by Pink Floyd

What I’m watching: Midnight Mass. Wow, what an excellent show. It’s much more than a horror show: it’s a show about family, community, faith, and forgiveness.

What I’m reading: Trying to finish up Full Throttle by Joe Hill. I’ve been slacking with my reading and intend to pick up the pace.