Stranger Things 3: Chapter 7 Recap

The Bite
Only two more episodes left of this season and I can tell because of all the drama that’s unfolding! That last episode was intense! Gotta know what happens next. Episode 7 is called The Bite and begins at the Hawkins Fourth of July Fun Fair. The Ferris wheel is functioning, the neon lights are glowing, kids are eating funnel cakes all set to the tune of “R.O.C.K. in the USA.” All is right with this wonderfully 80’s world, or is it? 
Mayor Kline takes the stage to address his town. This man is serious about a re-election campaign! 
Karen, Ted, and their young daughter enjoy the fair by getting on the Ferris wheel. I always forget Mike and Nancy have a younger sister. Has she ever spoken a line of dialogue? Does she know she has two older siblings? As Karen, Bob, and their rarely shown third daughter get to the top of the Ferris wheel, a huge fireworks show is displayed to showcase Hawkins patriotism. Mike’s sister notices something ominous lurking in the trees. (The Monster) She tells Karen, “Mom the trees are moving.” Karen doesn’t even listen. She tells the 3rd child to look at the fireworks instead! No wonder we never hear from this character. Karen doesn’t even listen to her. Title credits begin. 

Cabin in the Woods
El is recounting her disturbing trip inside Billy’s mind with the group at Hopper’s cabin. They come to the conclusion that Billy is building the army to stop Eleven since the Mindflayer knows she can stop it. As they speak, strange noises are heard around the cabin. Will tells them the Mindflayer knows where they are. They run outside to see the monster charging at the cabin. Time to run away! They don’t take my advice to run. Instead, they stock up on weapons. Nancy, as per usual, grabs her shotgun and Jonathan gets a hatchet. They lock themselves inside the cabin and board up the doors and windows. The camera does a great circular pan here as the tension builds and the characters anticipate what could happen in the next few moments. It’s a great parallel to the final moments of Episode 8 in Season 2. All I can say is a battle takes place on this Fourth of July evening at Hopper’s cabin.  The monster is unrelentingly aggressive and will not leave El alone. After several attempts by Nancy’s shotgun, Jonathan’s hatchet, and El’s powers, that thing still isn’t leaving. It tries to pull El away from the cabin until a team effort gets her back. As she is pulled back to the ground, a tiny portion of the monster has grabbed onto her leg. It’s pulled away leaving her in pain. She faces this creature again using all of her power and energy. The group FINALLY runs to the car. Why didn’t they do this earlier? 
They’re on the run and break into a grocery store to clean up El’s leg wound. Lucas stumbles upon a fireworks stand that he believes will come in handy when defeating the monster. He says El is gonna need some backup. The kid is a planner and I admire his ambition. 
Mike is trying to tell El that he loves her. He says he’s never felt this way about anyone. COME ON, MIKE. SAY THE WORDS TO ELEVEN. Just as I thought they were gonna get their moment to shine, it’s ripped away. Dustin radios in on the walkie talkie to tell Mike they are stuck at the movie theater and need a way out. 

Have you had your New Coke today? 
In potentially my favorite product placement moment ever, Lucas takes out a New Coke in the middle of the grocery store as El is about to go into the Void. The label is very clearly facing the camera. Mike asks him, “How do you even drink that?” First of all, Mike, this is all a blatant commercial for the show. Thats how he drinks it! Think of the $$$$ it’ll bring in! Don’t you want a 4th season? Lucas replies, “because it’s delicious. It’s like Carpenter’s The Thing. The original is a classic, no question about it. But the remake *takes a sip* sweeter. bolder. better!” Okay, Don Draper! When did you come up with that ad campaign?

Lucas and Mike get into an argument about New Coke with Mike claiming it’s certainly NOT the same as regular. This is such a bizarre scene because it’s simultaneously making fun of the New Coke disaster of the 80’s yet sneaking in a commercial at the exact same time. (Stranger Things and Coke have made a deal to sell New Coke for the new season) Watch the scene here to check out some unique product placement. After we get our New Coke fix, El has found Dustin in the Void. The group makes their way to the mall to find them. 

Mission: Impossible- Breakout
Dustin and Erica drive the drugged up Steve and Robin out of the Russian facility in the golf cart. The Scoops Ahoy Troop manages to find their way out of the underground lair all thanks to Erica and Dustin. Steve and Robin are almost too high to walk. The troop breaks into a theater showing of Back to the Future to lay low so they won’t be found by any Russian guards. As Dustin tries to tell Mike all of the details about being trapped underground, the Walkie Talkie cuts out. Where are cell phones when you need them? When asking Erica for more batteries, he finds Steve and Robin have officially left the building. The two have stumbled out of theater to discuss what the heck is going on in Back to the Future. Steve is finding the film to be a very confusing experience, especially after being drugged by the Russians. After gazing at the mall skylights, the pair immediately gets sick in the bathroom. 
The two think the drugs are out of their system after throwing up and begin asking serious questions in a segment we’ll call #deepbathroomtalks. Robin asks Steve if he’s ever been in love. He says he has been in love with Nancy. When asked if he’s still in love with Nancy, he says no, because he likes someone who’s better for him. The girl he likes is hilarious, smart, and everything he’s been looking for. If you’re unable to read between the lines, Steve likes Robin. Not a shocking development considering these two have been seemingly set up for each other since the first episode.

When Steve confesses this to Robin, she says that he doesn’t even know her and if he did he wouldn’t want to be friends with her. Could Robin be a Russian spy? Is that why she cracked the code so easily? She’s not like Steve’s other friends and “not like Nancy Wheeler.” She brings up the story about being obsessed with him in class. Robin says it isn’t because she had a crush on Steve, but because “Tammy Thompson wouldn’t stop staring at Steve.” PLOT TWIST. Robin is gay. I never saw that coming. Based on the last episode, she made it sound like she was in love with Steve in high school. She knew so many details about him…including what he ate for breakfast! Apparently, she only knew those things because Tammy was obsessed with Steve and it frustrated her that she only cared about him. Steve is shocked, “Tammy Thompson’s a girl.” he says as he tries to register the news. After he gets over the initial shock, he handles it very well (showing how much he’s grown as a character from season 1.) He tells Robin that she can do much better than Tammy and the two go right back laughing and joking around. Dustin and Erica find them in the bathroom and get ready to leave the mall. There are Russian guards at every entrance so they’ll have to find another means of escape.

Fourth of July Fun Fair
Joyce and Hopper get into another argument which has been constant all season. Murray is TIRED OF IT! Can’t blame him. He says they need to just stop it and admit their feeling for each other. He’s right! There’s some major denial from Joyce and Hopper, but it’s obvious these two have had feelings for each other since the first season. They arrive at the fair and Hopper can finally let loose, get a funnel cake, and get on some rides! He’s got his Hawaiian shirt on and he’s prepared. It’s the summer of relaxed Hopper. Don’t kill his vibe. So he’s actually not there to do any of that, but I’d love an episode of him having fun at the fair! He tells Alexei and Murray to stay in the car as he and Joyce go find the kids. 
Alexei and Murray decide to forget the rules, they want to go to the fair! So they leave Hopper’s car and take in the sights of the Fourth of July spectacle. Alexei tells Murray all the fair games are rigged, but he wants to try one out anyway. He finds a game to play and wins! Maybe these games aren’t rigged after all! He wins a Woody Woodpecker doll and begins walking toward Murray who’s waiting for him with fair food. At this moment, Alexei is on top of the world. In just one quick moment, the Terminator is in the frame. Go away, you evil man. We don’t want you here. The score quickly changes to ominous music as he walks towards Alexei. Don’t you dare. Not right after he won a game at the fair. The evil Terminator shoots Alexei and calls him a traitor. 

Can’t believe that happened. Can’t believe I’m so sad about a character that was only featured in two episodes. Murray rushes to his side as he collapses and runs off to get help. Someone get this man a cherry slurpee before he dies. 
Murray tells Hopper that Alexei was shot. Hopper and Joyce around the fair to find a way out but are confronted with Russians at every turn. Hopper runs into the most sophisticated fun house I’ve ever seen where he meets up with the Terminator. This fun house has the world’s most fancy mirror hallway and a ceiling made up of triangular glass. Hopper outsmarts the Terminator thanks to this fancy funhouse and gets into the car with Joyce and Murray. Alexei didn’t survive the gunshot wound. RIP Alexei. You’ll never be forgotten.

Final Moments
The Russians have locked down the mall with Steve, Dustin, Erica, and Robin still stuck there. Just when it seems like all hope is lost, the mall display car’s alarm signal starts going off. There’s no one in or near the car. You could say that it’s just a strange thing. As the guards look up to the center balcony, they see Eleven is setting off the car alarm with her powers. She throws the car back several feet to knock out the guards. She’s accompanied by Mike, Nancy, Jonathan, Lucas, and Max. The group is reunited at last!!! They all try to exchange stories as quickly as possible when El collapses to the floor. Something is moving inside her leg. She screams in pain. End of Episode 

Episode MVP: Alexei
Best Scene of the Episode: The grocery store scene
Is Steve Alive after Episode 7: YES!!!! This is crunch time though. He just has to make it through one more episode.

Stranger Things 3: Chapter 5 Recap

The Flayed
After the intensity of The Sauna Test, it’s time to keep things going with Episode 5 called The Flayed. The episode kicks off with Steve, Robin, Dustin, and Erica stuck in the Russian elevator descending rapidly. The elevator comes to a sharp halt and the group sees no way to get out through the doors. Dustin finds a way to climb out. Things aren’t looking promising when climbing out when he discovers they’re trapped in a massive elevator shaft with no escape.

Hopper and Joyce continue on their quest at Hess Farm, attempting to figure out what caused the power surge in Hawkins. They find two Russian men who can’t understand them when they attempt to make contact. The man from the motorcycle suddenly walks into the farm with a gun loaded, ready to meet his Hawaiian shirted foe. Hopper sneaks up on him and holds motorcycle man at gunpoint. Right before he can shoot, the two men get into a fight. These two love fighting! When Hopper knocks him on the ground for a minute, he and Joyce grab one of the Russians and bring him along with them. They run out of the farm and drive away while the mysterious motorcycle man gets up and fires his gun at the car. Is this guy the Terminator? Nothing can keep him down. Opening title credits begin

Wake Up Call
Jonathan is just trying to get some rest after a frustrating week at work. The Byers’ house phone will not stop ringing so he gets up to answer it to find Nancy is calling at 6 AM. “Do you realize what time it is?” he frustratingly asks her. I may not be a big Jonathan fan, but I’m in his corner on this one. There are certain times you don’t call people and 6 AM is a big time NO. Good for Jonathan for actually listening to her at that hour because I wouldn’t have answered the phone. She tells him that she’s at the hospital with Mrs. Driscoll and she needs to speak to Will.

A Walk in the Woods
Hopper’s car completely breaks down then blows up after the high speed getaway from Hess Farm! So he and Joyce begin a trek through the woods with their new Russian companion, Alexei. Joyce tries to tell Alexei all about her obsession with magnets. He conveniently acts like he doesn’t understand her due to the language barrier. Nice try, Alexei. You’re still gonna have to hear about the magnets. She’s never gonna stop talking about them. They walk through the woods for a long time until Alexei begins running. At first glance, it would seem he’s running away, but he’s just running towards 7/11! It’s time for some more New Coke advertisement! I’ve lost count at how many times it’s been advertised, but I know I’ve seen at least 6 cans. Alexei gets a strawberry slurpee and I’m a little shocked he didn’t just start speaking English then and there stating, “New Coke is my favorite part of America.” Don’t get me wrong, I’m an American. Coke is my favorite drink, but there’s no need to be so blatant about it in every frame of the show.

After buying some NEW COKE at the 7/11, Hopper commandeers a car from a guy pumping gas who looks like a slick 80’s investment banker. He uses the “I’m a cop and this is a criminal” excuse with Alexei. The 3 drive away and show up to the home of Murray Bauman. You may remember Murray from last season as the private investigator hired by Barb’s parents to investigate her disappearance. (RIP BARB. Gone, but certainly never forgotten.) Murray opens the door to speak to Alexei and the two begin communicating in fluent Russian. This is sure to take an interesting turn. He searches Alexei with a metal detector to be sure it’s safe to have him in his house.
The Terminator is on their tail! Shortly after they drive off, he shows up at the gas station asking for information about their whereabouts. What’s going on? There’s no New Coke in this scene at the 7/11?! Why didn’t the Terminator guy buy any! What’s his problem! Doesn’t he understand when in a place of business one must purchase a New Coke!

Group Investigation
Mike, El, Max, Lucas, and Will are still together after the Sauna Test. Mike thinks it’s weird that Hopper is gone and that Dustin isn’t with the group. (I agree Mike. It is weird!) Nancy and Jonathan join the group to give their story some pizzaz. They tell the kids all about their research on Mrs. Driscoll and the rabid rats. This helps everyone realize that Billy and Mrs. Driscoll’s attacks happened at the exact same time. Research is so helpful! While talking, everyone puts the pieces together that Heather and Tom are father/daughter. They head to Heather’s house to do some investigating. No answer at the doorbell. If only someone could get the door open! Thankfully, El remembers she has powers and uses them to their advantage. Inside the house, they find a bunch of chemicals on the kitchen counter indicating Heather’s family has been taking part in the Ammonia craze that’s sweeping through Hawkins. Mike suggests they may be making something with the chemicals. Somehow Nancy pieces together every single moment of Billy’s dinner with Heather’s family just by looking at the scene of the house. What a detective! Sherlock Holmes wishes he had that kind of skill!

Stuck in an Elevator
Dustin is desperate to get out of the elevator so he sends out messages on his walkie talkie. Sadly, no one is listening. In a miraculous turn, the elevator doors are opened by two Russian workers. Steve uses the Troll 2 neon green tube to keep the elevator door open so they can slide under and get out of the confined space. As soon as he gets out, the tube explodes and melts like some kind of acid. As they get out of the elevator, they’re faced with the task of walking down an infinitely long hallway. The hallway walkers finally reach the end to find some kind of Russian facility. The 4 make it into a room with an open door. Guess what, it’s not empty! Robin begins speaking the code to the man in the room, but he’s not buying it. He starts to take out a gun, but Steve charges at him. They start fighting…Steve, it’s only episode 5. It’s too early for you to get beat up. To my surprise, Steve knocks him out. Do my eyes deceive me? Did STEVE JUST WIN A FIGHT WITH A HUMAN CHARACTER?

Robin brings the group to the control room. We’re back to that Chernobyl life! The men in the Hazmat suits are walking around the nuclear reactor trying to open that gate. Okay, this part is pretty unbelievable. How would these teens and children with bright neon clothing walk around this highly secretive facility with no one to stop them? If there was a key card just to use the elevator, there would definitely be a key card to get into the most dangerous facility in the city.

Final Moments
After hearing the story about Mrs. Driscoll, the group believes she will lead them to the source. So they return to her hospital room. She’s disappeared from her room, but Tom is there with blood on his shirt. The lights begin flickering as Nancy and Jonathan run to the hallway to find Gary Busey’s clone son chasing them. Nancy defeats him with a fire extinguisher which leads to a domino effect, knocking out Tom. The two begin shaking on the floor and melting basically. It’s very gross. They turn into a pile of sludge on the floor The melted floor sludge begins moving and forms into one unit as the lights go out. The lights turn back on to reveal a huge monster screaming at Nancy and Jonathan. End of Episode 5

Lingering Questions: Is everyone who turns into the monster officially dead?
Episode MVP: Nancy
Best Scene: Steve winning a fight
Is Steve Alive After Episode 5: Yes, and he won a fight!