Stranger Things season 4 only becomes more timely in 2025 - episode 5 & 6 re-review
Our Stranger Things re-watch club reaches season 4 episodes 5 and 6... 👀📺
- Chaos descends on Hawkins, Indiana.
- Tragic times are whipped up into social unrest.
- Our re-review journey reaches season 4 episode 5 and 6.
All is not right in Hawkins, as we pick up our re-review journey in season four of the Netflix smash hit Stranger Things. Beyond the supernatural serial killer slaughtering teens, we’ve got vigilantes roaming the streets and chaos threatening to bubble over.
Despite all the supernatural goings-on in the previous series, the Indiana town has never reached a boiling point quite like his. Sure there were some protests about the mall in season three, but law-and-order is now on the verge of breakdown in our latest pair of episodes.
But what is the verdict on season four episode five and six? Read my latest thoughts here:
Chapter Five: The Nina Project
Synopsis: Owens takes El to Nevada, where she's forced to confront her past, while the Hawkins kids comb a crumbling house for clues. Vecna claims another victim
Growing up one of my favourite daily rituals was rushing to get back from primary school to watch What’s New Scooby Doo. I was obsessed.
I had some of the animated films in VHS - yes I am old. And I had a gameboy game that I played to death.
So anytime a book or show or movie gives me that Scooby Doo gang vibe, I get that warm nostalgic glow. This episode of Stranger Things is very scooby doo coded.
It is another hour plus instalment with a lot going on - but I came away mostly thinking of how the trip to the Creel house just feels so quintessentially scooby doo. All it was missing was a chase scene with the villain.
Our gang of pals in Hawkins are on a detective mission, looking for clues to fight a monster. You see where I am coming from right?
It culminates in a brilliant call back to season one that works to tie the overarching story together cleverly. Back in those initial episodes, Joyce famously used Christmas lights to communicate with Will in the Upside down - and here the kids clock that they can follow the lights and figure out that Vecna is in the house, just on the other side in the Upside Down.
Speaking of season one, it is clever how they bring back Papa. They don’t try to redeem him or make him more sympathetic - he is still the same villain. One who thinks he is doing the right thing, which makes him more chilling.
The satanic panic is stepped-up another gear as Jason and the jocks go on the hunt again after Chrissy funeral - and we get another gruesome Vecna killing.
I remember being a big fan of Eddie Munson back when season 4 came out but he has been rather sidelined these past few episodes. Will he come back in a big way over the next couple?
Chapter Six: The Dive
Synopsis: Behind the Iron Curtain, a risky rescue mission gets underway. The California crew seeks help from a hacker. Steve takes one for the tea
Quickly picking up from episode 5, this is the episode where Eddie starts to step into focus. He is central to the plot but he is present finally - and his charms start to work on viewers.
The satanic panic stuff has been bubbling throughout the season but it starts to explode here. Jason manages to whip the town up into a furore and causes mass panic - with vigilantes taking to the street to hunt down Eddie.
Watching it now in 2025, it is eerily similar to the wave of social media inspired mobs that have taken to the streets in the last 12 months or so. Angry mobs loosed upon towns and cities, the powers of authority losing their grip in a time of rising anxiety (both real or imagined).
It makes Jason into one of the better villains in the show. He is totally blinded by his grief and prejudices against Eddie, but you can understand where he is coming from - even if he has got it terribly wrong.
Also offers an interesting critique on masculinity - that urge to “do something” and “act” leading to him unleashing chaos upon the town. I am finding this to be a rich and interesting plot line for sure.
The hunt for the gate is another great circling back to season one and two. It helps to make the overall story feel even more fleshed out and cohesive.
It also leaves us on a brutal cliffhanger - with wonderful Steve in terrible danger. This is a moment when watching it weekly can be sickening!
Remind yourself when Stranger Things season 5 is released. See all the key dates right here.