The DufferBrothers recommend rewatching very specific Episodes prior to each Season 5 episode!

Matt & Ross Duffer Recommend rewatching five episodes before season five: Season 2's “Will the Wise” and “The Spy,” Season 3's "The Bite", Season 4's “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab”,

“The Piggyback" & U.K. Play;

"The First Shadow" (Youtube).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Things:_The_First_Shadow;
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ePpma9JFSL8&pp=0gcJCR4Bo7VqN5tD,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Angel_(American_TV_series),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_Street_(film_series),

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wrinkle_in_Time_(2003_film)

These Episodes, Films & UK Play are Crucial for understanding the story's mythology and the direct setup for the final season.

(GiffordPinchot #NationalForest)

Season 2, Episode 4: "Will the Wise":
An ailing Will opens up to Joyce with
disturbing results. While Hopper digs for
the truth, Eleven unearths a surprising discovery.
This episode is important for setting-up the emotional and psychological impact of the Upside Down on Will.

Season 2, Episode 6: "The Spy":

Will’s connection to a shadowy evil grows
stronger but no one’s quite sure how
to stop it. Elsewhere, Dustin and Steve
forge an unlikely bond. Considered by
the brothers to be one of the most important
episodes, this installment shows Will
acting as a "spy" for the Mind Flayer
and deepens the show's mythology.

Season 3, Episode 7: "The Bite": Where
Robin Comes-Out to Harrington as Lesbian,
#NewCoke in Supermarket and Eleven is Injured
Fighting #TheMindFlayer!

Season 3, Episode 8: "The Battle
for Starcourt Mall" (S8 Finale)

Season 4, Episode 7: "The Massacre at Hawkins Lab": As Hopper braces to battle a monster, Dustin dissects Vecna’s motives and decodes a message from beyond. El
finds strength in a distant memory.

This episode reveals significant
details about the origins of Vecna
and the Upside Down's history.

Season 4, Episode 9: "The Piggyback": With selfless hearts and a clash of metal, heroes fight from every corner of the battlefield to save Hawkins and the world itself. The season-4 finale provides the most direct setup for the final season's events and conclusions.

“Season 2 is when we really started to
build out the mythology and started to dive into everything, and how this was going to be an ongoing [series]. That’s where we started to really plant the seeds for the mythology, and I think probably that’s why that is as relevant as it is,” Matt tells THR. “Season 4 is also highly relevant — ‘Massacre at Hawkins Lab’ is a good one.”

Ross adds, Season 2 unveils some of the Upside Down mythology and starts giving some answers, and, of course, all the stuff with Henry and Eleven continues to resonate throughout Season 5.
Those are some good ones to revisit.”

When the rest of #StrangerThings
Season 5 will stream on Netflix.

https://youtu.be/Igby6-0R3bI?si=G-rLAeDeoPUQGN0l

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gWvLIpZp_T8,

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib9AmJTujH4, Think Thessaalhydra.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_kT80BGbd3g

Episode 5: "Chapter 5: Shock Jock" - (Xmas) December 25, 8pm

Now PRIOR TO Watching the
Final 3-Episodes, Backtrack &
Rewatch Season-1, Episodes 2, 3,
6-8 & Season-2, Episodes 1-3.

OBVIOUSLY Stranger Things Season 2
Episode 2 Pays Homage to Ghostbusters;
foreshadowing Finn Wolfhard being Cast in Afterlife and Later Frozen Empire. But
Episode 3 ALSO Pays Homage to Gremlins,
Due to Dustin Bringing Home A
Tadpole-like Slug he Named Dartanian,
that Will Had Previously Coughed-Up.

"You're spot on with Ghostbusters homage in Stranger Things S2E2 (Halloween costumes) and its real-world foreshadowing for Finn Wolfhard; the Gremlins parallel in S2E3 with Dustin's pet slug Dart (D'Artagnan) is also a recognized fan theory and show parallel, as Dart's growth and eventual danger mirrors Mogwai rules, solidifying the show's heavy 80s horror-comedy homage.

Ghostbusters Homage (S2E2: "Trick or Treat, Freak") The Scene: The boys dress as Ghostbusters for Halloween, complete with homemade gear, referencing the 1984 movie that defined the era.

The Foreshadowing: This served as an
unintentional nod to Wolfhard's later
Casting as #TrevorSpengler in
Ghostbusters: #Afterlife (2021) and
Ghostbusters: #FrozenEmpire (2024),
a connection recognized
by fans and the creators.
Gremlins Homage (S2E3: "The Pollywog")
The Parallel: Dustin finds a slug-like creature (Dart) that Will coughed up, names it D'Artagnan, and keeps it, like Billy Peltzer receives a Mogwai.

The Connection: Dart grows, becomes destructive, and eventually transforms into a mini-Demogorgon, mirroring the chaos unleashed when Gremlins break the rules (no sunlight, no water, no feeding after midnight).

Bob Newby Refrencing "Mr.Baldo" to Will Byers (in the Car) is yet ANOTHER Homage to #StephenKing's Pennywize; Yet ANOTHER Horror Film Finn Wolfhard Wound-Up Being Cast.

"You are correct; the story Bob Newby tells Will Byers about "Mr. Baldo" in Season 2 Episode 3 is widely interpreted by fans and critics as a direct homage to #StephenKing's IT and Villain Pennywise. Several specific details in the scene support this connection:

Location: Bob reveals he is
originally from Maine, the
exact setting for King's novel.

Timeline: Bob would have been a child in the late 1950s, which aligns with the time Pennywise was active in Kings original novel's timeline.

Description: Bob's description of "Mr. Baldo" includes the clown having a "fat white glove", Strang Voice and offering a balloon, which are all signature characteristics of Pennywise.

Conquering Fear: Bob explains he overcame his fear by standing up to the clown and telling him to "Go Away," which is how #TheLosersClub defeats Pennywise in the story.

Shared Actor: As you again noted, Finn Wolfhard, who plays Mike Wheeler in Stranger Things, also starred as Richie Tozier in the 2017 and 2019 film adaptations of It. The Duffer Brothers have confirmed the various King references were totally intentional.

Why These References Matter 80's
Authenticity: The Duffer Brothers
intentionally peppered Season 2 with iconic 1984 films (#Gremlins,
#TheKarateKid, The #Terminator,
Ghostbusters) to capture the period's cinematic feel and genre tropes.

Episode 6: "Chapter 6: Escape from
Camazotz" - (Xmas) December 25, 8pm.

Episode 7: "Chapter 7: The Bridge"
Airs on (Xmas) December 25, 8pm.

The FINAL Epsisode Consising of Familiar Characters/Cast Members;

Episode 8 (Volume 2): "Chapter 8: The Rightside Up" - Airs on (New Years) December 31, 8pm.

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/stranger-things-5-finale-in-theaters & on:
https://www.st5finale.com States
hat tthe FINAL 2-Hr Episode Played
at 8pm ET on Jan.1st 2026 (NewYears) in MANY (625) #AMC, Regal & #Cinemark
#Theatres Across US, #UK, #Canada, #India, #Austrailia, Spain, #Poland, Brazil.

FYI: "DungeonMaster-Musik;
#Dimension-X (#Twitter) IS A LIE!!"

"One Last Adventure: The Making of
Stanger Things Season 5" WILL BE
Unleashed Upon US on Jan. 12th.

Then there's an Animated Series
coming sometime this year Called
"Stranger Things: Tales of ’85."
The show will take place in between
Seasons 2 and 3 of XmasOriginal Series,
following characters: Eleven,
Hopper, Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson,
Will Byers, Lucas Sinclair and Max Mayfield
(played by new Voice actors) as they work to Unravel the
Mysteries of the Upside Down.

StrangerThings🕸🕷🧌 Filming Locations and Music Track Guide

https://www.reddit.com/r/StrangerThings/comments/4uvd3c/stranger_things_sidebyside_with_every_film_it/

#StrangerThings Season 1 HEAVILY Borrows from or pays Homage to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, featuring similar plots like kids hiding a powerful, mysterious friend (Eleven/E.T.) from Adults, Iconic scenes such as dressing the #Alien in a wig and dress, and Spielbergian vibes like kids on bikes facing a #Monster and #Government #Agents, all woven into its 1980s setting.

ThitShow's creators, #TheDufferBrothers, intentionally drew from Spielberg's kid-focused sci-fi classics, blending them with Stephen King and other 80s horror/adventure tropes.

Key Similarities:

The Mysterious Friend: Mike and his friends hiding Eleven, who has Powers, mirrors #Elliott hiding E.T. with shared moments of Discovery and bonding. Eleven wearing a #BlondeWig and frilly dress as a #Disguise is a direct nod to E.T.

Monster & Chase Scenes: The #Demogorgon's first appearance and Will's terror echoes Elliott's encounter with E.T., and the chase scenes with #Bikes are iconic.

Suburban Setting & Themes:

Both feature kids in a #SmallTown dealing with extraordinary, dangerous events and secretive adult figures. The use of #Eggos for Eleven is a playful parallel to #ReesesPieces for E.T. Wheras BOTH The #CountyFair AND StarcourtMall in StrangerThings Seasin 3 become Deadly Playgrounds, Eerily Similar to events in #FinalDestination 3.

According to Offical website: https://www.strangertours.com/

#OakRidge, Tennessee (Town and #Laboratory (ORNL) was the Stand-in for #Hawkins, Indiana. As was #JeffersonMiddle, along with Patrick Henry #HighSchool in Stockbridge, Georgia. Hawkins Public Library EXTERIOR is #Butts County #Courthouse in Jackson, Georgia. While Interior is Old East Point Library in East Point, Georgia.

Downtown #RadioShack was in Jackson, Georgia is now an #EscapeRoom. Dustins #Weathertop is #SerenbeFarms PRIVATE Hilltop.

Grocers; Bradley's BigBuy, is located in #Palmetto, Georgia, but has since become a #PigglyWiggly.

The #CountyFair Scenes were Filmed on the Grounds of Georgia's #RenaissanceFair in Fairburn.

#Starcourt was GwinnettPlace Mall https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gwinnett_Place_Mall in #Duluth, Georgia 2100 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096 (NEAR Atlanta).

#EtanCohen's #MGM Comedy film #Brothers Filmed there as well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brothers_(2024_film)

Tracklist:

"Should I Stay or Should I Go" by #TheClash

"I Think We're Alone Now" by #Tiffany

"The Magnificent Seven" by TheClash

"BicycleRace" by #Queen

"Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2" by #PinkFloyd

"Wheel in the Sky" by #Journey

"Upside Down" by #DianaRoss

"Running Out that Door" by #KateBush

"Surrender" by #CheapTrick

"Here Comes the Rain Again" by #Eurythmics

"The Warrior" by Scandal featuring #PattySmyth

#ButtholeSurfers

"Purple Rain" by #PRINCE

"Changes" by #StevieNicks

GregoryMcGuire's Wicked Trilogy

Wicked for Good/Return to OZ Edited Crossover Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KUstLMJpibM https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_a_Witch https://www.facebook.com/groups/wickedfans/posts/4450377065285801/

https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked/comments/1hv5v5h/hypothetically_how_could_son_of_a_witch_be/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Out_of_Oz

https://geektyrant.com/news/universal-pictures-reportedly-concidering-a-third-wicked-movie

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Man_(miniseries)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OzLand

"Out of Oz; Son of a Witch" Follows the Story of Beaten & Badly Brused, Leif/LiirThroppe; Son of Elphaba. Who Had Been Viciously Maimed by Dragons! Leif & Emry had been wandering through fields & AbandonedHomes throughout Post-Apocalyptic Kansas in Search of Food & Shelter. Liir's Uncle: ShellThropp Becomes The Emperor Apostle After the Assassination of Scarecrow! Leif/Liir & Candle later have a daughter named: Rain. Leif THEN places his infant Daughter into Glinda's care & Enchants her Skin color so it loses its green tint. Rain grows up as an ignored Servant girl, but when Glinda acquires the Grimmerie and the EmeraldCity soldiers begin to show interest in Rain, Glinda knows it is time to part with them both. Glinda leaves the book & girl in the charge of a company of a traveling puppet show, called the "Clock of the TimeDragon". Among this Show's crew is Brrr, the CowardlyLion who is looking for redemption after his Cowardly acts over the years. Brrr reunites Rain with her Parents, but the Reunion is short when it's brought to his attention that DorothyGale has Returned to Oz, and is being placed on Trial for the Murder of Elphaba and her Eastern sister, Nessarose.

The LOST King of OZ?

Hey Google Gemini, Where DOES King Pastorius Fit in Compared to Oscar Diggs the Wizard?

"King Pastorius was the rightful king of Oz who was usurped by the Wizard (Oscar Diggs), who then became the new ruler. Pastorius is a figure who was overthrown, while Oscar Diggs is the impostor who takes his place and is known by multiple names, including the Wizard. While Pastorius was a legendary figure in Oz, the Wizard's rule is more directly explored in stories like L. Frank Baum's books.

King Pastorius IS The rightful king of Oz who was overthrown by the Wizard, according to some sources. Some accounts state he was killed, while others say he was imprisoned, or simply removed from power. His daughter, Princess Ozma, was hidden away to prevent her from taking the throne. In the 1902 stage musical, he is a streetcar conductor named Pastoria, and the Wizard's rule was not mentioned. He is not as prominent in the books as the Wizard, but his story is significant to the mythology of Oz. The Wizard (Oscar Diggs) Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, the Wizard of Oz, is a character who arrives in Oz after the monarchy has been overthrown. The Wizard’s true identity as a charlatan is revealed later in the book series. The Wizard rules Oz in a way that is similar to a king, even though he is not the rightful ruler. His rule is based on his reputation and the power he can wield with his magical devices, not on his legitimate authority. He is a more popular character with readers than King Pastorius, and so the author of the books, L. Frank Baum, kept his character in the stories even after Pastorius's return to power was revealed." https://wicked.fandom.com/wiki/Wizard, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wizard_of_Oz_(character) https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked/comments/1oyjh4y/were_there_other_wizards_before_oscar_diggs/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Ozma https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_City_(TV_series)

Why I Left TikTok & WILL NOT BE RETURNING!!

My MUCH OLDER, But EXACT SAME Sized CIS-Turd; Angel-MsCeeAngel (aka; SherryLeigh #Carlsen). As She KEEPS-ON RUINING MY LIFE, MONTH-BY-MONTH, YEAR-AFTER-YEAR!! She IS BY FAR WORSE THEN Wendy & Her Offspring EVER WERE!! Vile, Hateful/Spiteful, Bigot & Even A Decieptful Thief Who ABSOLTUELY ADORES #DonaldTrump;Just Because She Shares MANY of HIS OPINIONS!!

NO ONE HAS ANY CLUE AS TO JUST HOW HORRIBLE IT IS TO EVEN FATHOM LIVING WITH SUCH A #MEGALOMANIAC!! As EVERYTIME WE Move, Sherry Acts Like EVERYTHING Within Specifically Belongs to HER? Case in-Point, I #Donated Three LARGE Purple Halloween Mugs (with #Spider🕷& Web🕸Decor), Along with 8 #CookieCutters & THEY ALL Magicly🪄Disappeared? SherryLeigh Even Went So Far As to #Steal 20-Pairs of MY Shoes👢👟👞, Then EXCHANGED Them for 4-OTHER #NameBrands, As Well As Stealing MY #DrSholels👟 Insoles🩴? ALSO, About A Year AFTER WE Moved, I Had Two Hardcover #HarryPotter🤓 #Books📚 (Half-Blood & #DeadlyHollows; to Which I Have Dated Pictures Holding BOTH in Late-2008); That She NOW CLAIMS She "Bought" from #Goodwill? (with The Same Bookmarks🔖 MINE Had... Uh-Huh, SUURRE!)