The fourth episode of Stranger Things' third season continues the thrilling narrative as El confides in Max, expressing her unease over Billy's enigmatic behavior. Matters worsen as Mrs. Driscoll is suddenly whisked away, screaming, with her body marred by ominous black veins. Back at the shadowy factory, Billy and Heather have cruelly restrained her parents, laying them out as a macabre offering to the looming creature. Their faces are now adorned with identical tentacles, a chilling testament to their alliance with the darkness.
Meanwhile, Nancy and Jonathan face the wrath of their boss, who seems strangely off his game. He harshly reprimands them and ultimately decides to terminate their employment, accusing them of posing as reporters. Mike, determined to bring the gang together, calls Max and urges her to join them as he holds crucial news. As they put aside their differences, Will opens up to his friends about his haunting sensations; he believes the Mind Flayer, once ensconced within him, might still lurk in Hawkins, attached to another unsuspecting victim.
Hopper, realizing that he's seen his attacker in the Mayor's office, storms in to confront him. The Mayor brushes him off with a wave of his hand, but Hopper's patience is thin. He resorts to violence, pummeling the Mayor in a desperate attempt to wrest information from him. The Mayor, weakened and broken, finally reveals that the mysterious figure is linked to Starcourt Mall and is on a mission to acquire land surrounding the bustling complex.
Elsewhere, Robin procures blueprints of the mall, and the trio hatch a daring plan. They decide to navigate the maze of air ducts to reach their destination: a clandestine room hidden within the delivery company's building, where they hope to uncover more clues to the mystery. They enlist the help of Lucas's sister, Erica, who agrees to squeeze through the ducts in exchange for a lavish treat of free ice cream.
The remaining members of the gang converge at the pool, intent on keeping tabs on Billy. A clever plan takes shape in their minds: to lure him into the sauna and trap him there. They know that the Mind Flayer is vulnerable to extreme heat, and this test will reveal once and for all if it has indeed latched onto Billy.
Joyce, meanwhile, makes a crucial deduction. She suspects that the machine responsible for the power outages and electromagnetic disturbances might be concealed within one of the properties acquired by the men associated with Starcourt Mall. This revelation spurs her into action, and she resolves to investigate these properties with Hopper at her side.
Nancy is determined to capture the sickly rat, hoping to unravel its mysterious affliction, yet Jonathan hesitates at first. However, after much deliberation, they agree to return to Mrs. Driscoll's only to find her behaving strangely, gnawing voraciously on the fertilizer. Meanwhile, Lucas and Mike embark on a search for Will, with Mike feeling increasingly isolated from his friends. As he angrily demolishes their tree house, Will begins to experience a familiar, unnerving sensation at the nape of his neck - a sensation that reminds him of the proximity of the Mind Flayer.
Elsewhere, Dustin, Lucas, and Robin decide to delve into the secrets of the mysterious delivery company, while Hopper continues his investigation within the labyrinthine lab. Suddenly, he's ambushed by a brutal Russian assailant who mercilessly beats him.
Concurrently, El and Max make their way to Heather's house, revealing that she is the daughter of Tom, the Editor-in-Chief of the Hawkins Post. Billy joins them for dinner, but Heather's behavior seems oddly off. Billy experiences a fleeting vision of Eleven closing the gate, causing his gaze to narrow. After El and Max depart, Heather's mother, Janet, collapses unexpectedly, and Heather lashes out, striking her father in the back of the head. The episode comes to a thrilling climax as Will confides in Lucas and Mike that "he" is back.
The third chapter of the story continues to unfold with captivating revelations and clues about the new mystery that has ensnared the town this season. Stranger Things manages to strike a perfect balance between nostalgic, tense moments and sensitive, poignant themes such as grief, the challenges of growing up, and feminism. Without ever feeling overbearing or intrusive, these elements lend the series a more grounded and relatable feel, making the characters' struggles all the more heartfelt and engaging. The start of this episode signals a pivotal shift in the narrative, ushering in a more consistent and immersive tone for Stranger Things. As we eagerly await the unfolding of the story's second half, the question remains: What new direction will the series take us next?
Erica ventures through the narrow vent and emerges into the clandestine chamber. She swings the door wide open, allowing the trio to enter. Together, they unwrap the boxes, revealing canisters that emit an enigmatic green glow. Their excitement mounts as they attempt to unlock the door and escape, but their jubilation turns to panic when they hit a button, revealing that the room is actually an elevator, plummeting downward into the depths.
Meanwhile, at the pool, the gang manages to trap Billy in the sauna. His frantic screams echo as he demands they let him out, confessing to his misdeeds but blaming an outside force for his actions. Will senses the activation of the Mind Flayer, and the scene cuts to Mrs. Driscoll in the hospital, enduring a similar ordeal. Both of them scream in agony as black veins crawl across their bodies.
Suddenly, Billy manages to break free, but El blocks his escape with a heavy weight pressed against the wall. He pushes it aside and lunges for her, choking her with all his might. Will rushes to her rescue, and as Billy turns his ire on him, El levitates him with supernatural force and throws him through a solid brick wall. Billy flees back to the factory, where a crowd of Hawkins' citizens stands in silence, as a monstrous creature roars in the shadows.
As we reach the midpoint of this thrilling season, the show delves deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Mind Flayer and its growing power. The trio of Steve, Robin, and Dustin shine brightly in this narrative, working seamlessly together and adding a fascinating subplot to the already complex story. The introduction of Erica is a breath of fresh air, her sassy remarks like "You can't spell America without Erica" adding humor and spirit to the proceedings.
The cast's impeccable acting, along with the captivating special effects and haunting score, elevate the production to new heights. Like its two predecessors, this season boasts an outstanding production design that keeps the viewer engaged and eager for more. As Stranger Things continues to unfold, the mystery surrounding the Mind Flayer deepens, promising intriguing and exciting revelations in the episodes ahead.
