By the time we all get to see the fifth and final season of Stranger Things, our beloved gang of Indiana teens probably won’t be teens to begin with. Heck, some of them are already well into their 20s. If this writers’ strike keeps up, who knows? Passing for a sophomore in high school is sorta hard to do when you’re pushin’ 30.
Now, as the filmmakers behind the show stare down the barrel of its epic conclusion, some of the stars involved seem to know exactly where things are headed. In a recent interview with ComicBook.com, Caleb McLaughlin (Lucas Sinclair), gave a bit of information regarding what fans can expect.
“I haven’t had a chance [to read the script] but I have an idea of what’s going to happen. I know some stuff.”
All jokes aside, I can’t wait for the newest season of Stranger Things. Arguably the darkest season to date, Netflix’s fourth installment into their smash-hit left us with a lot to think about. Still, in case you’ve forgotten (no judgement here), in the final moments of season four — Hawkins was in shambles. The Upside Down had split through to the surface, Max had gone blind, people were dead, and hell had quite literally broken loose. Yikes.
So why aren’t we able to tune in to what will be one of streaming’s biggest moments? Two words: Writers’ Strike.
As Hollywood storytellers battle for the future and their livelihoods, production on Stranger Things has indefinitely halted. According to McLaughin though, it’s the right thing to do.
“Right now, we’re supporting the writers. I think it’s going to be good, though. I think it’s going to be really good. I think people are going to be happy. I don’t know too much that is going to happen, but until the writers’ strike is over, I’ll be able to get more information.”
Having to wait until writers are given what they deserve might seem like a drag, but the alternative is even scarier than the Demogorgon. In order to tell the best stories, the folks in charge of bringing them to life should be incentivized to do the best they can — and until that happens, nothing changes.
I stand with the Writer Guild of America, and hope that entertainment executives far and wide decide to value their creatives instead of their bottom line. Remember Netflix; without writers, Stranger Things doesn’t exist. Damn the torpedoes.