Stranger Things: Series 3 — Episode 5— Chapter 5: The Flayed — A Review

23rd July, 2019.

It has to be said … payday is nice.

Even though, strictly, it’s the day I receive the little bit of Universal Credit I’m entitled to.

Rather than earnings.

It …



Well, it doesn’t cover everything …



But at least allows me to pay the basic bills: food, water, rent, utilities, what have you.

It’s a struggle …



But a struggle with bits left over.

At least … enough sugar left over to give to a neighbour: who, bless him, always seems to need to borrow some, at awkward times … 

~≈§≈~

At any rate … it’s a Tuesday.



One where I’ve got a meeting, tomorrow: to see if I’m eligible for some extra benefits.

In theory?

I should have a nice relaxed evening in: rather than staying up late, blogging.

To hell with it.

I’m in the middle of Stranger Things, series 3, and any spare time I have … ?



Is going to be spent watching it … 

~≈§≈~

Episode 5 — Chapter Five: The Flayed — opens with Dustin, Steve, Robin and Erica (Gaten Matarazzo, Joe Keery, Maya Hawke, Priah Ferguson) plummeting downwards in a hidden lift: that eventually stops in a hidden base, deep under the Starcourt Mall.   Desperately trying to find a communications room — or a way out — the four discover an area where scientists are trying to get to the Upside Down.



Meanwhile?   Hopper and Joyce (David Harbour, Winona Ryder) discover the hidden lab under the old Hess farm.   Complete with a pair of Russian scientists who Hopper is keen to talk to … once he finds a translator …

Whilst all this is going on … ?

Nancy and Jonathan (Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton) find Mrs. Driscoll missing from her hospital bed: and an enraged Tom and Bruce waiting for them.

Nancy and Jonathan have a fight for their lives … 

~≈§≈~

Now … 

There’s possibly several Words to describe Stranger Things: both its third season, and in general.

‘Well written,’ springs to mind.

‘Beautifully acted,’ another.

‘Perfectly paced’ … ?   That’s there, as well.

It has to be said, all of those apply both to this series: and this episode.

Between them, the ensemble cast — possibly one of the best I’ve seen in a while — writers — damn competent ones, at that — and production crew — pick a superlative — have not out another slice of riveting story arc.

Frankly?

I’m going to be twitchy until I see the next episode.