Ep. 48: Stranger Things
06/14/22 • 48 min
1 Listener
This week, the hosts discuss the widely popular 80’s supernatural show Stranger Things aka (our preferred title) Spooky Goonies. The hosts could help but gush over this show as they reminisce over the past episodes and provide un-spoilered details of the most recent season.
Summary
If you haven’t seen Spooky Goonies by now, then you’re missing out on America’s favorite horror/sci-fi adventure show. Netflix’s flagship show just released its fourth season and it’s a doozy.
Psychokinetic telepath (be sure not to read that as telekinetic psychopath because there are those too) Eleven and her three buddies repeatedly save the small town of Hawkins, Indiana from various alien life forms.
The show is an excellent example of weaving riveting storytelling with detailed character development, deeply exploring many of its side characters as well.
Target Audience
TV14. It is one of the most popular shows as of late, so it’s hitting with all demos.
The Positives
The show highlights the long-gone 80s phenomenon of outdoor and unsupervised play mixed with the growing realization of the vulnerability of unaccompanied children. With cases of child abductions making their way onto the news, (see the Jacob Wetterling case ), parents, communities, and even Hollywood, began pointing fingers at what they believed were the cause of such horrific murders. Thus, the birth of the “Satanic Panic"began. This mass hysteria provided a backdrop for the plot of this show, welcoming newcomer Joseph Quinn to the cast as the beloved and wrongly accused Eddie Munson.
Speaking of actors, the casting for this show is flawless. From the regulars, to the newcomers, to the one and done cameos (Toby from This is Us makes a crossover appearance as Benny Hammond.)
Strong friendships make for messages of loyalty through the many challenges of puberty.
Robert Englund (the original Freddie Kruger) shows up in the cast as a super creepy character.
Great 80s music! TikTok has been relentless over its love for Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hilland we have Max to thank for it.
Potentially Problematic
Not problematic, but the girls couldn’t help but notice yet another show where the government builds a laboratory 3⁄4 of a mile from a bustling town without anyone noticing. Reminds us of Superpupz. Check out our review of that episode here.
The show scared the hell out of Kara’s son (specifically the demodogs) and it might scare yours too.
Lots of graphic death and injury.
Drug use.
Grief.
Some teenage sexuality, which varies by the season. The hosts get distracted by discussing a particular scene with Billy.
The costume choices are too much for Laura.
Should They Watch It
Kara: No, and nothing has hurt her worse to say this.
Laura: Yes to teens and tweens.
Side Conversation
One of Kara’s son’s friends came
This week, the hosts discuss the widely popular 80’s supernatural show Stranger Things aka (our preferred title) Spooky Goonies. The hosts could help but gush over this show as they reminisce over the past episodes and provide un-spoilered details of the most recent season.
Summary
If you haven’t seen Spooky Goonies by now, then you’re missing out on America’s favorite horror/sci-fi adventure show. Netflix’s flagship show just released its fourth season and it’s a doozy.
Psychokinetic telepath (be sure not to read that as telekinetic psychopath because there are those too) Eleven and her three buddies repeatedly save the small town of Hawkins, Indiana from various alien life forms.
The show is an excellent example of weaving riveting storytelling with detailed character development, deeply exploring many of its side characters as well.
Target Audience
TV14. It is one of the most popular shows as of late, so it’s hitting with all demos.
The Positives
The show highlights the long-gone 80s phenomenon of outdoor and unsupervised play mixed with the growing realization of the vulnerability of unaccompanied children. With cases of child abductions making their way onto the news, (see the Jacob Wetterling case ), parents, communities, and even Hollywood, began pointing fingers at what they believed were the cause of such horrific murders. Thus, the birth of the “Satanic Panic"began. This mass hysteria provided a backdrop for the plot of this show, welcoming newcomer Joseph Quinn to the cast as the beloved and wrongly accused Eddie Munson.
Speaking of actors, the casting for this show is flawless. From the regulars, to the newcomers, to the one and done cameos (Toby from This is Us makes a crossover appearance as Benny Hammond.)
Strong friendships make for messages of loyalty through the many challenges of puberty.
Robert Englund (the original Freddie Kruger) shows up in the cast as a super creepy character.
Great 80s music! TikTok has been relentless over its love for Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hilland we have Max to thank for it.
Potentially Problematic
Not problematic, but the girls couldn’t help but notice yet another show where the government builds a laboratory 3⁄4 of a mile from a bustling town without anyone noticing. Reminds us of Superpupz. Check out our review of that episode here.
The show scared the hell out of Kara’s son (specifically the demodogs) and it might scare yours too.
Lots of graphic death and injury.
Drug use.
Grief.
Some teenage sexuality, which varies by the season. The hosts get distracted by discussing a particular scene with Billy.
The costume choices are too much for Laura.
Should They Watch It
Kara: No, and nothing has hurt her worse to say this.
Laura: Yes to teens and tweens.
Side Conversation
One of Kara’s son’s friends came
Previous Episode
Ep. 47: Maya And The Three
We are so excited to welcome back voice and television actress Brina Palencia, (My Hero Academia, One Piece, Borderlands) who had joined us for our Cocomelon episode. As is tradition, our guests recommend their favorite show and Brina brought us a GEM in Maya and the Three.
Summary
Maya and the Three is a one season Netflix series of nine 30 minute episodes. This animated mesoamerican fantasy-adventure show features fifteen year old warrior princess Maya embarking on a journey to save humanity from some furious underworld gods.
The Noteworthies
Being part Honduran herself, Brina felt excited to see a show that broke away from the Aztec savage warrior trope. This, in addition to the beautiful writing, made for a very emotional viewing for her and the other ladies.
Even the gods in the show see character development, rather than black and white “good vs evil” treatment from show writers.
The moon looks like Jack Skellington. We think it’s intentional. In fact, there are lots of skulls and it makes us happy.
Chimi is played by Stephanie Beatriz, who was Mirabel in Encanto.
Potentially Problematic
Younger children might not be able to follow along with the complex storylines.
Infidelity. Revenge. Death themes. Violence with injury.
Should They Watch It?
Brina: Solid yes
Kara: Absolute yes
Laura: yes
The adults loved it. And the kids did too. We think you and yours will feel the same way!
Follow Brina Palencia on Twitter or check her out on Instagram here.
Next Episode
Ep. 49: Jurassic Park (1993)
The new Jurassic World: Dominion movie has finally hit theaters, so Laura and Kara decided to take things back to 1993 and discuss if the original Jurassic Park movie still holds up in today's world. Join the ladies as they whistle along to the Jurassic Park’s classic theme that became an distinctive song for kids during that time.
Summary
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park, released in 1993 and directed by Stephen Spielberg, is about a scientist who is brings Dinosaurs back from extinction. He keeps them on an island, but things go awry when one of his employees turns off the power on the island, thus giving the dinosaurs free rein on the island and endangering the scientists invited to the island, along with head scientist’s two grandchildren.
Jurassic World: Dominion
Humans and dinosaurs coexist in the future with this star-studded throwback cast. We struggle to make any sense of the plot.
The Positives
Jurassic Park
The technology still holds up decades after it came out! This was the first CGI movie, with some groundbreaking puppetry mixed in. Notably, those terrifying raptors were people in costume.
Strong female characters.
Samuel L Jackson(!) being the most mild form of himself. But still, it’s fun to see him in his earlier career.
Classic scenes that are burned into our brains like the T-Rex and the cup entrance scene
Peak sexy Jeff Goldblum professing chaos theory, laughing strangely, and being right about everything. We love him.
In a movie about man vs. nature, audience members are left with the question: who is the real villian here?
Dominion
Great culturally diverse cast that included almost all of the stars from previous Jurassic franchise movies.
Dewanda Wise, we bow down to you.
Potentially Problematic
Jurassic Park
Violence and death.
Cursing.
Constant smoking by Samuel L.
Intense visuals. If your child is scared of dinos and/or loud noises you might want to rethink showing them this movie. We still think it’s appropriate for 5+.
Dominion
Plot was terrible and confusing. Martin scorsese’s quote about Marvel movies being theme parks not cinema holds true here. It seems like all of the focus was on action sequences instead of plot and script.
Chris Pratt is the lead and has been surrounded by controversy recently.
Should They Watch It?
Jurassic Park
Kara: yes
Laura: yes
Dominion
Kara: No
Side Conversations
We talked about childhood fears. Why aren’t kids afraid of dinosaurs like they are other monsters? Is it because they’re exposed to them more as kids? Kara and Laura take a deep dive.
We also discussed the most common fears that parents pass down to their kids and found that, at younger ages kids are afraid of external things and grow to be afraid of more internal, existential threats.
Check out our 90s wedding announcement photo of E.T. and Spielberg on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this podcast, give us a five-star review on your favorite platform and check us out on Instagram. Thanks for checking out Should They Watch It!
Should They Watch It? - Ep. 48: Stranger Things
Transcript
The views and opinions expressed by their should they watch a podcast are those of two moms who happen to be a registered play therapist and a voice actor for cartoons. So while they may feel their opinions come from a knowledgeable place, they are still in fact just opinions. Should they watch it? A podcast that takes the task of reviewing your kid's favorite shows up your to do list Hi there and welcome to the should they watch it Podcast. I
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