How Stranger Things turned 80's TV tropes into comfort TV

Stranger Things has become one of the most loved TV shows in today's time. The credit goes to its writing, cast, and its unique spin on the '80s. Every generation had its problems, and the '80s were no different. It was a time of rotary phones, questionable hairstyles, Cold War anxieties, and, more importantly, the evolution of disco.

While others were busy creating period movies/TV shows based on the '70s and '90s, Stranger Things decided to explore an untapped era and bank on it. And boy, were they successful in doing so! They gathered all the cultural baggage from the '80s and sprinkled some Demogorgons and secret departments, and served it with eggos to create one of the most comforting shows ever.

From costumes to hairstyle, props to set design, and even the cinematography and lighting—everything was a deliberate attempt to evoke nostalgia and appeal to a younger audience.

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How Stranger Things turned 80's TV tropes into comfort TV

Stranger Things is about four friends, Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin, whose lives change forever when Will suddenly disappears. When the adults of Hawkins can't seem to help, the kids take it upon themselves to find their friend.

On their journey, they meet Eleven, a traumatized kid with supernatural powers, who can bend it like Beckham. She can bend metal and move things with telekinesis and communicate with people via telepathy.

Together, they set out to find Will, but in the process, they uncover much more sinister secrets that people behind the shadows (*cough* the government *cough*) don't want anyone to know.

1) The missing kids of the '80s

Stranger Things brought up an important '80s problem and voiced it loudly. It was a time when many children and adults went missing all around the country. Whether it was them running away, cases of kidnapping, a cult, or serial killers, people were disappearing without a trace.

This has been true for many decades. People would disappear out of nowhere, many of them children, and would be either found dead near the outskirts or railway tracks, or would never be heard from. This became a recurring occurrence and became a part of society. Soon, milk cartons were plastered with the faces of innocent victims, but soon even that faded as the cases became colder.

While returning home from his friend Mike's house, Will disappears out of nowhere, with his bike being the only clue to his disappearance. The police can't seem to find any other clues. The only people who want to bring him back safely are his family and friends.

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2) Parents were of two types

The adults in the '80s were of two types only, as showcased very well on the show. They were either too chill—their kids would be fighting for their lives, and their parents would be at home thinking about tax returns and dinner. Or they were Tywin Lannister and wouldn't let their children breathe without their permission.

The times were simpler, and there was less surveillance on the kids. They would be playing till dark and would return home for dinner. That's why parents would not be too worried about them, but all that changed when cases of disappearances and kidnappings started coming out.

This is one thing that Stranger Things maintained in its storyline. Karen and Ted Wheeler almost lost their kids multiple times. Whereas, Joyce Byers was a fierce, caring mother who would go to the ends of the earth to protect her child.

Joyce wouldn't believe that her son is dead, even when they show her the corpse. She dives into the pits of the earth and brings back her son, schooling everyone who doubted her.

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3) The portrayal of the Police

Besides the parents, the rest of the adults weren't a prize either; everyone was weirder than the last. Chief Hopper, who was supposed to be the protector of the town, would be drunk and demotivated most of the time.

Hopper eventually unleashes his dad energy and becomes a total pookie, and that's not something that happens in real life. A demotivated, drunk police officer who is angry with everyone doesn't rise to the occasion and save the day all the time. But Stranger Things gave him a positive character arc.

They saw something that would have been prevalent in the '80s and mixed it up to create a character whom everyone roots for.

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4) The secret experiments & the conspiracy theorists

Also, the '80s were filled with experimental mad scientists like Papa. There have been many stories about secret governement experiments, conducted behind closed doors. Whether they were secret mind-control experiments like the MKUltra by the CIA or gruesome behavioral studies done especially on babies and animals, the '80s were no stranger to it.

Also, there were many conspiracy theorists like Murray all around the country who wanted to expose the dark side of the government. They were after everything: alien theories, dark experiments, and even state secrets. Sometimes they were right.

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So, there you have it. Duffer Brothers paid homage to a time when the USA was exploding with new ideas, going crazy after Star Wars, and new political environments, by adding a dash of their creativity. It resulted in the TV show becoming one of the biggest shows on Netflix and in the world.

The '80s were a strange time: people smoked more than they drank water, seatbelts in cars weren't for wearing but to add to the aesthetic, MTV was gaining traction, and shoulder pads were the next big thing. Stranger Things paid homage to the Ghostbusters, and showed the evolution of malls in small towns. They tried to make it as '80s as possible.

It is because of Stranger Things that many came to know that neon lights have been around since the '80s. The show featured synthwave music, arcades, and clothes that were enough to trigger photoepilepsy in people.

But beyond the glitz and glamour of the '80s, Stranger Things showed the dark sides of the era. All the trauma that was put in the back of the closet behind disco balls and roller blades was brought forward accurately.

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If you haven't watched Stranger Things and if you crave nostalgia and entertainment, then this is a highly recommended show for you. Watch, enjoy, and thank the universe that you weren't born in Hawkins.