If you are a teenager with a Netflix subscription, chances are you’ve seen Stranger Things. This is one of the most popular shows on the platform, a sci-fi drama about teens in the 1980s. The plot follows interdimensional monsters and how teens with supernatural powers beat them while escaping the government and growing up. With the release of the third season over the summer, the show has grown even more. But some things stuck out about this season that were different than the first two.

First, the pros. I believe that the visuals of this season are better than those in the previous two seasons. The colors are bright and perfectly match the mood of the upbeat scenes, and the more intense scenes are darker. The entire aesthetic of Starcourt Mall goes perfectly with the theme of the show. Another high point is the nostalgia. For the older generation it brings back many memories of what life was actually like in the 80s, like the music, fashion, and products. As always, Stranger Things transports the viewer into the show and it’s hard to stop watching.

Now, the cons. First off, the characters are very two-dimensional compared to those of other seasons. For example, Chief Jim Hopper. In past seasons, he has acted as a hero and a father with actual emotions, while in the third season, he acts like a stereotype and nothing like previous episodes. Toward the end of season 2, in a scene where Mike is angry with him for hiding Eleven for a year, he is understanding and comforting. This is the complete opposite of his character in season 3, who is angry all the time and even makes death threats because Mike is spending time with El. Another character who was written poorly is Will. Noah Schnapp is an amazing actor, as we saw in season 2 when he was possessed by the Mind Flayer, but he was not given enough scenes in the third season. Aside from one emotional scene when he tears down Castle Byers, it seems to the viewer that his only purpose is saying “Can we play D&D now?” and “He’s here,” once every episode.

Another issue is that throughout all the episodes, there are two major plot lines: the interdimensional monster and its army, and the Russian base under Starcourt Mall. These do not make sense to be crammed together in 8 episodes, especially at the same time. The back and forth between scenes and characters almost makes it hard to watch, and at the end it isn’t intertwined or tied all together, so it isn’t as satisfying as the first season. The Russians all came out of nowhere; it doesn’t make sense to introduce something as major as that after two full seasons. Putting aside the fact that the show is based on monsters from other dimensions, it is not believable whatsoever that children can sneak in and out of a high security Russian military base. The show wants us to forget that (aside from one) these are still normal kids and teenagers.

Even though the show is beloved by mostly everyone and even confirmed for a fourth season, the third season was not as good as the first and second. Even with all these disadvantages, there are still high points and it is still an insanely popular show. So, is it worth the watch? If you’re an avid fan of the show, then yes, but it’s up to you to decide if the drawbacks are worth it.