Minority Mindset

Last time we saw our group of quirky heroes – including Will Byers and Steve Harrington – Will had a breakthrough moment of self-acceptance. This gave him the power to connect with the hive mind and defeat three Demogorgons, mirroring how Henry Creel fought. It’s a sweet message: embracing who you are can make you incredibly strong, and it’s especially fitting during the holidays! Sadly, Will realizes this a little too late. While he manages to save Mike, Lucas, and Robin, he can’t stop Vecna from pulling 11 other children into the Upside Down, joining Holly. These 12 kids are now trapped and connected to spires, with vines pumping them full of Upside Down energy. Will feels responsible for the loss, and the remaining team back in Hawkins needs to come up with a new plan.

Although Robert Downey Jr. will be the main villain in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, recent information indicates Doctor Doom won’t appear right away. Marvel Studios might be holding back the full reveal of Victor Von Doom for a future trailer, or keeping his role a secret for now – much like they did with Galactus in early promotions for The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

Sometimes, a TV show will wrap up its story well, even if it’s not a particularly famous or highly-regarded series. These satisfying endings are uncommon, but a strong finale, especially for a Western, can really shape how people remember the show.

In the first part of Stranger Things season 5, Dr. Kay, played by Hamilton, was revealed as a new villain. She’s established a military base in the Upside Down to help her track down Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Her intense interest in Eleven and others with similar abilities is reminiscent of Dr. Brenner’s experiments with the children.

Although his new film, Anaconda, involved working with a real snake, Ice Cube recently shared with USA Today that the experience wasn’t nearly as challenging as something he faced while filming the 2008 war movie Tropic Thunder. When asked about encountering animals on set during shoots in places like Australia and New Zealand, he revealed the most difficult situation actually happened in the United States.

Since The Expanse first aired, many new science fiction shows have emerged, ranging from grand, visually impressive series to reboots of older favorites. While some were creative and fun, few consistently delivered the same level of quality or explored such meaningful themes. Many of these shows faltered with disappointing endings or lacked depth in their characters, leaving a void for a smart, mature space drama that truly stood out and set a high standard for the genre on television.

The first new project in the Stranger Things universe is a prequel focusing on the backstory of Henry Creel. Another upcoming addition is an animated spinoff called Stranger Things: Tales From ’85, which will take place between the second and third seasons of the original show.