As our Stranger Things re-watch continues into 2025, the chaos enveloping the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, feels more timely than ever. Revisiting season four, episodes five and six, reveals a narrative steeped in social unrest that uncannily mirrors contemporary anxieties.
Chapter Five: A Nostalgic Scooby-Doo Vibe
Episode five, 'The Nina Project,' delivers another sprawling, hour-plus instalment packed with pivotal moments. The action splits between Dr. Owens taking Eleven to a Nevada facility to confront her past and the Hawkins kids embarking on a detective mission at the decaying Creel house.
This investigation carries a distinct Scooby-Doo energy, as the gang searches for clues to defeat a monster, missing only a classic chase scene. The episode masterfully ties back to the show's roots with a brilliant callback to season one. Just as Joyce used Christmas lights to communicate with Will in the Upside Down, the kids realise they can follow the lights to deduce that Vecna is lurking within the house, just on the other side in the parallel dimension.
The narrative also brings back the chilling figure of Papa, refusing to redeem him and instead reinforcing his villainous nature. Meanwhile, the 'satanic panic' intensifies as Jason and his fellow jocks resume their hunt after Chrissy's funeral, leading to another gruesome victim for Vecna.
Chapter Six: Vigilante Mobs and Rising Tensions
Episode six, 'The Dive,' sees the beloved character Eddie Munson finally stepping back into the spotlight. His presence becomes central to the plot, allowing his charms to resonate with viewers once more.
The undercurrent of satanic panic that has been simmering all season finally erupts. Jason, blinded by grief and prejudice, successfully whips the town into a frenzied mob. Vigilantes take to the streets, hunting for Eddie in a display of collective hysteria.
Watching this unfold in 2025 is an eerily familiar experience. The scenes of angry mobs and a loss of authoritative control directly parallel the wave of social media-inspired unrest witnessed in recent times. Jason transforms into one of the show's more compelling villains; his motivations, though terribly misguided, are tragically understandable, offering a sharp critique on toxic masculinity and the destructive urge to 'act' without thought.
The episode also features a high-stakes hunt for a gate to the Upside Down, cleverly circling back to lore from the first two seasons and enhancing the overall cohesion of the Stranger Things universe. It concludes on a brutal cliffhanger, leaving the wonderful Steve Harrington in grave peril—a moment that was particularly agonising for viewers during the show's original weekly release schedule.
A Season That Grows More Prescient
The re-review of these two episodes underscores how Stranger Things season 4 has matured with time. Beyond the supernatural thrills of Vecna, the exploration of a community tearing itself apart from within feels increasingly relevant. The portrayal of mass panic and vigilante justice serves as a powerful, if unsettling, reflection of our current social climate, making the wait for the final season all the more anticipated.
