Hello from the Right-Side Up
Dear readers,
In preparation for season two of the award-winning Netflix original series “Stranger Things,” our staff at The Patriot has created this tribute issue. This show is a coming-of-age story that mixes “Stand by Me,” “Super 8,” “Close Encounters,” and “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” all together to make a sentimental, heart-palpitating series of episodes that stands alongside its influential predecessors.
If you couldn’t tell, I’m a big fan of the series, and I’m anxious to see what the writers, Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer and Justin Doble, will do to turn this upcoming season upside down. The first season circled around the mysterious disappearance of a boy named Will, but what really brought the show to life was the acting of small cast of preteen kids. The original search for their friend turned into a monster hunt and based on the trailers for this season that seems to only be the beginning for the characters. Many people have heard of the term binge watching, and sometimes dedicated Netflix enthusiasts can watch a whole season of a show in one day. Netflix analytics show
that out of all the shows on the streaming service, “Stanger Things” is number 10 on the list of shows that are most frequently binged an entire season at a time.
This issue consists of all “Stranger Things”-themed articles, and our hope is that this issue will serve both the fans of the show, as well as those who’ve only been told how fantastic the show is.
If you haven’t sat down to watch “Stranger Things” I encourage you to watch the first episode. Of course, if you’ve seen it already, watch it again to prep for season two. I’m a big fan of nostalgia and sci-fi and this show is a great combination of the two. The show draws on a larger audience of people, and whether you were a kid in the ‘80s or you identify with characters, it’s definitely worth checking out. So grab a blanket, toast your Eggos, and tuck in, cause it’s about to get strange.
Best regards,
Eric Ford Edwards
Editor-In-Chief
Eric Ford Edwards
Managing Editor
Megan Willoughby
Faculty Adviser
Jeremiah Massengale
Staff
Emilee Agee
Taylor Duke
Kathryn Green
Leanne Gregory
Megan Kelly
Tyler Kohn
Shandi Lindsay
Brian Mahadeo
John McCoy
Megan Muggridge
Nichole Sharp
Zane Ross
Editorial Review Board
Lisa Bartram
Marianne Worthington
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The Patriot is the weekly student publication of the University of the Cumberlands. Our goal is to provide timely and original content by highlighting campus news and views.
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I’ve seen Stranger Things
UC reacts to the hit Netflix series ‘Stranger Things’
BY ZANE ROSS Staff Writer
On July 15 of last year the world was sent back in time to the town of Hawkins, Indiana 1983. Dark forces plagued the town, mad scientists worked in the shadows and a child psychic with a love for Eggo waffles saved everyone. Audiences became completely captivated by the thrills, the suspense and the exceptional acting of the cast which all culminated into a following that has propelled the series “Stranger Things” to great heights of popularity.
“Season one just broke the mold for shows
set in the ‘80s,” says UC sophomore River Phillippe. “I think it set a lot of tropes on its head like with Nancy who seemed like a fragile character, but became more than that. She becomes this character who faces off with a monster and doesn’t need a boy to do it for her. Ultimately, I think that ‘Stranger Things’ is amazing because it tells a different story than what we’re used to and that captured a lot of people.”
Matt and Ross Duffer, commonly referred to as The Duffer Brothers, admitted to having pulled a lot of inspiration from various filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter as well as story elements from Stephen King. Although there are a lot of similarities that can be made about the show and works by those icons in their respective fields the general consensus seems to be that they have made the tropes their own.
“’Stranger Things’ feels like a new idea,” says UC senior Nick Kidd, “it’s not commonly seen. The supernatural-alien aspect is really catching to people and it has a lot of potential to continue to grow and attract more viewers. It feels like the first show to do the strange things that its doing just like ‘The Walking Dead’ was the first show to really be about zombies. It’s been eight years and ‘The Walking Dead’ is still popular and I think that
‘Stranger Things’ has that potential as well.” It’s obvious that the show has become prominent among a younger audience, but it has also caught the attention of audiences with fond memories of the 1980s that are able to recognize the Duffer Brothers’ influences.
“I tend to come at the show a bit differently than most folks because of my life long affinity for Steven Spielberg,” mentioned Dr. Keith Semmel, chair of UC’s communication and theatre arts department.
Semmel added, “I’ve been a fan of Spielberg since ‘Close Encounters’ and ‘E.T.’ When I heard about ‘Stranger Things’ I had heard that it was supposed to be a tribute to ‘70s and 80s style filmmaking. To be quite honest, when I watched the first episode I was a little put off because it had felt like a cheap ripoff of Spielberg. It wasn’t until the second or third episode that I started to feel that the story was its own creative force.”
Audiences can finally get more “Stranger Things” and enjoy more of that creative force when season two becomes available on Netflix on October 27 at 3:01 a.m. Eastern time/12:01 a.m. Pacific.
Photo by Taylor Duke
UC students Clara Beth Arnold, Daniel Hunt, Emily Roush, and Trenton Randall react to an episode of “Stranger Things.”
BY ZANE ROSS Staff Writer
On October 27, the hit Netflix series “Stranger Things” returns just in time for Halloween with nine new episodes to keep viewers on the edge of their seats as they wonder what could be any stranger than season one. It’s been more than a year since most fans first watched the kids from Hawkins face the otherworldly monsters from the Upside Down in the first season. Over the past year Netflix has released a few different trailers that have answered a few questions about what we can expect going into the season two. Here’s what we know so far. Caution, there are likely some light spoilers ahead.
The Big Bad
At the end of season one the boys are seen playing Dungeons and Dragons, like how the series opened, where they come across another monster in the game, the Thessalhydra. In the few trailers that have been shown over the past few months it is clear that a new, more hulking creature will be the main monster to terrorize Hawkins this season. This could be the Thessalhydra that was mentioned at the end of season one, but it has not been confirmed to be called that yet. However, there’s a clear setup for more dealings with the Upside Down and its creatures.
Upside Down Will
In the trailers Will (Noah Schnapp) seems to be having visions of the Upside Down where he sees the looming shadow of the Thessalhydra. Will’s travel to the Upside Down is instantaneous and doesn’t require the use of a portal like the one in Hawkins lab or the ones that the Demogorgon could open at will. It seems like Will is now connected to not only the Upside Down, but also to the Thessalhydra who can be heard whispering his name in the Comic-Con trailer for the second season. Will draws the Thessalhydra on multiple sheets of paper which illustrates its dark tentacles moving from one sheet to the next. Between the flashes and the drawings it is no wonder Joyce (Winona Ryder) would want to find help for son who she had very nearly lost once before.
The Good Doctors Hawkins Lab will be returning to continue their research with the Upside Down and, according to the trailer, help Will Byers figure out what is happening to him. At the end of season one Sherriff Hopper (David Harbour) made a deal
Everything you need to know about what’s
happening in the Upside Down
a preview of ‘Stranger Things’ season two
to work with Hawkins Lab after the defeat of the Demogorgon. Seeing as the lab would want to work with Hopper it isn’t too farfetched that the new head of the lab would offer their help to further their research into the Upside Down while appearing to care about Will’s safety. It would be a safe assumption that they would have their own hidden agenda which will surely be revealed by the season’s end.
Darkness Falls Across the Land
In the Comic-Con trailer Joyce asks Will, “What does it want?” to which he responds with “Not me. Everyone else.” As mentioned, Will seems to have a bond with both the Upside Down and the Thessalhydra which would explain why he says that it doesn’t want him. Will is also seen crying as he tells his mom that he “feels it everywhere.” This statement would make sense with Will’s drawing of the monster where it seems as though its limbs continuously reach from page to page because it is completely entangling itself in and corrupting Hawkins.
Eleven
The biggest thing that the trailers revealed is the return of everyone’s favorite psychic, Eleven. In the trailers, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) can be seen crawling out of a portal to the Upside Down somewhere in Hawkins Middle School. Eleven has been missing since she erased the Demogorgon from existence at the end of season one. In the trailer, Mike says that he wishes Eleven was around because she would know what to do, presumably talking about Will and the looming threat of the Thessalhydra. This would indicate that Eleven is still presumed dead or missing sometime after Halloween night. Although it takes away from the potential shock factor that Eleven isn’t really dead, it does beg the question of what happened to her while she was in the Upside Down for nearly a year and what does she know about the Thessalhydra. It makes one wonder that if Netflix feels comfortable revealing this so soon, then maybe there are indeed stranger things to come.
All nine episodes are scheduled to hit Netflix at 3:01 a.m. Eastern time/12:01 a.m. Pacific.
Image Credit: Netflix
3Binge racing 8
Ready, Set, Binge: More than 8 million viewers ‘binge race’ their favorite series.
BY MEGAN MUGGRIDGE Staff Writer
While some shows become weighed down with a numerous amount of episodes per season, “Stranger Things” kept it short and sweet with only eight episodes in the first season, making it the perfect show to binge watch in just one sitting. It’s a high-quality show with great acting and let’s not forget about the driving force of nostalgia, leaving fans clamoring for more. However, it turns out that streaming fast may be new status symbol for “Stranger Things” fans.
A new type of fan has emerged, according to Netflix, and they’ll be racing to be among the first to finish season two of “Stranger Things.” Netflix has helped change the way the world engages with stories – viewers watch when, where and how they want, at whatever pace – and in doing so, has given rise to a new kind of fan: the binge racer.
These super fans are especially excited about the release of the new season on Netflix and can’t wait to be the first to finish all of the soon-to-debut nine episodes.
In a recent press release, Netflix defined “binge race” as “to speed through an entire season within 24 hours of its release and to be the first to finish.” Accomplishing in a day what takes others weeks to achieve, binge racers aren’t the typical viewers, but “binge racing” may be more common than you would think.
In total, 8.4 million members have chosen to binge race during their Netflix tenure, and the only thing faster than their rate of watching is the rate this behavior continues to grow. Between 2013 and 2016 the amount of launch day finishers increased more than 20 times over, growing from 200,000 members to 5 million.
In a press release, Brian Wright, Netflix Vice President of Original Series, said, “There’s a unique satisfaction that comes from being the first to finish a story - - whether it’s the final page of a book or the last climactic moments of your favorite TV show.” Whether for the love of one show or the love of many shows, viewers are embracing this new form of fandom all over the world. But exactly what they’re watching may surprise you.
Shows of all shapes, sizes, genres, and formats are revving watchers engines. Sure 30-minute comedies like “Masters of None,” “GLOW” and “Dear White People” are raced with speed, but hourlong thrillers like “Stranger Things” are consumed quickly too. “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” has acquired the most global racers in its 24-hour debut but shows as varied as “Fuller House” and “Stranger Things” are among the most binge-raced shows in Netflix’s history. Only time will tell if season two of “Stranger Things” will garner even more global racers than the first. And before you assume that racers are just basement-dwelling couch potatoes, know that for these super fans, the speed of watching may be an achievement they’re proud of and brag about. TV is their passion and binge racing is their sport.
What to do when life makes you feel like Barb
BY NICHOLE SHARP Staff Writer
“Stranger Things” features characters of all cliques and stereotypical groups; however, who do we all relate to at some level? Who most likely connects with each and every viewer? You’re not going to believe it, but it’s Barb. Barb suffers throughout the show with being an outsider, being left out, over-looked, unappreciated and even almost forgotten about at some points. Sound familiar? Barb, like most all of us, went through all the basic teenage feelings: loneliness, jealousy, fear of judgement, and just really wanting to fit in. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re ever feeling like Barb.
1. Be kind to yourself.
No one gives you as hard of a time as your own self can. Sometimes it’s best to just give yourself and break and not beat yourself up over things. You know why? Tomorrow is another day to try again. Don’t forget to breathe and don’t forget you’re only human and you makes mistakes and that is okay.
2. Don’t ever think you’re alone.
Just like Barb had Nancy to be there for her, you have someone who loves and cares about you just as much. Just remember to keep an open-mind and accept these people in your life and don’t push them away when you need them most.
3. Reach out for help.
Barb never really got the chance to reach out to her friends before, well, what happened at the pool. However, if you’re ever in a state of mind where you’re alone and depressed, do not feel ashamed, do not worry about the fear of judgement, someone will be there for you. All you have to do is reach out.
4. Be confident in what you do.
Don’t be afraid to be proud of yourself when you do something well. Barb was selfconscious and very underappreciated. Don’t let anything stop you from feeling good about yourself or something you have done. Having pride is not a bad thing so long as it is not arrogance. Self-worth is the key to a happy life.
5. Never give up.
In life, the easiest thing you could ever do is just give up. This is the easy way out and not something to be proud of. Keep up the great work you’re doing and take things one step at a time. Life will give you set backs, that’s inevitable, but you have to push through those times to get to the good times. Take small steps.
6. Get out of your comfort zone.
Sometimes if you’re in a rut and can’t get out, you have to push yourself even harder to achieve happiness and it doesn’t seem fair, nonetheless, sometimes just getting out of your comfort zone and trying something completely new will do you some good. Trying something new can give you new hope. Like Barb once told Nancy, “You’re gonna be so cool now. It’s ridiculous.”
Image Credit: Netflix
Five things we can learn from ‘Stranger Things’
BY EMILEE AGEE Staff Writer
“Stranger Things” is thrilling and entertaining, but there are actually many connections we can make to our own lives. Here are five bits of wisdom from episodes of “Stranger Things” that are important to remember. Caution, there are definitely season one spoilers ahead.
1. Stick up for your friends and for yourself.
When Mike gets pushed down by the school bully Troy, Dustin and Lucas help him up and distract him from his injury. When Troy later makes fun of Will’s death, Mike stands up for him and Eleven makes Troy pee himself and later decides it’s necessary to break his arm. While violence is not usually the best approach, it takes courage to speak up or take action when something is wrong. “Would I fight a Demogorgon for them?” is possibly the best question we can all ask ourselves to measure our loyalty.
2. If you believe in something, don’t give up on it.
“Stranger Things” reminds us that if we have ambition and people surrounding us that support us, our doubts can be overcome. When the boys built an isolation tank just for Eleven so she can use it to help them find Will, it took a lot of time and effort. Organizing a plan to enter into Hawkins Lab was a daring move, but even after Will’s mother Joyce and Chief Hopper were caught and were aware of the risks, they still ventured into the Upside Down. They never gave up or told themselves that Will was gone for good. Having hope does not make you naïve, and good things can still happen in the midst times that make no sense and feel like they are straight from a science fiction drama.
3. Ask questions.
When Will first goes missing, Joyce demands for an immediate search despite the lack of concern from the police or community. When Joyce is trying to figure out what happened to Will, she refuses to give up searching for answers after his body was found. She realizes that although most people think she’s crazy, finding the truth is more important. When Hopper believes that Will isn’t dead, he decides to continue investigating and sacrificing his safety and his career. It is important that we think for ourselves because we can often find a different perspective none have seen or could suspect.
4. Surround yourself with the right people.
Nancy chose to date Steve, which seemed like a poor choice, and his friends were worse. Barb was a positive influence for Nancy by reminding her to be herself. Nancy chose to ignore Barb and told her to leave Steve’s party. That basically means if you ditch true friends and don’t realize they want what’s best for you, there will be consequences, perhaps like sending them to the Upside Down. When Nancy befriends Jonathan, they try to find answers behind Will’s disappearance. This teaches us that if you stick by people that accept you, it makes your missions in life much easier.
5. Being different is okay.
Eleven is a target because she has powers. She’s mistreated for it and hidden from the outside world. While telekinesis being a real thing is up for debate, more realistically, bullies are a real issue. Mike, Dustin and Lucas are made fun of at school for standing out, when standing out is not a bad thing. Differences in people make life interesting and weird, and everyone should learn to appreciate their own weirdness because it is often times an asset. If we used our specific talents alongside others, there’s more room for us to learn new things.
If you like ‘Stranger Things’ then try... &
In honor of the second season of the show, here is a list of some equally quirky things that the show references that may help pass the time as you wait for season two.
BY LEANNE GREGORY Staff Writer
1. “X-Men” (1992-1997) What other series can give you romance, mystery, and drama, all wrapped up as an action-oriented superhero show better than the ‘90s animated “X-Men” series? Follow the diverse cast of characters as they go through their day-to-day lives, fighting against the forces that want to destroy them for their mutant powers, all the while trying not to fight against each other in the process. With over 76 episodes, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day to enjoy this unique take on the superhero genre.
2. “The Hobbit” (1937) Elves, magic, and tiny men abound in this fantastical adventure novel by J. R. R. Tolkien. Journey with a group of thirteen dwarves and a hobbit as they travel across the lands of Middle Earth to reclaim an ancient dwarven treasure stolen by the dragon Smaug. Along the way the group encounters countless perils. And with every danger they defeat, an even greater danger lurks silently behind them waiting to strike.
3. “Stand By Me” (1986) In this classic comingon-age movie, a group of young boys who find a dead body and try to unravel the truth behind the murder. If you like the group dynamic of “Stranger Things” or even just the soundtrack, this movie is for you.
4. “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (1983-1985) In this ‘80s cartoon, the planet Eternia’s young prince, Adam, has his life turned upside down when he discovers the secrets behind this power and is subsequently embroiled in a war against the nefarious sorcerer Skeletor who desires this mysterious power for himself so that he might rule not only Eternia with its might, but the whole universe.
5. “Dungeons and Dragons” From the iconic game franchise that started an entire generation’s love for story driven gameplay based on a strategic system of random dice rolls, to the animated television series that brought that macabre world to life, Dungeons and Dragons” has always held a special place among the world of monsters and myth. In it, anything is possible and anyone can become a mighty warlord strong enough to ravage continents…if fate and the ever-omnipotent Dungeon Master are on their side.
Image Credit: Netflix
At the gate
An exclusive interview with ‘Stranger Things’ actor Miles Mussenden
BY ERIC FORD EDWARDS Editor-in-Chief
In “Stranger Things,” actor Miles Mussenden plays Patrick, a military police officer guarding the entrance at Hawkins National Laboratory, a location especially important to the storyline. In the third episode of season one, the character initially denied Sherriff Hopper (David Harbour) and his officers entry to the premises, before changing his mind and allowing the hero to enter the premises. In this brief interview, I talked to Mussenden about his time on set, being recognized by fans, and his upcoming TV project.
Eric Edwards: What was it like filming “Stranger Things”?
Miles Mussenden: You know, it’s pretty awesome. Everybody was super cool. There was one episode where we got in there and just knocked it out, man. I worked with David Harbour and it was seamless. It had been like we were working together for years and It was the first time I had ever worked with him.
L’Eggo my Eggos
BY ERIC FORD EDWARDS Editor-in-Chief
In “Stranger Things,” Eleven loves waffles. Eggo waffles. She’s obsessed. So much so that in one clip she goes into a grocery store, shoplifts three boxes of the toaster waffles, and leaves in a huff, destroying the storefront on her way out. She rips open the bag and munches on the cold waffle disks. Throughout season one, Eleven is shown eating Eggos without toppings, and normally they aren’t even cooked.
There’s many ways to eat Kellogg’s typically crunchy, fluffy toaster waffles. For breakfast during high school I would toast three Eggo waffles, add a helping of syrup and butter to each individual waffle, and microwave for 10 seconds so everything could get acquainted. After the first incision the waffles would hemorrhage a sweet mix concoction of buttery syrup. Of course, coupled with a cup of black coffee, you’ve got yourself a breakfast. Another way to prepare this breakfast dish is with fruit! One of
EE: Are you recognized by fans that have seen the show or any of your other works?
MM: A lot of “Stranger Things” fans pick me up on Facebook. Actually, this drama instructor sent me this long message saying that he was talking to students about the show and talked about the things that I did. It showed that you can do so much with a small role. Also, I know that they have been playing the scene between David Harbour and I at some of the late night shows and some of the daytime shows. They have been playing clips of that one scene.
EE: That’s rad. Are you working on anything new specifically?
MM: I’m working on a new FreeForm show and it’s a collaboration called Marvel. I think it’s going to be some awesome next level stuff man. I think people are going to be very pleasantly surprised.
my favorite meals as a kid was when my mom would make homemade waffles. She’d top them with sugared strawberries, and a heaping helping of Reddi-Whip.
Though my favorite way to eat Eggos is with peaches. After peeling the peaches, drizzle some honey over them. Then after toasting and showering the Eggos with syrup, combine the two and dig in.
Kelloggs’ site, Leggomyeggo.com states, “Eggo rule #3 [is] There’s no wrong way to top an Eggo.” That being said, make Eggos the way you want. And if you want to viciously eat them like small girl with big telekinetic powers, go at it.
Image Credit: Netflix
Photo by Eric Ford Edwards
