(Image source: Netflix)
This season continues with the time gap from season 3, and we find that the character relationships and spatial backgrounds have undergone a chemical change. Even though the storyline of S3 had a more humorous and whimsical insertion, it catalyzed the storyline of S4, leaning toward suspense and horror. The familiar Stranger Things has returned, but everything is no longer just the kids' adventures.
Revisiting the ending of S3, Billy, who became the demon king this season, despite being possessed for a long time, left Eleven without her powers in the end. Because Eleven entered Billy's inner world, she understood the connection between his mother and his sorrowful childhood. She awakened the last hint of awareness in Billy, who sacrificed himself to save the main group. However, this scene became a haunting nightmare for Max, who has no blood relation with him. Every time she recalls it, the wound spreads from the inside out. At the beginning of S4, as the main characters have entered high school, peer troubles have increased. The separation of the main group also implies that Max has broken up with Lucas, but we can see that Lucas still cares deeply for Max, while Max has been in a state of anxiety, listening to music alone and signaling a warning not to get close (understand) her.
Viewers who have not yet watched S4 might wonder why a song from the 80s is once again topping various music charts. From the earlier clips, we received Max's hostility and resistance, making the audience's hearts, just like the characters facing death, hang in mid-air. I don’t even understand why this made me shed several emotional tears.
The touching scene mentioned in this article can be viewed by clicking the link here for a recap.
(Image source: Netflix)
Connecting points, turning lines into planes, memories weave courage and belief
In a critical moment, the demon king Vecna controls Max with vines and tortures her psychologically. We can anticipate that Max will meet a dire fate like the victims in the previous episodes, but instead, scenes of her past, meeting new friends in Hawkins, flash through her mind like slides. Instead of being tormented by nightmarish and painful memories, she recalls the love and friendship she has experienced. If Billy's death and the sudden changes in her family continue to haunt her, does she have to negate all the love she has received?
In general, many pieces of advice encourage us to look forward. However, if we often only see chaos and a dark world with no light on the road ahead, it may make us forget that we can change directions. Max is stuck in her thoughts; she tries to move forward but is constantly pulled back to a fact she cannot deny. Rather than not being able to accept Billy's death, what she cannot accept is her own vulnerability. The resistance psychology in people usually operates this way: the more one pretends to be strong, the tighter the line is pulled, out of fear that others will see their weakness; when the pressure becomes unbearable, the line snaps.
People who cannot accept the current situation unknowingly maintain distance from others. The process of acceptance is painful because it involves facing oneself. Fortunately, music moves Max, bringing her back to reality long enough to say to Vecna, 'You’re not really here.'
Vecna, as he descends upon her, looks back and replies, 'I am here.'
This crucial line instantly recalls Lucas, who stopped her earlier. He does not accept the letters Max gives to everyone; he straightforwardly states, 'We are here! I am here.'
She believes she can face her inner demons alone, choosing to ignore the one who truly cares for her. Expressing her thoughts to friends through letters is a rational action after much consideration. She does not dare to show that most fragile part of herself, the part that is fragile and may not be able to piece itself back together. This scene coincides with Kate Bush's 'Running up that hill,' playing memories of the past two seasons with her friends, and my tears began to drop...
She truly draws strength from within herself, making a choice to live, to live on with her friends and family. In the end, she descends from mid-air, and the audience's hearts are temporarily set at ease. Max is embraced by her friends and murmurs as she just returns from a fright: 'I'm still here.'
(Image source: Netflix)
A little trivia: The application of music and neuroscience
Interestingly, within the storyline, why can Max still connect with the main group when she hears music?
After Vecna enters Max's consciousness, he forcibly shuts down the rational thinking part of her brain, while feeding the victim fear and despair, which happens to stimulate the brain area (limbic system) related to our emotions and memories, producing a similar effect as music.
For example, if someone goes through a breakup, they might be unable to listen to a certain song because it inadvertently brings back memories of the past, which is a very natural occurrence.
Even though Max is trapped alone fighting Vecna in her brain, locked in past regrets, her favorite song becomes the only key to triggering her positive emotions.
(Image source: Netflix)
Running up that Hill
Unfortunately, we feel powerless to fight. It seems that Max is determined to die; she just cannot find a reason to live. This thrilling moment takes place in the town's cemetery; if you look closely, you must walk up a small hill to reach Bill's gravestone.
Although the original lyrics discuss the misunderstandings between men and women in love, there are still a few lines that are quite interesting. The opening lines seem like Max's internal dialogue with herself, strongly indicating that this doesn't hurt me (when in reality, it truly does hurt).
It doesn't hurt me
Do you want to feel how it feels?
Do you want to know, know that it doesn't hurt me?
Do you want to hear about the deal that I'm making?
The following three lines hint at her isolation and confusion; she believes no one can empathize with her, yet paradoxically, she longs for someone to understand her state, whether maintaining distance or deliberately alienating herself.
Let me steal this moment from you now
In the bridge of the song, at this crucial moment, fear grips Max, but this song, her favorite, also preserves the only hope she has left amidst the fear.
Say, if I only could
Be running up that hill
With no problems
If I only could, be running up that hill
'If only' carries a sense of hope. Max, becoming the only survivor escaping Vecna's slaughter, runs toward the hill with hope, fully determined, not looking back. As we anxiously watch Max running toward us, our hearts are nearly about to explode.
The main storyline of this season is almost centered around the emotional journeys of Eleven and Max, with Max unexpectedly becoming a character of special concern in our fourth season. Through Eleven regaining her powers, more discoveries related to Hawkins Lab and the demon king Vecna's past are also unveiled.
Question: Do you also have a playlist that can instantly transport you back in time?
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