Rewatching The Stranger Things Pilot Before Season 5 Reveals a Surprising Shift
Revisiting the first episode of Stranger Things season 1, “The Vanishing of Will Byers,” I noticed that Netflix’s hit series drastically changed its tone after the pilot. As season 5 nears, many fans, myself included, are rewatching the series from the beginning to prepare for the final season.
Although the Stranger Things timeline is quite clear, the story deepens and the world expands with every new season. It's helpful to refresh your memory of Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will by revisiting the first season before the conclusion.
While each season has its moments both strong and weak, the first season captured a unique spark that is hard to replicate. Originally planned as a standalone miniseries called Montauk, the initial story followed the search for a missing boy, Will Byers.
His friends—Mike, Dustin, and Lucas—discovered a mysterious girl named Eleven in the woods, setting off the epic saga. However, rewatching the pilot reveals one striking fact:
“Despite what viewers might remember of Stranger Things season 1, the show is shockingly slow in its early episodes.”
This slower pace contrasts with the faster, more complex storytelling that developed in later seasons.
Summary
Rewatching Stranger Things season 1 before season 5 highlights the show’s slow beginnings and evolving tone, enhancing appreciation for its complex, sprawling story.