I'll be the first to admit that I had somewhat fallen off the stranger things wagon for the last two seasons due to mainly the fact that I just didn't think they measured up in any aspects to the first brilliant season. The focus seemed to be more on the nostalgia than the actual stories and the horror aspects took a backseat. Season four recaptures the macabre, terror, and utterly impeccable sci/fi horror visuals that season 1 had times 100. They do this all while managing to bring out the best emotions and stakes so far within the series. That's what makes the season so powerful. It never lets up in anyway and you can tell that having the biggest budget they ever had helped with the overall execution as well as the extra time it was delayed. This felt like a full blown movie instead of an episode and is easily in my opinion (and I think most people's judging by the score) the best episode of stranger things so far. I also Think this is the pinnacle of Netflix original content. I cannot wait to see what they do with volume two and it's safe to say that stranger things is at its all time best right now and back to brilliance.