Stranger Things series is a phenomena of sorts.

Season one was something new, re-lighting the nostalgia deep inside all of us born in '80. Kids, mystery, darkness, role-playing games, bikes and music - that all made it work like a well oiled machinery.

Season two has changed the formula a bit, turning more towards Alien 2-like series - more of the same, but with less mystery. And much like with the Alien movies, it was worse than its predecessor, but still gripping enough to keep me watching.

Season three... well, it was a decline. And I was about to give up on the show then, but given time I gave it one more chance.

Season's four first episodes proved the decision to continue watching was the right one. It dragged me right back into Hawkins, with full force.

Until I realized that each episode is almost 1 hour and 20 minutes long. Why did Netflix do that? The creators claim that they had to give each group of characters enough time to develop their story lines.

Let's have a look at that. There are four main lines in ST4:

• Hawkins group, trying to solve the mystery behind the murders
• Eleven, with her plot to regain powers
• Mike, Will and that third guy whose name I always forget, essentially trying to save L & get to Hawkins
• Wills Mom and the conspiracy guy, going to Russia, saving Hopper from the commies

While the first and the second thread are essential to the story, the latter seem quite unnecessary. Now, lets talk about that in details.

The Hawkins mystery thread drives the show on - no doubts about that. Vecna is the promise of something thrilling, and it quickly becomes an open threat with the world at stake. That's the core of the story.

L's thread is disputable. While it's crucial to tell the story of Vecna and how it all began in Hawkins, it could've been shorter and more concise.

Mike's and Will's thread is all about running around, like a headless chicken, going after L, clashing with US military. And it delivers exactly nothing crucial to the show. Even during the final confrontation with Vecna the only reason to this thread existence, is to boost L up with Mike's speech.

Joyce and Murrays thread, on the other hand is all about rescuing Hopper. And while this matters, it's non essential to main story line, and could have been cut by 50% at least. I really couldn't feel the weight of the fight Hopper, Joyce and Murray take towards the end, despite stating that victory will significantly weaken Vecna. It's full of comic reliefs (Murray, sword fight), clichés (let's have a look at the stereotype Russia) and it's just plain boring.

Summary

Don't get me wrong, I really liked season 4 of the Stranger Things. But it's just way too long. And why is that, exactly? Do the Duffer brothers feel like the series is their Magnum Opus? Did they just want to make Stranger Things true fans content? Or maybe it's some Netflix new policy? Either way, I really don't like stretching 9 episodes into 13 hours, when it could've been cut to barely 7 hours. Netflix, please don't walk down this path, pretty please.