The Duffer Brothers have had a monumental task in wrapping up this beast of a show and giving each and every character an ending that not only makes sense, but proves satisfactory after nine years. Many showrunners have tried to wrap up stories of this scale in style, and many have failed, and which camp the Duffers ultimately fall into remains to be seen...But, if these first few episodes are anything to go by, we could be looking at a finale for the ages. It might be a bit too soon to tell for sure, but, as we've seen over the past decade, when it comes to this TV phenomenon, stranger things have happened.
The plot is also compromised by the sheer volume of jokes, which go beyond comic relief to almost rendering this show an outright comedy-drama. How are we supposed to take the threat of the nightmare train seriously when even the people on board can't stop throwing out zingers? This could be forgiven if they were any good, but often it's just annoying.
Despite the more ambitious setup and mature tone, the CR gang have retained the incredibly character-driven storytelling, with the endearing pairings and party dynamic front and centre.
It's the kind of daft assembly line thriller that you'd normally expect to see fired out of Netflix's Harlan Coben machine, or perhaps aired across three consecutive nights on 5; but the money and star-power behind this one does give it a certain charm.
Beyond the premiere — a truly perfect hour of television — you'll need to be open to seeing the bigger picture at points, and patience is vital if you're to go along with some of the wilder swings this show takes. But if you're up for it, prepare yourself for what could eventually turn out to be a genuine masterpiece on the same level as Breaking Bad or Better Call Saul.
Across 10 hours of action, shifting allegiances and reimagined legend, Robin Hood delivers the familiar beats with fresh grit and emotional resonance. Will it be the definitive version? Perhaps not. But it carries a surprising weight, heart and ambition.
As Cavill’s absence looms large over a story weighed down by uneven writing and tone – plus questionable performances and production design – it’s clear that Netflix’s flagship fantasy series has lost its magic.
What we’re left with is a season too neatly wrapped up. Questions and other threads to pull still remain, but we’re left wondering what else could possibly unravel here. Still, there’s no denying that the drip season 1 had has turned torrential this time around.
They may not be revolutionary, and may give you some déjà vu to past Williams joints, but if you're looking for entertaining action, some fun twists and a compelling central character/relationship study, then you will certainly find all of that here.
For horror fans, and those who consider themselves to be Constant Readers (apparently that's the name of Stephen King's fandom), it will likely satisfy, especially as we head into the Halloween season. But if you're tuning in to Welcome to Derry and expecting to return to exactly the same sewers as It Chapters 1 & 2, perhaps you won't be floating too.
