Rewatching The Stranger Things Pilot Before Season 5 Taught Me Something Shocking About The Show

Rewatching The Stranger Things Pilot Before Season 5

Revisiting the pilot episode of Stranger Things, I noticed how Netflix’s hit series shifted its tone after the first episode. With season 5 on the horizon, many fans, including myself, are rewatching the entire saga to prepare for the finale.

The First Season’s Simplicity and Impact

The storyline in season 1 is straightforward yet captivating. It follows the search for a missing boy, Will Byers, while his friends—Mike, Dustin, and Lucas—discover a mysterious girl named Eleven in the woods. This marks the beginning of the show’s epic journey.

Changes in Pacing and Tone

Although viewers may recall the excitement of Stranger Things season 1, the opening episode, "The Vanishing of Will Byers," moves at a surprisingly slow pace. The show’s tone and style evolved significantly after this initial outing.

"Despite what viewers might remember of Stranger Things season 1, the show is shockingly slow in its early episodes."

Why Rewatch?

Author's Summary

Rewatching the first episode of Stranger Things reveals a slower, different tone that contrasts with the show’s later, more thrilling pace as it builds toward season 5.

Would you like the tone of this summary to be more casual or formal?

more

Screen Rant Screen Rant — 2025-11-05