The first season of Stranger Things was pure gold. Being born in the early 80's this show was obviously nostalgic gold for me and the mystery part was intense and well planned. You could really feel the constant danger lurking in the air in season 1.

By season 3 it has become a romance comedy show with a nostalgia overtone. The monsters are much like zombies in late seasons of a zombie show: no longer as dangerous and easily forgettable by the cast. As soon as there are no monsters present in season 3 no one is scared and there is no suspense. The kids just gather "cool stuff" and joke about how they will beat the monsters. They just laugh it off. The same goes for solving puzzles (it takes no time for them to solve the Russian "threat" in season 3 - no suspense what so ever).

Then of course we get the "diversity checkboxes", that are so prevalent today, in season 3 of Stranger Things. Forced and unnecessary.

It went from a 10 show to a 5 show for me. Too bad.