I'm sure the horror / gore addicts will fail to understand why I give this show such a low rating. My explanation is simple: garbage in, garbage out. The mind is impressionable, regardless of age. What we take in, influences our thoughts, whether we admit it or not.

Stranger Things started out as an interesting mystery with very well-developed (if cliché) characters and a terrific story. Since it starred child actors, even with its PG-13 rating one would believe it was intended as family viewing, to appeal to younger ages. There is where it misleads the audience.

While there were various "wince" moments, the first season (and most of the second) was tolerable within its genre. The PG-13 rating let parents know this was not for children and if they had any sense, they kept younger ones away from the screen.

This somewhat restrained state continued well into season 2... and then without warning suddenly changed into a gory blood-fest that would gain any movie an R-rating and a televised series a strong TV-MA.

No spoilers: the very last of Season 2 was cliché, unnecessary, over-the-top and well beyond the established parameters of the show to that date. Even as an adult one episode especially turned my stomach and caused me to avert my eyes (viewers will know which one I'm discussing) and turned this from a fascinating monster mystery into a gruesomely detailed bloodbath.

I recognize this show is fascinating and I realize it has been nominated and won numerous awards. I also recognize when viewers have been duped, lured into a PG-13 show and then presented R-level gore... and I have zero tolerance for such tactics... especially when young viewers may be involved.

Some people see no problem with the blood-fest dropped on the ending of season 2... but how would parents have felt if instead of gore the directors had dropped in a hard-R-rated sex scene into the ending of the season? Would that have been tolerated?

It seems some writers and directors just don't know where the line is that they should. not. cross.

Had I known in advance the direction this show was going to take I'd have never began watching it in the first place. I won't be watching season three. I'm sure some people out there won't "get" what I'm talking about, and that's a shame. People become jaded and don't even realize it.

Such things forced upon the viewing audience without warning earns from me a low 3-star rating for a show that otherwise could have been rated much higher.