After watching the final two episodes of "Stranger Things: Season 4", I appreciate the decision to make them into longer episodes - I understood the importance of wrapping up two essential story arcs: that of Papa and El and then Vecna and...everyone else. Well...so to speak. When all is said and done, I can't help but think of Plato's Allegory of the Cave.

Metaphorically, Chapter 8 is about self-discovery, enlightenment, and creating healthy boundaries. Chapter 9 is about venturing into the darkness, facing your fears, and standing up for yourself.

We do arrive at a conclusion of sorts that readies us for season 5. Loaded with resonating emotion and nuanced human connection, the ending is rockin' rolling fun, thrilling and frightening, and sometimes too bombastic and overstuffed with fighting conflicts for its own good.

All the characters have an opportunity to shine through a combination of earnest and vulnerable conversations and near-impossible feats that once again puts them in extreme and hopeless peril. The stakes are higher than ever. And I loved it. I loved the sacrifices, the deceit, the teamwork, the reunions, and the action.

I will say that while I do love Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill", I felt it was overused, which took away from its brilliant use in Chapter 4. The ending of the series may have benefited from the reintroduction of another cool, theme-appropriate hit.