When I Did Not Bingewatch Stranger Things – Suzie, Do You Copy?

After what seems like a gazillion years, I caved in and signed up on Netflix.

The first ever watchable item I downloaded is Stranger Things. Season 3. Chapter One. Suzie, Do You Copy? Yes, only this one single episode. I went against the grain of having Netflix and against my habit of watching series in one sitting (okay, maybe three or five sittings). Why? you  might ask. A couple of days ago, I had an agreement with someJuan that instead of binge-watching Stranger Things, I watch it at his own pace, to think of the series as a marathon rather than a sprint.

Stranger Things’ Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) and Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), now Jane Hopper, are officially dating. Image from appocalypse.co

We did this for the final season of Game of Thrones. Although I did not enjoy every episode, I thoroughly enjoyed our discussions after every episode. It was competitive, graphic and peppered with colorful words and gestures, to say the least. And I yo-yoed from being a Lannister to being a Stark and back to my original roaring lions. So, I am being patient and watch one episode every 24 to 48 hours. It also works well for me because my current schedule and lifestyle (following exercise videos hahaha) cannot afford me to sit and watch something for extended periods of time.

I hope I can finish the entire season without cheating. Hehehe.

Suzie, Do You Copy, like the other premiere episodes of Stranger Things started out normally. Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), now known as Jane Hopper, and Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) kissed and kissed some more to the chagrin of El’s adoptive father, Jim Hopper (David Harbour). The rest of the gang, Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin), Will Byers (Noah Schnapp), and Max Mayfield (Saide Sink) basked in the glow of Hawkins, Indiana in the summer of ’85 in their short shorts and colorful outfits. Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo) found “Phoebe Cates, but hotter” in summer camp. Her name was Suzie, and she was the one Dustin was calling over his newly-invented Cerebro, the Cadillac of ham radios.

While the kids enjoyed, rats congregated in an abandoned warehouse, and we all know that something wicked would happen next. Good luck, guys!

My reaction while watching Stranger Things – Season 3 Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?:

That choke gave me Star Wars feels. Was the guy Darth Vader in disguise?

OMG! El and Mike kissing!

OMG! Lucas, Sadie and Will in short shorts. So adorable.

Steve is a dingus now?

Dustin is still a pottymouth.

Mrs. Wheeler crushing on Billy.

Hopper and Joyce. Awww. We all need someone who could look at us how Hopper looks at Joyce.

It’s a literal rat race.

Billy flirting with Mrs. Wheeler. And vice versa.

Awww. I am sending Joyce a hug. Eating alone sucks.

Hopper practicing his lines … “to share our feelings” was emotional. And cute. Hopper the protective father is charming in so many levels.

Here are some quotes from Stranger Things – Season 3 Chapter One: Suzie, Do You Copy?:

“Hey! Three-inch minimum! Leave the door open three inches! El, open this door” – Jim Hopper (David Harbour) and all the dads with teenage daughter with her boyfriend inside her room.

“Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever and never hang out with any of our friends.” – Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) mocking Mike

“Let there be light.” – Steve Harrington (Joe Keery)

“Shit! Shit! Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!” – Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer)

“Well, I don’t think you’re gonna think it’s gross when you fall in love.” – Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder)

“I’m not gonna fall in love.” – Will Byers (Noah Schnapp)

“They don’t actually like me or respect me as a living, breathing human with a brain.” – Nancy

“At least someone’s happy I’m home.” – Dustin Henderson (Gaten Matarazzo)

“It’s just a dream. You’re dreaming.” – Dustin

“And … showtime.” – one random lady

“I need for them to break up.” – Hopper

“They’re spending entirely too much time together.” – Hopper

Joyce: Well, I mean, they’re just kissing, right?

Hopper: Yeah, but it is constant. It is constant. Okay? That is not normal, that is not healthy.

Joyce: You can’t just force them apart. I mean, they’re not little kids anymore, Hop. They’re teenagers. If you order them around like a cop, then they’re just gonna rebel. It’s just what they do.

Hopper: So, what, I am just supposed to let them do whatever they want.

Joyce: No, I didn’t say that. I think you should … talk to them.

Hopper: No. No. ‘Cause talking doesn’t work.

Joyce: Not yelling. Not ordering. But talk to them. You know, like a heart-to-heart.

Hopper: A heart-to-heart? What is that?

Joyce: You sit them down and you talk to them, like you’re their friend. I find if you talk to them like you’re in their level, then they really start to listen. And then, you know, you could start to create some boundaries.

Hopper: Boundaries.

Joyce: Yeah, but, Hop, it’s really important that no matter how they respond, you stay calm. You cannot lose your temper.

Hopper: Uh, maybe you could do it for me?

Joyce: No.

“Is that a new zit?” – Lucas

Dustin: I call it …  the Forever Clock. All right? Powered by wind. Very useful in the apocalypse. Then, I give you … the Slammer. Pretty neat, huh? But this, this is my masterpiece. I would like you to meet … Cerebro.

Mike: What exactly are we looking at here?

Dustin: An unassembled one-of-a-kind battery-powered radio tower.

Will: So, it’s a … a ham radio?

Dustin: The Cadillac of ham radios. This baby carries a crystal-clear connection over vast distances. I’m talking North Pole to South. I can talk to my girlfriend whenever and wherever I choose.

All: Girlfriend?

“Girls go to science camp?” – Will

Mike: Is she cute?

Dustin: Think Phoebe Cates, but hotter.

“It’s this stupid hat. I’m telling you, it’s totally blowing my best feature.” – Steve

“Maybe I’ll just kill Mike. I’m the chief of police, I could cover it up.” - Hopper

“It’s all a bit … Shakespearean.” – Dustin

Dustin: Curfew at 4:00?

Lucas: They’re lying.

Will: It’s been like this all summer.

Sadie: It’s romantic.

Will: It’s gross.

Dustin: It’s bullshit.

“She’s a genius, and she’s hotter than Phoebe Cates? No girl is that perfect!” – Lucas

“What the hell?” – Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery)