Rewatching the Stranger Things Pilot Before Season 5 Reveals a Surprising Shift
Revisiting the pilot episode of Stranger Things from season 1 reveals how Netflix’s blockbuster altered its tone right after the initial episode. As season 5 nears, many fans, including myself, are rewatching the entire series to prepare for the final chapter.
Although the timeline of Stranger Things is relatively straightforward, the story deepens and its universe expands with every new season. This makes revisiting the first season valuable for reconnecting with the journeys of Eleven, Mike, Dustin, Lucas, and Will.
A Distinct Beginning
Each season of Stranger Things has its highs and lows, but the debut season captured something rare and special. Originally, the show was planned as a standalone miniseries called Montauk, focused on the search for a missing boy named Will Byers.
During Will’s family's frantic search, his friends Mike, Dustin, and Lucas discover a mysterious young girl named Eleven in the woods — setting the stage for the series’ epic tale.
Notably Different Pace
Watching the first episode, “The Vanishing of Will Byers,” reveals a key difference: despite the intense memories many hold, the show moves surprisingly slowly in its opening hours.
“One big difference is immediately, unavoidably obvious. Despite what viewers might remember of Stranger Things season 1, the show is shockingly slow in its early episodes.”
This deliberate pacing sets the foundation for the complex storylines that follow.
Author’s Summary
Stranger Things began with a slower, more atmospheric tone that contrasts with the faster, sprawling narrative it adopts in later seasons, highlighting its evolving storytelling style.