I am very late to the Stranger Things phenomenon, but I’ve binged seven of the eight episodes in the past two days, and greatly enjoyed the experience. However, I couldn’t help but notice that almost every character on the show could use some practical advice about how to behave in a way that best guarantees their safety and is not stupid.
The eleven tips below contain some spoilers, so don’t read them if you haven’t watched the show, or the show will be spoiled for you.
Tip no. 1, for everyone: You are allowed to investigate things during the daytime
This one is for all the characters. It seems like a lot of weird stuff happens in the forest in your show, and I wanted to let you know that it’s allowed and even wise to investigate some of it during the daytime. One of the advantages of investigating during the day is better visibility, due to sunlight. When you have better visibility, you can see things more clearly, and it’s more difficult for a supernatural creature to creep up on you.
Tip no. 2, for Police Chief Hopper: The laboratory has security cameras, every single time
Chief Hopper, I like your style, but I thought I’d point out that no matter how many times you try to sneak into the Department of Energy laboratory, they will always have security cameras. They never go away, and the men who monitor them will always spot you as you try to enter the building. I think this tip will be good to know, in case you ever get into a situation where you can’t punch or trick your way out of it.
Tip no. 3, for the Dept. of Energy people: Just kill Chief Hopper
You guys seem to be okay killing almost anyone, or kidnapping children, or training little girls to murder cats with their brains. Assuming there’s no moral reason preventing you from killing Chief Hopper, I’d advise you to do just that. Bugging his house, like you did the last time he broke in, will only confirm what you already know, which is that he’s going to be a nuisance. You know he keeps poking around the laboratory and asking meddlesome questions and refusing to go away? He’s going to keep doing that, and as long as you’re killing people willy-nilly, he’s probably a good one to kill.
Tip no. 4, also for the Dept. of Energy people—Eleven has super powers, and will always use them to protect herself to your great detriment
As you already know, she can snap your neck with a look, or flip a car in a heartbeat, or do basically anything to protect herself and her friends. All it costs her is a bloody nose. So just know that when you come after her, it will be impossible to catch her, because when you get too close she’ll just kill you with her mind. It’s something to remember the next time you chase her with a car or charge at her, or whatever. She’s going to kill you. Come up with a better plan.
Tip no. 5, for Eleven: Kill more people with your mind
Eleven, there’s an awful lot of drama you could prevent just be killing people with your mind. Like Dr. Brenner, for instance. I know he’s your “papa,” but even you should understand by now that he’s a pretty bad guy. Beyond him, though, feel free to just kill anyone in a white lab coat. It is, by far, your most effective strategy.
Tip no. 6, to that one bully: If a weird girl makes you pee your pants, don’t test her again
When someone forces you to urinate against your will, that’s the point at which you say, “hey, you know what? Something odd is going on here, and I’m not going to push my luck.”
Tip no. 7, Mike: Don’t jump to your death to keep a friend from maybe getting a tooth cut out
This is not a trade-off that makes sense. It’s not great if Dustin gets his tooth cut out, but in the end, that’s a better outcome than you committing suicide. The correct way to handle that situation is to say, “well, I’m not jumping to my death, so I guess do your worst, bully guy.”
Tip no. 8, for Barb: Always aim the knife away from your hands and body when cutting
This is pretty basic.
Tip no. 9, for the Wheeler parents: Check in with your kids once in a while to make sure they aren’t harboring a stranger in their bedrooms
Maybe this is a controversial opinion, but it seems to me that if your child can keep another child living in his room for more than a day in a pretty small house without you noticing, you might be a bad parent.
Tip no. 10, for Will: When you’re in hiding, don’t sing The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go”
In general, don’t sing at all. When paired with hiding, it’s a bad combination.
Tip no. 11, for Tommy and Carol: You guys are awesome.
Don’t change a thing.