Themes And Memes

On this episode, we welcome special guest Pearse Redmond from Porkins Policy Review to discuss the new Netflix Original series, Stranger Things. Comprising one season of eight episodes thus far, the show is one of many recent productions that are made exclusive to on-demand platforms, and has fast become a sentimental sensation among its thirty-something target audience; thanks to its pastiche of 80's pop culture references and nostalgic plot devices.  We start by establishing the beginnings of the story, where strange events begin to unfold in 1980's small town America. Set against the backdrop of a secretive Cold War experiment at a local government facility, the series blends real world references to geopolitics and conspiracy culture with a heavy overlay of fantasy, horror, and science fiction - staying true to the aesthetic and screenplay of the classic 80's sub-genre. We also explore one of the most interesting aspects of the series, in looking at the target marketing of customised entertainment, where