Stranger Things 3

Usually, Hopper and the kids of ‘Stranger Things’ find themselves dealing with Demogorgons, Mind-Flayers, and Demodogs, but this short new clip from the upcoming third season spotlights a much more ordinary species of creature.  Check it out:

Hmmm, how to interpret that caption, “It’s almost feeding time.”  It could just be a cute way of saying that new episodes will be available soon, ready to be binged to one’s heart’s content.  But could it also reference what is shown in the clip, a horde of rats running through an empty warehouse?  Where are they going?  Are they running toward something in order to feed?  Or are they running away from something far more deadly?

Of course, the answer to either is, “Who knows?!”  Secrets of ‘Stranger Things’ are kept under Marvel/Star Wars/Game of Thrones-level lockdown.  Fortunately, there isn’t much longer to wait, as ‘Stranger Things 3’ will arrive on July 4, Independence Day.

The previous two seasons premiered in October, around Halloween.  Fittingly, both shows took place in the autumn, but with Season 3, the show will be set during summer, with the kids out of school (and Steve having graduated), hanging out at the pool and the new state-of-the-art Starcourt Mall.  So it’s fitting that the new episodes are arriving around that same time in real life.

‘Stranger Things 3’ will welcome new cast members Cary Elwes as Hawkins’ Mayor Larry Kline, while Jake Busey portrays Bruce, a reporter for the Hawkins Post, who has “questionable morals.”  Maya Hawke comes on board as Robin, an edgy teen who works with Steve at the Scoops Ahoy ice cream parlor, while Francesca Reale stars as Heather, a lifeguard at the public pool.  In addition, Priah Ferguson, who portrayed Lucas’ sister Erica, has been elevated to series regular.

They join the usual cast of Millie Bobby Brown, Cara Buono, Natalia Dyer, David Harbour, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Dacre Montgomery, Winona Ryder, Noah Schnapp, Sadie Sink, and Finn Wolfhard.

Will this rat infestation keep you from returning to Hawkins?