PR in the Philippines

(SeaPRwire) –   Following the conclusion of the Stranger Things Season 5 finale, it became evident that the series in 2025 bore little resemblance to its 2016 iteration. The narrative had expanded, the stakes had escalated, and the young cast members had aged considerably. This aging is an inherent challenge for shows featuring child actors, as they cannot be perpetually frozen in time. Or can they?

Introducing Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85, an animated spin-off series that commences directly after Season 2, a period many fans identify as the end of the show’s Golden Age. Upon initial viewing, this series effectively recaptures the essence that Stranger Things seemed to lose in its later seasons, provided one doesn’t scrutinize the canon too closely.

Tales from ‘85 follows the Hawkins group—Mike, Eleven, Will, Dustin, Lucas, and Max—as they return to school after their winter break. Unfortunately, their beloved science teacher, Mr. Clarke, is taking a sabbatical and is replaced by the charmingly eccentric Ms. Baxter. It isn’t long before Ms. Baxter’s punk daughter, Nikki, finds herself in a difficult situation with our heroes, leading them to form the Hawkins Investigators Club. They delve into peculiar occurrences around town, discovering that, regrettably, even with the gate to the Upside Down closed, safety is not guaranteed.

The inspiration for this series is quite apparent. Its “midquel” setting, distinctive animation style, and self-contained narrative bear a striking resemblance to Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the animated spin-off that offered a new perspective on the Star Wars prequel trilogy. This is the show’s strongest concept: just as Clone Wars expanded the Star Wars universe, Tales from ‘85 introduces new threats that, while perhaps less terrifying than Vecna, are perfectly suited for an animated series.

If Tales from ‘85 is Stranger Things’ interpretation of The Clone Wars, then Nikki Baxter is its Ahsoka Tano: a spirited new character introduced exclusively in the spin-off, despite never being mentioned in the flagship media that preceded or followed it. Voiced by Marty Supreme breakout Odessa A’Zion, she is a valuable addition to the group, bringing a sense of world-weariness from her constant relocation and a talent for tinkering that gives the show a Ghostbusters-esque flair. Also noteworthy is the scientific basis for the main threat, which is just plausible enough while still incorporating elements of Dungeons and Dragons monsters.

However, not all the issues present in later-stage Stranger Things are resolved by the move to animation. It seems nearly every episode features at least one moment where a character is on the brink of certain doom, only to be rescued at the last second by Eleven’s telekinetic abilities. And while the alternative voice casting is superb, the absence of Joyce and Jonathan Byers is quite noticeable—even ten episodes prove insufficient to include the entire expansive cast.

The most significant issue is, unfortunately, an unfixable one: the plot implications. It is poignant to hear Nikki discuss how she no longer bothers to make friends, knowing she will eventually move again and everyone will forget her. However, this conversation becomes heartbreaking when considering that these friends go on to save the world multiple times without ever mentioning Nikki or utilizing any of the tools she created for them. The Clone Wars circumvented this by having Ahsoka leave the Jedi Order, but no clean solution exists for a similar narrative departure here.

But if viewers can suspend their disbelief regarding this point, then this show serves as the perfect palate cleanser after the series finale, bringing the show back to its original essence: kids on bikes solving mysteries and getting into adventures.

Stranger Things: Tales from ‘85 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.