Warning: contains SPOILERS for Stranger Things 4 Volume 1

Stephen King has correctly highlighted recent Twitter exchange between the horror master himself and the Stranger Things writer's room, Stephen King both praised Stranger Things’ newest season and complained about it being split into two parts. The writers responded that the reason the season needed to be split was that the final episodes have not been completed yet, and while that makes Netflix’s decision much more understandable, it does not alleviate the sting of having to wait a whole month to see how Stranger Things season 4 ends.

Stranger Things season 4 has clearly been influenced by Stephen King’s work, most notably Carrie and It, and his comments on the show have sparked an interesting debate. The Vecna twist at the end of Stranger Things season 4 Volume 1 promises an intense showdown between Eleven and 001 for the season finale, and the final episode’s super-sized runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes means there is sure to be much dramatic storytelling to look forward to. Audiences are eagerly awaiting Volume 2, but the strange asymmetrical release may not have done Netflix’s flagship show any favors.

Related: Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Easter Eggs & References

Netflix has been toying with release structures and early renewals in response to its rapidly falling subscriber numbers. It was recently reported that Netflix had lost 200,000 subscribers and was expecting to lose 2 million more over the coming months. Netflix’s overall content plan needs a dramatic rethink, and different release structures may be a helpful tool. Other streaming platforms have resorted to weekly episode releases, such as Disney+, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Netflix’s entire model rests on the idea of binge-watching, so it is unlikely they will follow in those footsteps, but releasing their bigger shows in separate volumes may work. However, Stranger Things season 4’s uneven split feels like an odd cop-out. Though the fourth season of Stranger Things was over three years in the making, Stranger Things season 4 would have benefited from a different type of release structure altogether.

Vecna in season 4 of Stranger Things

As Stephen King notes, the release structure of Stranger Things season 4 is “kind of lame.” The asymmetrical storytelling is very unusual, and the show may have benefited from a different release schedule instead. If Netflix had been willing to wait just one additional month, they could have released the entire series in one go as usual. Or, alternatively, they could have released it with an even split, making Stranger Things season 4 Volume 1 consist of episodes 1-5, and Volume 2 consist of the rest. The structure now is likely to make people lose focus, as the ending of episode 7 “The Massacre at Hawkins Lab” has a huge cliff-hanger that also functions as the climax of the show. What more might there be to see, that could not have just as easily worked as part of Stranger Things 5’s narrative is difficult to say. Once Stranger Things season 4, Volume 2 releases, audiences are sure to be glad of the answers, but at the moment, it feels like Stranger Things season 4 has already ended to some degree.

The way the Stranger Things writer's room worded their response to Stephen King made it seem like they may not completely agree with Stranger Things season 4’s release structure either. The tone, while comedically apologetic, highlights the oddity of the show’s schedule. If a master of storytelling and horror like Stephen King found it worthwhile to comment on, then it might be worthwhile for Netflix to take note in response to any future projects they consider splitting into an asymmetrical a two-part release.

Next: Stranger Things 4 Volume 1 Ending Explained (In Detail)

Stranger Things season 4 Volume 2 releases July 1 on Netflix.

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