Stranger Things: S1. Ch5. The Flea and the Acrobat

About this episode

Lea and Sarah discuss themes of gender norms and family dynamics in Stranger Things, particularly focusing on Nancy and Jonathan's actions and El's desires.

In the aftermath of the previous episode, Joyce's ex, Lonnie shows up to "help," Hopper is fully on board Joyce's crazy train, tensions come to a head within the kids' group, and Nancy steps foot into the Upside Down. Listen to hear Lea and Sarah discuss Nancy and Jonathan's defiance of gender norms, El's desire for a "normal" life with a nuclear family, and the 80's view of parents' culpability for raising "queer" children.

People in this episode

Hosts: Sarah Watson, Lea Nasrallah

Topics covered

• gender norms
• family dynamics
• queer representation
• 80's culture
• character development

Keywords

• Stranger Things
• gender norms
• queer children
• 80's parents
• Upside Down

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Stranger Things

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