I finally got around to watching a couple episodes of the latest season. Loved this show the first season…but each season I become less interested.
I can’t put my finger on what they’re doing wrong. Production and writing are great. My “hot take” is that they’re addicted to formula: they keep introducing new hyper 80s kids that are too cute and too mature…and they never raise the stakes. It gets muddier as they keep adding kids/protagonists. The Hawke kid and the Kate Bush fan were great…but this season the “new” girl is a little much for some reason. Nothing against her really…but there always 7 pairs of kids running around and they’re all super integral…I kept getting the Hawke girl and the big sister mixed up.
Am I way off?
I would say Johnathan is underwhelming. He had character in season 1, but after that it’s been pretty sparse. I wouldn’t get rid of him because I think it’s interesting in the context of other characters… But in terms of what he wants, I don’t really know.
Spoilers up to season 5 volume 1
He has a ring and is probably going to ask Nancy to marry him, but what makes that interesting is what will Nancy say? How will Steve react? I don’t really care if Johnathan gets married because I don’t know if he wants that.
It’s possible season 5 volume 2 will give him more to do, so I won’t say he’s a complete waste, but even looking at previous seasons it’s been little for his character.