Starred since I just referenced that film a couple of days ago too.  “Everybody on earth deals with fear.  That’s what little brains do!”

which was so secret it never received a code name

Having actually guzzled the crap down back then (and for many years thereafter as Coke II), I actually didn’t mind the most overt new Coke placement: the argument between the kids about the flavor.

It’s a bit strange to say this, but the real life Monterey not having a thriving therapist scene actually makes a little sense even if their version of the town is wildly unrealistic.

This is why I was actually a little disappointed that the Duffers went down the abusive father road in the beach sequence, even though it later became obvious why they felt they needed it once El used that part of his past to redeem him.

Besides binging Stranger Things on the 4th proper (we had weather, so were stuck inside for most of it), I rewatched Kings in its entirety over the rest of the long weekend.

Since you’re apparently still around here occasionally, I’m starring this 7 (!) years later since I just rewatched this and you’re right: the replacements for the deleted scenes in Kings probably closed out the series better, but man - this could have been one hell of a second season given what they had set up, and…

“Who are you?”

4. Jaded Native: “Probably should go shopping tomorrow once the dented cans go on sale.”

One of the things that got passed down to me in family cooking was the historical intent of making potato salad (and pasta/whatever salads as well, I presume) was generally for weeks when it was too hot to cook.

That is a very, very good catch.

Since heme isn’t my strong suit, just out of curiosity where are we in general with immunotherapy for the various acute leukemias? An EM friend had to deliver an AML dx to parents of a 7 week old not that long ago, and that’s one that even gets through the hard shell of that specialty.

Incredibly lucky he still has his vision as well.

I know the snark is strong with this one but from the original investigative article:

Yeah, I thought the same thing. That $5 bribe went a long way.

Yeah, first season Steve would have immediately and vindictively told the entire school about why the bitch had turned him down had she been foolish enough to be honest about it.

That is both a brilliant explanation and disturbing as all hell.

is watching him throw Alexei the keys to his handcuffs and their stolen car, bar the door, and wait.

If you weren’t a queer teenager in 1985, you don’t know how plausible.

From a narrative perspective, Hopper had to go offstage at the end of the season for all sorts of reasons beyond cheapening the ending.