Stranger Things Episode Inspired by Star Wars

I didn't get into Stranger Things immediately. It was on my watch list, but I couldn't get into to because I had so many other things on the list above it. But my colleague, Chris, harassed me mercilessly until I finally launched Netflix and gave it a whirl. So I was a fool for a few months, but have since mended my ways.

If you've watched it, you've undoubtedly recognized tons of 80's geek culture references, if not straight up ripoffs. Star Wars is certainly front and center as the first season took place in 1983, on the heels of Return of the Jedi. But Season 2 didn't just have the occasional passing reference to a Kenner toy or Halloween costume. One episode was straight up ripped from Star Wars. The 7th Episode in the season was called "The Lost Sister." It had a very different feel to it than any other episode in the series so far. You could almost have skipped it entirely, and not actually missed anything about the overall plot of Season 2. It has gotten some "love it or hate it" responses from fans. It could have had a "jump the shark" feel to it, except the series isn't failing and looking for some random spark to keep viewers interested. Or maybe it was more of a throwaway, like those Tony Soprano dream-sequence episodes that were so infuriating because they did nothing to advance the plot.

In any case, it took place entirely away from Hawkins, in a seedy part of Chicago. Eleven finds a "sister" of hers named Kali, who bears the forearm tattoo of "008". With powers borne from the same experimental program, Eleven is drawn to Kali, and goes on a soul-searching journey. Kali is not an inherently evil person, but uses her powers to try to bring vengeance upon those responsible for what she is. Eleven is initially intrigued by this, and goes along with Kali, learning how to focus her anger to make better use of her telekinetic powers. By the end of the episode, Eleven chooses the light, so to speak, and parts ways with Kali. She returns to Hawkins with a newfound respect for her powers, and perhaps a better understanding of how and when to use them.

In an Entertainment Weekly interview with Matt and Ross Duffer, Matt says:

We talked about Luke going to Dagobah and meeting Yoda. Also, the idea of a dark Eleven, of Eleven being pulled to the dark side was an interesting idea.

According to the article, Linnea Berthelsen (Kali), apparently read the script and, indendent of the Brothers' concept, prepared for the role by watching the Star Wars films:

I took everything from Luke and from the relationship with Anakin...The reason why Kali is so angry is also because of love...I think that’s the same thing with Darth Vader — he believes it’s the right thing and he’s doing everything for the love of his mother.”

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