What makes a monster a monster? In this episode, we continue our discussion of Stranger Things, focusing appropriately enough for Halloween night on the monsters. From the Demogorgon of season 1, to Henry Creel’s transformation into Vecna in season 4, we tried to determine exactly why each of the monsters worked as vectors of horror. Why was the Demogorgon terrifying? Why was the body horror of the Mind Flayer so resonant? Why was the psychological torture that Vecna visited upon his victims before he killed them more terrifying than their actual deaths? And what of the humans of Stranger Things and the monstrous things they did; are their actions a separate horror, or inextricably connected to it all like so many corrupted vines? —Streamed October 31, 2025

On last week’s episode of The Mosaic Ark, the ladies were reveling in the nostalgia of the 1980s that Stranger Things presents; this week we wondered how to pinpoint the source of that strong nostalgic feeling. Though the show takes place during what were our high school years, the time period itself was not solely the source of the nostalgia; if it were, Stranger Things wouldn’t have as many young fans as it does. So what is it that every fan of this show is longing for? We think people are longing for meaningful relationships, bonding, the opportunity to band together with true friends who help each other overcome hardship in a scary world. At its core, it is a series about family and fellowship; it’s about being among friends so close that they are your found family, but it’s also about the challenges of the families we were born into, and the hope of forming new ones. Listen as we discuss the many different relationship dynamics presented in Stranger Things, and please give us your thoughts in the comments. —Streamed October 24, 2025

What story are we in? This is the question the ladies of the Mosaic Ark asked ourselves while watching Season 1 of the Duffer Brothers’ amazing series, Stranger Things. As everyone knows, it is a nostalgic trip back to the early 1980s with strong elements from the movies of Steven King, Steven Spielberg, and Ridley Scott. But what kind of horror story is it? Is it one where the characters live in a place that is evil just under the surface, and they can’t convince others of the danger? Is the story one of evil living among them and they think can’t do anything to stop it? Or is the evil presented as a good even as it shows itself in monstrous form? The ladies had some ideas. In between reveling in the nostalgia of our own high school days and appreciating the thought that went into the visual effects, we noticed the themes of horror in this series are familiar for reasons that had nothing to do with old movies that inspired it. Exactly what story are we in? As the fifth and final season of the series is readying for broadcast on Thanksgiving day, we look back on the story that we have lived without realizing it. Let us know in the comments if you’ve experienced the horror, too! —Streamed October 17, 2025