‘Stranger Things’: The Department Of Energy Proves The Government Does Have A Sense Of Humor
Netflix is back in the news with Stranger Things. The Department of Energy cleared the air on where they stand in regards to accusations, and they were out to set the record straight.
SPOILER ALERT: One of the underlying plots of the show surrounds the Department of Energy division located in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. This particular installation is a front for Dr. Martin Brenner’s (Matthew Modine) experiments on a gifted child, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). There is a connection between Eleven and a portal to another world known as the Upside Down.
A monster has been released on the quiet little town. It has been taking students from the local community. One of those students is Barb (Shannon Purser). Barb’s best friend Nancy (Natalia Dyer) sets out to find her. Needless to say, Barb met a particularly gruesome end.
The Washington Free Beacon’s Lachlan Markay, using the Freedom of Information Act, requested information about internal discussions the Department of Energy had about Stranger Things. The Department’s response proves that humor is not lost on them. The response was an internal memo and a direct answer on Twitter.
no matter what you write, it won't bring Barb back. #JusticeForBarb
— ENERGY Press Staff (@EnergyPress) October 6, 2016
In true tongue-in-cheek fashion, the document was heavily redacted. Something one could expect from a shady government organization.
The entire document can be read on the Free Beacon’s post which can be found here.
Chelsea Handler jumped on the story and the Energy Department continued to play along. Some of the more enlightening information includes the following comments from Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.
“Actually, we do work in parallel universes. We are also a big supporter of very basic science and that includes trying to understand the basic particles of nature and the structure of the universe. It turns out theoretical physics addressing that looks at things like higher dimensions than three dimensions, and parallel universes.”
Stranger Things surprised a lot of people when it premiered on Netflix this summer. While Netflix has had a lot of success with original programming, most of the success has been surrounded by licensed properties from the likes of Marvel (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage). That’s why it seems like a show with a predominantly young cast and what some would consider out-of-work ’80s actors would have a tough time gaining critical acclaim.
Stranger Things has been picked up for a Season 2. There is no official release date, yet. However, the Duffer brothers have opened up a little about what fans can expect to see.
“We will venture a little bit outside of Hawkins. I will say the opening scene [of the premiere] does not take place in Hawkins.”
The crew is well aware of the task that lies before them. They do not have the element of surprise on their hands. Fans are expecting something great. Shawn Levy, one of the directors of multiple episodes, spoke with Collider about expectations.
“The pressure is on. It would be so blatantly disingenuous of me to say differently. It’s scary to have people love something this much. It becomes impossible to banish all thoughts of not wanting to disappoint.”
For those out there who still want justice for Barb, don’t worry; the Duffer brothers have you covered. When speaking with IGN, they set fan’s minds at ease that some form of justice will be heading Barb’s way and she “will not be forgotten.”
Regardless of where Season 2 takes Stranger Things, the Department of Energy went out of their way to interact with fans in a way we are not used to seeing. It’s refreshing to see that in a politically-fueled year, some people can take the time to have a little fun.
[Featured Image by Netflix]
