When Stranger Things began, way back in 2016, the episode lengths were about what you’d expect for a Netflix binge series: between 45 and 55 minutes each. Once the show became a mega-pop cultural sensation, the episodes started getting longer. A lot longer.
Season four demanded extreme eyeball attention from fans, and season five—which is dropping its next batch of episodes December 25—has similar requirements to go with all that Hawkins drama, supernatural mayhem, and moments where Robin (sometimes Max) has to explain something to the audience and any nearby characters who happen to be confused.
With volume one already streaming (chapter four, “Sorcerer,” was the longest at one hour and 26 minutes), we now know just how much of your Christmas is going to be devoted to screaming over Mr. Whatsit’s weird kiddie scheme. Volume two drops at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET, and its three episodes will shake out as follows, according to co-creator Ross Duffer’s latest Instagram update:
“Shock Jock” is one hour and eight minutes; “Escape from Camazotz” is one hour and 15 minutes, and “The Bridge” is just one hour and six minutes.
Then, the series finale, “The Rightside Up,” which arrives December 31, sets a volume five record at two hours and eight minutes.
However, that’s still shorter than season four’s “The Piggyback,” which ran two hours and 22 minutes and was dropped in tandem with “Papa,” which was one hour and 27 minutes.
So, at least “The Rightside Up” is a standalone viewing experience—and, frankly, that seems a fitting way to showcase the final episode of the much-loved series. Sitting down to watch what’s essentially a feature film is less, uh, mind-flaying of a task, and will likely sink in much better as a result.
Of course, we have no idea what’s going to happen in that finale—but we’ll soon be able to dig into season five’s second volume. Will you be watching on Christmas?
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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