So it seems I'm one of the few people who still has hope for extra episodes after today...
Why? Well, it was never really confirmed that they would come out on January 7th. That was just the most popular belief. When I listened to WSQK radio, they repeated the numbers 11 and 12 way more than 7. Initially I thought that meant the episode would release at 11 or 12 pm, but instead, I think it might be the 11th or 12th of January.
Additionally... I still think it's so weird that Vol 2 & 3 still aren't registered as official episodes.
Where am I drawing the line? When the documentary comes out on January 12th (13th for me), that's when I will absolutely draw the line.
They're calling it "One Last Adventure"; quite the double meaning. It gives the impression our characters will go on one last adventure post-"finale". Additionally, the documentary is coming out so soon, less than two weeks after the show ended. I find that odd; you'd think they would release it a little later, to keep the hype for the show going as long as possible now that it's over.
If it really is just a documentary, then I will finally stop hoping for bonus episodes. I'm not a doomsday cultist; I've gotta draw the line somewhere, and I am personally drawing the line at January 12th.
Hear that, future me? :P
If there are no bonus episodes, am I gonna be devastated? No, the devastation already came when I watched my favourite show eat itself alive at the very end of its run, and the only ship I've ever actually cared about (Byler) be handled with a disappointing level of ambiguity. I'm good, dude. I'm currently powered by a wonderful cocktail of defiance, excitement and spite!
Plus, I'll always have ao3.
If there are bonus episodes, will all be forgiven? I mean... first and foremost, I think the Duffers made a lot of mistakes when they failed to protect their dedicated, passionate queer fans from the relentless homophobia of the GA. I understand that speaking up about it might have jeopardised their "big twist", but it still makes me feel uneasy.
If the new episodes resolve those loose ends, though? If they remove the ambiguity from Mike and Will's romance? Oh, I'll be pleased as hell. I'll be absolutely amazed that they actually did it! Whether "all is forgiven" is something I can only decide in the future, when the bonus episodes are (or aren't) released.
So that's where I'm at right now! I'll be chilling until January 12th (13th for me). After that, there are two roads... my ao3 writer era, or my HOLY SHIT THEY ACTUALLY DID IT era.
We shall see what happens...
