Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard (2019) User Reviews (46)

Dang!

[Trey_Trebuchet · 9/10 · 7 September 2021]

This was much better than the first two episodes in my opinion. "Strange things" are actually starting to happen and I actually loved all of the drama in this. I felt so bad for Will, always getting pushed to the side after being such a good friend and a pivotal part of seasons 1 and 2, and that's finally acknowledged here. His outburst was probably my favorite part of the episode. Noah is a great actor. All of the kid performers are great in this.

I'm glad to see this show finally picking back up and even getting darker than I had anticipated. The missing lifeguard plot was pretty dark and led to a pretty surprising ending. This is some good television.

Now we have entered Stranger Things!

[humzahladiwala · 7/10 · 7 April 2021]

This is the first real "Stranger Things" episode. Now I'm interested, but I'm still not entirely convinced. I'm hoping the writing can improve, but the performances have been strong, especially from Dacre Montgomery. Overall, a good episode, but just below par with what the previous seasons have offered.

A Slow Build

[petereviews · 8/10 · 7 July 2019]

The Good: Yet again, this episode builds the tension in a slow way but I can't complain since this character-focused approach seems like it will pay dividends later on in the season.

Let's start with Will and Mike's argument. So far this season, Will has been a bit in the background and ignored, and this came to a head this episode. What made this argument impressive is how it worked in the moment, but also brought out the theme of the kids growing up and changing interests which has been brought up this season.

The mall's storyline got much more interesting this episode, with Robin cleverly cracking the Russian's code and the mystery thickening now that we know that they're located in the mall.

Speaking of Russians, Hopper's fight with the "Terminator" of Russians this episode was a shock and thrilling to watch. The russian's motivations are still unclear, but I feel that we may be getting some answers soon.

The Bad: Despite giving us a thrilling fight scene, Hopper and Joyce going to the abandoned lab on their own without telling anyone was very stupid and asking for trouble.

Episode Highlight: Will and Mike's argument.

Conclusion: A focus on character has made the season so far gripping to watch. With some pieces slowly coming together this episode, I can't wait to see what the rest of the season has to bring.

We're finally getting somewhere!

[sloane-sean · 9/10 · 4 July 2019]

The first two episodes of this season were quite slow and a bit too heavily focused on romance and relationships for my liking. Episode 3 feels like a lot more like classic Stranger Things; it gave us suspense, shocking moments and questions we can't quite work out yet. The dynamics between characters are working really well so far, although it's a shame all our main characters are off doing different things but there's no doubt they'll be reunited at some point soon. My biggest disappointment was how coincidental all the stuff with Dustin and Steve in the mall feels, but I'm willing to forgive that because the writing has been solid so far.

Great episode

[Zhukov94 · 8/10 · 4 July 2019]

Finally moving on from the RomCom that was the first two episodes.

Alot of action and story development.

"He's back"

[ninjaboyballer · 9/10 · 6 July 2019]

Episode 3 of Stranger Things 3 has started to pick up steam, with Billies actions being discovered by Eleven and Max. Meanwhile, Joyce and Hopper are investigating Hawkins Lab to find where a magnetic field is coming from, in which they encounter an assassin and where they have some pretty great scenes together. Harbour and Ryder have really great chemistry with each other in general, with their romantic tension just keeping us entertained the whole time. The boys have also really entertaining parts, with Noah Schnapp giving a great performance with Will not wanting to grow up while everyone else wants too. Steve and Dustin are also trying to get the bottom of the Russian transmission along with Steve's co-worker Robin, which just makes it even better. Overall this episode and the ending really set up what's to come and in a damn good way

Final rating: 9.2/10

More excellence

[Joshumms · 10/10 · 30 March 2022]

It's ramping up more and I really like the direction it's going. I can see why some people don't like it, it's a bit of a turn from the first 2 seasons and it can be pretty silly and Mike and Lucas are kinda dumbed down and unlikable at times but overall I think it's really good and it will all come together well.

Now that's more like it.

[ranchi · 10/10 · 4 July 2019]

Even though the first two episodes are fine, they were slightly slow paced, with romance taking a big part of the episodes' running time. This one picks up the pace and delivers a fantastic episode in which sci-fi takes over romance. I hope the following episodes follow this path. I can't wait to find out!

The Plot Continues to Thicken

[schroederagustavo · 9/10 · 16 September 2019]

Slowly, the plot is starting to form something interesting. I still really enjoy what they're doing with this season because it's really focused on these characters and how they're growing up, which I think is really cool. A lot of people like Winona Ryder in this series, I think her acting is really monotonous, especially when she's acting concerned about something and it's especially noticeable in this episode.

The Evil Russian

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 18 October 2019]

Max and El decide to spy Billy using El's power and she sees Heather and Billy. However El is attacked by a monster and they decide to check Billy at home. Meanwhile Joyce and Hopper go to the Hawkins Laboratory that is closed. Robin translates the Russian encoded message snooping around in the mall with Steve and Dustin.

In "Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard", the action and humor of the first two season have returned. So far the transformation of Billy was the greatest mystery; but now there are other interesting storylines simultaneously happening. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Chapter Three: The Case of the Missing Lifeguard"

Suspense build up that pays off.

[cruise01 · 9/10 · 15 July 2019]

Episode 3.03 (4.5 out of 5 stars).

This episode delivers more with the characters continuing their journeys. Several characters are off running their own journeys apart. Which is what i am liking about this season. Eleven and Max are looking for Billy and the lifeguard he was working with. Will is having trouble growing up as his friends are moving on from their childhood games. Hopper goes back to the old scientist facility. Dustin and Steve are trying to solve the Russians coding message at the mall.

The direction is fast moving. The soundtrack is great. The music score is thrilling. I did feel like this episode did fall too much into the characters drama with what they are facing. That was the only boring part which the script has trouble moving on from. Otherwise, still a good episode.

A slight improvement over the previous episodes.

[BA_Harrison · 6/10 · 7 July 2019]

So far, season three has been a little disappointing - slow and uneventful - and episode three kicks off with a fart and burp gag, which doesn't bode particularly well. However, things do gradually improve. Gradually.

Eleven and Max try and find out what Billy is doing by using Eleven's special powers, and are shocked to discover that he's up to no good. Joyce is continuing to play around with magnets and convinces Hopper to visit the Hawkins lab, where she suspects there might be a machine that is creating a powerful magnetic field; meanwhile, Steve, Dustin and Robin try to find Russian spies at the mall, Robin having cracked their code. And Will has a hissy fit 'cos his friends would rather kiss girls than play D&D.

With a little less of the '80s overload, and a touch more action and weirdness, Stranger Things is finally starting to build momentum. Best scenes: Nancy and Jonathan finding an old woman eating fertiliser, Jake Busey and his colleagues acting like sexist jerks (no doubt paying for their behaviour by the end of the season), Hopper getting beaten up by a Russian, and Billy and Heather viciously attacking Heather's parents. Far from a 10/10 episode (as some have rated it), but better than the first two.

I'm not convinced

[diegosouza · 5/10 · 6 July 2019]

Although the plot is getting more exciting, the writing is not getting better. It feels like there was not much work put into how the characters would get where they had to be in order to advance the story. The dialogue, the character's motivations are so shallow and over dramatic. The actions of the characters are not motivated enough, I'm not convinced. Seems like rushed writing.

I like the aesthetics that they are using for this season. But I think they are focusing on it too much, that feels like they are trying too hard. This also goes for the editing. Style over substance.

Bye-bye, Miss American Pie ...

[bosporan · 8/10 · 11 May 2022]

The season has got into its stride now with a strong multi-threaded episode, with each of the strands intriguing and suspenseful in its own right. A lot going on with some good strong performances across the board following two lacklustre episodes.

Definite page-turn pressure to watch what happens next.

Finally!

[regionsam · 10/10 · 4 July 2019]

The first two episodes were good but not what they should have been, this however was great! Well timed comedy, shocking moments, interesting moments etc. I am satisfied!

Good again!

[beccawoz · 9/10 · 21 July 2019]

I loved season 1/2 but the first few episodes of 3 didn't impress me, too much teen drama, not at all like Stranger Things. But I kept watching because I still cling on the hope I had for this show. This episode made me remember why I love Stranger Things. Just hold on for a few episodes and you WILL start to like it again!

I'm Into People, He Said

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 7 July 2019]

The village is doing the Invasion of the Body Snatchers bit where exploding rats are taking over people's beings. Our chasers of Russian spies begin to have some success in their silly sailor suits. The missing lifeguard seems to become more and more dangerous. And El and her friend are in over their heads. There's more but suffice it to say, there is a lot of action.

The show finally takes off

[damienmassart · 8/10 · 5 July 2019]

The first two episodes were dull and boring, let's forget them. On the contrary this episode is great, with a good balance between comedy, funny moments and scary scenes. The show is finally taking the good way.

Finally

[argyroudis_st · 8/10 · 30 July 2019]

A bit predictable, but eventually, things seem to start getting an interesting turn

Slowly loosing the sparkle

[freizelbt · 6/10 · 7 July 2019]

Writing is getting lazy and characters are becoming bland and boring, also weird acting, i remember that the characters were what make this show great cuz lets face It , It wasnt very original to beging with, was the charming kids Who make the show fun... Now they seem hallow , so im gonna blame the director and the writers , script IS just bland

So far, so good!

[lorivera · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

This episode clearly is starting to set up a very important mystery. I'm loving it already.

3x03

[formotog · 7/10 · 3 May 2020]

Finally we're getting somewhere. I really enjoyed how El's powers were used in this episode, it made for some great scenes, although I'm not a fan of all the jump scares they seem to be adding. It's really cheap and the show is much more 'scary' through its use of tension. We got actual plot progression for the first time this season, and it's already quite clear how all the separate characters and threads will intertwine. Honestly I feel like the stuff with Will is quite forced. Like the first two episodes were enough for us to know that yeah the others are growing up and not really interested in D&D anymore, more into girls etc etc. Will blowing up just felt unnatural and very over-the-top, but knowing that he still has some kind of connection to the Upside Down is intriguing. The Russian side of things is definitely becoming very interesting and I'd love for the show to take a Cold War route. There's a lot that's still yet to be answered but this was the first good episode of the season, hopefully there are more to come. Btw the music was fantastic, as were the visuals

High 7

What happened to the writing?

[rmlerario · 3/10 · 12 July 2019]

Three episodes in and I'm wondering what happened to Stranger Things. While it must've been a challenge to write for teenagers now, after a year and a half hiatus, I don't understand how the writers could go from two seasons, that were so well constructed and perfectly paced that you couldn't wait to watch the next episode (perfect for binging!) to .... whatever this is. Season 3, three episodes in, has been largely "filler," with a teenage romance premise that does nothing to advance the story or plot. It's not interesting, or engaging, and has none of the "feels" of the first two seasons. I get the sense that this season could've been done in five episodes. I'll likely go back and attempt to see this season through, but sadly, the human element and the tangible and poignant feelings that were so strong in the first two seasons, has been lost, at least through three episodes. Sad and disappointing.

The train it was needed

[diogomimoso · 10/10 · 6 July 2019]

Finally! After two episodes of romanticism, three amazing distinct plots start to make it interesting and thrilling! Sad only one kid cares about them but that might change from now on

I think I'm Losing

[obdyahia · 9/10 · 4 July 2019]

Before this season begins i was not expected a god season i saw the first 2 episode and it's not super but this episode is really good I'm excited now 🔥🔥