I have all my subtitle settings on for all my streaming content and have been doing so for as long as I can remember. I partially credit subtitles for aiding in my daughter's extensive vocabulary. I also believe the subtitles provide me with a deeper layer of understanding for whatever show I happen to be watching.

The other night I was catching up with the global Netflix favorite, Stranger Things. While watching Season Four, Episode Nine: The Piggyback, I had to rewind a bit, hit pause and take this picture:


Now I've been a fan of subtitles for a very long time, but what occurred in this particular episode made me think I should alert the Academy and suggest a new category for their next awards show: Best Subtitles.. For me, this was a sit-up-and-pay-attention moment.

From there things really took off, there was growling, shrieking (at times shrill), snarling, screaming, splintering, chittering, thrumming, whimpering, droning, gibbering (at times dissonant), tittering, creaking, shuddering, wailing, panting, wet squelching and hands unfurling creakily. In a section that is light on dialogue, there is plenty going on and the subtitles made it all the more intriguing.

There are also creatures that mewl pathetically.

Let's talk about subtitles lending insight on the background music. In just this one episode there is sinister music, deep, unsettling chords, baleful, threatening chords, ominous dirge playing, steady, measured music, a powerful drumline builds, and an epic synth arrangement (this would be the amazing song, Running Up That Hill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp43OdtAAkM) , by Kate Bush which is quickly gaining new fans due to this season of Stranger Things). At one point Kate's music is also described as an ethereal piano line playing. There are parts where the music swells, then a second later, the music halts. In another scene, there is introspective music playing, quickly followed by resolute, determined music playing.

As a subtitle aficionado I wished to learn the name of this Stranger Things Subtitle Master. But alas, the ending credits seemed to have left this person out - but why?! I learned the names of the Paint Gangbosses from the Albuquerque Unit (Curtis Wade, David James Sisneros, Sam Torres and Ray Torres), but not the name of the mysterious, highly talented, Thesaurus-loving subtitler.

This episode is also quite emotional. Had the subtitler been tasked with subtitling me, it would have read, Mich cries, Mich continues crying, Mich cries again. Oh actually it would be more like Mich sniffles empathetically, Mich bawls profusely, and Mich sobs as somber synth music fades.

With best wishes from your favorite subtitle enthusiast -

Mich (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michhancock/)