Stranger Things’ unhinged Fernando moment turns nostalgia into nightmare fuel again

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Note: Contains spoilers for episodes one and two of season five of Stranger Things

The final season of Stranger Things is finally here, with the first four episodes now streaming on Netflix. The Duffer brothers, once again, expertly used a seemingly upbeat ’80s song to create intense suspense before a shockingly violent scene.

In the first episode, after Hopper has a terrifying encounter with the Demogorgon in the alternate dimension, the creature immediately races towards the seemingly safe neighborhood where the Wheelers live.

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Things are currently very tense but outwardly appear normal. Ted continues to make sarcastic remarks to his wife, Karen, who is coping with her frustrations by drinking wine. Meanwhile, Holly is retreating to her room, trying to avoid her parents’ worries about her strong attachment to a friend they believe isn’t real.

Karen has always been a popular character, and her story has become more compelling since the beginning. Now that her connection to her past life is gone, she’s embraced a typical suburban routine: enjoying wine, relaxing in a bubble bath, and listening to ABBA, particularly the often-overlooked song ‘Fernando’.

The scene starts peacefully, showing the typical, comfortable quiet of suburbia – a place where people feel both safe and a little sad. But that peace is suddenly shattered when the Demogorgon crashes through Holly’s bedroom ceiling, plunging everything into chaos.

I was so relieved when Holly finally got away from him! She ran straight to her mom in the bathroom, where ABBA was still playing, and started desperately trying to convince her that she wasn’t making things up – there really was a monster in the house!

Even as a monster tears through their bedroom, sending Ted flying into a wall, the music from a portable radio continues to play, creating a strange and slightly humorous contrast to the terrifying scene of the Demogorgon breaking down the bathroom door.

The song initially creates a misleading feeling of calm. Just a moment ago, Karen was sitting by the bathtub, staring blankly and lost in thought as she listened to a familiar, comforting tune.

What once felt comforting and familiar has turned into a terrifying experience. As the lights begin to dim and the Demogorgon draws near, time seems to crawl by, heightening the fear.

“Fernando” isn’t considered one of ABBA’s most popular or well-known songs, and it’s rarely featured in films or television. It wasn’t included in the stage show or the original Mamma Mia movie, which may explain why it’s less familiar to many fans.

Despite its gentle, melodic sound and heartwarming harmonies – reminiscent of cherished memories – the song’s emotional quality makes the sudden, violent turn of events even more shocking. This is especially true considering the characters involved had previously been protected from the dangers of the other dimension.

What’s truly disturbing about this part of the story is how the creators cleverly use the show’s fondness for the past against the audience.

Throughout its run, Stranger Things has leaned into nostalgia, using familiar elements from the past – like iconic synth-pop music, cozy home decor, and the classic mall scene – to create a comfortable and recognizable setting for its scary and supernatural stories.

But here, that comfort is subverted into something far more frightening: vulnerability.

The emotional music, focusing on both the Wheelers and the band ABBA, creates a misleading sense of calm, hiding how wild and unexpected things are about to become this season.

The show’s creators, the Duffer brothers, have used this technique before: pairing cheerful songs that gradually become unsettling with scenes of violence. For example, in season three, a distorted version of ‘American Pie’ played while Billy, controlled by the Mindflayer, attacked Heather’s parents during a family dinner.

The show Stranger Things effectively uses music to create memorable scenes and highlight key emotional moments. For example, the duet between Dustin and Suzie in season three, performing ‘Never Ending Story,’ provided a welcome and lighthearted break from the intense conflict with the Mindflayer and the Russians in Hawkins.

Kate Bush’s song ‘Running Up That Hill’ unexpectedly reached No. 1 in the charts 37 years after it was first released. This resurgence was thanks to its powerful use in the fourth season of the show, where it served as a lifeline for the character Max, connecting her to cherished memories and loved ones while she battled a terrifying force.

Songs like David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’, Metallica’s ‘Master of Puppets’, and The Clash’s ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go Now’ are used to emphasize important character moments, playing during and after key scenes to create a stronger emotional connection with the audience.

The creators of the show are skilled at using music, much like James Gunn in Guardians of the Galaxy. They expertly choose songs to heighten dramatic tension or mislead viewers about what’s about to happen, often using unexpectedly cheerful or soothing tracks.

During the fifth season, music takes on a special role. The characters, often separated, use Diana Ross’s ‘Upside Down’ to secretly share information about their plans. Meanwhile, Lucas repeatedly plays Kate Bush songs, hoping to connect with Max while she’s in a coma.

The song ‘Fernando’ feels gentle and nostalgic, which makes it strikingly different from the violent chaos that erupts when the monster attacks the Wheelers’ home and fully opens the gateway between Hawkins and the Upside Down.

Now, no place is safe from Vecna – not even the quiet, ordinary suburbs where the group had previously found peace and protection. The experience has left everyone deeply shaken, particularly those who love ABBA.

Stranger Things season five is available to steam on Netflix now.

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2025-11-27 23:20