Chapter Eight: Papa

As we continue from the end of Volume 1, it feels like we never left. The continuation is extremely smooth, and feels natural. This episode, while not having any really crazy moments, is still amazing. It has lots of tension and is a great prelude episode to the finale. As all of our characters suit up and prepare for the big fight against Vecna, you can feel the intensity and desperation of the situation our protagonists are in, and the ending scene is awesome. Great episode.

P. S it's also really funny.

By the end of the episode, you begin to realize: dang, I think I might be living through a historic moment in television with season 4. All the right feelings, at all the right moments, entertaining, great characters.

I'm having to force myself to stop and take a break before I watch the finale because already I'm in that feeling I get when I am so enthralled by a piece of television I can't think about much else.

But not calm at all.

Things move forward the most for the Eleven and her boyfriend's plot, but the other plot lines are pretty much where they already were and they're gonna advance those further in the finale.

But I have no problem with that because it's a necessary set-up for the story and it's good that they're taking their time and are not limited by time constraints. Even if we don't consider this a "part 2" opener and look at it as the season's penultimate episode, it is still a necessary episode between the last episode and the finale.

I pretty much liked all the things in this episode, it's a setup for the finale so it's not like it's the best episode of the show or anything, but it's still one of the better ones.

My point still stands that if Vecna doesn't actually kill one of the main characters, he doesn't become the menacing and fearful villain the writers want him to be and this season would be really disappointing to me even though it's already the best season of the show, and all the tension and suspense would be for nothing and Vecna would become another generic villain who couldn't do anything and lost to a song!

So here's hoping for a great finale with actual stakes and not cheap fake-outs and writers being afraid to take risks with their story. So far, this season has been amazing with everything, music, cinematography, direction and editing, and acting for the most part because I feel like Mike and Will's acting this season is really fake and bad, but the only thing holding this show back from greatness is the writing and all the clichés and writers not willing to take risks and give us something new.

Spoiler Free Zone!!!

I just have to say WOW. The quality of the series has drastically improved. I was left speechless with my jaw on the floor at the end. The Duffer Brothers have created another masterpiece episode, with all of the characters nailing their performances.

They better give some awards especially to Sadie and Millie because they frickin carried the episode with their amazing acting skills.

This is indeed the beginning of the end.

"Papa" sees Stranger Things dialed up to 12, delivering on all emotional points and plot points with gusto. Matthew Modine and Millie Bobby Brown are brilliant onscreen together, particularly Modine with his delivery and use of his eyes. The California group finally shows some life from it's actors, with Noah Schnapp knocking it out of the park, and Finn Wolfhard offering solid support (finally). The writing is outstanding, with a minimal amount plot holes and every move so far is in-character, showing that the Duffers really have learned from season three. A pleasant surprise was the Russia group proving themselves to be at times as riveting as the Hawkins group, although the chemistry of the Hawkins group is so compelling. However, the heart and soul of the story lives in Eleven and her journey, and boy does it deliver on all fronts. So far, phenomenal stuff from chapter two of Stranger Things. We are back, ladies and gentlemen.