Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

Chapter Two of "Stranger Things" is closer to what the creators of the show probably intended than the first episode ever was.

It starts with the pace. It is better, faster, more things happen, and it offers more mystery and a better atmosphere than the start of the series.

It continues with the depiction of the 80s, way more lively and realistic than in the first episode, in which all looked like someone trying to copy the 80s style of movies and TV series and failing, all a little bit fake.

The acting also helps, even though sometimes it is a little bit on the primary school play. It is more assured than in the first episode, all actors more comfortable in their roles. It helps that the plot gives its characters something to do.

Talking about the plot. It is still a little bit as if a group of friends had decided to get together and throw all the typical and topical ideas from the 80s in a hat and then decided to pick some of them up randomly and make a story out of that thin thread. We continue with the developing of the 'mysterious' Eleven's story-line, and also with Will's search. For like a couple of seconds we can enjoy again Modine's super-white hair. All of it is quite basic and seen a hundred of times before. The actors delivery of the dialogue is what glues the story for now.

Better direction, good quality production also adds to a second episode which seems to show that the series knows a little bit where it is heading. Let's see if they keep that way.

Anybody that was captivated by 'Stranger Things' first episode "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" will undoubtedly expect a good deal from any episode to follow on from it. Speaking as somebody who was near-blown away by that episode and had high expectations for this one, to see how it would build upon what was set up so well in "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers" and to see how the rest of the show would fare after such a strong start.

"Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street" was a good second episode that did build well upon what was introduced while having enough to set it apart on its own. At the same time, it was also a bit disappointing and isn't anywhere near as great. There are a lot of the same fantastic things still that was seen in "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers", but somehow "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street" didn't feel as focused or as inspired.

There are so many good things here in "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street". The production values are superb. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully.

Writing is thought-probing and has a lot of brains and heart. The humour is gentle but very subtly witty and funny, while there is a poignancy (without being too sentimental) and tension. Enough of the episode has some creepy suspense, intriguing mystery, inventive sci-fi, affectionate nostalgia and a few tear-jerking moments (including a beautifully played crucial scene with Winona Ryder). The characters are still interesting and Finn Woolfhard and Millie Bobby Brown are still excellent. Ryder is a big improvement here and is poignant.

However, tonally "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street" isn't always focused. The tone shifts weren't as seamless or as skillfully balanced this time and some of it is on the muddled side from feeling a bit too hectic in pace. Especially in the final third, where things get really awkward and excessively weird at the end.

Some of the dialogue isn't as good this time, though it's fine most of the time. Tending to sound awkward later on. The pace could have been more secure in spots, some of the latter parts are on the disorganised side.

In conclusion, good but not great. 7/10

The first focus of this episode is the strange girl, eleven (el for short) who is being hidden by the boys. She is obviously in danger, but the boys are afraid of the most basic things, like getting caught. It is revealed that this person, whatever she is, had telekinetic powers. She also can't seem to tell them anything that helps. It does appear that she knows who Will is. The search continues for the boy. Meanwhile, as Will's mother goes bonkers from worry, Will's brother keeps trying to figure things out. He even pays a visit to his father, but it is fruitless. Meanwhile, Nancy Wheeler is a focus. She is the older sister of one of the boys, and she is wanting to put a little bad in her life (she is a serious straight A student and a goody two shoes). She is at a party at the conclusion of the episode when things heat up (for her personally and for the whole thing). It also seems that Will's house is haunted by something.

The spoiler free review follows...

In the second episode of Stranger Things, the added 10 minutes over the pilot run are efficiently utilized, resulting in a little more back story on our characters, while our kid protagonists make an important discovery in the woods. However, not everything is okay, as a scene near the end involving a camera and a house party becomes excruciatingly awkward to watch.

Winona Ryder steals the spotlight, while Natalia Dyer (Nancy), Shannon Purser (Barbara) and David Harbour (Jim Hopper) give assured and confident performances. The score and cinematography remain awesome, resulting in another grossing chapter, albeit down a notch from the pilot.

I think I can safely say that miniseries like these benefit a lot from singular directorial work throughout, as it helps the series evolve more naturally and coherently, making it feel as if you are watching an extended movie rather than separate episodes. (Also, of course, the concurrent availability of following chapters helped the case substantially.)

The scenes involving the children are the most engrossing, with a natural chemistry between all of them. Winona Ryder as the mother in mourning absolutely excels, as mentioned above, and her scenes with Charlie Heaton (Jonathan) are raw and tear-jerking.

Verdict: 8/10 with the camera scene undermining the rest of the positive work a bit. The episode ends with one hell of a cliffhanger, though, and you'll be streaming episode 3 in a heartbeat.

Episode 2 continues the story, still moving a little slowly, we do get a glimpse into the background of Eleven, and some explanation of why she is how she is. Mike shows how he is the leader of the boy's party and expands into his role of Eleven's protector.

Hopper is now taking very seriously the disappearance of Will, although he still has no clue as to what is really going on. The laid-back, uncaring Hopper of episode 1, is getting pushed farther into the background.

Nancy convinces Barb to go to a party at Steve's house, and Barb ends up disappearing somehow.