Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street

Toned down slightly from the opener but never short of surprises. The biggest comes right at the end following a pool party. I wasn't bothered about the character involved, having made little impression so far but the moment is still a shocking end to the show. The scene of the show for me however is down to Joyce who receives another phone call, this one with more of a reason to get hysterical which she does fantastically. Her character is blossoming now and she just makes all the crazy stuff going on feel real. After the phone call some lights flicker and the boom box turns itself on in the bedroom. This leads to a shocking discovery sending her fleeing her home. This segment was done brilliantly and the tension was unbearable. This should have closed the episode since it happened to a dominant character rather than a secondary one.

Outside of these events the kids set about keeping Elle a secret from their parents with her and Mike sharing some nice scenes together in an otherwise darker episode. Lucas freaks out later on and is ready to give her up but is stopped in his tracks with another show of what Elle can do. She later goes on to reveal she knows where Will is. But what she reveals actually seems quite terrifying. For all their good intentions I don't think the boys have a clue what they are heading in to. The dynamic between all 4 is great and the reactions from the boys especially during an "undressing" spot is hilarious.

Elsewhere Hopper continues his investigation, finding his fallen friend in the diner and learning of the girl who was there. He later finds a strip of her gown and the scary as hell place she came from. If the forest wasn't spooky enough, this place will get you going.

Jonathan also goes on a little side journey of his own to find Will when he comes face to face with easily my least favourite character thus far. He really is in a world of his own and I don't expect any cooperation as the series continues.

A fun light episode that turned very dark, it's left me wanting more but I do hope there are some light hearted scenes thrown in along the way. Strong follow up to the opener and this world is now really coming alive.

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.

The Duffer Brothers' homage to '80s sci-fi/fantasy continues with teenage geek Mike (Finn Wolfhard) sneaking runaway mystery girl Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) into his home, where he tries to work out who she is, and what her connection is to missing school friend Will. Meanwhile, Mike's older sister Nancy (Natalia Dyer) is out partying with boyfriend Steve (which will undoubtedly put her in some kind of mortal danger for the next episode), Will's mother Joyce tries to make contact with her son via the telephone, and the 'bad people', led by Dr. Martin Brenner (Matthew Modine) continue their hunt for Eleven.

Although the story isn't progressed all that much in this second episode, the likable characters ensure that the time passes quickly, with all involved putting in sterling performances. The references to Spielberg movies continue, with nods to ET (sinister scientists, Eleven hiding in a closet) and a Jaws poster adorning a bedroom wall, while fantasy fans might make a connection with the title of this episode and a classic tale from Season One of The Twilight Zone.

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.

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.