Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly

"Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly" is so far the best episode of "Stranger Things". Barb is hunted down by a monster and Nancy seeks her out later. Joyce is obsessed believing that Will wants to contact her. However, Winona Ryder has another terrible performance acting like a lunatic. Further, she is fleeing from the monster and when she sees her son in a car, she waits for him and they hug each other. Certainly this is not the best way to escape from a monster. Sheriff Jim Hopper is the best character of this series and makes discoveries about Dr, Martin Brenner and the staff from the laboratory in the best segent of this episode. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly"

Damnnn! And I said the previous cliffhanger was good!

Without doubt, "Holly, Jolly" is one of the most impactful episodes of this year. The range of emotions you feel from beginning to end leave you exhausted yet yearning to learn more about this small town fable.

As this is a spoiler free review, I'll leave the details for you to experience firsthand, and will focus on the individual elements that help make this such an addictive and rock solid episode.

Basically, it's down to the two females: Winona Ryder (Joyce) and Millie Brown (Eleven) (though Cara Buono gets a special mention for that motherly scene with Natalia Dyer). There's this ancient Urdu proverb that says that even mothers who go mad and fail to recognize no one, recognize their sons. Winona Ryder, in this episode, is the personification of this proverb. Keep a tissue box next to you, people. You'll be needing one.

Mille Brown on the other hand... Oh mann!! She says with no words what many notable actors fail to say with the help of dialogues. Near the end, the interaction between her and Finn Wolfhard (Mike) seems so authentic and real, it hurts.

I say, leave whatever you are doing and go watch this episode. Verdict: 10/10

Chapter Three: Holly Jolly does a great job expanding more on the first two episodes. I mean, it kept me hooked the moment I started watching the show on Netflix.

It showed what happened to Barbara after the end of the previous episode and her death was so sad it made me feel sorry for her. Because Chapter One and Two showed the characterization of her. She started out as a nerdy classmate and a misfit in society before she got killed by the monster, which is the only reason why the show gained a fanbase. Kudos to the producers for making us sympathize with her.

Also, the story and writing are even stronger. It expands more on the first two episodes and gives out some more character depth to not only Eleven (El), but Joyce Byers as well. Joyce starts to hear Will trying to communicate with her and she uses the Christmas lights to communicate with him as well it makes you feel for her and her son too. Even the interaction between Eleven and Mike is great. Not only that. The actors range of emotions you feel in the beginning and end of the episode gives you goosebumps which is the only reason why the third episode is a definition of why the first season has been keeping me hooked so far.

The actors continue to deliver excellent performances. Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, and Natalie Dyer along with the other actors impressed me with their range of emotions like I said before and the script is superb while the music score continues to compliment the 1980s setting and year perfectly.

Overall, Chapter Three: Holly Jolly is a classic episode and a definition of how an episode of the first season kept me hooked when I started watching Stranger Things. Thumbs up from me. :)

I don't know my feeling is mixed between sad and confused I really very sad and I need a rest thank you very much

When the first two chapters were quite slow (still tense and interesting) the the third one really kicked the things going. The roller coaster ride of emotions. Episode kicks of with intense scene where we see what happened to the Barb, then the quick fall back into peaceful small town atmosphere, that even elevates the shock level of the opening scene (can't get over that opening). The tension starts to rise when Eleven decides to help the boys to look for Will, chief Hopper starts to take his act together and finally begins proper investigation. Glimpses into the past of Eleven, final shocking reveals, and then that tearful ending.

It was kind of episode that it is hard to expect anything better from now on, but I guarantee - the ride is getting bumpier.

Millie Bobby Brown again shines as almost speechless Eleven (genuine acting genius), and Winona Ryder keeps her powerhouse on.