Chapter Six: The Monster

Chapter Six: The Monster continues the first season perfectly. Yes, it's not in the same complexity as the third and fourth episodes, but it's still addictive and shows that the execution of the concept can be done perfectly.

The story continues to be well written and retains the intensity of the previous episodes while advancing the characters in the situations they're still in right now. The continuous search for Will Byers while the scientists are trying to recapture El to use their experiment. Also, the scene where Mike and Dustin run from the bullies who held Dustin in knife point and forcing Mike to jump off the cliff until El shows up and saves them is well done. The writing is still superb, the pacing never drags, the performances are still great, and the music score is still respectful to the 1980s setting.

Overall, another addictive episode to the first season and shows that things are getting better so far. :)

Just one, but its scary enough, at least for Nancy, who is in a very dark place, Jonathan frantically searching for her. Also, the boys try to find Eleven, and Hopper and Joyce try to find the truth behind the organization directed by Dr. Brenner.

This is another strong episode for this first season of "Stranger Things". It still gets a zero for originality, and some plot developments (bullies, bullies) could have been just left out, because they just add a strange layer of angst that the show could do without, on top of just answering violence with humiliation and more violence.

Nevertheless, the episode is a strong one. The relationships have been well developed and the dynamics between the characters are good, or, in some instances, great. The production values and the direction are also good, and the atmosphere is pervasive, with a feeling of dread that keeps the viewer's attention during the whole running time (not very scary, but atmospheric enough).

And so close to the end, the pace is gaining some rhythm, which is something that gives energy to the proceedings, helping the episode to end in a high note.

Hopper know more aBout Eleven past and her family. Eleven becoming more and more friends with the heroes and make some revelation about the portal and Dr Brenner. At the end, something terrible happen. Still interesting to follow: the mysteries becoming more and more interesting with a lot of questions.

The monster? It certainly is! Nancy and Jonathan narrowly escaped from the most terrifying encounter of their lives. Just when they seek a little bit of comfort with each other, Nancy's boyfriend Steve sees them, and it leads to a different kind of battle. Sheriff Hopper and Joyce join forces and are on the trail of a missing kid, but it's not Will. The boys search for the gateway to the Vale of Shadows with their compasses, but it leads to an argument between Mike and Lucas.

Six episodes far into the first season, and I can honestly say that I'm hooked! There's no more building up atmosphere or loose ends, everything that happens now is relevant and leads to immediate and fast-paced action. The eloquent and surprisingly wise Dustin continues to be my favorite character, together - of course - with the lovely Nancy, who struggles with a wide variety of emotions. The ending of "The Monster" is sublime, with Eleven showcasing the width of her telepathic powers on a whole new level. Wow! The soundtrack highlight of this episode is the sinister - and thus very fitting for the show - "Sunglasses at Night".

Brilliant episode and definitely my favorite of the season up to this point