Chapter Six: The Monster

I have to agree that the two confrontations with the bullies are distractions. The only plot element that is really necessary is the trip to see the woman who gave birth to El. The sister supplies information that is necessary to verify what the two suspect. Things do heat up at the electric plant. Jonathan and Nancy are waylaid because he struck a police officer. We do have all the elements in place to get us to the conclusion. The big boys are out in force. But what are they going to do with this thing when they finally get to it? That's the serious question. Three is a reunion at the end of the episode. The fight are satisfying, I must admit, but they really do nothing.

'The Monster' is action packed thrilling episode that starts to draw the ring close. The episode is faster in pace, much more is going on, as for now we have very clear picture about all the important characters and their motives, what drives them. Some very important questions get the answers while some new mysteries open up. 'The Monster' uses may classic story development devices that some might find cliche, but these are crucially important to move the story forward. Also the first real experience of melodramatic human relationship triangle forms out between Nancy, Steve and Jonathan. Again, the seeming cliches that were used to move the story forward had nice and quite unexpected outcomes. Not the strongest episode, but it had one very unnerving cliffhanger that leaves every viewer expect more.

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

'The Monster' is almost pure plot development, from start to finish; some of it feels contrived, but also bookended by exhilaration. The Nancy-Jonathan-Steve triangle plays like a melodrama, but I was happy to see Steve get his clock cleaned - I just wish Jonathan didn't get a raw deal in the process. And having Mike and Dustin wander the woods only to run into the pee-stained bullies is a little cheesy, it's in the service of Eleven as Deus Ex Machina. Worth it.

Ultimately, what's promised here is both hope and fear. The opening sees Nancy coming back from the upside down, which means so can Will and Barb. And that cliffhanger ending has Eleven and the boys leading the lab guys right to the Wheeler house. Why the hell are there only two more episodes left?

7/10

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.