Chapter Seven: The Bathtub

This is the best episode of season one! I was on the edge of my seat throughout the show, but this episode took it to the next level! This is so tense, so scary, so thrilling. I wish there were more shows like this, that have such smart storytelling. This is the best thriller series I've ever seen, I can't think of a better horror show. The way this episode unfolds is masterful. The best part of this episode is the performances, though. Especially from Millie Bobby Brown, David Harbour, Winona Ryder, and Charlie Heaton. This episode contains the most frightening image of the show, and the most character building. This is a prime example of a great TV episode. The direction, the writing, the performances, even the cinematography and editing! Great episode in a wonderful show! Love it! Highly recommend it for fans of thrillers, and everyone in general!

Found the previous six episodes of the first season of 'Stranger Things' of extremely high quality, with the weakest episodes (the second and sixth chapters still being good) and chapters 3 and 4 being especially brilliant. It is hard to not expect a lot from any penultimate episode for a season for any show, especially with the standard of what came before being so high. Season 1 could not have been a more promising start for 'Stranger Things', which at its best turned out to be one of the surprising winners on Netflix.

One of the best episodes of Season 1, and perhaps even of 'Stranger Things', is this one, "Chapter Seven: The Bathtub". The show started off beautifully setting things up and "Chapter 3: Holly Jolly" and "Chapter Four: The Body" did equally beautifully at starting to putting the introduced chess pieces into place and expanding upon what was seen before. "Chapter Seven: The Bathtub" sees these pieces put into place and couldn't have been done so more wonderfully.

"Chapter Seven: The Bathtub" is a winner in every area and at its best it's quite masterful. 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 non-over sentimental poignancy and suspenseful tension. The story always intrigues, is never too obvious, is tightly paced while still having breathing space and has a great tense and nostalgic atmosphere. The season has not lost its suspense yet and its nostalgic element is done affectionately and reminds one of Stephen King's childhood friendship depictions in 'Stand By Me' and 'IT'.

The characters have not lost what made them interesting and are actually more so from how much they've grown, Eleven is especially well written. All the acting is dead on, Millie Bobby Brown's is beyond her years and she has great chemistry with the other child actors.

In summary, masterful. 10/10.

I'll say this: of the several cliffhanger endings so far this season, 'Chapter 7' has the infuriating one. You know the kind, when you're mad at seeing the end credits. And that's because of all the converging plot lines and ratcheting stakes going on here. The "E.T." homage is strongest with the opening bicycle chase, and that scene's forward movement never really lets up until the very end. Somewhere in all of this, Steve has time to lay the seeds of redemption, and I can't be the only one to hope Carol gets slapped in her hateful mouth.

Nor can I be the only one chomping at the bit for the finale. Man, with this show! 9/10

The seventh episode says it all in the title: "The Bathtub" revolves around a bathtub. Again, it does for forty minutes of fun, but not very deep or original.

The story becomes reduced to two story-lines: Dr. Brenner trying to catch Eleven and Eleven and the rest trying to find Will and Barb, wherever they are. The atmosphere keeps 'cheaply' replicating the 80s shows and movies. It makes for some fun moments, because we have gotten so used to characters using their smartphones at the first problem they have (and the silly no coverage trick) that we are confronted with 'old style' problem resolution.

However, the story is plain and too simple. It just keeps the nostalgia card at hand constantly, which makes for not very engaging storytelling. On top of that, even if the acting is good, the direction is not so much, quite simple and uninvolving.

To summarize, "The Bathtub" is a clear example of the series strengths and weaknesses. Lack of rhythm and originality, against good acting and acceptable atmosphere.

This episode is soo good. thrilling & well-writting. All the mystery are revealing. You know it shouldn't end like this. This should be 2 hours episode. but it can't. so it has to end like this.