Chapter Eight: The Upside Down

It's amazing for end session and sad end omg I cry it's very very good

Answer every questions that Season 1 had started. and again, all solved but the new questions comes up again. This episode is well directing. good soundtrack. good story. really fun to watch.

The Duffer Bros give a clinic in how to make the old new again.

Showing how the trick is not deconstructing a formula that works, but rebuilding it in a way that is both fresh and new.

And they did an awesome job.

The "influences" may be obvious but the twists and turns, the dialog, the direction, the unusual casting, make the whole series fun, engaging, addictive.

The casting in particular. Ryder again does everything but chew up the furniture. So different from her film persona when she was younger! Natalia Dyer sports one of the most interesting faces I've seen in a long time. She is so sympatico and interesting, she steals all her scenes.

David Harbour usually plays bad guys but is terrific as a hero. Millie Bobby Brown is nothing less than unforgettable.

In fact the whole series is unforgettable.

Bring on Season 2. The popcorn is on me.

Season 1 was of a consistently high quality, with all the episodes ranging between good (Chapters 2 and 6) and incredible (over two thirds of the season). 'Stranger Things' was a big surprise when first getting into it, the premise did sound great but Netflix's original output have always varied with some being great and others not being very good. Luckily it very quickly became one of their best (along with 'The Crown' and 'House of Cards' in their prime).

"Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" is an incredible finale and Season 1 couldn't have ended on a better note than this. Anybody who has seen some disappointing season finales recently or in their time will find "Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" is a relief, and proof that season finales can be great and more. Not only is it a strong contender for the best episode of Season 1, and that took some beating, but three seasons later it's still one of the best episodes of 'Stranger Things' and essentially what it's all about.

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.

Also incredibly impressive is the beautifully balanced writing. That has a lot of thought and intrigue, with the usual brains and heart. The storytelling is tremendously engaging, atmospheric and never simplistic or convoluted, as well as doing wonderfully at building upon the chess pieces that began to fully fall into place in the previous episode. It is rich in affectionate nostalgia (reminiscent of Stephen King's depiction of childhood), poignant emotional impact and suspenseful turns in the more mysterious elements.

Furthermore, the character writing is spot on, especially the richer writing for Jim Hopper. The character interaction likewise, especially between the younger cast in an interaction reminiscent of 'Stand By Me'. The performances are superb across the board, especially beyond her years Millie Bobby Brown and nuanced David Harbour.

Overall, incredible. 10/10.

Eleven! El! El! Eleven! El, where are you? El! El!.......

And the tears that fell from Mike. Oh, what a emotional, heartbreaking & splendid conclusion to the first season it has been. Such sacrifice made by Eleven to protect his friends and especially Mike from the Demogorgon, just minutes after Mike confessed his love to Eleven and kissed her and watching Brenner, his papa meeting a tragic end, just rips the audience heart and shreds the joy of life into pieces. The cast has done an enchanting work to bring the set-pieces much more sentimental but real at the same time. The twists and turns the episode has brought is a true masterpiece. David Harbour has also acted particularly well as Hopper bringing his character to life. The Duffer Brothers have really packed some shocking 50 minutes of horrifying masterwork. And hopefully, Eleven is not vanished forever as we did get to see Hopper placing Eggos in a box, somewhere in a forest. Obviously, waiting for the series to continue on...