Chapter One: MADMAX

Season 1 was a very good, and at its best excellent, start to one of Netflix's better shows, was not expecting 'Stranger Things' to be a hit but it did turn out to be that. Although a couple of episodes weren't as strong as the others (two and six being the weakest), none of the eight episodes that made the season up were less than decent and the best of them were outstanding (especially the last two). So expectations were high for Season 2.

High expectations that generally were met. After re-watching all three seasons up to date after Season 3 aired, Season 2 went slightly down in my estimations but is still very much worth watching. "Chapter 1: Madmax" is not one of the best Season 2 episodes in my mind, but it is a solid start and sets up what is to come and introducing more chess pieces quite well. A lot of many fine things here, as well as a few things that could have been done a lot better.

Am going to start with listing those. The story this time round is rather slow moving and can be quite thin at times, feeling over-stretched. Meaning that there are moments of dull pacing in particularly the middle act where not an awful lot happens. Other episodes delivered more on the suspense and surprises, including the last two episodes of Season 1.

Character progression is definitely here and a good deal richer but the story doesn't as much. "Chapter 1: Madmax" actually doesn't have much that is catastrophically wrong, other episodes just had better and more consistent story and pace execution.

However, there are many things done very well to outstandingly. The production values are typically very stylish and atmospheric, with some beautiful and unsettling images. The music is suitably haunting and nostalgic and the direction does well in creating enough tension when needed when things get going in the final act and also some breathing space also when needed.

Despite occasional melodramatic and forced moments, the usual brains and heart quality is present in the writing with some welcome levity when needed. The story is at least coherent and while a long way from perfect in momentum it is not a tonal muddle, has some intrigue and some tension towards the end. The character writing advances a good deal all round and the characters don't bore or frustrate. The acting is very good, with the younger cast faring better than the older ones (found this in a lot of episodes of 'Stranger Things').

Overall, solid beginning to Season 2. 7/10.

A great introduction to the new season. packed with new characters, some mystery and set-up the villian of this season.

The 1st season of Stranger Things was great. It established the whole idea of the whole Upside Down concept in the 1980's while providing some good drama, good suspense, and very relatable characters. Upon learning that the show got renewed for a 2nd season, I got very excited and watched the entirety with anticipation. From what I've got, it was very good. Sure, it wasn't as strong as the 1st season, but it does it's job in continuing the story line that was established.

The first episode is a great start and sets up a character that could play a vital part in the story (in this case, Max). It also expands more on the events that happened in the first season where Will now has PTSD due to his disappearance in Hawkins at the Upside Down world while providing some good suspense and drama.

The visual effects are great especially the scene where Will sees the Upside Down world version of Hawkins outside the arcade, the pacing is very brisk where it doesn't have a dull moment, the directing is great, and the music score continues to compliment the 1980's setting very well.

The acting is still good with everyone bringing some pathos to their respective characters. Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, and Noah Schnapp continue to shine in their chemistry as Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will, Winona Ryder is still good as Joyce Byers and David Harbour is still great as Jim Hopper while Sean Astin (known as Mikey from The Goonies and Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings trilogy) is a surprise as Bob Newby. Millie Bobby Brown also surprise as Eleven near the end of the episode.

Overall, a great start to a pretty good 2nd season.

For over a year, people have been talking about Stranger Things. However, they are mostly talking about the characters. The 80s nostalgia is talked about, too, and so is the plot, but it's the characters everyone is praising. Therefore, I hoped that they would set up the characters. And did they! I enjoyed seeing what happened to the characters between 1983 and 1984 -- figuratively speaking. This episode is character development heavy. No plot heavy. But that's okay! I wanted to know that the characters have developed, and developed they have. I can't wait to see what happens next.

One of the first things we see in Hawkins is the introduction of the local penny arcade, and the advent of Dragon's Lair- one of the first video games which actually used a laserdisk, a dollar per play. It was very difficult to control "Dirk the dunderhead"- after wasting about $50 on that game I just gave up. It was practically impossible to beat.

Every season I was aghast at the realism that they poured into actually getting us to believe that this was the 80s, they nailed it.

We also get to see the introduction of "mad max" and Billy.

While everybody is recovering from the catastrophe of season one, a new catastrophe that is thousands of times worse is developing- right under their feet!

And Joyce is still driving that Pinto, I had a Pinto the exact color as that.