Chapter One: MADMAX

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.

This episode was fair and okay but it I don't think it deserves the high praise and big rating.I never got any build up of characters hoping I ll see more of that as the season progresses.But don't get me wrong.Am a fan of these show.I hope this season gets better.Nice to see Eleven back by the way.It gets a 7.2/10 from me.

The hype leading into Season 2 was no laughing matter, and I think it was a stroke of genius to let this (re)introductory episode focus on the larger picture of Hawkins, Indiana. There isn't really a central character (yet, at least), and they're all just pieces on a game board.

To that end, it's an exciting board game to return to, and opens things up for new faces (Paul Reiser and Sean Astin); and the existing characters have just the right amount of familiarity. Dustin's efforts to maintain his Dig Dug high score made for some of the best scenes. To a great extent, this is just a big Welcome Back sign. While this show has been about creating eerie environment, it's a place I've been wanting to get back to. The soundtrack is fantastic, and the song selection really helps enhance the mood.

In the end, it's really that mood (not the '80s references) that pulls me time and again. This is a hell of a start to a new season.

8/10

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.

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