Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak

I enjoyed this episode quite a bit! The character development is still there. I love the further developments, as well as the world building. The only thing that I was a little off put by was that it went as slow as episode one (which was an episode I loved, by the way). It could have brought forth more plot building, but I did feel like everything that was shown will probably be necessary for the rest of the season. I've noticed that there's a lot more swearing, too. That didn't bother me too much, though.

This episode was one of the most emotional joyrides ever. One moment you are laughing hard, the other moment very surprised, one moment in love another moment most incredibly sad. I think even for a kid "eleven" is of the most talented actresses ever. I loved it, I wished these amazing episodes never ended.

The first episode of the 2nd season was great. It expands a bit more on what happened in the first season while still providing some relatable characters and some good drama and suspense. Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak isn't quite as strong as Chapter One: MADMAX, but it's still pretty good.

My only quibbles is that it does drag a bit slow in the pacing and while there is still some character development, there could've been more plot building since nothing else happens.

Everything else is great, however. The new characters, notably Max and Billy, her step brother, are well introduced and the others are still relatable. The music score still compliments the setting very well, the directing is great, and the visual effects continue to amuse particularly the trick or treating scene where Will hallucinates.

The acting is still great. Millie Bobby Brown and David Harbour did a good job with each other, Sadie Sink and Dacre Montgomery (who played Jason the red ranger in the 2017 Power Rangers reboot) did admirable jobs as Max and Billy, Winona Ryder still does a good job as Joyce, and the others including Finn Wolfhard also did a good job.

Overall, not quite as strong as the first episode, but still good.

This episode's title at first thought applies to Will, because after all it's him that the line of dialogue to spoken to. But in reality, it could be stretched to apply to most of the cast, who are isolated in some way or don't fit in. Apart from the obvious one being Will, Eleven also feels isolated, as she has to stay cut off from society in Hopper's place. She can't even speak to Mike, although she tries to. Nancy is struggling to fit back into normal life after the previous season's events leading to Barb's tragic ending. Meanwhile, John is literally a freak in many people's eyes. Then there's Max. We don't really know who she is yet, but she definitely doesn't fit in, nor does she seem to want to.

There weren't many major events in this episode and the alien threat of this season wasn't developed much further, but it gave further insight into the characters that made it gripping, and sad, to watch.

It's Halloween and the Stranger Things gang—Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin—go to school dressed as the Ghostbusters; unfortunately, they're the only ones in fancy dress, which makes them the subject of humiliation. Nevertheless, being in costume doesn't stop Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) from asking cool new girl Max (Sadie Sink) to join them trick or treating that evening.

Later that day, as the boys, accompanied by Max, collect tasty treats, Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and Steve (Joe Keery) attend a party, but things don't go well for the couple.

Elsewhere in Hawkins, stranger things are afoot: pumpkin crops are suffering from an inexplicable blight, a group of scientists are exploring the upside-down, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) is having flashbacks, and there is something strange in the neighbourhood, lurking in Dustin's trashcan to be more precise.

Despite moving at very gradual pace, Stranger Things continues to be thoroughly engrossing viewing, largely thanks to the likable characters, that all pervading '80s vibe (Motley Crüe rules!), and a script that drip feeds just enough information to keep the viewer hooked, pondering exactly what the hell is going on. I can see this is going to be another binge watch…

NB I may be wrong, but I'm going to call it now: I think that Sean Astin's character is up to no good.