Chapter Two: Trick or Treat, Freak

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.

Season 2 started off quite well with "Chapter 1: Madmax", though it was also a bit of a let down after a strong first season. It served its purpose of setting things up for what's to come and introducing the chess pieces well, as well as progressing characterisation, but struck me as a little too slow and thinly plotted. But often good but not great or less season openers are followed by a big improvement in quality, so expectations were high for "Chapter Two: Trick or Treat Freak".

"Chapter Two: Trick or Treat Freak" is far from perfect and showed that there was still some way to go. It however is a better episode as it does very well on building upon what was introduced in "Madmax" and progressing it. On the whole quality-wise "Chapter Two: Trick or Treat Freak" is a very good episode, though not a Season 2 high point and nowhere near the standard of the best of Season 1 (the best being outstanding and true of about half the season).

It is still a little slow at times, especially in the taking too long to set up early portions. Other episodes have more suspense and surprises too.

However, there are a lot of things that "Chapter Two: Trick or Trick Freak" does between extremely well and brilliantly. 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.

Furthermore, the brains and heart present in all the previous episodes of 'Stranger Things' are here and very strongly. It's also less melodramatic than some episodes of the show. 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. There is more plot progression than in "Madmax" too. 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').

Very good episode that indicates a lot of potential for Season 2. 8/10.

If a show is to work, we need to care about the characters. The four guys genuinely care about each other. They have been through a lot, including a kidnapping and the death of a young girl. The sad thing is that they are constantly attacked for their nerdiness by their peers. The death of the young girl in the first season has made things so painful. It is also about the ruin a family that has hired an unscrupulous shyster private detective. Let's face it. He won't know anything about anything. Max becomes more of a factor. I assume the psychotic who drives her around is her brother. He is genuinely nuts and she is in danger from him. Obviously, he did something that got them to this hick town (his words). We see the kindness of Jonathan, who is probably the most mature, but also most maligned, character in this thing. But what will develop as the relationship between El and the protective police chief progresses. Will continues to see images of great threat. Tune in for Episode Three.

Episode still of construction of the plot for the season with the vision of the one who will be the enemy and the presentation of the new characters of which one it is obvious that he will remain for a long time becoming a member of the group of friends, as the first episode is also enjoyable being still under construction.

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.