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Stranger Things
S2.E3
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IMDbPro

Chapter Three: The Pollywog

  • Episode aired Oct 27, 2017
  • TV-14
  • 51m
IMDb RATING
8.5/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Sean Astin and Noah Schnapp in Stranger Things (2016)
DramaFantasyHorrorMysterySci-FiThriller

Dustin adopts a strange new pet, and Eleven grows increasingly impatient. A well-meaning Bob urges Will to stand up to his fears.Dustin adopts a strange new pet, and Eleven grows increasingly impatient. A well-meaning Bob urges Will to stand up to his fears.Dustin adopts a strange new pet, and Eleven grows increasingly impatient. A well-meaning Bob urges Will to stand up to his fears.

  • Director
    • Shawn Levy
  • Writers
    • Matt Duffer
    • Ross Duffer
    • Justin Doble
  • Stars
    • Winona Ryder
    • David Harbour
    • Finn Wolfhard
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.5/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Shawn Levy
    • Writers
      • Matt Duffer
      • Ross Duffer
      • Justin Doble
    • Stars
      • Winona Ryder
      • David Harbour
      • Finn Wolfhard
    • 24User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos28

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    Top cast44

    Edit
    Winona Ryder
    Winona Ryder
    • Joyce Byers
    David Harbour
    David Harbour
    • Jim Hopper
    Finn Wolfhard
    Finn Wolfhard
    • Mike Wheeler
    Millie Bobby Brown
    Millie Bobby Brown
    • Eleven
    Gaten Matarazzo
    Gaten Matarazzo
    • Dustin Henderson
    Caleb McLaughlin
    Caleb McLaughlin
    • Lucas Sinclair
    Noah Schnapp
    Noah Schnapp
    • Will Byers
    Sadie Sink
    Sadie Sink
    • Max Mayfield
    Natalia Dyer
    Natalia Dyer
    • Nancy Wheeler
    Charlie Heaton
    Charlie Heaton
    • Jonathan Byers
    Joe Keery
    Joe Keery
    • Steve Harrington
    Dacre Montgomery
    Dacre Montgomery
    • Billy Hargrove
    Cara Buono
    Cara Buono
    • Karen Wheeler
    Sean Astin
    Sean Astin
    • Bob Newby
    Paul Reiser
    Paul Reiser
    • Dr. Sam Owens
    Catherine Curtin
    Catherine Curtin
    • Claudia Henderson
    Randy Havens
    Randy Havens
    • Scott Clarke
    Rob Morgan
    Rob Morgan
    • Officer Powell
    • Director
      • Shawn Levy
    • Writers
      • Matt Duffer
      • Ross Duffer
      • Justin Doble
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    8.522.5K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    9TheLittleSongbird

    Gremlins

    'Stranger Things' in particularly Season 1 was a truly excellent show at its best and even when at its weakest it was still very watchable. After such a high quality previous season, Season 2 was watched with high expectations and they were met on the most part. It did have a slow start and there was one disappointment, but once it got going it was as good as Season 1 and the best episodes were equal to the best of the previous season.

    After two very well executed and intriguing, if at times slow going, previous episodes, Season 2 has its first great outing with "Chapter Three: The Pollywog". It isn't perfect, but things really do move forward here in story progression, character advancement and momentum. And in a way that is darker, has more tension and has a lovely balance of humour, drama and nostalgia. "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" may not be 'Stranger Things' at its best, but it is truly great.

    There are a few scenes that are agreed unnecessary and not as interesting as they could have been, especially the very cliched love triangle.

    "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" is excellent everywhere else. Had no issues with the acting from the young and adult casts, where everybody gives never less than great performances. Noah Schnapp is a standout. The character interaction is just fine too, particularly between Bob and Will in Bob's recalling nightmares scene.

    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.

    Writing is thought-probing and has a lot of brains and heart. The humour is gentle but very subtly witty and funny, while there is a poignancy (without being too sentimental) and tension. Throughout "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" has creepiness, intriguing mystery, inventive sci-fi, affectionate nostalgia and emotional impact. The mystery again is even deeper and more complex than before but is always intriguing and never confusing. The ending is suspenseful and makes one excited for what happens next in subsequent episodes.

    In summary, great. 9/10.
    8nebohr

    Eggo- It's Only 8,000 Calories

    Dustin is obviously not the brightest bulb on the tree. What with all the crazy weirdness going around he doesn't give a second thought to bringing some strange creature into his mom's house. Feeding it Three Musketeers. And evicting Yertle. Also we are starting to think that all Hopper and Eleven ever eat is Eggo.
    9ououzaza

    Fun, Entertaining episode

    God. This is soo good. It is fun and i don't want it to end. this episode filled with exciting mission, humor and more mystery.
    BA_Harrison

    Don't adopt strange little creatures: haven't they seen Gremlins?

    In The Pollywog, we get to see what it was that Dustin found lurking in the trashcan at the end of Episode 2: a large tadpole-like creature, clearly a refugee from the upside-down, that Dustin subsequently adopts and names Dartagnan. What Dartagnan will eventually grow to become is anyone's guess (a big frog?), but the chances are that it won't be nice (a big, man-eating frog?).

    We also learn how Eleven came to be under the protection of Jim Hopper, living in his grandfather's woodland cabin for the past year, away from prying eyes. Eventually, however, prolonged solitary confinement proves too much for the girl and she breaks Jim's rules by going in search of Mike (Finn Wolfhard).

    A great third episode boosted by some nifty CGI creature effects and ending on a marvellous cliffhanger, The Pollywog sees the second season finally getting into its stride. The characters are all present and correct, the plot thickens, and the pace quickens. I can't wait to see how all of this pulls together (next episode in 5 seconds, 4, 3, 2, 1….).
    7AvionPrince16

    father and son?

    Hooper become more protective with Eleven. We meet the boyfriend of Joyce, Bob. We know more about the beast that Dustin find in his room. Nancy want to tell the truth about Barabara. Eleven come back at the school and find Mike and Alex. I love the episode. It have interesting moments: funny, action, special effects. Still have great plot and make us to watch until the end. Nice episode.

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
    Fantasy
    Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby (1968)
    Horror
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    James Earl Jones and David Prowse in Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
    Sci-Fi
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Hopper (David Harbour) reads Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables; he also is shown reading this to his daughter Sarah in Chapter Eight: The Upside Down (2016).
    • Goofs
      The water tower near the school has cell phone antennas, which were not in common usage until the late 1990s.
    • Connections
      Featured in Binging with Babish: Triple-Decker Eggo Extravaganza from Stranger Things (2017)
    • Soundtracks
      Whistle on the River
      Written by Lloyd Mercey

      Performed by The Mercey Brothers

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 27, 2017 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • 6501 Church Street Douglasville, Georgia, USA(on location)
    • Production companies
      • 21 Laps Entertainment
      • Monkey Massacre
      • Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 51m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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