Chapter Three: The Pollywog

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.

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….).

Stranger Things is back to being the plot-driven series we have all been excited about. I love that the stakes are higher, and the monsters feel more horrific. In fact, the end of the episode made me get chills because I didn't expect such detail. However, there is something off about this season so far. It's not bad. It's just different. I love that they took risks by putting last seasons main faces -- Eleven, Mike, Joyce, and even Jonathan and Nancy -- to the background and put other characters in the forefront -- like Will, Lucas and Dustin, and Steve. The only character I believe has stayed in the spotlight is Hopper, which is good because he is the most complex character in the entire series. I miss that last season's faces don't get as much screen time, but I love that the series is growing and maturing, evolving.

For Dustin - by far my favorite character of the show - the Halloween night ended with the discovery of a peculiar little creature in his trashcan. He's immediately fond of the little slug/pollywog type of animal and can't wait to show his friends. Not everyone is excited, though, and poor Will immediately links the critter to his nightmarish experiences in the Upside Down. Eleven can't stand the imprisonment in Sheriff Hopper's shed anymore and breaks out hoping to find Mike, who she misses dearly. We can't blame her, because this episodes also clarifies how she ended up here, and for how long.

Typical middle-of-the-season episode. Still not much is happening, but the plot thickens, the pacing increases, the characters settle into their roles for the season, and the tension mounts. "The Pollywog" ends with an irresistible cliffhanger that is creepy and sad at the same time. Poor Will ... again!

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.