Chapter Nine: The Gate

After the success of the first season, the return of Stranger Things was a big event with lots of hype, and lots of internet chatter all across the days after it was fully available to watch. I was a bit slower to pick it up and watch it, but it was one I was looking forward to, because despite some flaws, I did enjoy the first season. This season returns bigger, but not necessarily better. The scale of the threat is increased, and the show plays with its additional resources very well; more creatures, more horror elements, more polish, and a lot more delivery in the effects department.

It does all this with a plot that to be fair, does build on the events of the previous season. It does so in a way that mostly makes sense, but yet keeps a lot of the same elements from the first season. In doing so it is entertaining and will please fans, but at the same time it is hard not to feel like it lost a bit of spark - almost like they didn't know how to specifically develop that element, so they just went ahead and made everything else bigger. This is in no way to say the second season is no good (it is good), but just that it is not quite as good as the first one. The plot is also part of that though, and there are some elements and conveniences that don't quite work, and they serve to sap the energy and spark a bit. The cast are consistently good though - all playing their roles well in a way that fits not so much the period, but rather the movie/nostalgia version of that period, while also being able to work as characters in their own right. Of the additions, I enjoyed Reiser's casting the most since so much of this season felt like Aliens already.

All told, Stranger Things 2 is a very enjoyable bit of television, that is bigger than the first season, even if it is not better. The spark is a bit lost, but there is plenty still there, and lots to enjoy despite some of it not working, or feeling like it could have hit its marks better.

Had me in so much tears. Such a brilliant end that tugs on the nostalgia heart strings. I was that kid. Great series, great season, great episode. Love it

Best Episode Of The Series!!Amazing Finally everything we needed happened in this episode can't wait till Season 3 Comes out!

After the rousing success of the original slate of episodes, I was very, very interested to see how "Stranger Things" could/would respond with their second go-round. To me, this seemed like a show that could very easily have been a "one-hit wonder". The Duffer brothers proved me wrong, however, as I actually enjoyed this sophomore effort even more than the original!

I don't want to talk too in-depth about the plot (for fear of spoilers), but "Stranger Things 2" is set around Halloween about a year after Will (Noah Schnapp) is rescued from the Upside Down. Of course (as hinted at in the S1 final scene), Will is not exactly free and clear from that experience, and that is what sets the stage for the primary plot events of S2. When it becomes clear that Will still isn't right (and strange things still keep cropping up in Hawkins), the gang of Mike (Finn Wolfhard), Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) are on the case again. And remember those Eggos in the woods? Obviously, something is going on with Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) and Hopper (David Harbour).

Remarkably, this second season is able to succeed because it doesn't re-invent the wheel. The formula set in place from the first season is so strong that by-and-large it still works here. Just enough elements are changed up to keep things fresh and moving forward.

A lot of credit for that has to be given to some new cast members. A sister/brother duo of Mad Max (Sadie Sink) and Billy (Dacre Montgomery) provide some of the best acting of the season, while Hawkins Lab Dr. Owens (Paul Reiser) and new love interest for Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), Bob Newby (Sean Astin), is a great new character too. All these new additions fit in seamlessly and keep things from ever feeling stale.

One underrated aspect I haven't even mentioned yet was the great chemistry between Nancy (Natalia Dyer) and her potential beaus Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) & Steve (Joe Keery). Some of the most hilarious (and poignant) moments come from the interactions between these characters this season.

Of course, let me make one thing clear: "Stranger Things 2" isn't groundbreaking television by any means. It's a very different style from, say, shows like "The Leftovers" or "Westworld" over on HBO. While those other shows may push the boundaries and radically experiment with the medium, "Stranger Things" knows it has a wonderful formula and (for the most part) knows how to expertly execute it. In fact, the only misstep this season was one single episode that focuses on Eleven throughout. That didn't work, because this show needs the ensemble cast interacting together to really work at all.

Overall, though, I enjoyed watching "Stranger Things 2" even more than its predecessor. It builds on its own success perfectly, and the acting/atmosphere is so engaging that one can't help but clicking "Next Episode" sooner than later. The season ends just ambiguously (and perfectly) enough to tease future installments, and I'll be all in if/when they appear!

Absolutely Incredible! Just a magnificent conclusion to an enticing season. By the time, the ending credits rolled, I am amazed by how much the scale and conflict has been risen this year. And unlike the former season's heartbreaking ending, this time, we got a much more happier and satisfying epilogue.

The VFX team did a spectacular job making the Demogorgon and the Shadow Monster to look and feel much more menacing and dangerous, because seeing the Demodogs raining down as the Gate is closed by Eleven looks mind-blowing. The main cast was also so captivating to watch, especially, David Harbour as Jim Hopper and Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven made a great duo, though Mike, Dustin, Mrs. Byers, Will, Steve and the others were also superb. By the end, we also got a fulfilled promise of Mike made at the end of Season 1 to see the Snow Ball event on-screen.

Absolutely Hyped for Season 3!