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.

I presume this show is aimed at a younger audience but there's a 70s kid here loving it. So many shows these days are so dark and 'dramatic' and yet this show .. it keeps the suspense and the drama but throws it in with some laughs and happy moments.

What a great ending to a series, or season for our American friends. Excellent character building, excellent relationship building, and a just an all round great finale. So good to end on a high, all ready for the next series of stranger events. I can't wait! So I won't, I'll watch it now!! :)

Season 2 on the whole was a very good season, as good as the previous in my view. It started off a little slow but still quite impressively and got better and better the more the mystery, atmosphere, character development and such built. Disappointing only with "Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister", which was the worst and only below good episode up to that stage of 'Stranger Things'. And with the best episodes being absolutely brilliant and show high points.

Of which Season 2's finale "Chapter Nine: The Gare" is one of them. What a way to finish and on the same level as the brilliant season finale of Season 1. It is also one of the best, most exciting and most intense 'Stranger Things' episodes, that builds upon what the rest of Season 2 showed, progressed both the mystery and the characters to gut wrenching and intriguing effect. It is certainly enough to make one intrigued into seeing the next season, which sadly to me wasn't anywhere near as strong as 1 and 2.

Everything is superb in "Chapter Nine: The Gate". The 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.

Also incredibly impressive is the beautifully balanced writing. That has a lot of thought and intrigue, with the usual brains and heart. The storytelling is tremendously engaging, atmospheric and never simplistic or convoluted. Loved the intimate and un-noisy relationship writing and the episode also shines in the suspenseful and intense action. Especially the showdown and the ending, which resolves itself beautifully. It is rich in affectionate nostalgia (reminiscent of Stephen King's depiction of childhood), poignant emotional impact and suspenseful turns in the more mysterious elements.

"Chapter Nine: The Gate's" character writing is spot on. As is the acting, children and adults with no exceptions or weak links.

Really wonderful end to a very good season. 10/10.

Oh My goodness!! these 9 hours just made 2017 a whole lot better for TV . for me the first couple of episodes started a bit confusing but filled with thrill and mystery but from that point it all picked up to a new plot level of brilliance.

Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer (the writers/creators) seriously outdone themselves the plot this season looks as strong as ever, the episodes become more and more connected to create one hell of masterpiece mosaic .. if this show was created back in the 80's/90's it would've been a TV revolution.

The sequence of events each episode always kept on leaving us with one surprise after another ... I salute them that this season they didn't put all the focus on " Eleven's" character but showed much more of the other characters, they all appeared like lead characters in The struggle of the mighty.,. each character/couple of characters had their own main plot of a "strange thing" that all lead to "Rome".

That kid Noah Schnapp "Will Byers" this season he showed he is one big talent , last season he was just that lost kid, but my !! his facial expression !! his acting and engaging with the scenes was so real. David Harbour "Jim Hopper" was also so good and had his own big bite of the pie ,, same goes for Winona Ryder as "Joyce Byers" and the couple Natalia Dyer and Charlie Heaton as "Nancy and Jonathan"... but overall the whole cast and crew were awesome. Also still love Gaten Matarazzo "Dustin" with his "Son of b!tch" moments .. they were like a breeze of fresh air in all of that tense jumpy events,

A side note, still loving the cinematography and the Amaaazing soundtracks that "in my opinion" surpassed the X-files level.

Final thought, Standing O for every one helped making this artwork and fingers crossed with these next two seasons renewals ,, the level of thrill and mystery will keep on going because i will count them day by day till the next season comes out next year.

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!