TV Review: Stranger Things Season 2 (spoiler-free)
If you thought a demogorgon was the worst thing to happen to Hawkins, Indiana, you have a lot of things to learn from Stranger Things in its second season. While all evil still stems from the alternate universe, the Upside Down, this time, our first favorite group of '80s kids from the 2010's, along with the eclectic group of parents, older siblings and law enforcement, are in more peril than ever. Stranger Things season 2 is the same ambitious show drenched in the nostalgia we love, but with a few more characters and a lot higher stakes in its sophomore run.
After Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) has settled down back into post-demogorgon hostage life a year after the events of the first season, he begins to exhibit signs of other-worldly psychosis and sickness, much to the worry of his mother Joyce (Winona Ryder). His friends Mike, Dustin and Lucas (Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin) are mainly distracted by adolescent normalcies, which Will is trying desperately to experience himself. Unfortunately for Will, the dimension and its inhabitants he narrowly avoided last year have other plans for him.
Meanwhile, Chief Hopper (David Harbour), who has now become largely involved in the lives of the Byers, becomes suspicious of unnatural occurrences around town, such as rotting pumpkins and raving conspiracy theorists potentially brought on by the scientists still living in Hawkins (this time they appear to be following rules and cleaning up after the mess still left after last season).
Nancy (Natalia Dyer), Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Steve (Joe Keery), much like in the first season, are wrapped up in a love triangle that becomes increasingly complicated by the repercussions and remaining conspiracies of the supernatural happenings in the town, specifically the aftermath of Barb's untimely death, still unknown to the town and her distraught parents.
Will's transition to the forefront this season is a welcome shift in the dynamic of the show. Now, instead of feeling helpless for an absent Will, the characters must deal with an even more looming threat that they can not control even with him safely at home. It is somehow more tragic to see his family and friends interact with him through this battle against shadowy evil, especially with Noah Schnapp's devastating innocence that we did not get to see much of before. He has a lot of weight to carry on screen, and is one of the major standouts this year.
Stranger Things is one of the rare television shows (especially one with such a short season) that gives attention to all of its characters in a proper way. The Duffer Brothers get over a huge hurdle by managing to put fan favorites and main characters like Joyce and Mike in the background in favor of introducing new characters to the series, as well as fleshing out ones we saw less of last season. Sean Astin is definitely the most lovable newbie as Joyce's dorky boyfriend, while jerk-turned-hero Steve of last season has an unexpected arc that makes him ANOTHER fan favorite. Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb Mclaughlin, meanwhile, two kids that became instantly lovable last year, are given much more to do this time and boy, do they do it well.
Other than a Gremlins-style pet plot line, both Dustin and Lucas are mainly involved in a charming subplot where they spend the majority of their time crushing on the new girl in town, Max, played by Sadie Sink. She and her sadistic bully brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery) are appropriate additions to the show, despite them having to fight for fan affection in a show with so many sacred characters. It appears that future seasons will have more for these two to do, but their introduction is perfectly welcome.
I am sure that everyone reading this is wondering how I possibly wrote over 600 words so far without mentioning Eleven one time. Well, unfortunately there is not much to say without spoiling her entire journey this season. Yes, of course Millie Bobby Brown is back as the super-powered icon, but it would be a crime to mention anything more than that. I will say that her story is taken in an unexpected, but necessary direction for the majority of the nine episodes and that multiple scenes involving her are going to bring cheers and applause from viewers at home.
Stranger Things season 2 is as incredible as, if not better than its surprising hit of a beginning last summer. The Duffer Brothers maintain relationships and story threads from before and take them in the best possible direction. Who would have expected to see characters like Steve and Dustin, or Mike and Joyce, teaming up for most of the episodes? These decisions make sense though, as all of these people experienced something together previously that would lead to serious bonding.
Along with a clear understanding of their own characters and universe, the Duffers avoided a sophomore slump by heightening the terror and aesthetic already established in season 1. There are multiple times the fates of these beloved characters are challenged, and many times when the mystery and intrigue of the show feels much greater than before. Stranger Things might be about the Upside Down, but its second season is still definitely on the right side of great television.
Stranger Things season 2 is now available on Netflix.
Image by Netflix
