TV Review: Stranger Things
On Friday, October 27, Netflix released the second season of Stranger Things, a binge-worthy nine-episode saga that’s perfect for watching during this spooky time of year. The first season of Stranger Things, which dropped last summer, instantly became a cult-phenomenon, earning 18 Emmy Award nominations for having a narrative that just about anyone could watch and obsess over, in my opinion. The show’s comedic, 80’s-centric tone, combined with the thrill of a horror movie and lovable characters, led the first season of Stranger Things to become one of the most-watched shows on Netflix. Yet, Stranger Things is not like your average show—like all Netflix TV shows, you don’t have to wait until next week’s episode to continue the adventure, as the entire season drops on Netflix as a whole. Furthermore, the 50-minute episodes are essentially short movies in and of themselves, with a cliffhanger ending each episode.
I thought that the show couldn’t get any better, but with the second season, the showrunners outdid themselves. For those of you who have not yet watched the first season, the show follows a group of four boys in the 1980’s—they’re classic nerds, who play their own version of Dungeons & Dragons, communicate through walkie talkies, and have hearts of gold. Suddenly, one of them disappears, and the eight-episode arc is devoted to the search for the missing boy, Will Byers (Noah Schnapp). And when Will disappears, a new character comes into play: an eccentric-looking girl with buzzed hair and an unclear backstory. Her name is Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown). Each episode introduces many different characters from all over Hawkins, Indiana, all of whom search for Will, and learn clue by clue that there’s something strange taking place in their small town where nothing ever happens. The intensity mounts until the season one finale, which answers the question of whether or not Will can be found.
The second season is even more of a must-watch (although season one is certainly required viewing). It echoes the year detailed in season one, with even stranger things taking place in the Byers’ house. The season also follows Eleven through a journey that tells viewers more about her past, and shows us more of the endearing and hilarious boys as they, along with other Hawkins residents, try to figure out what other strange things are still going on in their town.
If you’ve seen the first season, you’re in for a treat. If you want more of the love triangle between Nancy, Jonathan and Steve, or are curious about what happened to Will, or just want to be back in the odd world of Hawkins to figure out another mystery, this is the show for you to indulge in this weekend. Season two brings back all of your favorite characters and settings, such as Dustin, Steve, Hopper, the eerie government lab and Mike’s basement. The newest season also introduces Bob, Joyce’s brainy yet putzy new boyfriend, and Max, a fiery redhead from California who beats all the boys’ high scores at the arcade, their latest hangout spot. Additionally, season two engages with its period setting in understated ways, grappling with the gender norms and racism of the 80’s. And if you haven’t even started the show at all, get ready for a day of immersing yourself in the puzzling story of Stranger Things, and yelling out “I knew it!” when one of your favorite characters does something you told them not to do. Prepare for heartbreaking backstories and relationships that you won’t want to let go of. Now, you have two whole seasons to watch—turn on your TV, and if it flickers, don’t be afraid!