A Stranger Things 2 Review

By Sami Dugdale
Blog Content Contributor

If you’re like me, then you watched the entire first season of Stranger Things in just a matter of days and were then forced to wait a whole year for the release of season two. When the second season came out on October 27th, I locked myself in my room and finished the new season in just two days.

The season one finale left me with a number of questions, and each and every one of them were answered in this new season. I thought that Stranger Things 2 was phenomenal and is, in my opinion, one of the greatest TV series of all time. There are several things that I would like to just talk about and discuss as a recap.

First, the arrival of a few new characters. This season presented us with some new faces including Max (played by Sadie Sink), Billy (played by Dacre Montgomery), Bob (played by Sean Astin) and Dr. Owens (played by Paul Reiser). All of these characters played a key role in the plot of the new season and some even had the power to establish a special place in our hearts. When we lost Bob in episode eight, it was like watching one of my favorite characters die in Game of Thrones. Bob was one of the purest and kindest characters we’ve seen in pretty much the entire history of the show. Not only did he love Joyce and her sons, but he represented just this little piece of normalcy and stability in their crazy lives. Watching Bob die was the most heartbreaking moment of the show.

Another factor that really sold me on this new season was the amazing acting. I could tell from season one that every actor on this show is crazy talented, but there were certain scenes in this new season that just made me want to throw Oscars at these kids. For example, the scene in episode three when Eleven and Hopper get in their first big fight. After being told “soon” every time she asks when she will be able to stop hiding, Eleven grows frustrated with Hopper, calling him a liar and screaming and shoving a plate/table at him. Millie Bobby Brown, who plays Eleven, has really proved herself as an actress this season and continues to impress me every single episode. Another scene that really just pulled at my heart was a scene done by Noah Schnapp, who plays Will, in episode four. In this scene, Will sits on his bed and tries to explain to Joyce and Hopper what’s been going on in his dreams and what his relationship is with this “monster”. He says it’s like he knows what it’s thinking and feeling, and all he sees is that it’s growing and killing. In the middle of speaking, Will breaks down in tears and hugs his mother. Schnapp’s acting in this scene alone is what I believe to be the greatest example of his abilities as a professional actor.

Lastly, because this reason deserves its own point, is the Mike and Eleven reunion in episode eight. This was the most long-awaited moment of the entire series and when it finally happened, it felt like Stranger Things fans all over the world let out one loud collective scream. In case you need a reminder of what happened, everyone was gathered in Joyce’s living room when the door swings open by itself, everyone turns at the same time, and then there’s Eleven, looking “bitchin” in her 80s grunge clothes and makeup. I held my breath when the door opened, and I didn’t breathe until Mike finally stepped out of the crowd to embrace her.

There are so many more aspects of the new season that I could go on forever about, but if I did I’d end up writing a 300-page novel. All I can really say is that the plot, dialogue and characters of season two were utterly flawless and I will definitely be re-watching it several times before the release of season three.

The Duffer Brothers have confirmed a 3rd and 4th season and have even hinted at a 5th season, so there’s still plenty of action in store for Stranger Things fans for the next few years.

Featured image via imdb.com.