By Spencer Coile
;)
Stranger Things 2 dropped to Netflix three weeks ago, and already, most fans have consumed it in its entirety. In fact, many people finished it within the first weekend. I covered the first half of the season shortly after watching it, but because I choose not to binge the series in one sitting (just not my style of viewing), I was able to let the story and characters really sink in.
Now, having finally finished Stranger Things 2, I can safely say that the second half of the season eclipses the first half -- making it a solid addition to the cultural phenomenon that is Stranger Things. After the jump, take a look at some brief thoughts about the season as a whole: what works, what doesn't, and what season three will hopefully bring...
What works:
The relationship between Hopper and Eleven
Season one of Stranger Things introduced us to many dynamic characters. And the Duffer Brothers gave us the chance to really explore the relationships these characters share with one another. Season two, however, provided a special kinship between Eleven and Chief Hopper. After discovering that Eleven is back in Hawkins, Hopper secludes her from the public, insisting that she is not safe in the real world. This causes tension and anger from both, as they each defy the other. They shout, throw things (physically or with their mind in Eleven's case), and generally act like an angsty teen trying to meet her father's demands.
In the season's final episode, "The Gate," they finally reconcile in what is surely one of the series' most heatfelt scenes. Hopper discloses that he had lost his daughter years ago, and it becomes clear to Eleven that he is trying to look out for her in ways that he did not in the past. It is a very quiet scene, relying heavily on the chemistry between David Harbour and Millie Bobby Brown. Despite the spectacle, it is this tender moment that I will remember the most.
;)
The visual effects
In its first season, many claimed that the series' special effects looked underdeveloped, that they were taken out of the moment because nothing looked real. Season two ups the anti, though, and provides visually appealing effects and production design. After all, spectacle is key. Giving us the richest set pieces was an imperative and it pays off.
Steve Harrington
A minor character in the first season, Steve (Joe Keery) returns to Stranger Things 2 as Nancy's boyfriend. Soon, he becomes something even more vital to the story. He becomes a guru for Dustin and a babysitter to the group of misfits. He wields a baseball bat decked with nails and a hair-do that we should all emulate. Altering this character from a one-dimensional douche into a multifaceted teen, with humor and flaws and the ability to be a bad-ass, was a gift. For a series that already had a strong ensemble, Keery is now a welcome addition.
;)
What doesn't work:
The new characters
Speaking of the ensemble, we were introduced to many new characters in season two. While this seems exciting, it was clear that the Duffer Brothers did not seem entirely sure how to use them. Half-siblings Billy and Max show promise for some development in later seasons, here they just come across as mean or rebellious with nothing much else to add. Adding Max to the ragtag group of boys is a great idea, but she does not entirely gel with them yet. Sean Astin and Paul Reiser are given some solid material to work with, but Astin's Bob Newby role was over before we even knew much about him. And Reiser switches in and out from being a good scientist to bad scientist. It is never exactly clear what role he plays.
The only new character I am truly optimistic for is Lucas's little sister, Erica (Priah Ferguson). Let's give her a spin-off.
;)
"Chapter Seven: The Lost Sister"
Once Stranger Things 2 starts to bring the drama, it does not let up. Oh, except for the seventh episode of the season, where Eleven goes to Chicago to find her sister, Kali (008). There she meets a band of outsiders who are seeking revenge on those who wronged them in the first place -- namely Kali and Eleven's "papa," Brenner, who Eleven learns is still alive. So much has been written about this episode, and I agree with a lot of the criticism thrown its way. It takes us out of the moment, the "band of outsiders" are all one-note, Eleven's reclamation of her powers happens too quickly. In a season with some stunning moments and momentum, this hour of television stops it and nearly derails it completely. Thankfully, it gets its groove back in the last two episodes.
;)
All in all, Stranger Things 2 is a worthy addition to one of the most talked-about series of this decade. It falters at times, but ultimately relies on the charm of its characters and its nostalgia to push past these flaws to give us a gripping season of television. Looking to the future, I hope that we see these new characters be fleshed out even more and be integrated into the story more cohesively. But perhaps most importantly, I hope we see a lot more Erica. She is now the queen of Stranger Things, and I look forward to seeing the work she puts out next season.