TV Show Review: Stranger Things season 2

Netflix has created some fantastic original content over the last few years, but nothing beats Stranger Things. Mixing so many sci-fi and horror elements from the 80s with a mix of originality to create one of the best shows out there. I can already say that I love it and it is a must watch. This show is so easy to binge to catch up with the first season being 8 episodes and the second season being 9 episodes. Let’s dive into all this goodness. No worries, I will keep any details limited on this season with a few minor things on my feelings towards specific directions, but there will be some spoilers from the first season.

Taking place one year after the events of the first season, we find our main group of friends all reunited and enjoying their time together. Weirdly enough, everything goes terribly again after one year of the events from the first season. Just seemed weird and did not fit right with me. Bad things only happen in Hawkins around Halloween I suppose. Anyway, Will is out of the upside down and with his friends and family. With some lingering visions that grow stronger, Will is still not fully himself. Everyone else has managed for the most part to move forward. As it turns out that the upside down still has some powerful forces that nobody knows about until things start to happen. As the last scene from the finale of the first season shows, Will coughs up a slug-like-creature that in this season plays a significant role. The CIA is still continuing their work which crosses over yet again with our protagonists. Everyone must come together once more to defeat more evil that has crawled out from the upside down.

The story and characters expand in so many directions. There is a lot more character growth for almost everyone. Since Will was gone most of the first season, we get to see more out of his actor Noah Schnapp who goes above and beyond with his talent. Questions and answers are given about characters and the universe as a whole. The balance between more questions and answers is not overwhelming. It is great to receive exciting information but to still have the mystery. They had to keep some answers hidden until the next season. One of the biggest issues to this season was early on. A few times some of the characters were too naive despite their previous experiences from the first season. Some of their actions are quite questionable for who they are as a character. This goes away as soon as each character gets situated with what is going on. As characters develop, you get a better appreciation for the actors and actresses on the show. Everyone is so talented, especially these kids. A few new characters are introduced. Maxine is a new girl who the main kids become interested in early on in the season. She is excellent, and as an audience, you will learn a lot about her. Another new character is her step-brother who falls flat in some ways. One of my other favorite additions to the cast is Bob, Joyce’s new boyfriend. He brings some great levity to the show but can be engaging in the more dramatic scenes. Overall, the new additions to the cast are excellent. It is hard for any show to have a cast of characters that are all excellent.

The pacing of the show is similar to the first season with only an extra episode. The show builds up mystery and suspension just as well as the first season. My only issue was one of the episodes towards the end fell flat. Some interesting things could have been done for a character, but it did not go anywhere. It is obvious that somethings were done just to build up to the next season. I understand where they may be coming from, but somethings should have been kept out of this season only to have it more fully developed in a later season to give it the proper attention instead of just throwing it in.

Visually the show is better than ever. More effects added during Will’s visions and scenes in the upside down. You can see this just even in the stylized posters that have been released. A blend of blue and reds with the mix of black to create impressive effects for the audience to digest. The use of the cinematography is excellent. Some fantastic shots of Hawkins to give you a better feel for the town. There are some shots recreated from the first season which was shown heavily in the trailers to provide the audience with some ideas on how things may turn out. One of the best shots to me was a foggy night in the junkyard that looked haunting and set the mood perfectly for the scene. The creators of the show know exactly how to properly set the right tone for any scene.

As you can tell, I am in love with this show. The universe, the characters, acting, cinematography, and just about every other quality. It pains me to wait another year for the next season. This season was just as good as the first, despite a few issues I had. A lot of build up for the next season regarding some directions with characters and the story that did not feel right to be putting in this early without proper development. Early on characters would do certain things that did not make much sense. People were naive about certain things happening when they should not have been. Also, it is too weird to have everything go to hell after one year from the original events. That is a bit hard to believe, but it is not too big of a deal. Even with all these problems, the positives outweigh it all. This show is phenomenal in every way. If you loved the first season, then you will love the second. Netflix has one fantastic show for sci-fi and horror fans.

Score: 9/10

Image via Netflix