Stranger Things: Season 2 – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.

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Highlights

The Relationships – Platonic and Otherwise

Relationships are the true selling point of Stranger Things. Not the sci-fi element, the 80s throwbacks, or even seeing the comeback of Winona Ryder. It is the strong friendships and even some of the relationships.

Starting with the friendships, let’s just take note of Will and Mike for a minute. Throughout it all, Mike has fought to be by Will’s side and was there during the worse of it. All the while, there was no blaming, no selfishness, just this kid trying to figure out, even if in a small way, how he could help. But of course, the friendship most noteworthy is between Joyce and Hopper alongside Steve and Dustin.

Youth before age, it has been made clear that Dustin doesn’t really have male role models. Hence why he has a slightly too familiar, but cute, relationship with his science teacher. That is the only guy who gets him and seems to invest in him. But, even not following modern standards, you have to admit Dustin and Mr. Clark’s relationship doesn’t overstep some boundaries. Like Dustin having his home phone number for example.

Making Steve entering his life almost perfect. After all, Dustin is the sole person without a sibling and based off how he talked in season 1, you can tell he had always been a little insecure about his place in the group. Especially since he was the last one to join. So with Steve, not only does he get a big brother and a male role model, he also gets someone of his own. Who, probably like Mr. Clark, he is going to rely on heavily. After all, puberty is starting to hit and Dustin is already asking about girls.

Then, when it comes to Joyce and Hopper, it is just nice to see a grown man and woman be there for each other as friends. Yes, they would make a good couple, but at the same time, them being damn near like siblings and probably the closest thing to adult family each other has is quite cute as well. For whether it is Hopper looking out for Will like his own kid or Joyce doing so much to rescue Hopper, it really solidifies this friendship that existed since they were in high school.

Switching to the romantic side of things, you have to love what we saw in Bob and Joyce and the burgeoning relationships between Lucas and Max alongside Mike and Eleven. Now, sadly Bob died, but we have the two younger relationships which are in existence. Of which we saw a real honest build vs. some love at first sight crap.

It took a lot of work for Lucas and Max to come together, since there were trust issues. However, he proved himself worthy of her affections and though the kiss has been lined with controversy, honestly it made for one of the most memorable moments of the season. I’d even say, even after all Eleven and Mike went through, including Eleven having a moment of jealousy when ti comes to Max, those two took the cake.

Minor Characters Given Something Of Their Own

While Jonathan remains Nancy’s puppydog, Dustin, Steve and Lucas got real storylines to keep them from remaining in someone else’s shadow. Dustin and Steve joined forces, as noted above, and Dustin raised a Demogorgan for a little while – to the fears of his friends. Also, we got to meet Dustin’s mom. With Lucas, we not only met his family but he got a love interest. A girl who it took some time to win over, but they are on their way. Also, said girl, Max, she didn’t seemingly get brought in just to be a love interest. From her family being shown to us to her helping in saving Will, on the B-Team, she sidestepped the unfortunate path Jonathan has been on and really showed herself as an individual.

Joyce Got To Be Happy and Normal – For a Little While

For all of season 1, and a good part of season 2, all we have seen Joyce really do is worry and seem like she is going crazy. But Bob gave her some time off from that. With his corny, but adorable love for her, she got normalcy. Making his death far more meaningful that Barbara and hopefully something not just two characters talk about.

Dr. Owens

It was assumed with Dr. Benner being replaced by Dr. Owens, and using the same words to reassure Joyce, he would be a new villain. One hopefully with a smarter staff. However, what Dr. Owens instead represented was a complicated man. One who had to look out for the best interest of Hawkins’ Labs but also for his subject. A balance delicately balanced until he realizes the callousness of his subordinates in which case he pretty much leaves them to die as he protects Will, alongside his family and friends.

Low Points

Eleven Didn’t Call Sheriff Hopper Poppa

Considering all the fan service of the final episode, we couldn’t get Eleven saying, lovingly, Hopper was her poppa? Especially since he has now officially adopted her? Come on…

On The Fence

We Are Left With So Many Questions, Some Of Which Should Have Been Answered This Season

Certain things like if Dr. Benner is Eleven’s father, where is Dustin’s dad, and a bunch of little things could have been answered. Are they necessarily pertinent to the story? Not necessarily. However, with the show being confirmed for only 4 seasons, and it not being necessarily clear if they’ll stick to less than 10 episodes a season, it can make a fan nervous.

Overall: Positive (Watch This)

While episode 7 was weak, and definitely shouldn’t have been an Eleven solo feature, it is the only true blemish upon a rather good season. Will I say season 2 is going to win new viewers and really make them think they were missing out? Nope. But for those who enjoyed season 1, this will not disappoint you at all. Yes, Eleven is separated from the core group until the end, but the strength of the relationships, alongside how Dr. Owens integrates himself into the story, will make fans of season 1 clamor for season 3. Probably to the point of damning child labor laws.

Has Another Season Been Confirmed?: Season 3 & 4

According to a Vulture interview, linked above, the Duffer brothers already got season 3 cleared and can imagine doing just one more after. Especially considering the age of their actors.

Episode List

Episode 1

The boys are back and there is a new girl who may tear them apart. That is, if this thing Will sees doesn’t get to them first.

Episode 2

As Will confides in Mike, and Nancy gets tired of everyone acting like Barbara isn’t gone, something is afoot with the local plant life.

Episode 3

As Will continues to deal with going to the Upside Down, Dustin discovers what came out of Will last year. Alongside that, Eleven meets Max.

Episode 4

As Eleven shows she cannot be tamed or punished, Will reveals his truth and Nancy seeks to expose Hawkins’ Labs.

Episode 5

As three new people learn the truth of what happened last year and now, there comes the question of who will suffer the consequences.

Episode 6

The first major battle goes down against the shadow monster’s babies as new relationships, romantic and platonic, form.

Episode 7

It’s a completely Eleven (Jane) focused episode and honestly, it makes you wish they mixed in the other cast members.

Episode 8

Things get as bad as episode 7 would make you think as you are left wondering how will the people of Hawkins, not just the cast, survive?

Episode 9

Stranger Things: Season 2 ends with giving you something to get hyped about, a bit of fan service, and presenting a calm before the storm.

TV Shows We’re Covering This Season

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