Article first published as TV Review: STRANGER THINGS 2 on Seat42F.
Caution: This review contains light spoilers from the first three episodes of season two.
Netflix’s 1980s-set sci-fi horror
Spielberg-esque hit, STRANGER THINGS, is back for a second round!
Similar to a movie series, it’s being titled STRANGER THINGS 2, which
seems appropriate, given the feel of the program. Like before, it
features a scant number of episodes (nine this time). But also like
before, this makes for a concentrated, intense story about weird
occurrences in a small town. All of your favorite players have returned,
plus a few new faces, and the quality seems to have been maintained.
The stakes have even risen a bit.
The action picks up roughly one year
after the events of the first season. Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) is still
haunted by his time in the Upside Down. Mother Joyce (Winona Ryder)
hopes these are just flashbacks, as Dr. Owens (Paul Reiser, Married)
seems to indicate. Will’s brother, Jonathan (Charlie Heaton), is there
to help his brother through. But Owens may have ulterior motives,
working with the government agency that has kept a tight lid on the
alternate dimension, forcing all who know of it not to tell anyone, and
it soon becomes clear that Will is being warned of a new, bigger threat.
Meanwhile, Will’s friends all have their
own things going on. Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin) is interested in the new
girl in town, video game master Max (Sadie Sink, American Odyssey).
Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) has an odd pet. Mike (Finn Wolfhard) has some
serious emotional issues. Nancy (Natalia Dyer) isn’t sure she’s made the
right choice in staying with Steve (Joe Keery). Even Joyce has a new
steady, Bob (Sean Astin, The Goonies).
These are all interesting stories, some
more than others, but they do an important thing. As much as I liked
season one, the story was concentrated on a few members of the large
ensemble, with others regulated to supporting status. In STRANGER THINGS
2, the plot is more balanced, incorporating more of the cast on a
regular basis. There are more moving pieces of note, which makes for a
denser story. This isn’t a knock on season one, which made the right
choice for the initial outing. However, it’s a satisfying development
for the sequel, now that the world is more established.
It’s also nice that Barb figures into
STRANGER THINGS 2. Yes, she’s still dead, and I don’t think it likely
that she undergoes resurrection. She was the also-missing in season one,
someone who caught audience attention, but didn’t have much traction on
screen. A subplot involving her parents, who have still not been told
of her death, is moving and heart-breaking, giving more meaning to
everyone’s favorite redhead downer.
Many fans tuning in are probably most
curious about Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who we last assumed was
hiding out in the woods. She is, courtesy of Jim Hopper (David Harbour),
protected and hidden from friends and foes alike. While I don’t mind
this in of itself, it is made better by the flashbacks to show what
happened and how it happened between Eleven and Hopper in between
seasons. This better informs the relationship between the cop and his
sort-of-adopted-daughter, as well as the motivations both are facing
now.
I think STRANGER THINGS 2 totally lives
up to year one. It’s enticing, well-made, beautifully produced, and has
fine performances, including the newcomers, who easily slide right in.
It deepens a complex mystery, and both scares and touches you at the
same time. The wonder and charm have been retained, even while what is
terrifying has gotten more so. As important, it remains grounded. There
are plenty of places for this show to go, and I’m happy to be along for
the ride.
STRANGER THINGS 2 is available now on Netflix.
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