The widely anticipated second season of the Netflix hit series Stranger Things was finally released on Oct. 27. Whether you successfully binge-watched the whole nine-episode season (a combined eight hours) in one sitting or are taking your time, there are *SPOILERS* ahead, so reader beware. Here are “Eleven” (bazinga!) highlights from Stranger Things season 2.
1. How are all the characters even better? Dustin is pure gold. Lucas, still as sensibly charismatic as ever. Aw, poor, sad Mike. Ted Wheeler, your son already jumped off a cliff to save his friend. Be careful with him, kids. Oh, and Will! Gentle, smol Will. You are too pure for this Upside Down nonsense.
2. Nancy being unable to tell Barb’s parents the truth is honestly one of the most heart-wrenching things I have seen in a long time. Please let this have a happy ending.
3. How is it possible that this one episode is already height Chief Hopper ™? And he and El living as a father/daughter dynamic I something I didn’t know I needed until now. Please give her all the Eggos she wants and never change her Sigourney-Weaver-from-Alien hair.
4. I really do understand why Mike doesn’t want Max to be part of their group, but I feel so bad for her. Not even Dustin or Lucas is completely loyal. Just let Mike just see El already, she broke all three of her rules to be here and then you all could just be happy friends all together. This show likes to make me suffer in agony, so that’s not going to happen.
5. “He likes it cold.” Honestly, goosebumps. Probably the scariest line of the season. Will, WHAT IS WRONG PLEASE TELL YOUR MOM.
6. Compliments to the screenwriters for having Sean Astin making a Goonies joke about Will’s map leading to pirate treasure honestly just made this whole episode. “Bob the Brain” better make it through this season or be a secret bad guy because he is the most wholesome things about this show. (Fast-forward to Episode 8: “Goddammit.”)
7. Joyce’s mom-worry and Mike’s steadfastness and Will’s spy-or-not routine is making my physically stressed out. Poor boy just needs to have a day off.
8. Good grief, that is a LOOK, El. Girl. What an icon. Bitchin’ indeed.
9. I am HERE for you, Babysitter Dad Steve. Although maybe you should invest in some boxing lessons, since you have now lost not one, but two fist fights. You go, Steve, make sure those kids are safe while they go off to purposefully become Demo-dog bait.
10. The climax of El closing the gate leading right into Hopper officially adopting El/Jane leading right into the Snow Ball ’84 is making my throat hurt? I’m crying? I love my children.
11. My eyes are puffy, and now I have nothing to watch for about a year and a half. Thanks, Duffer Brothers (#sufferbrothers). Please give Noah Schapp and Millie Bobby Brown all the Emmys. Shall we begin again?