Unless you’re living under a rock, you probably know that the second season of Stranger Things was finally released on Netflix last weekend. Even if you haven’t seen the show, (GO START SEASON 1 NOW!) it continued to dominate social media in a bigger way than last year when it first came out and has basically become unavoidable. Like millions of other devoted watchers, we binged it all pretty quickly and have a lot to say about it. Here’s just a few of the things that went through my mind while watching.
Obviously, there are some MAJOR SPOILERS ahead. Stop reading now if you’re not caught up yet!
1. Hopper has emotions?
Who knew he had all that loving “dad” level compassion in him? Eleven really brought out his emotional side this season, alongside him being the MVP protector for Will and Joyce and of course from keeping El safe from Papa and the Bad Men.
2. Mad Max
Whaaaat? Whoooo? Am I the only one who hated the idea of having her in the show? I can 11/10 relate to Eleven’s feelings about her (get it)? Surely she grew on me, but I still can’t figure out what her purpose in the show was. Oh well ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
3. We got justice for Barb… now we want #JusticeforMewMew
Damn Dustin! You really thought it was a good idea letting that demodog into your house? I don’t mess with demons like that. Can you guys believe he ate Mew Mew? I was truly shook. What did he ever do to deserve this? And did they ever tell Mrs. Henderson? Mew Mew deserved better.
4. Even MORE new characters.
Can we take a second to talk about Kali? She was one hell of a badass, and she was a WoC! Revisiting Eleven’s-or should we say Jane’s-mom Terry ( KNEW Terry was going to later be revealed as her mother, and that El was really Jane, who else called it?!) and her ‘sister’ also really had us going. It was an emotional ride. Maybe we’ll see more of them next season?
5. STEVE GODDAMN HARRINGTON
That character development. Those heroic gestures. That nailed up baseball bat. THE HAIR. THE HAIRRRRRRR! If Nancy Wheeler doesn’t want you or love you, just know that I DO.
6. How great is this soundtrack?
I haven’t been listening to “Ghostbusters”, “Monster Mash” or “Should I Stay or Should I Go” on repeat and I totally wasn’t listening to it as I wrote this. ;)
7. Will and Joyce are pure gold.
Is this not is the best mother and son duo on television? These two have been through more shit than anyone else in this show. My heart just hurt for my poor baby Will. And yes, tears were involved. Joyce Byers really will do just about anything for her son. Let’s not forget how strong Will is, considering he did his best to let out the Shadow Monster when they surrounded him with those heaters, I didn’t think he was gonna make it! IT! WAS! ALL! SO! GOOD!
8. JANCY FINALLY KISSED
Being an avid Svancy (is that their ship name?) fan, I was sad to see them go. But we all knew – even me deep down inside – that Jonathan Byers has been in love with Nancy Wheeler since forever, and that they’re destined to end up together. Steven’s character development and bond with the boys, Max and El seem to make up for it. Besides, with Murray’s (the journalist’s) pull-out reference how can it not?
9. Dustin’s Dirty Mouth
TFW Dustin calls Mr.Wheeler a ‘useless son of a bitch’ is probably one of my favorite scenes. It was so funny, I repeated it and had to physically pause it so I could stop cry-laughing. Mr. Wheeler had it coming, from behalf a Mrs. Wheeler flirting with Billy.
10. The government and their games
Can ya’ll believe all the damage they did? From Eleven’s mother, (Sunflower, Rainbow, Three to the right, Four to the left, Four-Fifty, Breathe) to opening up a pathway to a demogorgon infested alternate universe, messing a El’s childhood, AND Will. They don’t stop there but they give him practically fake mental health treatment and SPIED on him.
At least Dr.Owen’s redeems himself in the end and comes thru, unlike Brenner. Another point for character development. #TeamOwens
11. And let’s not forget the Rotting Pumpkins…
Speaking of the upside down seeping into town, those pumpkins and ruined crops were nasty. The neighborhood beef wasn’t worth the demogorgon level hassle.
Some of it managed to find it’s way to Worcester too, where’s El, Joyce, Hopper and the squad when you need em?
12. Finally, the ending
Hope I didn’t lose you through all this. How’d you like the ending? Loved it? Hated it? I for one loved it, seeing the kids all happy and El and Will finally having their Snow-ball dance. But that last scene with the spider-demogorgon(that’s what I call it)… what was THAT all about? Did it mean that it’s plotting a way to return to Hawkins? Did it mean that it was still alive? I wasn’t gonna end this without a conspiracy so what if the shadow monster and the monster in the end were different? We technically never saw the creature in its full form other than in Will’s visions/teleportations. It was shown to us so many times and given so much important so why don’t we see it in its full form? Maybe the shadow monster inside Will was a spy/accomplice for the REAL monster aka Spidergorgon. Only time and Season 3 can tell.