STRANGER THINGS 2 SPOILER Review: How Does It Stack Up Against Season 1?

STRANGER THINGS 2 SPOILER Review: How Does It Stack Up Against Season 1?

Now that we’ve had a weekend to binge on the second season of the hit Netflix show, it’s time to delve into and explore some of Stranger Things 2's biggest reveals. massive SPOILERS after the jump...

Review Opinion
By jph152 - Oct 30, 2017 12:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Stranger Things

The first season of Stranger Things played out like an eight hour movie, and while this sequel follows a similar structure, it feels even more cinematic than the first. Like with many sequels, the budget is bigger and the stakes are higher. We see familiar faces in different situations, and meet some entirely new characters. But unlike most sequels, Stranger Things 2 is just as good as the original.
 
While the driving force behind season one was the disappearance of Will Byers, we didn’t get to see him in very many scenes. This time around Will is a major player, as his trauma from his time spent in the Upside Down ends up being a driving force in this season’s action. Since escaping the dark alternate dimension, Will has been haunted by flashes of the Upside Down that can seemingly happen at any moment, taking away his sense of safety.
 
Mike also hasn’t been himself since last season’s finale, as he is still desperately trying to get in contact with Eleven. Nancy, Mike’s sister, is still dealing with the guilt she feels for her friend Barb’s death. Many of the main characters are unable to follow the government’s orders and forget about what happened to them the previous year. While some characters, like Steve Harrington, are doing their best to move on with their lives, they are doing this by ignoring the elephant in the room.
 
However, last season’s events can only be ignored for so long, as after Will follows the advice of his mom’s good natured boyfriend Bob, the Shadow Monster that has been haunting Will takes over his body. This was a really interesting direction to take Will’s character, as it not only paid homage to possession movies like The Exorcist, but also gave actor Noah Schnapp a much needed chance to shine. Schnapp was able to expertly switch from timid, to horrified, to creepy. It’s almost as if he was making up for his lost time in season 1.
 
One of the other references to classic horror can be found in Dustin’s storyline. Similar to the plot of Gremlins, he takes in a strange new pet that quickly turns dangerous. While it was clear from the outset that things weren’t going to end well for Dustin’s relationship with his “demodog” Dart, it was great to see his character show courage at the end of the season when he and Dart meet for the last time.
 
It was also a pleasant surprise to see Dustin team up with Steve, when at first it seemed like the likable jock was going to be left out of the action. As the two actors discussed on the after show Beyond Stranger Things, the two both went through heartbreak before they came together, and used their shared experience to bond despite their completely different personalities.
 
As I mentioned in my review of episode 1, the new characters in the show had me a bit worried at the start. However, all of them won me over by the end of the season. The love triangle between Dustin, Max and Lucas did not feel as forced as I thought it would, and bringing in an outsider to the party made for a compelling conflict. Mike’s reaction to Max’s inclusion in the group made sense based off where his head was at after Eleven’s disappearance, but it was a bit of a bummer to see Mike act like such a downer for the bulk of the season. Thankfully he becomes the Mike we know and love by the finale.
 
Bob, Joyce Byers’ boyfriend, honestly seemed too nice to be real at the start of the season. Part of me was expecting his dopey personality to be just a front, as if he was actually a sinister government agent. Fortunately this didn’t happen, and he turned out to be just a nerdy guy who ended up playing a big role in saving the day. He was likely the most expendable protagonist in the show, so his death, while sad, wasn’t a shocker.

The marketing for this season was pretty fantastic. In the week leading up to the show’s release, Netflix released a few clips teasing Eleven’s reunion with the party, making me think it would happen early on in the season. However, we had to wait until the penultimate episode to see her return—and it was worth it. Building up her relationship with Hopper was also amazing, as seeing Hopper become a father figure again has been one of the most emotionally satisfying parts of the show so far.  

Now that the gang is all back together, and the gate to the Upside Down is closed for now, the season mercifully ended with not too many loose ends. However, we’re left unsure about a few key points of interest, like Nancy’s relationship and Will’s general well being. Overall, I loved the season's conclusion, as having to wait over a year for new episodes after a cliffhanger ending would just be cruel.

What did you think about Stranger Things 2? How does it compare to season one? Comment below.

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MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 10/30/2017, 1:18 PM
Loved the first season, liked the second, the fact that i didn't love it is probably the biggest disappointment this year for me.
RocknRolla
RocknRolla - 10/30/2017, 2:21 PM
@MarvelousMarty - agreed, I will say though, the last 2 eps almost made up for the weird off track middle.
PBIRD
PBIRD - 10/30/2017, 2:32 PM
@MarvelousMarty - disagree completely. I thought second season was about 4-5 times better than the first
SimpleeComplex
SimpleeComplex - 10/30/2017, 1:26 PM
Definitely very fulfilling. I feel like there was alot of closure. Yet once again each character shined and had their arc. I feel this is a good point to conclude the series as part 1 & 2 are an impeccable pair. Thanx for the awesome TV!
rebellion
rebellion - 10/30/2017, 1:30 PM
topped the 1st one in my opinion. loved it!
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 10/30/2017, 1:31 PM
Hmmmm I liked it alot but felt it was a BIT bullshit that they didnt reunite with Eleven until the final episode. Also I found Max's older step-brother to be a very confusing character although interesting. Overall i loved it and would like to see one more season and then jump to modern day with a new generation of kids if they are going to continue it. Anyone who like the series should watch "Beyond Stranger Things" on Netflix its a great breakdown of the series with the Duffer Brothers, Shawn Levy, and the cast
KWilly
KWilly - 10/30/2017, 2:21 PM
@Ha1frican - Yeah. They should've had 11 meet the boys in like, episode 6 or something. By the time she met them, the show was already wrapping up.
Toecutter
Toecutter - 10/30/2017, 1:32 PM
I loved both seasons, and still haven't made up my mind on which I like better.
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 10/30/2017, 1:36 PM
I hope we get a more sentient threat in the 3rd season. Maybe its because of "It" but i cant help but think a Pennywise-esque real antagonist is what these kids need at this point. Maybe have the Mind Flayer full on possess someone like Billy and really be a threat physically and psychologically. If you pay attention at the end of the series the Mind Flayer is looking at them when the school dance is playing "I'll be Watching You" so he's clearly planning something
KWilly
KWilly - 10/30/2017, 1:42 PM
This season was honestly an emotional rollercoaster. So many subplots and characters, but they were weaved together perfectly. Only flaw I'd gotta say is Eleven's story arc was just average.

She was the head honcho in S1, but they didn't really do anything interesting with her this time around. Besides the fact she's basically Hopper's daugther, I loved that part.

Overall, incredible season. Better than the first. Oh... And that snowball dance ending ...

pesmerga44
pesmerga44 - 10/30/2017, 1:55 PM
@KWilly - Ya the seventh episode was just so damn out of place and just wrecked the pacing of the season. Objectively it wasn't a bad episode overall. The acting was good, the writing was decent, it had some good moments, if they just put this episode in one of the first couple of episodes or saved it for season 3 it would have worked. The reason I don't like the episode is because it just blew up the pacing of the season. Episode 6 ends on this crazy moment and then boom into Eleven's little adventure leaving you going "WTF!"

Overall I loved the season and I especially loved that this season went full on monster horror movie versus season 1's more mystery vibe with Eleven and the Upside Down world. There were legitimately thrilling scenes and some great monster moments. I loved the design of the Shadow Monster and the demadogs were great. Really besides a mishandled seventh episode this season was all aces I give it like a 9.5 out of 10.

Also yes the final scenes are so damn heartwarming to watch. What Hopper received from the doctor and the middle school dance were great and gave me all the "awwws".
KWilly
KWilly - 10/30/2017, 2:16 PM
@pesmerga44 - Completely agree. Episode 7 wasn't techincally bad at all. Just so out of place. Took so much from the main story. I understand they wanted to dig into 11's backstory and test her moral compass. Fine whatever.

But they could've done it in 10 to 20 mins tops. Not a freakin full episode, lol.

Otherwise, it was amazing.
iDontWikeIt
iDontWikeIt - 10/30/2017, 7:07 PM
@KWilly - Hopper being his father is THE BEEEEEEESSSSSTTTT!!!!! I think it's what I love the most about the whole series!
TheBeard
TheBeard - 10/30/2017, 2:13 PM

only two episodes in sooooooo.......



slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 10/30/2017, 2:39 PM
I enjoyed it... not the same as season 1 but similar enough to carry on the story from season 1. I liked season 1 better but season 2 is about just as good with a new story that builds on top of the previous season and new events in the same area.
I liked both seasons.

Will's mom has the worst luck.
MarsivNayr
MarsivNayr - 10/30/2017, 2:43 PM
SOILERS JUST IN CASE

It was a stellar season, with the exception, of course, I think, of episode 7. I don’t think they made the right maneuvers with that episode to make me care about anything in it. I gave it about 20 - 25 minutes before I started skipping around it. I just don’t think it was good at all. Came out of left field, sure, but besides that it was very noticeably not on the same level of quality as the....you know, show itself.
They could’ve developed El differently, but then again it also felt like a back foot pilot/set up for next season, which is a little disheartening. I have zero interest in those characters and their story. 8 (the character) was just.....yikes.
MarsivNayr
MarsivNayr - 10/30/2017, 2:44 PM
The hell is a back foot pilot?! Lol
bigdannymac
bigdannymac - 10/30/2017, 3:19 PM
Personally, I loved Season 1 so much that my expectation level was very high for "Part 2"

In saying that, I felt Part 2 exceeded my expectations. I thought the story was very good, the acting got even better, the new characters were excellent additions to the show

I think both seasons are pretty equal, but season 2 was a touch better IMO

Everything felt bigger. Bigger in scope, more intense scenes, more cinematic and I love that we got to see outside of our little world

I think it's safe to assume Season 3 will bring more of the numbered kids into the picture. Maybe they will be used to open the bridge once again ..

Either way, I was very happy with Season 2 and cannot wait for season 3
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