Lots of fun to be had as we reconnect with old characters, but this is very much a setup episode just putting things in place and letting us know what the new status quo is. There's some intriguing new pieces of information and certainly questions, such as what the new scientists are doing with the gateway and what Will is seeing when he gets glimpses of the Upside Down - that's a huuuuge monster! The major question is of course that ending with Hopper and his guest, and what's he up to? I'd guess it's related to the unknown deal he made at the end of season 1.
The opening car chase was both exciting and distracting in how displaced it felt from the story we're here for. Seems like there's others out there with powers similar to Eleven and they are not using them for good. As an introduction, they don't particularly seem like a bunch of people I'm very eager to know.
I used to play Dragon's Lair! The boys being obsessed with new classmate Max was really funny - she's going to be difficult to get along with by the looks of things. Happy to see that Joyce has found a boyfriend in Samwise Gamgee! What's the betting that there will be more to him than meets the eye?
The scene with Barb's parents was heartbreaking, and there's no way that Nancy can reveal what she knows about her fate.
In a 1-10 scale of how excited I am for this freakin' episode, I would say I'm 11!
Seeing Paul Reiser for the first time since Mad About You was quite a surprise. If it hadn't been for the voice, I'd never have clued in.
It was a good episode but it has had a slow pace. I think they just prepare the things to the next episodes. I don't have a opinion of the new characters, but I was intrigued by The Eight at the beginning of the episode. I found the plot of Maxine was silly, but I really liked how Will is being treating after happened in season 1. Everyone see him as freak but I think he got powers when he was Upside World. I really liked his character. About the rest of recurring characters, I wasn't impressed by them in this episode, except for Hopper He last scene with Eleven was really chilling. What he's up to?? I think he knows more than he shows... Overall , a good episode but it just introduced the characters once more. I was expecting something else. Let's see what the next episodes are up to show.
I actually found this episode much more enjoyable than that the previous season put together. Maybe it's because, I'm happy to know, spotlight is now on "finding" Barb. The dinner was awkward and just full of feels.
I can't say I didn't see the episode ending coming, considering I know Eleven is, literally, the main character.
What I'm interested in is 008.
Now, Will also has a super power. Just not one he wished for. Sweet boy.
Ugh. Not more love triangles.
[8.0/10] What I like about this season premiere is that it does a good amount of both picking up where we left off on a number of things, exploring after images of the events of last season in meaningful ways, while also introducing plenty of new elements to pique our interest and throw a monkey wrench into the world of Hawkins and the world of the show.
The most noteworthy element that the show picks up on from last season is, not surprisingly, Will Byers. I love that Stranger Things takes the time here to check in with how he’s doing, his lingering PTSD, after going through such a traumatic experience. Will was more object than subject in the last season, which is understandable, but that just makes it more advisable to explore things from his perspective here, and this episode does that well.
For one thing, he’s having flashbacks or visions where he feels transported back to the Upside Down. That’s a nice way to communicate the idea of PTSD in a way that also fits within the universe of the show. The notion of a storm brewing in that zone, one d different and containing new creatures from the last time we visited that shadow realm, does a good job of showing that the scars and connections to that experience aren’t gone yet, but that there’s new wrinkles to come.
Likewise, I like the introduction of Paul Reiser as a new government scientist/physician type, one who seems much warmer and friendlier than Matthew Modine’s character last season, but who is suspect merely for his connection to the building and people who caused so much trouble last year. The idea that Will’s still being studied and checked, but that Joyce and Hopper are understandably reluctant, is fertile territory to explore.
More to the point, I like the way that Will is struggling with how people treat him after what happened. The “zombie boy” note in his locker is especially cruel, but I like the wide berth everyone gives him and how much he seems to bristle against it. Joyce is understandably extra cautious with him after losing and recovering him. Will’s friends include him in everything but worry about him. And Jonathan gives him an encouraging, albeit a little overly didactic speech on why being a “freak” is a good thing, not a bad one.
Some of this is heavily signposted, but on the whole, I’m just glad to see Stranger Things showing the aftereffects on the middle-schooler who went through so much last season rather than pretending that it’s all done and everything’s fine.
Likewise, I appreciate the other two areas where we pick up almost directly from last season. The first is with Barb. I appreciate not only that Nancy and Steve still go have dinner with Barb’s parents, but that her mom and dad are still clinging to hope, selling their house to afford a private detective they think can bring their little girl back. Barb was kind of a forgotten element last season, so the fact that, again, the show isn’t just moving on, but rather showing parents clinging to false hope, paired with Nancy’s guilt over her friend, is a really nice line to explore.
In the same vein, I love love love the reveal that not only is Eleven alive (something last season’s finale hinted at), but that Hopper is basically her dad now. Their relationship is quite cute in the snippet we see. Plus, there’s something that makes so much sense about it, given Hopper’s loss of a daughter and Eleven’s messed up paternal situation, to where the two could be good for each other. I’m on board!
Then come the new additions. Most noteworthy is Bob, Joyce’s new boyfriend. He’s someone she knew in high school (when he was a nerd), who’s definitely head over heels for Joyce, but also kind of lame (see: his affection for Kenny Rogers and Mr. Mom, mortal sins the eyes of tis pop culturally reverent show). It seems plain that he’s a mild obstacle between the inevitable coming together of Joyce and Hopper, but Sean Astin makes him an enjoyable premise, and 8Stranger Things* has surprised me on that mark before.
Case in point, Nancy and Steve are still together, despite the fact that Nancy still definitely feels an attachment to Jonathan Byers, trying to convince him to come out to a Halloween party. It’s weird, but Steve’s slowly become one of my favorite characters, if only because I took him for a one-dimensional jerk at first, and while he’s still not a great person (see: his resistance to the dinner with Barb’s mom and dad), he seems to genuinely care about Nancy and largely mean well. He’s more complicated in terms of good and bad than pretty much anyone else on the show, which makes him compelling as a character. I still think Nancy ultimately ends up with Jonathan (maybe just because Steve goes off to college), but for once, I like what we see on the teen-focused part of the show.
Speaking of puppy love, I also like the advent of the titular Max, a cool girl who’s good at video games and rides skateboards and is sharp enough to not only know that our favorite quarter of young boys is creeping on her but also how to tell them to buzz off. The budding rivalry between Dustin and Lucas is cute (presaged by their rivalry for the cartoon princess of Dragon’s Lair), and Max is an interesting addition to the kids’ milieu.
Otherwise, we get the introduction of Max’s brother (stepdad? dad?) with whom she has some issues but who earns the hoots of the local popular girl set. We get Joyce having some of her own PTSD over the phone ringing. We get Mike acting out a bit, bristling at his parents, and missing Eleven. And we get the science teacher up to his usual dorky bits. Oh yeah, and we get the hint that there’s others like Eleven out there who are using their powers for, shall we say, less than upstanding purposes.
All-in-all, it’s the right mix of old and new, exploring what’s come before while pointing the way toward plenty of interesting things that might come down the pyke. It’s a stellar start to the new season.
I'm pretty sure this is a mistake
For all the constant snarks about the show being only nostalgia-bait (amplied by it becoming so popular), it continues to have little moments of subversion that make it so satisfying/gratifying (like how they resolve the possibly trite love triangle in the first season). I just watched the first episode, and apart from the usual fun narrative and great rapport between the kids, I like how
they manage to put real sorrow underlining the meme-ified Barbara disappearance (I thought the car discussion was about Steve not wanting to dinner with Nancy's parents, which makes the scene of them coming up to Barbara's house revealing all those pictures a minor gut punch for me) and not wait around for episodes about Eleven.
my daughter!!!! i'm so glad she's safe
Yes!!! They're back!!!
Dustin have a crush on the new girl.
Poor Will. He's a mess and everything is so confused.
Eleven IS alive. But where it is the new number??
i've missed my sweet nerdy children
Finally one of my favorite shows on the world is back!!
Oh William my poor child
Feels good to be back in Hawkins during one of the best times of the year, reestablishing old plot points from Season 1 while slowly setting up what’s yet to come with new & interesting characters. Also you can’t deny the warm glee you feel when you see Eleven is now living with Hopper.
Somewhat slow start. Hope it picks up pace next episode.
I hope this won't turn out to be just more of the same.
I can not believe Joyce went back with Will to that place where everything started and that doctor pulls out the "trust me" card. You pretty much know for sure that's bs. What the heck is Hopper's deal with them ?
Seeing Dragon's Lair - now that brought back memories I didn't even know were still there.
The pacing was very slow and the relationship between Steve and Nancy is unnecessary and a waste of time but I did appreciate the beautiful red storms we get to see when Will has visions. I didn't really enjoy the first season because of how boring it was compared to what I am used to watching. I guess this show is overrated, it has potential but I feel like it will never reach its potential because they use too many subplots instead of focusing on the main story, and the pacing is slow which can make the episodes very boring. There are some good moments though and I like the fact that it is set in the 80s. 5/10
Putting things in motion, with new people
There's lots of table-setting for the new season in this one, but it's so good to see this group again that it's all more than tolerable.
Nice haircut, Eleven. Where have you been?
Sean Astin looks like a Bob the brain.
Yes! Finally it’s back. I was waiting so long for this. Nice season start.
Great premiere! Answered a lot of questions and opened many more.
omg,finally!! I'm waiting so long!
Omg I can't wait for this to come out lol I need it soon!
I'm ready! Why do we have to wait so long ?
Apparently this is the title of the second episode according to IMDb Pro. The first is called Mad Max (updated Jan 26, 2017)
Im guessing its an error, is too soon and i cant find anything online either
is this an error? I'm searching but can't find anything about Season 2
When is this coming on?!?
Bring on the new season!
Shout by NasBlockedParent2017-10-27T14:25:40Z
The season premiere was meeh, I gave it 6/10
I was expecting more and it felt like one of the boring mid season episodes
I won't judge yet, I'll keep watching till the last episode