Saturday, October 28, 2017

Stranger Things Season 2 "Chapter 3: The Pollywog"/"Chapter 4 Will the Wise"




Chapter 3: The Pollywog

In Stranger Things Season 2, "Chapter 3: The Pollywog," Dustin makes a surprising discovery at home. At the same time, Eleven's growing desire for freedom leads to a significant act of disobedience against Hopper's strict rules.

Dustin's Curious Discovery & Will's Terrifying Vision

As soon as Dustin investigates the noise in his trash can from the previous episode, he finds a strange creature. He takes it inside, adding it to his collection of pets, much to the dismay of his pet turtle and mother's cat. What he's brought home appears to be a pollywog, with an insatiable appetite, especially for candy that Dustin readily provides.

He eagerly introduces the creature to Mike, Lucas, and Max, and they attempt to identify it, ultimately naming it Dart. However, Will soon recognizes the same scream he heard from a creature in the Upside Down and immediately freaks out. Dart quickly scurries away, leading the group on a chase. When Will finally confronts the creature, he suffers another terrifying episode involving the Upside Down. This time, he attempts to stand up for himself as Bob had advised, but the shadowy creature brutally extends its tendrils through his mouth and ears, possessing him.

Eleven's Quest for Freedom

Meanwhile, Eleven's longing to leave the cabin and see Mike intensifies, but Hopper continues to put off his promises, a frustration many can relate to with parental figures. As soon as Hopper leaves, Eleven, defying his orders, ventures out. She's briefly spotted by a mother and child, who then report her to the police. Undeterred, she presses on, determined to see Mike. However, she's heartbroken when she sees him seemingly enjoying time with another person (Max), leading her to retreat.

Review: Standout Performances and Emotional Proximity

"The Pollywog" was a very strong episode. The dual storylines of Hopper and Eleven, contrasted with Dustin and the boys' meeting and subsequent search for Dart, were equally compelling. I was on the edge of my seat when Eleven and Mike were so agonizingly close to seeing each other again. The writing of this episode was excellent, and the performances from both Millie Bobby Brown (Eleven) and Noah Schnapp (Will) were particularly outstanding, truly standing out in their respective emotional arcs.

Overall, I give this episode an 8/10!



Chapter 4: Will the Wise

As Joyce races to find Will, a multitude of other issues surface in "Chapter 4: Will the Wise," escalating the tension and deepening the mysteries in Hawkins.

Will's Worsening Condition & Hopper's Investigation

Joyce finds Will outside the school with Mike, locked in another trance-like vision of the Upside Down and its terrifying creature. After he awakens, he's taken home, struggling to articulate what he's experiencing. The next day, Will's condition worsens; his body temperature drops dangerously low, and he refuses a warm bath, finding the heat unbearable.

After numerous attempts, Joyce finally reaches Hopper, who quickly attends to the situation. Hopper tries to get Will to explain his visions, but Will, unable to find the words, communicates through frantic drawings. What initially appears as scribbles coalesce into a massive, unsettling puzzle revealing blue vines. This leads Hopper to a chilling realization, prompting him to head straight for the pumpkin patch.

Dart's Disturbing Evolution & Team Hawkins's Struggles

Dustin continues to keep Dart as a secret pet at home, feeding him more candy. Meanwhile, Mike, Lucas, and Max futilely search for Dart around the school. Mike confides in only Lucas and Dustin about the creature, explaining its connection to Will's episodes in the Upside Down. Later, Mike checks on Will, questioning Joyce about the creature he's seen.

While Mike is preoccupied, Lucas attempts to reconcile with Max, urging her to join their hunt for Dart. However, she's still hurt by Mike's earlier declaration that she's not a "real" member of the party. The two part ways, with Max heading off in her so-called brother's car (who, by the way, is proving to be a real pain).

Nancy & Jonathan's Dangerous Quest

Nancy and Jonathan embark on a dangerous mission to meet with Barb's parents and reveal the truth about her disappearance. Their efforts put them squarely in the crosshairs of the Department of Energy (DOE) and lead to an unsettling meeting with Dr. Owens. What seemed like a failed attempt turns into a victory, as Nancy cleverly records their conversation with Owens while inside the highly secure DOE building. What a move!

Eleven's Rebellion & Discoveries

One of the most compelling storylines in this episode revolves around Eleven and Hopper. Upon her return to the cabin, Hopper shifts into strict, "mean dad" mode, attempting to impress upon her the importance of his protective rules. Eleven, however, perceives this as a lie, leading to a dramatic outburst that trashes the cabin. Hopper, in response, confiscates all her comforts – from her beloved Eggos (a true tragedy!) to the television (a crime!), though he's forced to merely pull the plug on the TV due to her powers. After a night spent cleaning up the mess, Hopper offers a compromise: if she cleans the cabin, he'll repair the TV.

While cleaning, Eleven stumbles upon a hidden door concealing boxes filled with files marked "Hawkins Lab." Delving into the documents, she discovers her own file, complete with her name, "Jane," and information about her parents. Using her powers with the radio, she manages to momentarily glimpse her mother, but the vision vanishes when her mother calls out her name, "Jane."

Chilling Cliffhangers

The episode ends on a particularly creepy note, with a scene so unsettling I had to look away even though I knew it was coming. Dustin rushes to his room only to find Dart's tank shattered and a shed skin. He then hears guttural growls from the closet and sees blood on the floor. Peering inside, he discovers that Dart has grown significantly larger and is gruesomely devouring his cat. Shockingly, Dart is now shown as an early stage of the creature from Season One, with its terrifying, petal-like mouth opening like a blooming flower.

And let's not forget Hopper's chilling discovery: as soon as he deciphers Will's blue vine drawings, he heads to the pumpkin patch farm. Digging into the soil, he unearths something gross and blue, which leads him directly into a dark, tunnel-like structure that eerily resembles Will's visions of the Upside Down's inner workings.

Review: A Packed and Potent Episode

"Will the Wise" was an incredibly good episode, packed with pivotal moments. From the grotesque reveal of the cat being devoured by Dart to the poignant and sad scene of Eleven glimpsing her mother, and Hopper's horrifying discovery of the Upside Down tunnel, this episode truly had everything to offer and then some. I thoroughly enjoyed everyone's performance, but Millie Bobby Brown and Noah Schnapp once again delivered particularly standout work.

Overall, I give this episode a 9 out of 10.


You can catch Stranger Things Season 2 now on Netflix.

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