In "Chapter 5: Dig Dug," so much unfolded that I almost echoed Will's jaw-dropping moment at the episode's conclusion. This installment propelled the narrative forward on multiple fronts, delivering both chilling new threats and profound character moments.
We pick up with Dustin's immediate dilemma: how to safely remove Dart from the house. His initial plan involves leaving a trail of food leading to the basement. It's working, until Dart senses Dustin's presence, forcing him to execute a brave Plan B: a direct confrontation to knock the creature into the basement. Dustin is sporting a pretty cool outfit that reminded me a bit of The Mighty Ducks.
Lucas attempts to mend his relationship with Max. After seeking advice from his father, he takes a leap of faith and tells Max the truth about the events of last year in Hawkins. While she's initially skeptical, his earnest conviction seems to win her over. However, trouble brews as her unpleasant older brother spots her with Lucas again and is clearly not pleased – this guy continues to be genuinely unsettling.
Eleven finally ventures out to see her mother, drawn by the flickering lights in the house, reminiscent of Will's Upside Down communication. Using her powers once more, she relives her mother's harrowing journey: a difficult labor, Papa stealing her after birth and making her mother believe she was dead, and her mother's desperate, armed quest to find her. Eleven also witnesses the brutal circumstances that led to her mother's current catatonic state, allowing her to finally understand that her mother's repetitive phrases are fragmented memories of those traumatic times.
As Joyce and Mike focus on Will's worsening condition, Will experiences a vision of Hopper in deep trouble, trapped underground amidst the Upside Down's sprawling vines. Moreover, Hopper was sprayed by the grotesque flora, and his subsequent coughing up of dark matter suggests he may now be infected, mirroring Will's own ordeal. With time running out, Joyce enlists Bob's help. After much effort to get the "brainy dude" to understand the gravity of the situation, they drive and locate Hopper's car.
Joyce and Bob bravely venture underground to search for Hopper. They eventually find him, entangled and suffocated by vines. They manage to cut him free in some truly creepy yet cool scene shots. Just as they rescue him, DOE agents arrive and pull them out. A terrifying development occurs as the agents begin to burn off the vines: Will simultaneously suffers a violent seizure and screams as if he is being burned, cementing the horrifying connection between him and the Upside Down's growing presence.
"Dig Dug" was a powerful episode, packed with pivotal moments. From the chilling reveal of Eleven's mother's past to the poignant and intense rescue of Hopper, this episode had a lot to offer and then some. I found the performances from everyone to be excellent, truly bringing the heightened stakes to life. While the Nancy and Jonathan storyline felt a bit lighter compared to the other intense developments, it didn't detract from the episode's overall impact. I'm left wondering if Hopper is indeed infected like Will, given that disturbing spray and his subsequent coughing.
Overall, I give this episode an 8.5 out of 10.
HOLY SHIPS! "Chapter 6: The Spy" proves that revenge is indeed best served deadly. This episode is a non-stop thrill ride, packed with escalating threats, chilling medical mysteries, and some truly fantastic character moments.
The episode kicks off with an incredibly intense and even scary scene, as doctors and nurses desperately search for the source of Will's agony, claiming he's burned, yet displaying no physical marks. Noah Schnapp's performance here is utterly captivating, conveying immense pain and confusion. As Dr. Owens' team performs tests, the horrifying truth emerges: Will is not just seeing the Upside Down, he's the host to a virus, allowing him to be connected directly to the creatures. Mike aptly dubs him "The Spy," a chilling revelation that means Will can see and relay the creatures' actions.
Believing Will's connection is aiding their efforts, a DOE team is dispatched underground to burn out the remaining Upside Down tendrils where Hopper was previously trapped. However, their mission quickly turns to horror as Dart and its newly formed gang — fresh from attempting to attack Dustin, Lucas, Max, and Steve at the junkyard — ambush the team. These monstrous creatures brutally kill the agents and, by the episode's end, are shown moving relentlessly towards the DOE lab itself.
Meanwhile, Dustin and Steve devise a plan to lure Dart, who escaped Dustin's basement, out into the open. Lucas and Max catch up, joining them at the junkyard to prepare for Dart's arrival. What they don't anticipate is that Dart isn't alone. This sequence quickly transforms into one hell of a thrilling homage to Tremors, as multiple demogorgon-like creatures emerge from beneath the ground, creating a frantic, action-packed confrontation.
"I just loved 'The Spy'! It was such a thrilling ride from start to finish, and I was glued to my seat the entire time. The way Will's condition unfolded alongside Dustin and the gang's nail-biting adventure kept the excitement pumping. On the other hand, the Nancy and Jonathan storyline felt like a calm before the storm, providing a welcome respite from the intense action. I also want to give a shout-out to Paul Reiser for his fantastic work as Dr. Owens. After six episodes, he’s truly been a standout! He strikes a perfect balance between comedy and drama, reminding me of his amazing performance in Aliens. His character really adds something special to this season. All in all, this episode does a great job of mixing medical mystery, creature horror, and genuine suspense, making it one of the best of the season. I’d rate "The Spy" a solid 9/10!
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.
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.
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.
"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!
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.
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 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!
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."
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.
"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.
The season two premiere of Stranger Things, "Chapter 1: MADMAX," wasted no time plunging us back into the eerie and captivating world of Hawkins, Indiana. This episode introduces a new top video gamer in town, hints at escalating nightmares, and delivers a few genuinely shocking moments, expertly setting the tone for the season to come.
The episode opens dramatically with a robbery a year after the events of Season 1. A group escapes in a van, and during a police chase, one member causes the pursuing officers to stop by seemingly making a bridge collapse – a hallucination, as we discover. This individual sports a tattoo with the number 008, immediately signaling that Eleven isn't the only one with unique abilities.
Things in Hawkins appear deceptively calm. Hopper, in his usual gruff yet endearing style, tries to ignore new arrivals at work, but finds himself dealing with a freelance journalist investigating Barb's disappearance. His routine is further disrupted by calls about someone's pumpkins being mysteriously ruined, hinting at a new, subtle strangeness brewing in the town.
Joyce is deeply concerned for Will after he experiences another vivid vision or dream of the Upside Down, featuring a terrifying storm cloud. Will is taken to see Dr. Owens, a Department of Energy executive now in charge of the lab. Owens conducts tests and questions Will about these visions, initially attributing them to PTSD, but the audience knows there's more to it.
Amidst all the new characters and expanding mysteries, the lingering question of Eleven's whereabouts is finally answered in a jaw-dropping moment at the episode's close. As Hopper drives into the woods and walks towards a secluded cabin, the scene initially suggests a new home or perhaps a girlfriend. However, the revelation is far more thrilling: Eleven, now with curly hair, walks in to join Hopper for dinner, confirming her survival and his surprising role as her protector.
"MADMAX" was a fantastic episode that really captured the spirit of Stranger Things Season 2, just as I was hoping. It was such a joy to see these beloved characters return, especially Eleven, who was especially thrilling to see back and safe. Watching Mike, Dustin, Will, and Lucas rushing to the arcade was fun, but what truly made the episode stand out was its wonderful music, the introduction of the intriguing new character Max, and the charming chemistry between Joyce and Hopper – honestly, I think they might even be a better match than Joyce and Bob! The writing was superb, perfectly blending character moments, mystery, and atmosphere.
Overall, I give this episode a 9 out of 10.
It's Halloween in Hawkins, and "Chapter 2: Trick or Treat Freak" plunges us into the festivities with the gang ready for trick-or-treating. But the arrival of a new face creates tension among the group, while more profound mysteries and personal struggles begin to emerge, particularly for one beloved character.
Mike and the boys are thrilled, decked out in their Ghostbusters costumes, only to find themselves as the sole ones dressed up at school. When Dustin and Lucas invite Max to join their trick-or-treating adventures, her initial silence is broken by a jump-scare reveal of her own costume, which clearly doesn't sit well with Mike. This scene immediately highlights the shifting group dynamics with the introduction of Max.
Will's unsettling visions of the Upside Down continue, now featuring a menacing giant creator that he's meticulously drawn. Joyce remains deeply worried by these drawings. During trick-or-treating, Will experiences another terrifying encounter with the creator, triggered by other kids cruelly calling him "Zombie Boy." Mike quickly intervenes, taking Will home, where they discuss the disturbing visions.
The episode masterfully weaves in Eleven's untold story of survival and her desperate attempt to return after her apparent demise in the Season 1 finale. We see her navigating the Upside Down, searching for Mike, before finding her way back to the real world through the same opening. Her attempt to return to Mike's house is thwarted when she spots FBI agents and police there. After Mike briefly sees her through the window, she quickly flees, forced to rely on her survival skills to hunt, protect herself, and find suitable clothing.
The narrative frequently flashes between her past survival and her present frustration. Eleven desperately wants to trick-or-treat, believing her ghost costume will make her invisible, but Hopper refuses to let her leave the cabin. He attempts to compromise by getting off work early and bringing a plethora of candy. Still, his plans are derailed when he's pulled into investigating the mystery of the dead pumpkins and goo-covered trees—another unsettling sign of the Upside Down's influence.
In a particularly heartbreaking moment, an upset Eleven telepathically attempts to reach Mike through a TV screen. For a fleeting minute, Mike's excitement suggests he senses her presence, but he walks away, doubting his own perception, leaving Eleven visibly heartbroken despite being so physically close.
The episode culminates with a chilling surprise: as Dustin arrives home, he hears a strange noise near his trash can. He investigates, opening the lid to a startling revelation that sets the stage for the third episode's mysteries.
"Trick or Treat Freak" was a fantastic episode that truly shined thanks to Eleven's captivating story. I think this episode features one of Millie Bobby Brown's best performances, showing her incredible growth and deep emotion as Eleven deals with loneliness and heartbreak. The subplot with Jonathan and Nancy, while not the most memorable part, was still enjoyable. Sean Astin as Bob also continues to bring a charming mix of humor and awkwardness as Joyce's new boyfriend.
Overall, this episode strikes a lovely balance between exciting new threats and heartfelt moments. I’d rate it a 9/10!
