I enjoyed this, but wasn't as good as the first. Will say, they nailed the ending. Smart moves with the nostalgia overflow and events last 30 mins. They knew what they had to do to get season 3 hype and they did it. Some eps in the middle and such were not that good. Stupid cliches and dumb character moves hurt it, but i thought it started well and ended great.
Six episodes in. Not liking some of the character decisions, but otherwise it's been great and distinct from S1.
Could've very easily titled this series "Monster's Guide: How to Be a Dick to a 13-Year-Old In 12 Easy Steps".
Could've very easily titled this series "Monster's Guide: How to Be a Dick to a 13-Year-Old In 12 Easy Steps".
I have some issues with the way things went storywise with eleven, but otherwise it was a solid season.
Excited for Season 3, but I kind of hope they move away from the Hawkins kids at some point - there’s not enough to mine continuously from there. Feel like they set up different stories through introducing other special powered people.
Excited for Season 3, but I kind of hope they move away from the Hawkins kids at some point - there’s not enough to mine continuously from there. Feel like they set up different stories through introducing other special powered people.
I have issues with how they handle the season,
mainly how the kids were barely all together for most of the time but that final episode was amazing.
Watching the Beyond Stranger Things show now.
mainly how the kids were barely all together for most of the time but that final episode was amazing.
Watching the Beyond Stranger Things show now.
By Mariosalic Go To PostWinona Ryder is a beautiful human beeing.did she learn how to act?
That's all.
I'm four episodes in so far. I'd go so far as to say it's not good. Only saving grace is the vibe is still there, but everything else is markedly worse. Character motivations and the plotting are nebulous and spotty.
lol yeah. i can see not liking season 1 all that much, but i don't see how you'd like this season better than season 1.
This show gets me so emotional. Many of the scenes with Ell just make me tear up knowing how much shit she's already been thru in life, I just want to take care of her.
By HasphatsAnts Go To Postlol yeah. i can see not liking season 1 all that much, but i don't see how you'd like this season better than season 1.
s1 was alright but s2 has me hooked 5 eps in. dunno why.
By HasphatsAnts Go To Postlol yeah. i can see not liking season 1 all that much, but i don't see how you'd like this season better than season 1.Or seeing will get bullied ;___;
Or when Mike think eleven is still out there ;______;
These kids meng
It's so damn emotionally manipulative, and i hate that it works.
I'm on episode 7 and season 1 is remarkably better, so far. Some of the character's motivations have me scratching my head. I don't even know where to begin with Dustin.
By Kabro Go To Postam I the only one that's gonna watch it on a weekly basisMy bro kabro
the way shows are meant to be watched? :|
Im doing similar, episode or 2 a week
Can't binge anything other than simpsons or curb
By Trey Go To PostEpisode 8😥
Bob ain't deserve that.
The first half wasn't working for me, episode seven was a total narrative swerve, but they nailed it in the last part of the season. Pretty much the opposite of Season One for me.
My man put up signs all over town to slut shame his girlfriend in season 1 and now he's the best character on the show
What a world.
What a world.
Yeah the back half is what the whole season should have been. Everything came together in the end and it really had no business being able to pull it off. To say the first half stumbled out the gate is an understatement.
Toss me in the camp that thinks the second half saves this season. The genre conventions that they subdued (they felt less like blatant horror cliches and more like actual aspects of the characters) in season 1 were pronounced in full glory this time around. That and the rocky opening act/s left character motivations feeling semi-organic to this story, but not an evolution of season 1 (not all, but some). This season was not consistent...
It's so strange (har), that out of all of the characters, Steve is the one that has shown the most believable growth. He feels like he's had actual development throughout the entire series and not just in episodes 8 and 9 of this season.
It's so strange (har), that out of all of the characters, Steve is the one that has shown the most believable growth. He feels like he's had actual development throughout the entire series and not just in episodes 8 and 9 of this season.
giving characters actual arcs make them more believable and likable as human beings. shocking i know.
Finished watching it.
Episode 3
The imagery of Will getting infected/possessed/invaded by the shadow of this episode was some of the most stark and disturbing imagery in the entire show IMO. Amazing composition and effects work.
Episode 8
RIP to the best new character in the show. He went out like a hero, too. Not his final moments but all the scenes leading up to it. *salutes*
Episode 9
When I realized that the show was prepping us for an exorcism scene I had a grin from ear to ear. Good ending to a decent season. Loved the extended Snow Ball scene at the end. A good send off for all the characters until Stranger Things 3.
Entire Season
All in all I enjoyed Stranger Things 2 but for different reasons than I did the first. I liked that Mike and Eleven had a lesser role this season. I loved that they gave Lucas more time to shine. I loved everything about Bob (easily one of the strongest characters on the show). I loved how we got to see more of Will and I thought he performed better than expected all throughout this season (I kinda assumed he was Fridged so early in Season 1 because they felt he was the weaker actor of the kids, but that's obviously not the case).
I enjoyed it. I thought, with a few exceptions like the entirely filler Episode 7, that this season only got stronger as it went along with a pretty linear improvement in episode quality. There weren't any draw-droppingly standout moments like the Heroes cover playing while unearthing cotton-Will's body in S1E3.. but it was a fun watch nonetheless.
Episode 3
The imagery of Will getting infected/possessed/invaded by the shadow of this episode was some of the most stark and disturbing imagery in the entire show IMO. Amazing composition and effects work.
Episode 8
RIP to the best new character in the show. He went out like a hero, too. Not his final moments but all the scenes leading up to it. *salutes*
Episode 9
When I realized that the show was prepping us for an exorcism scene I had a grin from ear to ear. Good ending to a decent season. Loved the extended Snow Ball scene at the end. A good send off for all the characters until Stranger Things 3.
Entire Season
All in all I enjoyed Stranger Things 2 but for different reasons than I did the first. I liked that Mike and Eleven had a lesser role this season. I loved that they gave Lucas more time to shine. I loved everything about Bob (easily one of the strongest characters on the show). I loved how we got to see more of Will and I thought he performed better than expected all throughout this season (I kinda assumed he was Fridged so early in Season 1 because they felt he was the weaker actor of the kids, but that's obviously not the case).
I enjoyed it. I thought, with a few exceptions like the entirely filler Episode 7, that this season only got stronger as it went along with a pretty linear improvement in episode quality. There weren't any draw-droppingly standout moments like the Heroes cover playing while unearthing cotton-Will's body in S1E3.. but it was a fun watch nonetheless.
Finished it today.
Have to echo what others have said, back half is what the whole season should have been. They meandered far too much in the first few episodes and all of the new characters sans-Bob are not good to terrible.
The tail-end more or less recaptures the magic of the first season and make me optimistic that The Duffer bros can still deliver on what makes Stranger Things what it is.
Have to echo what others have said, back half is what the whole season should have been. They meandered far too much in the first few episodes and all of the new characters sans-Bob are not good to terrible.
The tail-end more or less recaptures the magic of the first season and make me optimistic that The Duffer bros can still deliver on what makes Stranger Things what it is.
I’ve noticed a lot of people talk about E07, as it seems to be quite divisive. Usually the common remark is that it’s a weird choice and that it messes with the pacing. It really doesn’t though.
FULL SPOILER
El disappears throughout all of the previous episode, going to look for her mom and then her “sister”. This makes sense, given that she’s forced into hiding, but hates being cooped up and basically imprisoned. So she goes on a road trip to find out more about herself and the program she was apart of, which was a storyline left hanging at the end of the previous season. Also let’s not forget the cold open of the first episode. Not sure how else anyone thought that loose end was going to get tied up if it hadn’t already been up until that point. El goes missing for a full episode, of course they’re going to show what she was doing and how she ultimately plays into everything. Plus we needed the acknowledgement that she hasn’t had closure (which comes when she closes the gate) and the motivation and capability to close it. Plus she gets a deeper sense of family and friendship.
It makes sense to me and I had no issues.
FULL SPOILER
El disappears throughout all of the previous episode, going to look for her mom and then her “sister”. This makes sense, given that she’s forced into hiding, but hates being cooped up and basically imprisoned. So she goes on a road trip to find out more about herself and the program she was apart of, which was a storyline left hanging at the end of the previous season. Also let’s not forget the cold open of the first episode. Not sure how else anyone thought that loose end was going to get tied up if it hadn’t already been up until that point. El goes missing for a full episode, of course they’re going to show what she was doing and how she ultimately plays into everything. Plus we needed the acknowledgement that she hasn’t had closure (which comes when she closes the gate) and the motivation and capability to close it. Plus she gets a deeper sense of family and friendship.
It makes sense to me and I had no issues.
Way to much new characters but still felt they were fun additions
Overall I enjoyed season 2, about the same as the first season to me but I just started watching a few days ago
Overall I enjoyed season 2, about the same as the first season to me but I just started watching a few days ago
If any storyline was pointless, it was Jonathan and Nancy. If there was ever a character I was massively disappointed in with this season, it was Jonathan.
Race, Period Pieces, and Who Exactly Are You Even Addressing?
Who were the "subtle" conversations on race for exactly? They were crafted way to hidden within the narrative to be for the people that they "should have" been for. If it was an acknowledgement that things weren't all peachy keen for minorities, then I question as to why not actually have the discussion. For me, it was the equivalent of small talk, when trying to awkwardly break the silence.
"Nice weather we're having."
"Sure is."
"Did you know that some people viewed african americans as the other?"
"Yep."
"Glad we had this talk."
"Me too."
"IT" did the exact same thing, with the exact same dialogue, and the exact same type of astronomically assholish, charismatic, daddy issues having white guy. It felt like a cop-out and a means of not pushing away sensitive white people. Lucas' story was a watered down and kid friendly version of an exploration in interracial relationships, with a racist ("he didn't say nigger, so I plead the fifth") family member. Any black cosplayer can relate to Lucas' conversation with Mike about dressing up as non-black characters. Mike is forced to acknowledge Lucas' "blackness", but it's as if they didn't actually want to own anything in regards to that actual scene. It's an important discussion when it came to dynamics within the group, and Lucas' identity in the show, and yet, it feels like it's left in as a gag. Then, there is the jump scare with Hopper in the fields, and the black kid playing dress-up with the toy gun. The setup with the crow, shows that Hopper isn't a bad cop, but for a minority, that specific scene might have been the scariest damn thing this season, due to the imagery that it invokes. My personal issue is, that nowhere in season 2 did it feel like they had actual conviction when approaching the subjects in which they chose. I didn't bring up the race card, you did, and now you don't actually want to talk about it.
I did like how they closed Lucas and Max's story.
Who were the "subtle" conversations on race for exactly? They were crafted way to hidden within the narrative to be for the people that they "should have" been for. If it was an acknowledgement that things weren't all peachy keen for minorities, then I question as to why not actually have the discussion. For me, it was the equivalent of small talk, when trying to awkwardly break the silence.
"Nice weather we're having."
"Sure is."
"Did you know that some people viewed african americans as the other?"
"Yep."
"Glad we had this talk."
"Me too."
"IT" did the exact same thing, with the exact same dialogue, and the exact same type of astronomically assholish, charismatic, daddy issues having white guy. It felt like a cop-out and a means of not pushing away sensitive white people. Lucas' story was a watered down and kid friendly version of an exploration in interracial relationships, with a racist ("he didn't say nigger, so I plead the fifth") family member. Any black cosplayer can relate to Lucas' conversation with Mike about dressing up as non-black characters. Mike is forced to acknowledge Lucas' "blackness", but it's as if they didn't actually want to own anything in regards to that actual scene. It's an important discussion when it came to dynamics within the group, and Lucas' identity in the show, and yet, it feels like it's left in as a gag. Then, there is the jump scare with Hopper in the fields, and the black kid playing dress-up with the toy gun. The setup with the crow, shows that Hopper isn't a bad cop, but for a minority, that specific scene might have been the scariest damn thing this season, due to the imagery that it invokes. My personal issue is, that nowhere in season 2 did it feel like they had actual conviction when approaching the subjects in which they chose. I didn't bring up the race card, you did, and now you don't actually want to talk about it.
I did like how they closed Lucas and Max's story.
Similar feelings about that aspect of ST2 as Elditch.
Felt like I was waiting the whole season for them to address Lucas with some weight and substance, but they only flirted with it.
Felt like I was waiting the whole season for them to address Lucas with some weight and substance, but they only flirted with it.
Just finished this and I'm not sure what to think of it. It was a bit all over the place and not focused enough. Were the characters as whiney and annoying in season 1? So much shouting.
noo bob ;_;
really liked the ending bit with nancy and dustin with time after time playing
steve is the GOAT
really liked the ending bit with nancy and dustin with time after time playing
steve is the GOAT
Also just finished it. I do think the first season is better but I have it a lot closer than it seems others do. I agree that the back half (sans episode 7) really propels it and gets it into the same stratosphere.
It feels like knowing they have multiple seasons left, they introduce new characters and threads but it can be clumsily done at times. They set up some interesting things and the characters and their chemistry are still just great to watch in a way that resonates with me. Same with the mix of small town and Lovecraftian cosmic horror.
It is definitely different from S1 but for the most part, in a way I enjoyed. Even if they have a few things to fine tune, I am still excited for the next season going forward.
It feels like knowing they have multiple seasons left, they introduce new characters and threads but it can be clumsily done at times. They set up some interesting things and the characters and their chemistry are still just great to watch in a way that resonates with me. Same with the mix of small town and Lovecraftian cosmic horror.
It is definitely different from S1 but for the most part, in a way I enjoyed. Even if they have a few things to fine tune, I am still excited for the next season going forward.
Yeah, the racial stuff with Lucas was weird. You can't go half way with stuff like that. You have to know how that scene with the little kid in a cowboy costume with a gun was gonna play.
Lip service is no service in representation.
Lip service is no service in representation.
Just finished. Bit dull like S1 so it's more of a watch in the background show.
Did you guys know it's set in the 80s? Feel like if the show spent less time and budget on telling you that every 1.2 seconds they might've found time for producing a good plot that I cared about.
Did you guys know it's set in the 80s? Feel like if the show spent less time and budget on telling you that every 1.2 seconds they might've found time for producing a good plot that I cared about.
After sitting on this for a few days, I’ve decided that this was an entertaining season, but it was pretty fucking terrible compared to the first.
The biggest issue I had is that every protagonist acted incredibly stupid. They just went through some crazy shit in S1 and should be woke as fuck, but one kid is keeping and raising an obviously alien creature (is it a new species?! DURR), while the rest are arguing over dumb bullshit to pad runtime. Is the new bully a racist? Is he gay? What’s his problem? Do the Duffer Brothers even know how anesthesia works?
Throw in the fact that it largely followed the same beats as S1 (Will gets captured/possessed, Will’s mom turns her house into a device to solve the mystery, Eleven shows up at last minute to close a gate and save the day again), it seems like we could largely guess how S3 goes at this point.
It combined the trope of horror movie characters being extra dumb with the horror movie trope of “here we go again”. Even the introduction of Eight was largely wasted in a near-filler episode, and her power is illusion, which is pretty useless next to Eleven having full telekenesis and telepathy. Is the smoke monster (super lame btw, give it a corporeal body) going to be foiled by butterflies? Nah, he’s going to possess some dummy who thinks the trees being covered in inches of ayyy lmao jizz is somehow normal.
Ultimately the Duffers embracing the meme power of Steve’s hair, eggos, and Justice for Barb couldn’t elevate this season past S1. I’ll watch S3 but if it doesn’t fix the obvious flaws from S2 it’ll be my last season.
The biggest issue I had is that every protagonist acted incredibly stupid. They just went through some crazy shit in S1 and should be woke as fuck, but one kid is keeping and raising an obviously alien creature (is it a new species?! DURR), while the rest are arguing over dumb bullshit to pad runtime. Is the new bully a racist? Is he gay? What’s his problem? Do the Duffer Brothers even know how anesthesia works?
Throw in the fact that it largely followed the same beats as S1 (Will gets captured/possessed, Will’s mom turns her house into a device to solve the mystery, Eleven shows up at last minute to close a gate and save the day again), it seems like we could largely guess how S3 goes at this point.
It combined the trope of horror movie characters being extra dumb with the horror movie trope of “here we go again”. Even the introduction of Eight was largely wasted in a near-filler episode, and her power is illusion, which is pretty useless next to Eleven having full telekenesis and telepathy. Is the smoke monster (super lame btw, give it a corporeal body) going to be foiled by butterflies? Nah, he’s going to possess some dummy who thinks the trees being covered in inches of ayyy lmao jizz is somehow normal.
Ultimately the Duffers embracing the meme power of Steve’s hair, eggos, and Justice for Barb couldn’t elevate this season past S1. I’ll watch S3 but if it doesn’t fix the obvious flaws from S2 it’ll be my last season.
Posting without reading so I don't color my thoughts. I thought it was excellent up to episode 6, then episode 7 (Warehouse Gang) shit the bed so badly it almost poisoned the rest of the series. There was too much of a disconnect between the Will and Eleven stories. The ending happened a little too neatly. I thought Max was a good character, but her brother was a waste of time. Overall it was a good watch, but disappointing at the end.