‘Stranger Things’ gets stranger
Christmas lights reminiscent of ‘Stranger Things’ season one.
Netflix released the original series “Stranger Things” on July 15, 2016. Since its launch, viewers have eagerly awaited the second installment of the creepy yet enthralling show. When I sat down to watch the premiere, I had high expectations for it. Thankfully, I was not let down.
The first season finale left its viewers on a major cliffhanger with Will, played by Noah Schnapp, coughing up remains of the Upside Down, and Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, seemingly sacrificed to defeat the Demogorgon. The new season picks up a whole year from where it left off, though the events of the past are still haunting the characters.
The first season started off with a bang and never slowed down, but the second season was a much slower burn. Without a single issue driving the show, it depended on subplots eventually pulling together to create an intense, remarkable finale, which was quite possibly better than the first. While it took me some time to adjust to the different structure, the subplots were all well-developed and gave the show more time to develop it’s characters.
Throughout the second season, the original characters grew and took on new roles as the plot put them to the test, while also showing us some combinations of characters fans had not gotten to explore previously. It was refreshing to see the new interactions between characters, and it only made me adore them more. We also get a better understanding of Will, as the show focuses mainly on him, and the viewers finally get a glimpse at who he is. The cast portrayed their roles to perfection and very rarely did someone feel out of character.
Some new characters were also introduced, and they all added something to the show, even if they were underdeveloped. At first, they all seemed to fit within a certain trope such as the bully or the strong-willed girl, but as the show progressed, they all transcended their roles. I loved all of the characters, and I felt more and more invested in their quest as they evolved.
For the most part, the setting stays in the small town of Hawkins, which is part of what makes the show so enjoyable: the blend of sci-fi and thriller in a quiet, unsuspecting city. However, episode seven brings the viewers to Chicago, which disrupted the tone. I actually enjoyed the episode. It created a dark vibe and opened up the show to more outside of Hawkins. It was also a turning point for the plot to set things up for the finale.
One of my favorite parts of “Stranger Things” is how stunning it looks. The scenes were absolutely beautiful, and some of the shots left me breathless. That, paired with classic ‘80s hits bound to make older viewers nostalgic for that time period, immersed me in Hawkins.
While the new season didn’t feel quite as iconic and lacked some memorable scenes and quotes in the first season, it was just as intense and mysterious. The lack of plot was overshadowed by phenomenal character development. I felt more connected to the characters than I had before. All in all, “Stranger Things” continues to be a unique show with fantastic characters and an impressive plot.
Hi there! My name is Claire Meyer. I am a senior, making this my third year on staff and first as editor-in-chief. When I'm not editing stories in the newsroom, I can be found working at United. In my free time, I enjoy both drawing and writing fiction...
