Soon after “Stranger Things” became available on Netflix, it seemed everyone with the online subscription was hooked on the show. Many waited all year, not-so-patiently anticipating the release of the second season, released Oct. 27.
For those who missed the first season, it covered the story of a 12-year-old boy who went missing. In the investigation, it was discovered there were supernatural phenomenons and secret government experiments, and the search became about much more than a missing child.
Season two picked up with the same charming characters that made the first season so lovable, and also introduced some new roles. Expectations were high for the new season, and while it started off a little slow, the later episodes did pick up the slack.
There was all new mystery and unanswered questions, yet enough connection to the original story line. One part of what made the first season so engaging were the odd yet clever solutions to the abnormal perplexities, and season two filled in with new battles and out-of-the-box ideas.
One major difference that leveled season two below the first was there was not one captivating major issue. In the first season, the character Will missing was the entire storyline, but in season two each episode seemed to have its own individual threat. This kept viewers hooked, as a problem arose at the end of each episode, so you had to keep watching to see what would happen next. However, as an all around plot, it seemed as though it was a bunch of children and the few adults who believed, battling the day-to-day paranormal activities in the small town of Hawkins.
The spirit of the story met the mark, which is perhaps the most important part. The 80s setting, the insightful and energetic boys and dynamic among them and the style of the show all fit in where the first season left off.
There was a bit more a real-life feel and depth to the second story; these kids and their families are recovering from their best friend literally being taken by a monster. You can feel the fear and post-traumatic stress that is now present due to what happened in the previous season.
There was a lot of pressure to live up to the first season, and while it wasn’t quite as refreshing and new as the first, the second season definitely wasn’t a total let down either. The likeable cast, well-done videography and mysterious complications kept viewers hooked and the entire series on the map for another season.
