10/27: Stranger Things 2 (Episodes 1-6)

10/27: Today I thought I'd change things up a bit and do a TV show: Stranger Things 2. I mean, let's be honest, this is a TV show is more of an extended movie any way. I absolutely loved the first season of Stranger Things; it was retro, it had an awesome monster, it had a killer cast of characters that threw back to movies like Stand By Me, It, and E.T., and it had an awesome 80s-style soundtrack. Look, I get the criticisms and I fully recognize them. In many ways, Stranger Things is he epitome of 80s mash-up references which is all the rage right now, but you know what? I don't care. It is made up of references, but that's not all it is. It's entertaining and is original amongst all the mashing up. It's fun and new while feeling familiar. 

Ya know though, enough about season 1. If you were part of the group that didn't like season 1 because of the references I'm happy to tell you that season 2 makes a much bigger attempt to be it's own thing. Rather than being built around the references, 2 creates a story that is independent beyond the references. In some ways, this creates something stronger than season 1. Season 1 had a giddiness and revelry in the most awesome parts of the 80s while season 2 spends it's time exploring characters and going into the breadth of the dangers Hawkins faces. This feels deeper in many ways and makes the characters much more three dimensional. Where season 1 is new and exciting, season 2 is more melancholy, exploratory, and, in many ways with the raised stakes, hopeless. And I've loved it so far.

It's been great to revisit Hawkins, but even moreso to have new mysteries to solve and Upside Down to explore. Season 1 feels like it set up the world and season 2 delves into the mythology behind it. I am chomping at the bit to see what happens and I want to be in Hawkins even more.

And on that note, I'm gonna go finish the season. See ya.

9/10