My Thoughts on: Stranger Things 2 | Review

[@KarstenRunquist]

One more thing, the Steve and Dustin dynamic is one of the best things to come out of this show. Thanks for watching!

[@DirtMaguirk]

I agree with you. I loved that Steve passed the douchebag torch to Billy and stepped up with the handing of the demagorgons. They also should have left the lost sister plot alone. Feels like the lost sister was equivalent to Apocalypse teaching Magneto (X-Men: Apocalypse) how to maximize her powers through anger and rage. That may have been the only reason to keep it in the series. However, I have to disagree with you about the Snow Ball scene. I think the Mike and Eleven kissing scene was the big payoff of the season since they were waiting for each other ever since she disappeared to the upside down.

[@katiemckenzie521]

They were fantastic together

[@katelynoreilly6144]

That was truely one of the highlights of this season, loved it!

[@manasim.9936]

Karsten Runquist Yes, absolutely! I think it added so much to Steve's character, plus it was fun to watch since both Dustin and Steve are two of the funniest characters on the show.

[@stevensong8784]

You can say that again, again, and again.

[@carolinec.1482]

Snowball scene was cheesy but I legit sobbed when Dustin was all alone. It hit so close to home. Just sitting at a social event and watching the world turn without you.

[@ashORarchie]

Like for real I got so pissed off with the ending Just because of dustin getting left alone

[@katelynoreilly6144]

Agreed! It was so devastating and unnecessary and really tarnished the end because it was all I focused on, which was annoying. Especially when it was such a high moment watching Dustin and Steve interact in the car, I thought that was a really nice end.

[@TVMalachy]

Caroline C. I just forgot about that scene and you're reminding me of it. My brother watched it before I did and when it came on he said I was about to cry and I was on the verge of it.

[@lightsoff9008]

Then Lucas wasn’t going to have anyone, so it goes both ways...Max liked Lucas more.

[@TheFARTYMCFARTSAUCE]

I loved good girl Nancy cheering him up by dancing with him, but it was highly unrealistic having her be there to begin with. Johnathan taking photos...MAYBE. Maybe a Middle School would get a student from the High School to take photos at a dance, but there's no way Nancy would be there just casually serving punch.

[@katiemckenzie521]

I thought the ending with the snow ball dance was fitting. The season needed to end on a light note, and they pulled it off well. Also it gave all of the characters a chance to interact one last time and tie all of their relationships and developments together.

[@MountMister]

Katie McKenzie people need to be reminded that these are a group of kids lol obviously it's cool that one of them closed an interdimensional portal with her psychic powers but like, they have grades to think about and they have to be back by ten. Imagine if those scenes were left out? You would have one season lol

[@tatianamelendez490]

I agree. I liked the Snow Ball ending. To me, it felt like a small reward of normality for all the traumatic crap those kids had to go through, especially Eleven, who left off season 1 on the promise that Mike would be her date to the Ball, something that many thought wouldn't happen after she disappeared. I was actually anticipating that all season because she deserved it. I even designed her my version of her dress. As for Dustin being left alone, yeah it was sad, but it's what Nancy said, girls at that age are mostly stupid and superficial, not all of them are Max or Eleven. That's how kids are. And I liked that Nancy danced with him. It calls back to season 1x01, when she rejects his pizza offering and brings it full circle, showing how much maturity she has developed. And as for Nancy being there, has no one ever heard of chaperones? They're quite common at underage dances in case no one knows.

[@lizmoss]

i agree!

[@hannahgreen4173]

Katie McKenzie completely agree; I feel like the juxtaposition of the intensity of the rest of the last episode/ season and this final scene gave us the feeling of finality and a possible return to the 'normality' of an average childhood- or to put it in other words, a god damn break from all the shit that they've gone through :)

[@MollyClarkMollyx]

i think the snowball scene was a great way to end the season. idk maybe because I'm a 16 year old girl and i love that shit but like THE WHOLE season we see these kids going through absolute hell and i think a happy ending was necessary.

[@shr6482]

If anything, the snowball should be the final scene of the show's final season. Now it makes me feel like i dont want a 3rd season. Just my 2 cents.

[@jarnoverstegen9607]

The duffer brothers said in an interview that they made an ending like this on purpose, they didn't want to have a cliffhanger like in the first season so that they wouldn't regret it and in return can have a ''fresh start'' to season 3.

[@alyssa4079]

molly c *_and then there was the mind flayer_*

[@carolinec.1482]

The pacing was an issue with the Lost Sister, but I liked how much choice it gave Eleven. As a character, she's thrown into every situation, so that episode was good in that it presented this entire story that could've been. But Eleven just refused, leaving behind Jane as a person and a name

[@DarkarDengeno]

Caroline C. Yeah, I agree. I can understand why a lot of people don't like this episode, but I think Eleven is interesting enough as a character to make it worthwhile. Seeing the decisions she makes when she isn't forced into anything by circumstance makes for some effective development.

[@carolinec.1482]

Darkar Dengeno Exactly! When Kali said, "You're mother sent you here for a reason," you could just feel Eleven thinking, my mom doesn't know shit about me Why would she know what's best? Fuck this. I'm going home.

[@chumpy3224]

I just think it could have been put as an earlier episode, or have given her sister more of a role, like she's come back and help fight with Eleven because since it was placed so late in the season it and her meeting her sister didn't really matter in the end, it took away from the intensity of the timeline.

[@maxtory8063]

regardless, it was still terribly executed, and all the characters apart from 11 in that episode were shit. Such a pity, because if done right I feel like it could have added a lot to the show.

[@krillissue]

The Lost Sister episode should've been the christmas special TBH. It's too separated from the main storyline to fit the pacing, but I agree I liked the fact that Eleven actually took some agency when confronted with her past. And I think those episodes changed my view of the relationship between Hopper and Eleven, somehow; Hopper being someone that carries his past like a burden, and Eleven showing that she can truly move on and define a new home for herself.

[@24FramesOfNick]

I noticed that one dude working in the arcade eating the cheetos has been popping up in everything lately. He tends to just pop up randomly to play that type casted guy that works a weird low paying job. Idk why I thought that was interesting to me

[@Lacie9]

Hmmmm.... Only 3 likes after 2 years

[@riverpaw3234]

@@Lacie9 is 4 now

[@Lacie9]

@@riverpaw3234 nice

[@J4nnikm]

How

[@amanms1999]

I remember him in Jurassic World. He plays the dude who operated those sphere things

[@abbeynorton8847]

Millie and Noah are by far the best child actors in the show

[@isaacs8783]

I'm blown away by the sheer amount of talent that went into most of Noah's scenes. He's gonna go far

[@teresamirbaha4181]

And finn

[@Jessicaunarex]

He is the least impressive of all. Dustin is way better. All Noah does is scream and be catatonic.

[@kaylawheeler4539]

Jessica S he did great! The scenes where he was crying to mike and his mom showed some of the best acting on the show. Sad to hear not everyone felt the same way about the kid actors

[@abc-oy3vl]

Abbey Norton Not millie

[@mmm-fi4kp]

the lost sister episode was so lame, it was really disappointing, to waste an episode on that... idk

[@LapisPebble]

Well season 2 has 9 episodes and season 1 had 8 episodes so it's not really a waste, think of it as an add on to help with 11s character

[@oliviac7753]

Lapis Loaf i agree

[@theonlyigg4811]

Who knows, maybe they'll turn it around. I hope so.

[@kennethha416]

Ikr

[@Xxxxxxxx55666]

mi zh I only watched 10 min of that

[@squamish4244]

The only criticism here I agreed with was that the kids were overdoing it at the beginning of the season, but that didn't last long. Unlike apparently 99% of the Internet, I actually really liked Episode 7. Also, Winona Ryder continues to act exactly as a mom would if her kid was in danger. The Chrismas ending was nice to decompress after the super-intense climax. And WHAT ABOUT BOB?!?

[@TubezThe1]

valar Bob, Barb. It seems like the writers have a time against people with B-names.

[@tanyuh5542]

A’ight here’s the thing about the moments that apparently “ wasn’t needed”. As you were saying the seasons were meant to feel like a big 80s sci-fi film, and sometimes the key to making that feeling is keeping those moments. The more you try to pack everything that’s heavy into one place at one time, that’s where it loses the movie feel. Movie’s are just the longer version of a show, so they know they have more time to include the small things that make it feel relatable or even homely.These seasons are meant to be longer versions of movies, so they have the time to include the things that don’t matter(that actually do matter). I understand the episode about elevens sister, it definitely felt shoved in there, but it seems like they’re just setting it up for a bigger thing to come. But i think you especially need the moments like the snowball dance, and Joyce and bob dancing on Halloween, and eleven traveling on her own. It makes it feel real.

[@bananaboat5457]

could not agree more on your perspective of the Lost Sister! A lot of the screen time in that episode could've been reduced to a couple of interesting extensive and comprehensive scenes.

[@drakenfist]

I agree, there was a lot that I did like about it, but even then they were the Eleven heavy scenes. The scene with her moving the train, and I really loved the end part with Kali showing her dr brenner..but everything else with the other group was just really weird and tonally off..still, it wouldn't have thrown the pacing off as much if they just swapped the order around and had it as episode six (because Eleven wasn't in six at all). Still I appreciate what they were trying to do and hope they continue to think out of the box. Who know's the brothers may make another episode like this next season (not featuring these characters) and it may be critically acclaimed.

[@TechNomad]

I feel as though I somehow skipped that episode, because I don't remember watching it at all.

[@jarin4847]

thank you for acknowledging will/noah he was incredible this season (nd last)

[@Northernhail]

I thought the choice of episode seven was good as it allows a breather after such a chaotic cliffhanger in episode 6. I was able to calm down and relax while getting to hang out with eleven and gain a new perspective on her and her abilities. It also gives a jumping off point for a possible season three where we might meet the other kids from Hawkins lab since we know that (SPOILERS) Eleven closes the gate to the Upside Down. If season three just starts off with the reopening of the gate then the climax of season 2 would be pointless. So having a new avenue to expand the world from without relying on extra-dimensions is a needed breath of fresh air.

[@shorkelili]

Josh Ravenhill could not agree more

[@G-LukeJA]

I hate to dissapoint you.......

[@sofia-ym3vj]

sorry but season 3 literally started by reopening the gate

[@fullmetal426]

I feel this season suffered from not having an overarching goal. Legend of Korra had this same problem, where this was a fun ride... but it felt unfocused at times. Airbender was great because the goal was to defeat the firelord. ST season 1 was great because the goal was to find Will. There wasn't a goal this season until roughly the last few episodes when the demodogs start appearing, which made me think for a majority of this season "guys, what are we doing?" Still a fun season, just a small gripe that makes this season an 8/10 instead of a 10/10 for me.

[@Dousch]

The end fell short to me because all Eleven had learned was to be angry. Not a weighty character arc this time around. Will wasn't involved at all when he should have been.

[@matchwojo1333]

I have to say that your reviewing is entertaining and gives value. I feel that the majority of reviews I read have no explanation of why what they were reviewing was good, bad, or okay. But with you, we get pinpointed examples of what you thought was good and bad about what you are reviewing. Keep up with this series. Thanks.

[@hannahpop355]

Pacing! This season's pacing was not at all sub par, everything kinda felt chunky and oddly paced. Jonathan and Nancy's storyline was solved far too early and it kinda threw off the pace there. Episode 7, although we needed something like this to happen to Eleven for her to understand her true strength, was very poorly executed. It painted Kali and her friends as "evil" people in the end, which they weren't really, they were just misguided. The season was very good and it did have that one big movie vibe, but all the storylines didn't really seem to gel together as well as they did in the first season.

[@cassidyrich6591]

I thought that everything that had to do with the kids romantic relationships was really cringeworthy and forced in (except for to stuff surrounding Dustin for the most part) but overall I really enjoyed the season.

[@isabelh4935]

I thought billy was an unnecessary character. He seems to only be there as an unneeded antagonist for Lucas and Max and the way he just left the group alone because she stuck a syringe in his neck and threatened to hit him seemed to me to be a bit too easy. We’re talking about a guy that could’ve killed Steve, but gets intimidated by his little step sister 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@ada8091]

well this aged badly

[@riverpaw3234]

@@ada8091 yes. yes it did.

[@sofia-ym3vj]

well billys character was partly just to add to the 80s part of the show with the tough highschool bully, and also how dare you he wasnt unnecessary rip billy

[@phillipk.dennison9131]

Hilarious enough, episode 7 was one of favorite episodes. I think the episode was there to show a rebellious side and growth to Eleven’s character. Her sister will likely have a story arc of her own, adding to the possibilities of how to finally destroy the shadow monster/mind flayer in season 3.

[@killme1840]

A problem I had with Billy and Max was that they felt like 2 characters that were just there to provide conflict for Dustin, Lucas, Johnathan, Nancy and Steve. If those two characters didn't exist, those bunch wouldn't of have anything to do in this season, and it was hard trying to ignore it. Another issue is Finn Wolfhard's acting in terms of his movement. His body movement is so fucking stiff and awkward in season 1 and 2. But whatevs, he makes up for it in other things in his acting. Another big issue was some choices made that didn't fit the character. For example Dustin keeping a Demogorgon in his bedroom when he fully knows that it's dangerous. Also, Chief Hopper digging a hole in the pumpkin patch and just jumping down into the hole all gung ho instead of waiting or bringing help, and putting himself in mortal danger. Smaller issues were episode 7 being unnecessary, weakish acting, 11's return being spoiled in marketing, 11 returning from the Upside Down like 5 minutes after she gets there. But, I still enjoyed the season. The Duffer Brothers still did a good job capturing the feeling that made season 1 so enjoyable. The asthetic, the character development, the acting, the uptick in editing and action (like you said) made it easy to forgive its mistakes to some degree. I think the hype that season 1 and fans created kinda killed season 2 before it even began to be honest. Everyone from normal fans to online news bloggers were hailing this show as the holy grail of all 80's nostalgia sci-fi shows. The hype was too much and people got their expectations too high, which is why we get news articles like this (www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2017/10/31/16575414/stranger-things-season-2-duffer-brothers-netflix#ampshare=www.theverge.com/2017/10/31/16575414/stranger-things-season-2-duffer-brothers-netflix). But, I enjoyed it nonetheless. Also, I wish Mike, Lucas and Dustin just jumped in and helped Steve so they could all beat Billy's bitch ass instead of just standing there and watching Steve get his ass handed to him. Lol.

[@isaacs8783]

kill me I thi this Dustin kept Dart, because up to a point, before he knew what a threat he was, Dart was a friend and a source of undeniable comfort. As said is S1, Dustin arrived in Hawkins halfway through elementary school or something and he's been put down and bullied for his dysplasia, and in the dynamic in the friendship group, which in itself is comprised of geeky "losers", he's the one who's a little lost and not taken seriously. Obviously, he's lonely and has no special someone or closer friend of his own (Mike has El and Lucas has Max). Not that that is a necessity for a character or a person but Dustin is fairly sociable and friendly. Dart seemed to trust him and it was only until things got out of hand that he realised his mistake

[@killme1840]

Amber Shoffren - I remember him saying he was going to use Dart as a way to impress Max, so I can forgive that. It was just strange how he picks it out of the trash and is so willing to call it his own pet, even after it starts growing at an exponential rate. Whatever tho, I didn't really care all that much, i wish i didnt lump this in with the "major problems" I had with season 2 because it didn't bother me all that much, and also I would pray for another one of these over an episode 7 debacle. Also, I liked the part in the finale where Dart comes back and Dustin goes all "Hiccup-How-To-Train-Your-Dragon" on him with the candy bar.

[@isaacs8783]

kill me I liked the bit where he *dropped litter* in a cross-dimentional pathway

[@maisiewilson7372]

I haven’t really heard many people mention how eleven left the upside down so quickly, but I sort of agree. I think it would have been a little more interesting if she maybe left through the ‘portal’ in the forest that Nancy was dragged through, or somewhere else that took her a little while to access. But don’t get me wrong I still absolutely loved it

[@LeoSkyro]

kill me I actually think that Flynn aka Mike is not really that great of an actor. He had some ok moments in 1 but I just didnt buy him this time, he felt stiff in body and voice acting

[@Hexelovemarlene]

I have to disagree with you on the ep 7, I mean ok it was weirdly placed but without El finding 8 she wouldn’t have known how to really use her powers on purpose and wouldn’t be able to close the gate. Also the little side exploration of more things 80’s was just really nice to see and it also formed El as a character a lot.

[@marvamercedes4996]

i agree. and it took her finding her "family" (first her mom, then her sister) to recognize that those she called friend were actually family.

[@jackbailey1987]

This is brought up a lot in saying "She wouldn't have known to use her powers". Yes, she would've known to use her powers, you guys are acting like she didn't put herself in danger in season 1 when she used her powers against the demogorgon. They easily could've flashed back to that, then mike, then the rest of the kids, then chief hopper. Eleven isn't stupid, she wouldve known that a gate that big would've needed her powers on full blast.

[@marvamercedes4996]

she had to exert MUCH more power to close the gate in season two than she did when defeating the demogorgon in season one. i think it would have taken eleven longer to realize the link between anger and her powers without eight.

[@marvamercedes4996]

it's not that "she wouldn't have known to use her powers" but that she wouldn't have known *how* to use the type and strength of power that was required in season two.

[@Rrr-ym7ty]

You know... This is a story that is being written by people. It's not just a choice between A and B. If it were truly necessary, they could have written in some other less shitty way for Eleven to "discover" how to use her powers

[@Phoebehunniexox]

One of the main things that made Stranger Things 2 work was Noah Schnaap. His performance was outstanding and it was so damn satisfying to watch him have the screen time and the great scenes he deserves to show off his talent. I can't wait to see more of him in the future.

[@elizabethcisneros7989]

Snowball scene was just like a way to please the fans, after the promise Mike and Eleven did of going together to the ball on THAT scene of s1, but well Eleven disappeared. I felt that it didn't fit that well as a finale, but everyone was expecting that scene since season one so it was a nice lil touch

[@domhatesmangos7273]

All my friends said they really didn't like Max, honestly her addition is one of my favorite parts of the season

[@abbym4952]

I thought the second season was great but I did see the flaws you did. I wasn’t sure how to put it into words but you did it perfectly. You know what you’re talking about

[@KayS471]

I think if the duffer brothers directed episode 7 it would have been a lot better. I hope they handle the majority of the “other numbers” storylines.

[@YourWellBeing02]

The problem with season 2 could have been resolved if the season was only 8 episodes like season 1. The writing would have been more creative and the pace would have been better. The brothers were on the right track but got detoured.

[@maggieewing9036]

I can agree with you about the snowball scene at the end making the pacing a little wonky but I gotta say I think it was 100% necessary. Because at the end of the day, this season really wasn't about "defeating the monster". It was about each individual character and their personal story and arc. And I think that the dance at the end was the perfect way to showcase that.

[@Richard-pg2rh]

I agree with some other people have been saying. The Lost Sister isn't a bad episode per say, it's just badly placed within the whole of the season. Do a slight reshuffle of Elevens' storyline, put it a few episodes earlier, and I wouldn't have been waiting for it to end in order to see what happens in the major storyline. I feel like it was intended to be a cliffhanger, which makes sense given the Duffer Brothers intent on a season-long-style-movie, but 45 minutes is a damn long cliffhanger. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the movie style of Stranger Things, I think it's one of the best things to happen in TV for a long time, giant cinematic movies, but the placement is odd.

[@YourWellBeing02]

RichardMakesFilms or maybe use flash backs or flash forwards to tell the 008 story. They did this well with telling how Harper came upon 011. Using an entire episode to do this ruined the pacing.

[@maxreediii]

Man, I agree with you on about The Lost Sister. The worst part is, Eleven's actual growth and progression was great, but the other characters took away any agency she had. I had no problem with her going to find that ex employee to take revenge, in fact I loved it. But the episode would have been so much more powerful and effective if she had been on her own the whole time, faced the horrors of the world beyond Hawkins, and decided to return all on her own.

[@novasnotvibing]

The lost sister was just a boring ass episode that felt uncomftorable to watch. When my little brother saw that episode over my shoulder, I felt like porn would've been easier to explain. As for the finale, I actually felt really satisfied with the resolutions.

[@ojwh1933]

I thought it was a big step down from the quality of the previous series and that was largely down to structure. Simply put, it spends the first 4 episodes telling the audience, "stuff has happened and stuff is going to happen... but nothing's really happening at this time". It picks up in episode 5 and escalates to the finale but because it wasted the first 4 episodes, it doesn't have enough time to go in-depth with any of the concepts later. For example, I enjoyed episode 7 for what it was but that storyline should have been spread throughout the series; and Billy was really poorly handled in general.

[@noisemachine5731]

i also disliked the lost sister. it felt like i was watching suicide squad, thats the level of cringe. It was unnecessary and... disconnected? from the rest of the season? it just didnt seem to have a point, and i figured kalis gang was going to come back and be relevant in the third season (if there is one) because otherwise its just shitty, but if thats the case.... why not introduce them in the third season instead of just. ungraciously slapping them into the second one lmao

[@ethanking3967]

Nah, I liked the Snow Ball scene. It served as what the final scenes in S1 did; shows all/most of our characters happy, ties up any loose plots, shows a return to normalcy then sets up the next season. Apart from that, great review :)

[@sofia-ym3vj]

im pretty sure everyone in the comments is forgetting that in season 1 before el desinegrated the demogorgon and got stuck in the upside down mike promised el he would take her to the snow ball- so that scene definitely needed to be there because it evolved el and mikes relationship and also it was so sweet

[@kaitlinmeyers552]

I like the sort of tradition that stranger things does where the last episode is super intense but then the last ten minutes give us a lil happiness. also, when joyce and jonathan are in the room with will telling him stories and trying to get him to come back, that scene was amazing!!

[@TheGirlInSneakers]

What I love the most about your channel is that you're able to verbalize these thoughts, sensations, feelings whatever it is that I have while watching movies but can't seem to put into words that makes me feel like "YASSS that's what I mean when I'm rambling on and on about my convoluted, unarranged thoughts to my friends who never gonna get what I'm saying anyway". I was screaming "EXACTLY!" when you mentioned about Chapter 7. I didn't agree with some of the things you mentioned but you're definitely good at this. Keep up the good work!

[@danthemaninthetrashcan]

I really liked episode 7, I can see why people hated it but I thought it was a brilliant change of pace and it was good to learn more about El and expand the universe to outside of Hawkins.

[@santiagodegiovanni5620]

Yeah, I'd love more reviews!

[@enjoisk8a911]

Completely agree with your thoughts on the Lost Sister episode. It was very cool seeing another character with these super powers, but the punk misfit trophe was so cliche and cringey at times. I think we will be seeing the sister again, but hopefully not her crew. The over plot this season felt weaker, but the character development is what i enjoyed most about the season.

[@xanafae]

Jesus definitely keep reviewing series i enjoyed your video essays but this is an incredibly accurate and fair review definitely a fan!

[@frankchavez519]

Episode 7 is an interlude (look it up). It was about drawing a contrast between El and Kali. Kali is a vengeful killer while El is merciful. That contrast make El a more sympathetic, more human, and more heroic character.

[@LeoSkyro]

I've been enjoying Season 2 more and more since I finished watching it. The problems I have, aka ep7, mike, max/billy, jon+nancy subplot dont really bug me and I can certainly see their use, just wished they had gone a different way. And it had a lot of really great moments....Eleven having more to do, and her being paired up with Hopper was just fantastic. Those two actors are incredible. Will's actor Noah had an amazing performance as well, really glad he got to do his thing this time around

[@Misslisen13]

continue with the reviews!! love how you organize your thoughts and all!

[@luistho]

Yes! Keep them coming, please!! Love your channel, btw. I agree a lot with you, specially on the whole Eleven/Jane's backstory Chapter and how it breaks the pace that had been set. Not only that but also it was big chance to develop more on both Jane and her "sister". Gratefully, MBB's performance doesn't disappoint. I think the only thing in which we differ is on Billy's character: I think it was very over-the-top and unnecessary. To me it was a good way to make Steve a little more vulnerable (at a certain point necessary to make him able to connect with the audience after his role on season 1) but it didn't had to be through a character that's so one-dimensional.

[@dreamchaser0524]

I totally agree with you on the "they were riding the wave of the success of season 1 " part ,thank God I thought I was the only one who noticed it ,I think the pressure came from the success of season one definitely effected the whole cast in someway , plenty of times throughout the season including the snowball kiss scene, I almost felt like they threw some parts in after the script was made , they did that to please the fan base and I'm not saying there's anything wrong with it , but I was expecting something more unpredictable or more original at least ? They definitely have to find their old magic back and try their best to avoid consuming too many opinions to keep the charm going , but after all , it is still one of the best shows on Netflix with a cast of talented youngsters , when the season 3 comes out I'll be drinking red bulls and be prepared for some intense binge watching .

[@ryanvoelker9864]

I think the reason they put in the Snow Ball dance scene was because of classic Hero's journey format. The "return home having changed" is basically what it was doing. It was establishing that things had finished and that they had come out of it changed and better. If they had just ended with 11 closing the gate, it would have felt uncomfortable and empty. They wanted the calming fall from the climax and used this snow ball dance to do it as well as add plot points and character moments that endear you to them more.

[@joeholland4214]

first honest review i’ve seen that isn’t blinded by overhype/nostalgia and actually makes valid pros and cons on the season. don’t get me wrong i love the show but that doesn’t mean it has no flaws.

[@kingkrab4872]

My favorite part of the season was the hopper being stuck underground part. It felt really intense and scary because I knew someone was probably going to die this season (I was right but Bob dying felt really cliche).

[@alinacalm]

I really enjoyed the snow ball scene. I teared up a little bit too Also I don't agree that Wynona overacted, I think her performance was great Other than that, I 100% agree with you, nice review man!

[@macbrowne5677]

Awesome job man, really felt you had a great opinion that held true for most if not all of your points which you put in

[@montywolfe8900]

SOOOOO agree on the Sister Storyline. And what an incredible idea for a X-mas/Holiday episode! My love of Stranger Things took me off-guard. I never expected to like it. Now, I'm just waiting for Season three and hoping it does some amazing stuff. The mall idea seems like fun.

[@watakashe6072]

I just really hope that season 3 will focus on the characters while still giving me the great feeling season 1 had. Season 1 was creepy but it also managed to focus on the characters, while I loved season 2, I felt that there was a lot of child drama that I didn't really care about. I also didn't get any kind of scary feeling until episodes 8 and 9, which explains why they are my favorites.

[@laurenporter1925]

I really like that the season ending with the snowball scene. They needed to end on a lighter night. Also if you paid close attention to the lyrics of the song you could hear the last words which were either "I'll be watching you" or "you belong to me" and then it cuts to the upside down and the shadow monster watching them so it could be a hint for season 3.

[@intraserv3123]

The Lost Sister was terrible, glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

[@lee9181]

I agree with everything you said except for the Snowball scene. I think it's so important to show that these are actually kids, that they did have to go through all of the stuff that they did, but that they are only children and have dumb middle school dances like they do. I also think it's important because Mike and El talked about going together last year, and it makes their reunion even sweeter.

[@dee_deer]

that episode with 008 was pure filler. but i still loved the season so much! and i have to say will’s face when he dropped down shaking because the tunnel was burned the first time actually gave me chills it was so scary, he’s an amazing actor

[@wetheck6935]

Honestly the snowball dance was quite fitting in my opinion, it ended off the season with something all the kids have been waiting for since the start of the first. Just seeing the characters happy about the dance is enough to make you realise that this is the end and that everything is going to be okay. It's all over and we won, It's the only moment of true safety for the viewers and the characters until you see that last clip of the upside down and you feel that overwhelming despair knowing that it'll never truly be over. No matter what they do, nothing will be the same again. I feel that scene was extremely neccicary.

[@elliecaven1923]

While I agree with you about most of this, I think that the snowball dance was a nice thing to put at the end. Throughout this series we watch a bunch of kids who are put into situations that force them to behave beyond their years, and continuously risk their lives. The snowball dance at the end was a nice reminder not only of their youth, but it also showed how they were all moving on after the climax of that episode. It let us know what was happening with Nancy, Steve, and that eleven was being let out to experience a classic event for most kids. Plus it set up the next season, leaving the show on a slightly eerie note

[@onesweetangel1017]

Everyone is always bashing the "Lost Sister" episode, but I got to admit I kind of liked it. We got a short break from all the chaos going down in Hawkins with Will being possessed in the hospital, and got to learn more about "Kali/Eight" one of Eleven's siblings who appeared in the first episode just as "mystery girl" in the police van where nobody really knew who she was. It would've been stupid just to have her appear in the first episode and then never again for the rest of the season. Also, Eleven's trip to Pittsburgh to find her sister actually ended up helping her a lot when it came time to close the gate in the final episode because she learned from Eight that she needed to dig deep down inside of herself and think of times that made her angry so that it would fuel more power and strength from inside her which worked out in the end. Perhaps if Eleven hadn't gotten that advice, she probably wouldn't have been as successful as she was with closing the gate. And in the end it was nice to have an entire episode revolving around just Eleven since a lot of this season was Will being the center of attention while only having a few scenes of Eleven just being locked up in the cabin trying to find things to entertain herself with.

[@felixsh97]

Yes! More reviews man, They're really interesting.

[@ElizabethMessier1]

Definitely agreed with tons of your points! Enjoyed this critique on one of my favorite shows.

[@fashiondarling-j7q]

I agree with a few of your points. The Lost Sister episode was interesting though, as it perfectly tied in to Eleven's arc: finding a home. Albeit it was a weird "in between", it was necessary for Eleven and, eventually, for the others too. She had to realise through that journey that her home wasn't necessarily by blood or by... mutual supernatural abilities, but was something you chose. For her, that wasn't Kali, mama or papa. It was Mike, Hopper, et cetera. Maybe Kali and her crew were overdone on purpose to further forge a barrier between Eleven and them. Eleven would've never stayed with them as their beliefs were opposite of hers. Eleven wasn't "edgy", like they were. The contradictions were blown out so that we saw, and eventually Eleven, that they weren't her home. Perhaps that's the flaw in that episode. I don't know, just a thought. I had no problem with the Snow Ball scene actually. But maybe that's because I'm a softie and I love Mike and Eleven together. I thought it was nice to end it with. Because in the end, they're still kids/human. Slaying monsters was never something anyone wanted to do. Pulling an exorcism on her son wasn't one of Joyce's chores for a mundane Saturday. Ending with the ball, but showing the monster just to keep you on your toes, was perfect.

[@TubezThe1]

The Snowball scene seemed like more of a way to end it on a high note rather than a bittersweet one like the previous season. And to be honest, I like that they did that because so many shows and movies nowadays seem to always go for the "We won, but at what cost" ending. It's refreshing to see the characters we have invested so much time in and have cheered for get a chance to chill and be happy for once in a long time.

[@ChriT2000]

I definitely agree with a lot of the things you said about character development with Will and Dustin and the problem with pacing but I honestly thought that Bill and Max did were integrated into this season successfully. I didn’t become attached to the “new girl” in the same way that I did with Eleven in the first season. I didn’t think the Bill and Max dynamic has anything to do with the movement of the plot (accept maybe a tiny bit with El’s jealously but they could have done it a different way and it would still have worked). Overall, the things I liked about the first season were still present in the second but in smaller amounts. P.s. I definitely agree with the cinematography and movie-like atmosphere being fantastic

[@chrislogelfo8339]

Agree with most of what you have to say about episode 7, though I feel it was important to conceptualize eleven’s character. Was it shoe horned in? Definitely but when you have 9 episodes to work with and your trying to be as cinematic as possible you have to take some shortcuts. As for the rest of your “gripes” with season 2 I️ couldn’t disagree more. The so-called cockiness you say the kids have to start the season is completely EARNED! They quite literally saved Hawkins is season 1. If I were them and I just “helped” defeat a monster from a different dimension I’d probably have an aura of confidence about myself as well. Ryder gives another worried/frantic/ and terrified performance as her son is yet again plagued by something she cannot even begin to understand. While I️ agree that Noah(Will) is one of the strongest child actors I would argue that Brown and Wolfhard certainly carry their own, and that the comedic timing of Dustin is unquestionably perfect. You also didn’t mention the character ark of Steve which I think is one of the best things to come out of the season and how,how,how could you not mention the gut-wrenching performance given to us by David Harbour, the man deserves an Emmy and as talented as these kids are I️ believe he is the backbone that holds the show together. All in all I appreciate your review as it was intelligent but I disagree with a few major things. Get back with me if you’d like to chat. Not attacking you, just sparking some debate

[@obscaden6609]

New favorite KZbinr that actually gives their true opinion.

[@digitalbritt2k]

The Lost Sister is probably my favorite episode of not only Season 2, but the entire show lol. It felt very necessary to me and I found it to be incredibly emotional. A tiny piece of my heart breaks every time I come across people who don't seem to "get" or appreciate it. Also, the timing and placement didn't bother me at all.

[@heathbrinkman3126]

I think my main problem with the ending winter dance scene was that the end reveal of the Mind Flayer under Hawkins Middle had no stakes for the characters. Will puking slugs in season 1 directly connected to the next season. If the Duffer brothers had implemented a sinister tone to the events it would have seemed more like a lead in to the next season instead of a vague "the evil is still out there" stinger.

[@bnielson5492]

I honestly loved Lost Sister ! I liked being able to get an episode about 11 because it was other wise kinda of unclear why she was even involved in the second season, she needed her own back story.

[@DiamondElite]

The snowball dance was actually a building block of season 2 and to me was a good and fun ending to the season. Great review and I agree with the eleven episode. It honestly seems like they added an extra episode to please Millie bobbie brown due to how famous she got and how all that fame honestly got to her head. I think the boys dealt with the fame greatly. Loving the content though dude I've always needed a channel that goes as in depth as this one does and I appreciate it

[@lycheejelly564]

Keep doing these! Seriously so cool hearing your input on shit like this.

[@maxtory8063]

I gotta say, Noah Schnapp is the most impressive child actor I've ever seen. For a 13 year old, he plays two different personalities better than I've ever seen it done, and it was insane. The scene where He slowly 'transforms' from Will to the Monster right in front of the camera gave me shivers.

[@gustavoadolfoguardado9101]

I consider that the first season was really solid considering that all characters and misteries served a purpose with a solution one way of another, without any type of pressure or commitment by the producers because they did not know if it would be successful. Unlike this season which presented new characters who could not be developed all that well because it seems to be more connected with a potential 3rd season. Every single technical aspect is impressive. But that expected nowadays of any revelant mainstream show. The pop rock songs that accompanied every introduction of a character was not a good choice either because they are explicitly telling us how this person would be like without any development or mistery.

[@ObeyAmmalol]

I agree the budget was put to use this season it was way better than I expected

[@jozinlim3520]

I was not a fan of season 2. From the first episode I could tell that so much of the aftermath of season 1 with everyone going crazy for Eleven and Barb influenced the storyline and it just didn’t make sense. Like how they wanted Eleven back into the fold so quickly that she just conveniently found a way back into the real world and had a quick survival montage before finding Hopper. I felt like her living alone could have been used to show how she honed her skills instead of that horrible lost sister’s episode. Also, a lot of the acting this season gave me soap opera vibes by how over the top they were like Nancy’s drunkenness, and Eleven’s and Hopper’s fight. I also don’t understand how Dustin was that stupid to protect Dart which was so clearly a demagorgen. I also feel like the kids should shy away from love storylines because Nancy’s is more than enough.

[@cherrydiamond4475]

I felt like the drunk scene was quite realistic. Also Dustin is just a kid of course kids make mistakes.

[@guthrie505]

Jozin Lim it's a demadog

[@brianmutetikka2909]

Yea I agree about the lovey dovey storylines. It was super cringe worthy and half the time I was hoping it wouldn't happen. Albeit I know that's when hormones become a thing but meh. I really didn't like that side of the story

[@sarahdugas135]

I agree with everything you said, especially about Barb and Eleven influencing the storyline. If anything, having Eleven quickly get out of the upside down nullified her sacrifice and the weight of it. The writers should have made it more difficult for her character to escape, then it would have given more weight to Mike's grief.

[@giraffe6856]

I JUST watched season 2 and yes I'm late, but I think this season was all about 'the upside down" world and how it works. It was for exploration and world building mostly so I think even though we couldn't really see a strong dynamic between characters, I think it was necessary. And also it was mostly about what main characters are feeling after the loss of their friends and families, while El trying to find where she came from. I get it why people are disappointed, bur for me, it was okay. It's just like HTTYD 2, usually if there is a sequel, people tend to take a direction of "world building" or "exploring character's traumatic events" In HTTYD 2, even though the pacing felt slow, it was necessary for world building, ST season 2 felt the same for me. Pacing is kinda slow, but necessary explanations.

[@danjirinnn]

Love this new review series, and please do continue!

[@R.F.9847]

To me, the biggest thing the Lost Sister episode brought to the table was how it allowed Eleven to come into her own. She finally gets the opportunity to be a moral agent, as opposed to just reacting to everything and being in survival mode.

[@bedroomproductions3061]

I liked the snowball part because as you said stranger things 2 is basically one big movie and most movies follow the structure of todorov’s narrative theory and the snowball scene provided a good new equilibrium where things are fine though people have changed from the experience they went through

[@timvanroon2175]

Just discovered your channel, I enjoyed your video on how to introduce a character with Stranger Things. As a fan of film theory youtubers, reviews are always good, but I would like to see a review done with the same clarity and detail as the analysis videos. The conversational approach can be good but all the "I just, I mean, no..." doesn't meaningfully contribute to the conversation for me. With that said, you had some interesting opinions and I enjoyed watching your review.

[@philosopher1912]

Season 1: 10/10 Season 2: 8.8/10

[@bunnykristen98]

i know this is an old vid but damn i really agree with everything u said! i am curious to know your thoughts on all the stranger things conspiracy theories (such as the byers having some power/connection the upside down). I also really loved Kali! I definitely think that The Lost Sister episode threw me off as well but Kali is definitely going to be making a comeback in S3 (or so I hope so) & hopefully we'll get some more depth on her character and her powers will be used for good (possibly helping El's mama out of her trance???) anyways, i LOVE your videos. your insights always amaze me!! xo

[@brennahasselmann8075]

I agree that this episode was a bit awkwardly placed, but I think it introduced ideas that further developed the show. If Jane is 011 and Kali is 008, there's at least 9 other characters that the show can build on (and the extra zero in their tattoos suggests there are at most 999 cases like Jane). This episode also showed that the cases can present different powers; 11 can access this alternate dimension, while 8 can alter anyone's perspective. But it's most important function was to develop Eleven's character. It highlighted the differences in personality and decision-making between her and someone with similar circumstances. Kali, as a result of the disservice she received from Hawkins Lab, became this stone-cold, vindictive wastrel hell bent on murdering those who ever caused her pain. Although she draws some of this anger out of Jane, the real difference between them is sympathy, which is portrayed when Jane nearly kills a man, but stops because she sees a picture of him with his children. She then prevents Kali from shooting him, to which she responds "don't ever take away my chance to kill." The interaction between these characters in this episode served to show what Eleven could have been, but is not. Eleven could have easily channeled Kali's destructiveness, yet she is still caring. I think the difference between them is age (eleven has more innocence and hasn't spent nearly as long a time brooding over her anger), but mostly that Eleven was lucky enough to find people who love her. Eleven realizes this and then it segways to the next episode where she is reunited with her "family".

[@milotj4866]

Actually I think the last part, the whole dance party was actually pretty cool, I mean we can't forget that they are always referencing the pop culture of the 80s so I think the dance gives the season a nice ending knowing that everything is " all right " for the moment, and remind us that those characters are more than just supernatural monster hunters in a very 80's style

[@Armaghtti]

Make what ever you want, I enjoy your work and opinion.

[@edosan1068]

*spoiler* I do agree with the El backstory episode does seem kind of out of place. However, looking back after finishing the season, I believe it makes sense. The episode serves as the "realize your potential moment" for El, which bears a pretty remarkable resemblance to X-Men first class when Charles was telling Eric about focus and turning the satellite dish. It also serve as a respite for the viewers (who i believe, myself included, binge watches the show) from the emotional ride that is the spy episode. We have seen the extent of El's power through out the seasons, and nothing she have done so far has gave us a reason to believe that she has the capability to close the gate, especially since the scale of it is massive, boring very far into the ground. The placement of the episode makes sense, and ultimately I feel the performance was adequate. I believe people feel the way they do about the episode because it had to do a pretty awkward and tough job, providing some backstory to El while making her power grow just in time just for her to be center piece for the season finale.

[@ObeyAmmalol]

I like this laidback format

[@FrapsomaticalOption]

I think it had some continuity, respectively logic problems as well and if they would have solved them the Duffers could have made this series more complex. For example I think it's a strange thing (pardon the pun) that the Wheelers parents don't seem to be worried about their kids going astray for what feels like forever, after what has happened and what they (should) know about the whole situation. And also even more important Hopper seems to forget about Eleven somewhere along the way being stuck in Hawkins Lab. Those are just some examples which I think would have made great incidents for deepening the characters relationships which I think were so intense in the first season and unfortunately they somehow failed to reproduce that kind of feeling. On the other side the first season was such a suprising smash hit creating such high expectations for the second season that you have to say they still did a pretty awesome job with this one and keeping such an intense vibe over several season is almost an impossible thing. Still lookin forward to the next season!

[@ericraygoza5805]

I completely agree with the Lost Sister sentiments! Corny and didn't make me feel attached. I felt the same with the intro scene with 008. That reveal of her tattoo was cool, but in wasn't redeeming enough to include all those side characters I will never care about. The Yoda type scenes could've worked in another place, maybe even with a different instructor

[@Unshaded175]

Be sure to make more reviews I like it a lot. Loved the 2nd season of Stranger Things!

[@Keatron3]

Episode 7 was written as homage to the urban gang movies of 80’s like The Warriors and such. But more importantly it gave us some uncertainty about Eleven. I’ve heard people say, negatively, that Eleven saving the day was predictable. Maybe with Episode 7 they tried throwing some uncertainty on to that predictability. Thoughts? *i also can’t help but think that if the second season was a song, episode 7 came right where the Bridge would be. If you do any song writing you know that the bridges purpose can be to cast a shadow of opposition, if you will, on the prior content.

[@nathan122009]

I actually accidentally skipped the lost sister episode and didn’t even realize I had missed an episode till those flash backs just before closing the gate. I’m happy that happened this way. I finished the season and and then I had a that last episode to give me that last fix till the next season.

[@lindseydrew9812]

I really don’t see where Karsten is coming from with the acting criticism. It’s one of the things I like most about the show.

[@aidenmahon7789]

I have to agree with you on the lost sister episode. Not only does mess up with the pacing of the season, but the relationship between eleven and her sister is unclear. At first it seems eleven's sister is pretending to care so she can use eleven. But then at the end she seems shocked and hurt when eleven leaves.

[@thenear1send]

Thanks for the review. I left season 2 feeling very unsure about my opinion of it. Being that the character development and story telling in season 1 was so strong, I couldn't NOT follow through with the entirety of season 2, however you hit the nail on the head in this video with flushing out a lot "poor" decisions made for the series. Perhaps my biggest complaint with season 2 was that they introduced WAY too many characters. There already were TOO MANY characters in season 1! Each new introduction dilutes the potential to develop existing characters story plots--of which, there was a lot the audience was left desiring and expecting. Cool review man.

[@joanne3272]

i agree that episode 7 did mess up the pace a little, but it was necessary as it hints to potential plots for a new season. i think that parts of it should've been interspersed during the show rather than making it one seemingly awkwardly placed episode. also i love your video reviews!! i always binge watch them haha

[@Luckylukeproduction]

DUDE YOU GAIN SO MANY SUBSCRIBERS SO QUICKLY. What your opinion I felt like the color grade was inconsistent

[@motherfootball4499]

Lucky Luke Productions tru

[@motherfootball4499]

Because if that last vid in stranger things

[@jaylong2398]

FR

[@ericy1]

Lol are you the dude who did the intro for the tf2 plays of the month series

[@Tuosma]

Truly! I think I subbed to him around 15k and that was only two months ago.

[@sarosenna5850]

Personally, I think The Lost Sister really expanded the world of Stranger Things, going outside of Hawkins and most importantly touching on the subject (pun intended) of the other test subjects at Hawkins Lab, because Eleven obviously wasn't the only test subject and what happened to the others is unclear. I thought it was shown clearly that Kali was a strong young woman but someone who was hurting and masked her idea of "fighting back" as revenge, and one could definitely see the bond forming between her and Eleven. I understand your point about cliches, though. And I get what you mean by pacing. However, that episode was a turning point in Eleven's character arc, and I don't think Eleven's closing the gate would have been as powerful otherwise without the flashback to the train scene. If she hadn't been imparted with this knowledge of channeling her emotions to use her powers, closing the gate would have been too easy. It also sets up a potential conflict in Eleven, because anger can obviously be spent. That, and her killing the agents, flipping the van, etc. were less moments of anger and fear of being taken, but highlight how far she is willing to go to protect her friends. Would it possibly have been better to cut between Eleven somewhere else and the rest of the gang in Hawkins in episodes 6 and 7, or would that have been too convoluted when we were already cutting between Hawkins Lab, Jonathan and Nancy at Murray's and the rest of the gang gearing up to trap Dart? Would the audience's attention have been divided? (I know mine was throughout both episodes.) Would the finale have been more or less powerful without the moments from The Lost Sister, if we all skipped that episode? I'm struggling to answer these questions myself.

[@moomoome42]

I like this format but please don't stop making awesome video essays?