Stranger Things 1x2 'The Weirdo on Maple Street' | First Time Reaction

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Join Maple and Arianna for a suspense-filled journey into the mysterious world of "Stranger Things" with their first-time reaction to Episode 2, "The Weirdo on Maple Street." Dive deeper into the 1980s setting of Hawkins, Indiana, as the plot thickens with more eerie and unexplained events following the disappearance of Will Byers. Watch their reactions as the boys encounter Eleven, a girl with inexplicable powers, and begin to uncover the strange occurrences in their small town. This episode ramps up the tension with its blend of supernatural elements and government conspiracies. Maple and Arianna share their thoughts on the unfolding mysteries, the show's captivating characters, and the chilling atmosphere that has captivated audiences worldwide. Stay tuned for their review after the reaction, discussing the episode's themes of friendship, fear, and the unknown in this critically acclaimed series.
Follow Arianna on Instagram: / _aerii44
Explore more with Maple: msha.ke/mapledivine
Subscribe for full series reactions: / @diegesis
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Reaction
25:46 - Review

[@Valecan]

The "feel good" is the friends we made along the way. They will love the show as it goes on, good job Chad.

[@red2977]

yea I forgot how annoying a lot of these characters are in the beginning.

[@Diegesis]

yeah i forgot what a tool steve originally was

[@TrentRidley]

Fun fact: Steve was meant to remain a douche and be written out of the story after he and Nancy split, but the creators and the crew liked the actor that plays him so much that they decided to do a rewrite, giving Steve a redemption arc instead. I think it was a good choice.

[@oldben6086]

@@TrentRidleyGood job with the spoilers, bud…

[@ravenward626]

idk. They said that Barb passed their vibe check, and she didn't last long. At this point the show's starting to feel like a slasher flick. I hope the show's author isn't as free with their scythe R.R. Martin in future episodes.

[@SethWilson]

The feel-good comes from a lot of the little character interactions, the kids’ banter and a lot of the 80s period references. Yes, the circumstances can get really bleak, but there’s a charm about the show even at its darkest.

[@EricMcLovin13]

perfect. the beginning of the series is slow on that cause it didn't have any time to develop those characters and relationships but it's what he said

[@ClusterDSA]

I mean, I love the series, but if you asked me to describe it, "feel good" would never have been in my description. I would have said it has amazing production value, incredible characters some of whom you love, some you hate but all well written and realized. A fantastic story paced exceptionally well. And as a person who doesn't really enjoy horror content generally speaking they managed to walk a perfect line of creepy/scary/unnerving with sufficient breaks to keep it from being unenjoyable for people who aren't just into that sort of thing. What you are calling feel good I would just say are tension breaks and character building done masterfully.

[@ghandiman]

7 days ago?

[@BobTheSkull]

100%. this is in no way a "feel good" show. @@ClusterDSA

[@TrentRidley]

You're stretching Seth.

[@brewdaly1873]

It's always funny watching people get introduced to Steve in the first season. It's hard to see now why he's such a fan favorite 😅

[@Jabberwocky415]

I still like Jonathon more. But yeah Steve’s development is fantastic.

[@Digivolution3]

Even Nancy's growth is amazing! I think they did really well with these characters and showing real and different kinds of reactions to crazy events and how it changes people for better or worse! Can't wait until season 5 tbh

[@TrentRidley]

Hopper's introduction too. Everyone assumes he's going to be that typical fat, lazy, burnt-out, incompetent cop we see in so much of media. By the end of the 1st episode people come to question their assumption, by the end of episode 3 they love the guy, and from there their affection only grows.

[@animusnocturnus7131]

​@@Digivolution3absolutely. I do need some miracle for Max though. This one breaks my heart.

[@SlCKNESS_]

​@@Digivolution3 Nancy's one of the worst-written characters to ever exist. I don't wanna say more, because of spoilers, but she's a masterclass at how not to write a female character.

[@grumpyboomer61]

Well, here's a feel good moment. Of all the people that Eleven could have fallen in with, she's in the company of gentlemen.

[@thelonercoder5816]

jesus I forgot how young they were in the first season lol. now they're all like 20-21

[@bloatus7611]

I've always found it neat and respectful of Nancy's character as a teenage girl with agency that in the first episode it's framed like Steve is just a horndog who only wants to sleep with her. But in this episode it clearly shows that they both want it and she was working her way up to it. And I think part of it is his being respectful of her denying his advances before and actually going back to studying.

[@jxchamb]

She is such an awesome character.

[@SlCKNESS_]

@@jxchambNo, she's not. She's about as badly written as you can write a female character.

[@jxchamb]

@@SlCKNESS_ I'm only basing it on her actions and acting. So maybe there are other factors I'm missing.

[@tayzk5929]

Why?

[@paulockenden4278]

Stranger Things mixes every genre to maximum effect, sci fi ,horror, drama , comedy all blended so brilliantly in the feel good 80s vibe.

[@angeloalvarez5520]

Yeah they managed to do all that without it feeling tonally inconsistent

[@philipcook8298]

Still heartbroken for Barb😭 They did her so dirty😤

[@davidpothier6823]

This is like the fourth video Arianna has mentioned 626 if Maple hasn't seen Lilo and Stitch it needs to happen at this point that movie is incredible

[@Usurpationblitz]

Or Gravity Falls. Maybe they have?

[@nataliebrunson1157]

As someone who has a daughter named Eleanor, thanks for the love! I think it's a great name and means "shining light". Great job, ladies! The feel-good part will come. I promise.

[@MapleDivine]

I looooove I read a book when I was younger and absolutely adore the name

[@TCrimson05t]

The feel good is the friends we made along the way

[@JackOiswatching]

I'll keep saying it, Joyce Byers is a force of nature and should never be underestimated.

[@AnotherScribbler]

The scene of her looking at that house, realizing that her son is scared and alone and the only link she has to him is there, and going back in? Amazing.

[@caldercockatoo2234]

One of my favorite characters.

[@dementedavenger2784]

Season 4 Joyce is basically Ripley lol

[@red2977]

Arianna is too cute with the "I feel bamboozled..."

[@xBloodXGusherx]

Hahahaha!

[@peach-panther]

Wow this takes me back. Im glad to see you guys doing this. The first season was so eerie I loved it.

[@angeloalvarez5520]

Same here

[@Danstraightedge]

This is a dark show but the feel good comes from the relationships of the friends and character developments. Its so worth it. I always forget how awesome the Steve development is.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

23:42 You don’t mess with Mama Bear’s little cubs

[@thestokes91]

lol that reaction to the chest punch is funny. For a young man like that, having an older man in a position of authority hit you like that makes you feel inspired, not angry. It's a sign that he's trusting you to do something important, and to "man up" and get it done.

[@yw1971]

11:15 - Hiding her from his mom like in E.T.

[@nateedward9663]

if you grew up in the 80's or watched 80's movies its very nostalgic

[@RickLeMon]

It's the little details that they nail. It's things like Will's family is poorer, and a lot of their furniture and such is older--from the '70s. Mike's family is wealthier, and their furnishings are more up to date. That's the kind of thing that most shows would miss. They'd just dress sets (and the cast) in whatever was current at the time, ignoring that people have old things

[@jbacunn]

This is all Chad's fault. He lied! 🤣

[@Diegesis]

I meant what i said and i stand by it lol

[@JohnnyBNerdy]

btw I am 99.99% sure that Nancy was named that as a wink to A Nightmare on Elm Street, whose main character is named Nancy

[@Diegesis]

also the name of this episode feels like a nod too

[@TomVCunningham]

The "feel good" is the nostalgia, and character interactions.

[@tayzk5929]

The synth is feel good too😄

[@RX-12]

I never had friends like those kids so it doesn't make me feel good, just empty.

[@Narutoanime16g]

Its wild the 11 actress got her breakout role here this shows so good, the government always hiding shit

[@JosephChevere]

"I'll fight you, chief of police!" 😂

[@derekdecker555]

I watched this the first time before my niece and nephew were born and much like the Maple and Aryana I was like “I’d never go back in that house”. But, after being basically a 3rd parent for the last few years now, I absolutely get it.

[@vampdan]

*witnesses power of friendship and childhood freedom* "Where's the 'feel-good'? where's the 'good?!'" Also, we thank him because if you knew what you were getting into you would brace yourself. He was just protecting you from "spoilers."

[@alexjames4770]

I think as easy as it is to criticize Nancy and Steve here, they are just being teenagers interested in each other. Steve is definitely making his interest known, but if Nancy shuts him down, he accepts it. And Nancy wanted Barb to come to the party so she wouldn’t feel alone and pressured into doing anything, but then realized she WANTED to do stuff. Is it a messed up thing to do to (presumably) her best friend? Totally. But teenagers do dumb shit without realizing how deeply it affects others.

[@rachelundercoffer7120]

Loving all your predictions and hypotheses! The characters really grow on you over time and that’s part of the positive feeling many have about the show! Give it time 😊

[@scotiej]

After this show came out, I went and bought a funko pop of Barb. The only funko I will ever own but I loved Barb.

[@freeheeler00]

Ultimately, it's the character arcs that are coming. I don't want to spoil it, but it's coming.

[@DerekHise]

MVP Chad for sacrificing his friendship to get us a Stranger Things reaction.

[@omegawhite6943]

So glad you are reacting to this. One of my favorite shows.

[@zelgkopitar8799]

I almost forgot how strong this show starts off. It's strong all the way through. And the feel good comes a little later on. Though the show doesn't change that much. It's a bunch of friends having to deal with some really bad shit, but having to deal with that bad shit is what brings on the feel good aspect of the show. It's really like the Goonies and sci-fi horror. I cant help but love how angry you two are at the end though 🤣🤣

[@MetastaticMaladies]

Man I can’t wait for them get further, I want to see what they think of the events and other stuff that happens this and the next season.

[@laurashepherd2479]

Mike is such a sweet kid the way he is with Eleven ☺️ I was pregnant with a baby boy when this series first came out and coming from an all girl family I was a little apprehensive about what it would be like having a son, strange as it sounds all the sweet, nerdy little boys in this show made me look forward having a boy!

[@arnieadam]

This is hardly a "feel-good" series, but it is really good. It's haunting and confusing and fascinating and, at times, frightening. There's a lot of drama and mystery, interspersed with moments of humor and terror.

[@jxchamb]

So glad you guys are loving this. And some of this show is feel good however not yet. You have to through the bitter before you get the sweet.

[@jonathanpowell7256]

That was the bottom of El's hospital gown that the search party found, El ripped it off escaping Hawkins lab.😊

[@fredwin]

What's not feel good about meatloaf? Come on!

[@jxchamb]

Nothing like a nice meatloaf sandwich with some mayo.

[@r3ijav]

I looooooooove going in this journey with you guys!

[@Bootstrap-mo9rg]

I love how experiment 626 is actually Stitch

[@timetoobsess8860]

Honestly these "feel-good" complaints are so annoying. Obviously not every minute of a horror show would be "feel good", it's more about the sweet characters interactions, their love and friendship, etc.

[@ariannaw6858]

We had/have been watching things that very anxiety producing and emotional. He told us it was lighthearted in a way to be like “it’ll be an easy watch”. So seeing as we hadn’t seen it or knew anything about it, the complaint is valid as this show is still very much stress inducing….

[@TorchySmurf]

Joyce exemplifies a mother's love. Gets me every time 😭

[@TheRepublican777]

I love the attention to detail of the 80s the old commercials they show the old coke cans and old Doritos bags and Tostitos bag and the old cartoons on the TV and the popular Camel cigarettes at the time

[@najtrows]

It's like all good 80's films rolled into one. I feel like the scary parts are still effective but not Horror-scary really. It's such a good homage to all the best films of that period and the groups of characters that work together makes it so feelgood. Just because someone calls it feelgood doesn't mean that no bad stuff will happen :P But the overall positive is feelgood AF I think, all of the feelings in this show just feels so real to me compared to many other tv-shows. The relations between character is feelgood!

[@revengeneutral8164]

How does Joyce Byers have the balls? She's a mother. Good parents will walk straight into a fire if it means saving their children.

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome reaction of my favorite episode of Stranger Things!!!!😊😊😊😊

[@brictoni]

Regarding Elanor...you guys should watch The Good Place

[@havok6280]

What the Fork is a Chidi?

[@1979ikimus]

Hang in there guys! The show is amazing, don't give up on it!

[@junocrespo1774]

It's so funny because this show is 100% a good feel show lol

[@crispy_338]

🫡 Barb. Rest in pieces.

[@BobTheSkull]

whoever told you this is a feel-good show is fucking funny and a liar. this is an 80's psychological thriller/horror show. its in now way a feel-good show. it has its feel good moments but its a minority of the show. its still amazing and worth the watch though.

[@Uhlbelk]

The "feel good" is for everyone who lived through the 80s and are reminded of their childhood. Gen x is like the fucked up red-headed, middle, latch key kid. This show is like the nostalgia garbage pail kid.

[@carriesmith742]

Don't be embarrassed. One of my favorite Beatles' songs was Eleanor Rigby. 😊

[@neonoires]

LMAO I love how innocent y'all are when it comes to this show.

[@NguyenDuong-xv9tt]

it does feel good, just in a STRANGER way

[@geraldtodd6633]

Do you realize why it is called "Stranger Things." Whoever told you it was a feel good show meant well. But it is put together really well. I don't know you but everybody I know who has seen it really likes it, I hope you two really give it a good chance.

[@magnaremora]

Steve is the best character in the show, you just don't know it yet.

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

😂 I feel like when they say *feel good,* they mean it feels good to watch Season 4 & by then you've already seen the monster, which means it doesn't frighten you

[@Diegesis]

I've only seen seasons 1 and 2. I just didn't find them scary and when I think of the show I think of goonies. Young boys riding bikes in the 80s helping each other with the power of friendship.

[@unrelatedcoma]

@@Diegesis yeh i dont think the girls specified in the first vid but it was most definitely a Chad description of Stranger Things to use the term "feel good", i love it tho since they went in with the completely wrong expectations lmao

[@Cyricistic]

@@Diegesis Yeah I didn't find it particularly scary either, my first time through. Absolutely would describe it as a 'feel good' type show. Seeing the kids being friends, the lengths they go to help each other, their relationships develop and strengthen... definitely a feel good show, imo.

[@jessiewebb754]

can’t wait for you to see steve’s character development lol i love this show

[@animusnocturnus7131]

Well, whoever said that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, clearly never saw a mom protecting her children.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

It makes sense for the son of a wealthy black family in suburban 80s Indiana to be pretty conservative and focused on privacy.

[@matanzaoui699]

you guys need to stop focusing so much about the "feel good" prep you got. Clearly after the first episode you knew that this is not a feel good show so just forget about it. i wouldn't call this show a feel good show at all, BUT, what i would say is that it is very nostalgic. like i was born in the 80's and remember a lot of things from my childhood that this show keeps reminding me (and a lot more to come in later seasons), also, there are a lot of parallels and nods to old movies like E.T. and IT etc. all this nostalgia may make an old guy like me warm and fuzzy, so i see why somebody might call it "feel good" but it's just not in the way you think.

[@RaFMJ]

Omg I love that you guys are reviewing Stranger Things now! Trust me, it gets GOOD!!!!

[@Cassxowary]

girl, eleanor is in the top 10 names this year or last lol was 16tb in 2022 so it keeps jumping up

[@gordonhaire9206]

Wynona Ryder is a great actress. Watch "Mermaids" and "Girl Interrupted"

[@9TrixieTurner6]

Aww best boy Steve, hes so lovable I can't get enough of him.

[@smangelenondonga1241]

Keep em coming, love this show

[@kentbarnes1955]

Elanor is the first child of Samwise and Rosie in Lord of the Rings

[@anaivanic7303]

The feel good is about interaction between characters, that's the best thing about the show cause so many of them are great and likeable. Plus the 80s nostalgia brings a lot of points

[@antonytjp]

My cousin lily named her baby girl Eleanor I love it too

[@MapleDivine]

❤️ so cute

[@davidpothier6823]

Why does Maple say BRO with more gusto than I do and im a full grown man

[@LudusAurea]

Keep watching though it’s a good show. The characters all change a lot and become better friends if that’s the “feel good” maybe idk.

[@RX-12]

The human aspect of the show doesn't really work for me because it's about normal kids who've been close friends for years, and I never had anyone like that. I'm autistic and Eleven kind of reminds me of myself except she meets kids who are actually nice and accept her, and it makes me angry because it's basically showing me what my life could have been like if kids were really that nice.

[@Diegesis]

understandable. i had a similarly lonely and mean childhood for other reasons.

[@peteK70]

Every 80s movie in one series 👍

[@moonlitegram]

I actually do get the "feel good" comment. Between the coming of age aspect of it with the kids, which is usually a feel-good vibe, and the fact that so many of the moments in the show are pulled and reworked from various 80s films I grew up with, it does ultimately wind up being a feel good watch for me. Also, unpopular opinion, but I think Barb kind of sucks and she brought her fate upon herself. If she actually asserted herself at any point in this episode, she doesn't disappear at the end. She didn't want anything to do with the party, but she gives in and drives Nancy there. Then she doesn't want to go inside, but gives in and does it anyway. Then she doesn't want to have a beer, but gives in and tries to shotgun the beer and cuts her hand. Then Nancy tells her its fine and she can go home, and instead of leaving, she decides to stick around and mope on the diving board. If she had asserted herself in literally any one of those instances, she doesn't end up on that diving board with the bleeding hand. I get it, Nancy was picking her libido over her friend there. But she's a 15 or 16 year old girl. That's pretty normal. And its pretty normal for her teen friend Barb, to not have the maturity to realize that and just move on too. But let's face it. Barb is a wishy washy stick in the mud in that episode who could have been safe and sound at home had she at least stuck to her guns and stood up for herself at least once.

[@shep4life]

My favorite show

[@DanJackson1977]

The title of this episode references a classic Twilight Zone episode... "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street".

[@naveenmagapu4670]

Please start binging this after you finish Arcane! Also idk if you've ever seen Bojack Horseman but that's also one of the greatest animated shows ever for a totally different reason compared to Arcane and Avatar. Worth the watch in case neither have you have seen it. Bojack and Stranger things my 2 favorite Netflix Originals.

[@TheTerrbear2010]

The feel-goods don't really hit until season 3ish lol

[@JK9C]

I certainly feel good seeing y'all reaction

[@mermaidday6701]

I wouldn't describe this show as feel-good but it is a great show with endearing characters. If you want feel-good, try Ted Lasso or Schitts Creek.

[@dsumner1234]

Justice for Barb. 😉

[@terracotta34534]

If I had a nickel for every show on Diegesis featuring a baby named Holly

[@rowanmayfair9249]

Chad...lol. I think they're plotting against you.

[@karlmoles6530]

Steve tries WAYYYYYYY too hard. If Nancy wasn't completely naïve he'd have gotten nowhere.

[@Tetrabiblo]

D-11 girlllll this ain’t Star Wars 😂😂

[@BrianKapellusch]

RIP Barb. We'll miss your car.

[@sirjohnmara]

Yes, a lot of good music in this show. We all know it so it's OK to noise over it. As long as you acknowledge it's GREAT!

[@Kevinisbatman]

Can’t wait until you see some character arcs

[@wacngininnek8809]

My moms name is ellenor 😂 Mabel is hilarious with the street name and episode

[@pardox28]

1) the sweatshirt/robe Arianna is wearing looks amazingly comfy. 2) Maple talking about rolling around in a bed wet, making tracks all over the house was so funny to me. I started laughing so hard I started coughing & nearly felt like I was going to die of laughter. That was such a funny bit, Maple! 3) You two being mad at Chad; I'm here for it! 4) I watched this the summer it came out mainly because my sister worked on the show & was immediately stunned by two things. One, how good it was. And two, how fucking scary it was. And I don't like scary stuff. 5) I look forward to watching you two make your way through this series.

[@IneedKush]

Nancy and Jonathan are actually dating in real life :P

[@TheRepublican777]

Really Steve's friends were the jerk that made him a jerk once he got rid of them he started acting better and humbled himself

[@cjjackson2423]

8:24 KZbin overlord is so funny 😂

[@sammylane21]

Finn looks like a 10yr old here.😂

[@jwr6796]

My daughter's name is Elinor. ❤❤❤ she's 2.

[@EchanteDante]

The dark hair looks so much better 😎👍. And though your hair looks so much better than Joyce (Will the missing boy’s mom) you sort of look like her with the plaid shirt and plain top underneath with your dark hair and bangs.

[@selardohr7697]

I named my kid Eleanor. I'm a fan of the name!

[@emmaearthling444]

D11 😂😂😂 made me laugh, lol it’s just a 0 before the 11