Stranger Things 2x09 'The Gate' | First Time Reaction

Patreon for Early Access: / diegesischad
Join Arianna and Maple for the thrilling season finale of "Stranger Things" Season 2, titled "The Gate." This episode is packed with action, emotion, and resolution as the Hawkins crew comes together to close the gate to the Upside Down. React with Arianna and Maple as they witness Eleven’s powerful confrontation with her past and her ultimate fight to save her friends and the town. The episode also ties up many loose ends, from the heartwarming Snow Ball dance to the lingering threats that set the stage for future adventures. Experience the highs and lows, the scares and the triumphs, along with our reactors in this explosive conclusion to a phenomenal season.
Follow Arianna: / _aerii44
Explore more with Maple: msha.ke/mapledivine
Subscribe for emotional and action-packed reactions: / @diegesis
00:00 - Intro
00:10 - Reaction
27:10 - Review

[@Khay-77]

It only took two whole seasons to get to the wholesome moment you were both conned into believing this show would be from the start.

[@dlweiss]

Yess! I was about to comment that we FINALLY are getting that wholesome content. :)

[@LudusAurea]

There are like 76 wholesome moments before now. You just have to have the emotional intelligence of at least a 13 year old to see them.

[@Diegesis]

in my defense i think the first two seasons count. i just under estimated the menace it would bring Ariaple.

[@Khay-77]

@@Diegesis No worries, I don't think anyone expected them to be as traumatized as they were in the first two seasons.

[@jerodast]

@@LudusAurea And then there's this guy 😄

[@letstalkaboutit2417]

That moment you realize you weren't being trolled and that this is *actually* a wholesome and feel-good show

[@stevenhenry9605]

Steve Harrington: sports jock, rejected boyfriend, mentor, bad-ass babysitter, monster hunter.

[@Etticos.]

The DND fighter

[@tumbleheart4664]

And good friend.

[@Etticos.]

@@tumbleheart4664 oh god those words just gave me flash backs of the Ahsoka copy pasta.

[@ashchbkv6965]

rich

[@Mrsamj1989]

He is mother

[@Sebulbatron]

”LOCK HER IN JAIL, UR DONE LADY” fuckin sent me hahaha

[@andrewichigo]

Steve is genuinely my favorite character. He's such a loveable dork (even despite being the "cool" guy) and he's so kind to Dustin and the kids.

[@cliveklg7739]

I'm a Dustin then Steve. Dustin always seems to have the right intentions, or acts on his heart.

[@brewdaly1873]

​@@cliveklg7739 that's fair, but you gotta admit, they're better together. I live for the Dustin/Steve moments.

[@jerodast]

As far as I can tell he literally doesn't even have a reason to be driving Dustin to the dance, he's just his chauffeur/wingman now 😂😂

[@wilwaycoholland4337]

Steve is like Invincible, his superpower is getting his ass kicked.

[@dementedavenger2784]

lmao perfect

[@TheRepublican777]

Lol he only wins a fight if he has something to swing

[@TheRepublican777]

Lol he only wins a fight if he has something to swing

[@Rgasm]

Lol he only wins a fight if he has something to swing

[@kellyturner920]

That moment when Mike is wailing on Hopper and Hopper just takes it and hugs him because he is an actual good father.

[@ColinsComments]

I hate that they changed his character in the next season; forcing him into the bad dad action hero archetype.

[@nathanjacobus3577]

Everyone is commenting on what a great dad Hopper is. But can we talk about what an absolute boss lady, mama bear Joyce is? Far from fearless but she still never hesitates to do what needs to be done. All while having it in her heart to show each and every kid the love and compassion she shows her own..

[@G1NZOU]

Absolutely, from the first few episodes I loved Joyce, and especially how good her mother instincts were for Elle despite only just meeting her. Joyce is MVP for me.

[@toyactv]

The child actor that plays Will should have got an Emmy because this episode was some top tier acting.

[@sammylane21]

The use of Cyndi Lauper's song "Time After Time" was perfect.

[@hessu275]

Probably my favorite Nancy scene where she makes Dustin feel better at the dance

[@CoryGasaway]

And she has some great scenes. Nancy truly is the leader of the entire teenager crew. She may be the strongest character in the show. Just doesn't care what anyone thinks and always takes control.

[@TimSedai]

"Gaping crotch goblins" weren't on my Diegesis bingo card...

[@tunderdiamant8651]

Noah Schnapp deserves so much credit for his job on this season ... Like the way he managed to portray the whole possessed and exorcism stuff is so overlooked for an actor the age he was in this season he did so good !

[@fester2306]

Yeah. I remember watching S1 and just presuming he got that part (out of sight, out of mind for most of the first season) because the other child actors were more talented. He proved me wrong S2.

[@G1NZOU]

From not getting that much screen time in season 1, to absolutely killing it in season 2, he did an amazing job.

[@tunderdiamant8651]

@@G1NZOU yep ^^ makes it even more sad how the writers totally forgot about him in the 2 next seasons tho ... Hoping they fix that for the last season and give him the spotlight again

[@jxchamb]

The relationship beteen Hopper and El is makes me...feel good. Also, thanks for coming around on Steve. He's freaking awesome.

[@cjb1454]

In case you guys haven't noticed, the doctor/scientist dude is the same guy in the Aliens movie that tried to get Ripley facehugged.

[@renaudbelanger8199]

Nooooooooooo what?! Damn i can't unsee it now

[@jawbone78]

I always thought that it was a bit of stunt casting to try to bait the audience into assuming he's going to betray Will and Joyce. Instead, your expectations get subverted and he turns out to be exactly who he presents himself to be all along!

[@TrentRidley]

Spoilers ahead for anyone who hasn't watched Seasons 3 and 4. @@jawbone78 With all the 80's movie and show references, that was definitely some "stunt casting." They even throw in a few shots of him looking at the monitors that are throw-backs to the shot in Aliens of him seeing Ripley and Newt about to be impregnated and switching the monitor off. Hell, even the set up and look of the monitors is a throw-back. I love that they casted him in this role, plus Sean Astin as Bob who was in (among other things) The Goonies in the 80's, a movie with a very similar feel with regards to the group of boys and their adventures and relationships. Love the throw-back to The Terminator in Season 3 with a particular casting and character choice as well and of course the vibe of the classic 80's horror films that Season 4 takes on. There's more I could mention of course, but yeah, they've done such a great job of working so much 80's pop culture into the show.

[@modsquad3123]

Hopper negotiating with the doc to ensure 11/jane gets something in the end is so great and shows hopper’s intelligence, this man has always had the proper mind set to protect everyone and roll the dice with people higher up within the energy/cia government folks

[@CoryGasaway]

Just wait until season 4. It's one of the greatest seasons of television for any show. And it's going to bring those tears out for all kinds of reasons! Can't wait!

[@chand911]

lol thats certainly an opinion.

[@neonoires]

I like how El was like partially punk and partially Nancy at the ball.

[@geminiblade]

I forgot how emotional the last episode gets, and how crazy purging Will is. Told you guys you’d like Steve.

[@asiagardner21]

Ariana completely breaking down at the last quarter of this episode has me dying 😂😂

[@TrentRidley]

"The feel-good terror." Well it's about time you ladies started embracing the feel-good nature of this show.

[@guyperson6417]

All 80's kids could drive cars.

[@jxchamb]

I didn't learn until I was 15 but at least half of the kids I went to school with started at 13 or 14. Especially the ones who grew up on farms.

[@jjc5871]

I just rewatched season 4. I cannot wait for those reactions.

[@smitty7326]

Yeah. 1 is GOAT, 2 and 3 are fun but a notable league below, then 4 gets back to some greatness. IMO

[@Etticos.]

Demogorgons = crotch goblins my new canon

[@steviet6878]

Man what a great 2nd season. Ive been watching it for the first time along with yall. I finish the season ahead of you and wait for your reactions to that season. Now that you finished season 2 I can start on 3. Poor Will lol I hope he gets a break on the next season. He has been put through the literal upside down ringer. Steve is turning into one of my favorite characters. Him and Dustins relationship is giving me big brother vibes. Maybe well get to see 11 with the gang more next season. Maybe a time jump or something so we dont have to watch her in another year of hiding. Justice for Barb!! That story is finished. Nancy can be unburdened from that secret now. I feel like the Hopper and Joyce relationship is inevitable. Hopper and 11s relationship hits me in the feels. Will we see the evil scientist guy again? Is he dead like 11 thinks? Something tells me no. Ole Mad Max. I really like her character. Shes a badass. Hopefully the grp accepts her now. Hmmm how will her and 11 be? Finally the "Feel Good" we've been waiting for lol even tho it only lasted a few minutes before going back into the upside down haha Looking forward to season 3!!!

[@pricemoore2022]

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

[@bittybaff3541]

The snow ball catapults Nancy to the number one spot on the list of favorite characters

[@LudusAurea]

Finally now you’ll start season 3 where the feelgood happens

[@jeh58]

Hey, I learned to drive when I was twelve. I worked out in the woods building barb-wife fence with my father. My mom came out to visit the camp & as my mom was driving us back home she hit a large pot hole & hurt her back. I changed the tire & drove 25 miles back into town. Camp was way out in the woods, and going back the roads were worse the driving to town. This was back around 1969-1970.

[@G1NZOU]

3:50 all I heard was "right to jail" from Parks and Rec.

[@katieb.024]

20:44 nobody talks about this scene enough. Eleven literally almost went like… supernova. The way the lights in every location we see get SOOO bright and intense… that’s literally El using everything she has. i mean even Hop’s cabin and Billy’s headlights lit up like Xmas trees. I feel like there’s a lot more POWER in El than she knows, she’s just too young and afraid of herself to use it all.

[@ericmcnair4083]

RIP Dart

[@Failedprodegy42]

It's the hair. Evil is attracted that haircut. I've been waiting 4 seasons for them to give Will decent hairstyle!

[@snakeeyes7507]

I am so glad i decided to retake this journey of Stanger things with yall. I love to see that everything I felt when I watched this year's ago was validated while watching along side with yall. I can't wait to watch season 3 with yall.❤❤

[@davidshepard-alenko4232]

steve is so concussed. he has taken so many extremely hard punches to the face and head... to the point of being unconscious that is brain damage

[@Ulmaramlu]

23:00 this is where the wholesome/feel good part kicks in I guess.

[@RandomShart]

I'm just going to say it; I feel like the word "wholesome" has run its course.

[@berniemargolis4288]

I would argue that Cyndi Lauper was just as big as Madonna back in the day. They were both household names in 1984, just like Taylor Swift is now.

[@JohnnyGingy]

She also crossed into the wresting world

[@moonlitegram]

24:15 - 24:28 Hell yea. Love seeing Cyndi Lauper get some modern day credit. Even with all the 80s hype over the past decade, I rarely see her get mentioned these days. Which is funny because I feel like a ton of the fashion trends for women that got popular over the past 10+ years, Cyndi was doing in the 80s. So you'd think she'd get credit as an icon these days. Awesome singer. And she was cool af too. I love that she'd go and do bits for the WWF and was in the first Wrestlemania. Imagine seeing Christian Aguielera/Britney Spears, or One Direction, or Taylor Swift or something at Wrestlemania? It'd never happen. But Cyndi was cool like that.

[@ajrwyfu]

One of my favorite reactions for this show so far... That yell at the end when the screen flipped to the mind flayer 😂😂😂

[@anonamos225]

Chad gets vindicated lol It is feels good after all.

[@ThePharaz]

Just remembered hearing the name Maple. Have you read Bofuri a light novel series? The anime in English is called "Maple - I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense." It's about a young girl and her friend playing a new MMORPG the friends she makes online and the adventures they have.

[@smiffy68]

Get them lobster fingers ready.

[@j.hoover8696]

Yay! I have been watching your reactions all week and just caught up to episode 8 yesterday. Y'all are great!

[@pardox28]

Season 3 is my favorite season. S1 was/is hard to beat but I just loved how S3 builds. And S4 was very epic. But I'll be eager to see how much you like or dislike S3.

[@marybruun9621]

If you thought this season was obverse, can't wait for you to see season 4!

[@chrishotovec4163]

IMO one of the best parts of this show is the redemption of Steve Harrington

[@TheRepublican777]

Notice how Billy looks kinda like the guy on the book Mike and Nancy's mom was reading? Billy wants a MLF he didn't like the high school girls but she should care about his age at least

[@stepheng1523]

He's at least 28 though lol

[@TheRepublican777]

@@stepheng1523 lol not in the show he is a senior in highschool

[@elkins4406]

They play that game twice in this season. Billy also has a pin-up on the wall of his room that looks remarkably like Max's mother. Oedipal ties for everyone!

[@TheRepublican777]

@@elkins4406 lol yeah

[@jennb3112]

s3 is everythinggggg so hype for your reactions

[@1HalfbloodPrince]

Thanks for making me bawl 😂

[@WelshAmethystGirl087]

Stop apologising for jumping scream8ng etc l love that and is exactly how I react to the show and makes your reactions even funnier to me, but watching in the dark alone at night is the best way to get really scared

[@anabanana5672]

boi can't wait for s3 and 4!! the production gets even better😊

[@WaddIes]

and you guys thought it wouldnt be wholesome :3

[@najtrows]

I am so excited for them to see 3 and 4 too now. I hope they can handle it :P :D

[@OmegaSoypreme]

Aww, Arianna you're such a softie!

[@tree6787]

I love Steve Harrington❤

[@shep4life]

Crazy finale

[@9TrixieTurner6]

Steve deserves better, you’re too good for her Steve don’t let her get you down.

[@rromano158]

Eleven disses Max at the beginning because she remembers seeing her in the gym with Mike.

[@bowi1332]

This reaction is everything. chief kiss

[@laurakali6522]

The music really ramps up in this one. Just wait till season 3. A love letter to all things 80’s.

[@stepheng1523]

Season 3s my favorite

[@laurakali6522]

@@stepheng1523 I loved it too. 1985 was a cool year and the Duffer Brothers did a great job depicting it.

[@stepheng1523]

@@laurakali6522 setting it during the summer was a great choice too, this season is like a fever dream

[@laurakali6522]

@@stepheng1523 yep, the mall, the clothing, the music, the part time jobs. The Duffer Brothers were like toddlers during that time period but their love of the 80’s shines.

[@laurakali6522]

You guys do know that Max (Sadie Sink), is in the Taylor Swift short movie All Too Well, right?

[@sarahdyball5241]

Is it just me or is hopper like the best dad?

[@A-AronX]

Maple 💜😊 Ariana✌️😅 I can't wait for season 3 !!!

[@TheRepublican777]

And Dustin seemed like he used to have a little crush on Nancy too

[@nickb5371]

11:51 at least by season 4 it's only emotional trauma for will

[@cheetos1231000]

overall, this is a great season. season three is my favorite though!

[@BB13131313]

Some fans of the show don't like Season 2, but I always thought it was really good..

[@Mrsamj1989]

If Season 2 was a roller, y’all are not ready for season 3. Although season 4 has more horror, it gives some time for you to breathe.

[@kevinchhom9739]

Finally feel good

[@Morgonna]

Stranger Things may not be my favorite show, but season 3 is friggin great. Can't wait to see your reaction.

[@thefourty-yearoldgamer8289]

I really like how intensely you guys watch shows, my wife and I are the same.. Stranger things twists you right up!! :D :D

[@jmhjmhjmh]

Heck yes, it’s Stranger Things Day!

[@GreyhawkTheAngry]

Was that episode *"Feel-Good"* enough for you ladies? Sometimes, it just a journey to get to that point. Its at this point, however, that I must dip out. For reasons.

[@magicbrownie1357]

Steve is kind of a bad ass.

[@johncspine2787]

I’ve watched the series many times..I’ve watched many reactors..and I just realized the significance of Will hosting the Mind Flayer..Will is acting like a gate! (Like the episode’s title..) Or, the Mind Flayer (shadow monster) is using him as a gate to pass into our world. No one could see Will get..”infected, or possessed “ in the pseudo-Upside Down when he was convulsing in the field at school in front of his mom and friends, BUT, now everyone can see the Mind Flayer particles or dust in our world. It’s like a misdirect..we think the “important” gate is the one El closes, but now, since the particles are in our world, it has a foothold here…

[@GreyhawkTheAngry]

There's some truth to what you've said, but the fact does remains that if the Mother Gate wasn't or hadn't remained open, the Mind Flayer wouldn't have been able to reach into Will in the first place. It was *very* important, in ways that I can't even bring up without going into a fuckton of spoilers that even people that have already seen all four seasons might not know (stay away from the Official Subreddit, kids...AND the Wiki).

[@johncspine2787]

@@GreyhawkTheAngry yes..but the point is this is the first time all alleged physical gates are closed, yet the mind flayer is still present. It’s not clear if Will can access the pseudo-upside down with a gate present or not.

[@GreyhawkTheAngry]

@johncspine2787 the events of the third season, for better or for worse, effectively demonstrated this to not be the case.

[@johncspine2787]

@@GreyhawkTheAngry can’t refute without spoiling..mostly..powers that be went on to use different methods, but getting that entity into our world through Will was important.

[@nomad2057]

Obsessed with you guys 🎉❤

[@smitty7326]

Getting some of the feel good now

[@azuresentry815]

I think S2 is great but it still ranks as my least favorite of the seasons so far. Which is to say, so much great Stranger Things left for you to react to! Also as an aside, the tunnels are not in the Upside Down, that's why you say Dart die in the tunnel after 11 closed the gate. So there was no risk of Mike and crew being trapped there when she closed it.

[@TheRepublican777]

On to seasin 3 yes lol

[@falcychead8198]

Spoilers: The Upside Down will be back. It's not going away. Season 3 will be "feel-good," or at least closer to it. More characters to hate and love. Season 4 will be a _goddamn ride._

[@pepsiman990]

🦞🦞🦞🦞🦞 5 out of 5 lobsters

[@jbwade5676]

❤❤❤❤

[@AzaMinis]

You gonna tell me it's not Feels Good

[@ernestorodriguez791]

👍🏾

[@hartjohnson2975]

The 80s is barely past Mrs. Robinson... a young guy with an adult woman was still not really taboo--it was considered lucky for the young man... young girls and older men had a lot nearer age rule until the girl was adult, but not the reverse.

[@CakeBevens]

season 3 🧑‍🍳😘

[@Drforrester31]

I think the general consensus of this season is it is the weakest of the series (though I'm sure some people will claim it's their favorite). To be honest it's probably my least favorite but it's still quite good. For me the biggest problem is Eleven being away from the group for so long and I hate the pit stop in Chicago, but I love Sean Astin as Bob and the emergence of Steve as the best character in Stranger Things (don't @ me!) The finale is also amazing, Eleven vs the Wallussy gives me chills and I love that the kids all get a moment at the Snow Ball before the reveal that the Mind Flayer is still here

[@MaMvidS45]

Lol #feelgood

[@kylelichter7]

If you don’t like three musketeers, I’m done with ya

[@rowanmayfair9249]

Chad. You rock. Thank you for giving me 2 seasons of these two. They've had me rolling.

[@luisgarcia-nj9vj]

Spoilers incoming.............show ends and we want more

[@luisgarcia-nj9vj]

Did not know maple had spicy content 😳

[@alexarias5717]

When did she say that lol

[@tumbleheart4664]

And it's awesome, because she's awesome.

[@wilwaycoholland4337]

@@alexarias5717 It's linked in the video description

[@Danstraightedge]

STEVE IS THE BEST. His arc is amazing.

[@jeh58]

I agree with Cyndi Lauper more talented than Madonna. Madonna was better at marketing herself.

[@rowanmayfair9249]

Ducky. My Ducky. I loved that they gave that one to Dustin. Gaten is a beast.

[@jerodast]

I was complaining leading up to this that all I really remembered from this finale was Eleven screaming and blasting Dark Forces and then she wins, and while they obviously went all out to up the scale it felt sort of the same as season 1. But. Now that I'm over that, it was lovely to rewatch with y'all and appreciate that the other things in this finale were pretty great. I totally forgot they showed Barb's funeral at last, that is such a relief!

[@attention_shopping]

xd

[@mynameisbillyb]

please please please watch season 3 it just gets better each season and season 3 genuinely is a feel good season

[@GreyhawkTheAngry]

I'm sorry, what?

[@JeffKelly03]

"I like Steve" - damn right! Steve Harrington is the best. He was never supposed to have his 180, and if I remember correctly, they were gonna kill him off in season one but the Duffers just loved Joe Keery so much and thought he was just the most charming, coolest guy that they totally changed his trajectory because they liked hanging around with him.