Stranger Things 2: not that strange after all

More monsters, same problem.

The rst season of Stranger Things was a magical trip back to the 1980s. Its charming nostalgia was coupled with an intriguing new mythology and powerful performances by the show’s young stars, making for an enthralling story centered on friendship and adventure.

Season 2 tries to recapture some of that magic, and it brings back the same retro visuals and gives a fan favorite more screen time. Millie Bobby Brown continues to impress as Eleven, but efforts to give her an independent story arc feel too far removed from the main storyline.

She doesn’t hook up with the rest of the gang till late in the season, and while she’s off hanging out with Eight and her motley band of mists with funky haircuts, Hawkins is being swamped by a pack of demo-gorgons (or demo-dogs).

Jonathan and Nancy’s efforts to get justice for Barb – you know, the freckled nerd who got snatched up from Steve’s swimming pool early in season 1 – also feel too much like fan service. Barb didn’t stick around long enough to have much of an impression, and maybe the show shouldn’t dedicate entire episodes to internet memes.

The rest of the show is peppered by inexplicably bad decisions by Hopper, ham-handed attempts to shove couples together (Hopper/ Joyce, Jonathan/Nancy), and a disappointing lack of anything new. Season 2 is basically a blander version of season 1, but with more monsters.

Stranger Things 2 reuses a successful formula, but its lack of the world building and mystery that made the rst season so magnetic leaves much to be desired.