This article is 6 years old

Stranger Things Retains Singular Quality

Illustration by Elena Griedel The long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Stranger Things is finally, finally here, and let me tell you: it is absolutely stunning.

Entertainment

Illustration by Elena Griedel

The long-awaited sequel to the critically acclaimed Stranger Things is finally, finally here, and let me tell you: it is absolutely stunning. All of our favorite characters are back, along with a much bigger threat than they ever imagined. This was an absolute emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible, and if you loved the first season, you will love the second one even more. Netflix did not disappoint, so prepare yourself to be blown away by Stranger Things 2.

The plot revolves around four friends, one of whom has recently been rescued from an dark parallel reality called the Upside-Down. As he deals with flashbacks from his time there, the people surrounding him must work to close the gate between the two realities before their world is taken over by the evil on the other side. The progression of the story, the mystery at the end of each episode, and the inevitable unknown outcome all drew me in; it’s truly masterful the way that they framed this season. Admittedly, the first season was equally as binge-worthy, speaking to the raw talent of the writers in that they can produce such consistently creative material.

What’s unique about the level of emotional investment possible in this show is that the show itself is so short. It usually takes a good deal of time to get acquainted with the characters and to begin to care about what happens to them, but not with Stranger Things 2, or even Stranger Things for that matter. The writers do an exquisite job of making the characters relatable, even to the point that you believe on some level that they are, in fact, real. For that matter, everything in the show seems very real. The CGI is remarkably well done, for starters, but beyond that, you are made to feel like the Upside-Down actually exists. However, I think that its plausibility has more to do with its mixture of normality with horror; we can easily put ourselves in the situations the characters are in, meaning that what’s happening to them could just as well be happening to the viewers.

Character development plays a relatively prominent role in the plot. Eleven especially came into her own throughout the season, harnessing her powers and solidifying her identity. She has a solo episode in which she goes off by herself to find her family, which is critical to the plot, albeit slightly off-topic. It was a joy to see her become her own person, more so than any of the other characters. I will say that Bob, Joyce’s new boyfriend, exhibits an honorable transition, as does Steve; they are both forced to be selfless in the face of danger, which I think this fits their characters and adds another element to their personalities.

Stranger Things 2 is a uniquely entertaining show. Actually, it’s vastly superior to the majority of modern TV; it’s comedic, as are most, but its emotionality is far unmatched. Sci-fi enthusiasts and hopeless romantics alike will find it captivating beyond compare.

It’s much too easy to fully commit yourself to Stranger Things 2, and as the alternative is life without it, that’s definitely a good thing. Do yourself a favor and try it out; you will not be disappointed.