Stranger Things 2 publicity photo. Image courtesy Netflix
In the second part of our Stranger Things 2 review, we find ourselves grieving for Will once again and wondering why cats always get the short end of the stick.
By episode 4, you’re officially sucked into Stranger Things 2. It’s the point where you can’t turn back and you’ll have to consume the final five episodes as fast as possible. Everything changes and is turned up to a very violent and horrifying new bar as we come to understand what Will is up against.
Of course, it’s a little difficult to wrap your head around without any sort of specific terminology beyond “shadow monster” and “now memories,” but for the most part, we learn that the Upside Down has officially invaded Hawkins. In the past year, it has spread just beneath the surface like a virus. And more importantly, by episode 4, it’s officially running through Will.
Our usual suspects like Nancy and Jonathan go on their own adventure for answers and seek out the Chicago journalist who has gone to X-Files-level lengths to get to the bottom of the mystery. Meanwhile, Dustin recruits Steve Harrington (the real MVP) to his cause in finding the missing Dart.
As we venture into the middle of the season, we still know almost nothing about Max and her brother, but Bob proves to be more than a one-dimensional boyfriend for Joyce. He’s as invested in the family as he says he is, and puts himself in danger on more than one occasion to help them out. Similarly, Sam doesn’t appear to be just another scientist. He really wants to understand Will and save Hawkins, so let’s just assume that either Sam or Bob will die by the end of the season.