stranger things season two

[carlyinrome]

Stranger Things. Fucking Stranger Things.

Non-spoilery review: I loved it. Behind the cut: Mostly flailing with some lit review type stuff.

I have all the feels. All of them.

Negatives: There was not enough Mr. Clarke, I hated Billy (and no, the introduction of his horrible father does not soften the blow for me at all, and Max's standing up to him at the end is not an applause moment for me, because she's controlling him with fear, just like his father does, and that's just an ouroboros of bad shit), the beard guy was annoying, and the pacing was not well-balanced--it takes a long time for things to get going, and then everything has to wrap up in two episodes, BUT I DON'T CARE.

I could not have anticipated this going in, but it turns out Eleven and Hopper is my favorite thing. I CAN'T. They both have such issues and they are terrible communicators, but he makes her A HOME and he dances for her, and she eats peas and sweeps up, and it is hard sometimes but they are both trying so hard, and the--the everything. Cry everything. Her psychically checking messages and watching him in the scrubs in despair, and everything just stops for her and her compass aligns and she realizes where she belongs, and the handholding as they lower themselves into the nucleus of the gate, and the hugs and the concern and the little smiles, and JANE HOPPER and the Snow Ball, omigod you guys, THE SNOW BALL. We earned it, the show earned it, the characters earned it, and Chief of Police Jim Hopper took Eleven the psychic weapon dress shopping, and I would give I don't even know what to see that.

Other things: I love mother hen Steve. Love it. I had a hard time with his character last season, but he has won my heart with his adventures in babysitting. Every moment of his interactions with the children was pitch perfect, so enjoyable, A+.

Nancy didn't get as much to do in this season, but I loved the little pieces of her we did get to see, her passion for helping Barb's parents, the way Jonathan flounders at the thought of holding a gun and she catches it out of the air, how she is calm and collected and a fucking rock during Will's exorcism. And her new hair is cute af.

I also love Kali, although I am not that on board with what she meant to the narrative. The other DOE children was one of the things that most intrigued me after watching the first season, so I'm glad we got to meet her.

Not interested in the love triangle at all, but Lucas trying to be suave and romantic was really enjoyable. I also like that we got to see more of his family, and Dustin's.

Chief Jim Hopper went dress shopping.

Season Three, I neeeeeeeeed youuuuuuu.