Anyway, Stranger Things 2 did the impossible in the realm of pop culture:
(No specific spoilers, though I 100% understand wanting to go in completely blind)
- In my opinion, it exceeded its original iteration.
- It constructed intelligent character development while also managing to be set on a [much] greater cinematic scale and not detract from intimate relationships/sequences.
- Resolved most of the general questions the audience had in season one (and created a nice after-show that allows for further insight into this season’s creative and formal decisions).
- Used CGI about as responsibly as any sci-fi/fantasy media can these days—especially a television series—and established some truly stunning visuals with and without it.
- Wrote characters being realistically impacted by traumatic events over time, and called it out for what it was (trauma).
- Yet another show choosing to explore the gruesome nature and consequences of domestic abuse.
- Introduced new characters and new dynamics between old characters that worked extremely well.
- Like the original, did not attempt to thwart serious themes and dark subject matter—in fact, it took it a few levels further.
- Balanced said serious themes with what I perceive as some of the funniest dialogue on television at the moment.
- Nearly all of its original cast—especially the younger members—showed significant growth in their performances, and were allowed to do so through the writing!!!
- Also have to give props to Noah Schnapp; he was the focus of season one, but not the protagonist; he only now got to perform. That put a lot on his shoulders and he absolutely carried this season.
- The production and plot got ambitious, but not stupid ambitious. And even at the moments when they might have, it still made sense in the greater development of the characters (which grants my forgiveness).
- Basically, sequels are infallibly expected to be worse, so it’s shocking and satisfying when one does a good job. Stranger Things 2 did a great job.
I am here for Eleven getting jealous and knocking Max off her skateboard but I am also here for the guilty expression she got on her face after she did it.
weightliftingandstuff-deactivat
why can’t someone love me the way mike wheeler loves eleven
I mean, we’re just friends. Friends. You’ve told me a lot of shockers today, but that, that is the first lie. It’s not a lie. No? You’re young, attractive. You’ve got chemistry, history, plus the real shit, shared trauma. My goodness. You two are adorable, aren’t you?
I’m 100% sure. Just follow me and you’ll know.
One of my favorite things about the mileven reunion is that everyone in the room shuts up and stands back because they all just know how much this means to the both of them. Like the world is literally about to end and yet they give mike and el their moment because they know how important it is for them.
#those little precious smiles after!!! #can u believe how in love???? #can you believe how pure??? # can you believe how beautiful???? #again ive been ruined by these kids help
Of all the things I thought would happen in season two of Stranger Things, Steve Harrington and Joyce Byers fighting for mother of the year was not one of them.
“Compromise. C-o-m-promise. How about that’s your word for the day? Yeah? It’s something that’s kinda in between. It’s like halfway happy.”
(Stranger Things, 2017)
