Stranger Things is back. As of this morning, Netflix has made available to everyone the nine episodes of its second season. A new batch in which we will return to the adventures of Dustin, Lucas, Mike, Will, and Eleven in that fantastic town set in the best 80. A long wait (it has been more than a year since we said goodbye to it) has been very worthwhile.
It is not that the series has returned to the comfort zone created in the first season, it is that ‘Stranger Things 2’ breaks with the theme that the second parts are bad and in Engadget, we tell you eight reasons why we think it is better.
It’s a sequel, not a direct sequel.
One of the things that the Duffer brothers have made clear since they started talking about the second season is that they would treat it as if it were a sequel. Of course, for practical purposes, what is a second season but a sequel to the first. But what they wanted to make clear is that they were not going to continue the story right where ‘Stranger Things’ ended but a year later present a self-concluding story with the right links to the first season.
Less ‘E.T.’ and more ‘Encounters in the third phase’
Although the comparison is not entirely accurate, what the beginning of ‘Stranger Things 2’ does make clear is an intention to give more chorality to the series. If in the first season the absolute center was children, this time this focus is extended to adults, who take a more protagonist role. This does not mean that they do not have the corresponding weight, we still have a good portion of Dustin, Lucas, Will, Mike, and Eleven … but also Hopper and Joyce, who will be key to the development of the story.
More (and better) history
Speaking of history, one of the big flaws that the first season of ‘Stranger Things’ had is that if you take away all the eighties magic, the story was rather loose with the relationship between the boys and the mysterious Eleven. Very well done, but somewhat mediocre. On this occasion, the Duffer brothers propose a more complex story, with the upside-down and its beings directly threatening the tranquility of Hawkins.
On the one hand, Hopper begins the second season investigating the mysterious death of pumpkin crops, and will be clear that this dark dimension has something to do with it. Jonathan and Nancy inquire on their own about what happened to Barb and Joyce will be aware that the visions her son has are not imaginations caused by trauma, but something else.
It has a nice touch of terror (eighties, of course)
The writers warned that taking advantage of the fact that it was going to be released around Halloween (and in fact, it is set during 1984 one) they were going to get rid of the adventure tone to propose a horror story. More “scary” than horror, always with an eighties inspiration. So we find a season that is closer to the saga of ‘Alien’ and ‘The Thing’ than to ‘Halloween’ and the like. The creatures to beat? The Demogorgon.
We get to know Eleven better
If we ignore all the mess in Hawkins, Indiana, much of the weight of ‘Stranger Things 2’ is supported by the development of Eleven. Missing since the end of the first season, in this second season we know what has become of her and we will delve into both her past and her family origins. All this with a Millie Bobby Brown who is still a scene-stealer.
Additions are immediate heroes
In ‘Stranger Things 2’ he presents two major additions: first Max (Sadie Sink), a crack of the recreational and newcomer to the town from California. As soon as they arrive at the institute Dustin and Lucas are captivated by her… and so do we. It is true that his background does not end up working, although he provides a “mini villain” (his brother) to add to the plot of the kids.
The other great addition is that of Sean Austin as Bob, Joyce’s boyfriend who, without having children, is a godfather. A great figure between the paternal and the heroic, especially towards the end of the season, which we will cheer. This brings us to the next point.
Remains true to its essence
With so many improvements both in the script section, one might think that perhaps the magic characteristic of the series had been diluted. But no: it exists. And it does so with two major elements. On the one hand, there is the great ability to get involved with both the characters and the story. We connect with all of them in such a way that soon after meeting them we already want them to be part of our lives.
And, on the other hand, the balanced nostalgia element. The Duffer brothers know how to perfectly balance this environment and their clear references when making ‘Stranger Things’. In this way, although we have a good portion of winks to film, television, music, and everything that was supposed to live in the time, one does not get soaked.