Stranger Things Season 2: "Madmax" Review

Most sequels have a huge task set in front of them. Not only do they have to tell their own compelling story but they have do so upon the foundation of the original (usually beloved) property. The premiere of Season 2 of Stranger Things sets out to do just that and mostly succeeds.

The premiere picks up roughly a year after the events at the end of Season 1 and introduces us back into the world of Hawkins, IN and all of the characters we loved as well as introducing us to new characters. For the most part its done pretty immediately and pretty successfully. The introduction to the boys in the first season did this expertly and then gave us the introduction to the stakes and what we were up against. This is where the first episode falters.

All of the character introductions and showcasing of the new status quo that the characters have entered post season 1 are done within the first ten minutes of the season 2 premiere. What the episode is really lacking here are any real stakes. The biggest thing that can be seen at stake here is a disruption of the status quo and some pumpkins. That's not very compelling. Even the reveal of the big bad that we saw in all of the trailers was underwhelming. What is it even? I know it's stupid to complain about given my love of lack of knowledge when it comes to horror themed IPs but it seems to me that the big bad of season 2 was either revealed entirely too early and lacks that impact that the first view of the demogorgon had OR it just seems ridiculous not knowing what it is considering it's giant mass. I'm not sure which.

Another thing that the premiere was really lacking was an emotional impact that came with the reveal of Eleven at the end of the episode. What should've been a gut punch of elation and confusion and heartache all at once was lacking all of that due to our knowledge of Millie Bobby Brown returning for Season 2. Say what you will about Game Of Thrones' conundrum with having Kit Harrington get caught on a flight to their known filming location but at least they tried to hide that to give us that emotional punch when he returned. This marketing screw up really did in the emotional impact her character's return should have heralded.

I know that this review seems incredibly negative so far, and perhaps it is, BUT I need it to be understood that I actually thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I think that the young actors have only grown more talented and the veterans are giving us more of their particular brilliance from last season. The newcomers aren't displayed much outside of Sean Astin's Bob Newby who seems almost goofy in his overt niceness. I don't usually like characters like this because it seems to be a foregone conclusion that they are either a goner from the beginning OR are actually working with the enemy, but Astin imbues the character with enough stupid glee that he is easily lovable.

I absolutely adore the new additions to the show and I love the scenarios that have been put forth to follow. Season 2 has gotten off to a great start out of the gate despite some pretty noticeable stumbles out of the gate. I'm excited to see how much bigger the show could get and where it's headed. Here's hoping that it doesn't continue to stumble, but instead picks itself up and rushes forward into the story that I'm so desperately waiting for it to get to.

Rating: 7.9/10