Stranger Things 2 (2017) [Serial Review]

Created: The Duffer Brothers
Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Cara Buono, Matthew Modine, Noah Schnapp and Joe Keery, Sadie Sink, Dacre Montgomery, Sean Astin and Paul Reiser.
Dur: Each episode is about 50 mins. There are 9 episodes in this series.
Genre: Thriller
PG: A few kisses.

The second season picks up the narrative where the first season ends albeit a year later. Will is rescued from the upside down and things seem to inching towards normalcy. Each of the characters are, in their own way coming to grips with the catastrophe of the previous year. While some have progressed well others still find it difficult to put the past behind them. It appears that everyone except those who were affected by the evil have no idea whatsoever about what was going on. Just when things seem to be settling down, evil strikes again.

The first episode is a let down. It doesn’t do a good job of introducing the series or the new characters. It doesn’t even come across as a transition from the past to the present. We are suddenly introduced to a hound of a reporter, who I expected to play a bigger role than just matchmaker, and just like that he is taken away from the story until one scene, sometime later on in the series. New characters, Billy and Maxine too aren’t well explored during the series despite the significant roles they play. But aside from these drawbacks, the series is fantastic. The thrill, suspense and nerve-racking build-up make it binge-worthy. The acting is brilliant and what makes it more so is the charm and confidence with which the children bring the script to life. While the plot somewhat follows similar lines to the first season, it involves far more twists and explores a little of the history of Eleven.

Stranger Things 2 had me on pins till I could rest secure after finishing the series. The suspense is tight and gripping, something I really admire in the series. The vibe of the whole series is somber and dark, peppered with a few moments of love and attempts at humour. I sincerely loved the first and second seasons and am eagerly awaiting the third.  

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