Season 2, Episode 2
Season 2 currently streaming on Netflix as of 10/27/17
Rating:
“Nothing’s going to go back to the way that it was, not really, but it’ll get better in time.” –Hopper
Eleven finds a way out of the “upside down” but she’s still not safe.
If you recall in the season one finale, “Chapter 8: The Upside Down,” Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) battled the Demogorgon and while it seemed she destroyed the monster, in the chaos, she was taken back into “the upside down.” As “Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak” begins, we see what happened to Eleven in the aftermath as she wakes up in the scary “upside down” version of the school. She begins screaming out for her new friend Mike (Finn Wolfhard) — the terrified desperation in her voice so compelling and heart wrenching and finally finds a way out to get back to the real world. Federal agents are looking for Eleven because they think she is dangerous. Poor Mike, thinking his friend is dead, doesn’t want to help, refusing to provide any information. But as he’s talking to FBI agents, he catches a brief glimpse of Eleven through the window and that’s when she realizes the closer she is to him and his friends, the more danger they are in.
Eleven figures out how to survive out in the woods but it’s not without its drawbacks.
“Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak” isn’t a play-by-play but it pieces together the puzzle of what happened to Eleven after her experience in the season one finale. Interestingly, she survived on her own in the wilderness, distancing herself from Mike, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo), Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin), and Will (Noah Schnapp) so they wouldn’t get hurt.
Brown’s performance in almost every scene of Stranger Things is absolutely phenomenal. She plays Eleven with such conviction and tenacity you almost believe she is a telekinetic child who has been isolated her whole life. Her interactions with others, aside from Mike and his friends, are fiercely guarded and skeptical, and rightly so after everything she’s been put through. I’m so impressed with Brown’s acting chops; she’s definitely putting in award winning performances here. (Hint hint)
As much as Hopper would like for Eleven to be a normal kid and go out trick-or-treating, it’s not a good idea.
Of course, this episode isn’t all doom and gloom; there is fun to be had too because it’s Halloween in Hawkins, Indiana and the boys are ready to trick-or-treat. Eleven is also anxious to get out of the cabin. I know Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour) means well; he lost his own daughter and now he’s taking it upon himself to be Eleven’s surrogate dad. Although it’s not wise for Eleven to go out, even dressed as a ghost, I appreciate Hopper’s willingness to “compromise.” As Hopper explains, it means “half-way happy.” As much as I am ready for Eleven to reunite with the boys, it’s just not safe right now, especially with all the odd occurrences happening around town.
“Who you gonna call?”
The boys dress up as the iconic Ghostbusters and with the exception of both Mike and Lucas being Peter Venkman, I think they look fantastic, right down to their “proton packs.” I know I’m not the only one picking up on Mike’s authoritative stance with the group. I know every group usually has a leader but when did Mike become supreme ruler of how they should spend their evening trick-or-treating? Why can’t Max (Sadie Sink) join in their Halloween festivities? Clearly Dustin and Lucas are fine with it, and so is Will. Perhaps Mike is simply jealous because Eleven is the only girl in their lives and now Max shows up. She’s no Eleven, but I think she can be a good friend if Mike would just be open-minded.
Observations:
I am loving Erica’s sass!
Lucas’ his little sister Erica (Priah Ferguson) stole the scene when their mom (Karen Ceesay) takes a plethora of snapshots of Lucas in his costume. Ferguson is adorable and delivers her lines so well. “You are such a nerd; no wonder you only hang out with boys…it’s just the facts…nerd.” The look on her face and way she raises her eyebrows is just priceless.
When the boys arrive at school, Dustin realizes no one else is dressed up for Halloween. “They dressed up last year.”
Dustin and Lucas are hilarious as they watch Max skateboarding down the hallway. It’s like a typical ‘80s flick sort of thing when a guy (or two) stares down the girl of his (or their) dreams and the girl doesn’t even notice. Or does she?
Am I trying to ship people? Why aren’t Hopper and Joyce (Winona Ryder) in a relationship? Not that there’s anything wrong with Bob (Sean Astin), but it’s hard to miss the chemistry between Hopper and Joyce, especially when they reminisce about smoking cigarettes in school.
Speaking of Bob, he doesn’t like scary movies yet he’s dressed up as Dracula, the most iconic Halloween creature ever, to give out candy for trick-or-treaters. I guess when it’s pretend, it’s not scary.
People never learn to stop messing with things they don’t understand. More scientists go in through the “upside down” portal. Is it just me or is it an even bigger, scarier “upside down?”
There is so much more to Max than meets the eye. Why did her family relocate from California to Hawkins?
Max’s older brother Billy (Dacre Montgomery) is a total dick and treats her more like property than a little sister. And whatever wig they slapped on his head is dreadful. Seriously, it looks absolutely horrible. Montgomery is doing too good of a job playing Billy as an unlikable asshole. Let’s hope he has some kind of redeeming quality as the season progresses.
Trick-or-treating becomes quite eventful when Will begins to have more intense visions. Mike takes Will back to his house and as they gorge on candy, Will tries to explain his visions. I think there is definitely something awry; seems the “upside down” is creeping into the real world.
Steve (Joe Keery) and Nancy (Natalia Dyer) have an intense conversation in the bathroom at the Halloween party. Nancy is having a hard time dealing with the reality that her friend Barb (Shannon Purser) is dead and Steve wanting to pretend everything is ok. I know they say alcohol is like liquid courage and truth serum, but does Nancy really mean it when she says their relationship is “bullshit?” It’s convenient that Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) is also at the party (that he didn’t want to go to) and helps Nancy get home. I hope she doesn’t string Jonathan along; it’s obvious he has a mad crush on her.
Overall
“Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak” is a fantastic and insightful episode. Aside from we learn about Eleven, we also see more incidents of the “upside down” encroaching into the real world, destroying numerous pumpkin patches, and spreading throughout the woods. Admittedly, it’s been difficult not binging the entire season but I also enjoy the anticipation of tuning in once a week to find out what happens next.
Let me know your thoughts on “Chapter 2: Trick-or-Treat, Freak.” Leave me a comment below and tweet me @judybopp.
Stranger Things Season 2 is now available on Netflix. For more on the show, go to the official site.
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Photos ©2017 Netflix, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Judy Manning
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