“Stranger Things 2” leaves fans craving a third season.
By Katie W
Netflix has aired its second season of the hit show “Stranger Things”, and fans have loved every episode. “Stranger Things 2”, a PG-13 science fiction phenomenon, was released on October 27. The second season is only nine episodes, and you may have to finish it all in one sitting; “Stranger Things 2” is just as thrilling as the award-winning first season, keeping the audience on edge until the final episode.
When Will Byers (played by Noah Schnapp) gets lost in a parallel universe called the upside down in season one, his three best friends set out to find him. Dustin, Mike, and Lucas (played by Gaten Matarazzo, Finn Wolfhard, and Caleb McLaughlin) find a girl who goes by Eleven (played by Millie Bobby Brown), and discover her telekinetic powers that they believe could help find Will.
Kidnapped and raised in Hawkins National Laboratory, Eleven was experimented for these powers that she inherited, and was relieved to escape and fall into the hands of Dustin, Mike, and Lucas. The upside down is a parallel universe that Hawkins National Laboratory opened a gate to, resulting in supernatural events occuring in the town of Hawkins. Since Eleven was raised in the laboratory, where the upside down was opened, she is able to use her powers and previous knowledge on the lab to locate Will in the final episode of season one. Eleven then disappears after saving Will, leaving her lover, Mike, lonely and confused.
Season two is all about the aftermath of Will’s disappearance. He was rescued from the upside down, but still has traumatic flashbacks of his life there. Noah Schnapp had excellent acting skills in these flashback scenes. They are thrilling scenes, and Schnapp has a way of making you fear for his character.
Also recovering from her son’s disappearance, Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder. Ryder won several awards for her incredible acting in season one, and is sure to win more. Several scenes in season two have moments where you would believe Ryder was Schnapp’s off-screen mother too, but in reality she is just that compelling on-screen.
Another large event in season two is Eleven’s return. Mike (played by Finn Wolfhard) fell in love with Eleven in the first season, and the chemistry between these characters is visible. Mike undergoes short-tempered moments when Eleven is gone, concerned for her well-being and whereabouts. The scene when they reunite in season two is a heart throb, and one of the most talked about moments of the season by the fandom.
Between the parallel universe, supernatural powers, and disappearances, special effects are a crucial element in the show. The show was written and created by Matt and Ross Duffer. Not only did they write the script to suit the time and place of the show, but they brought the script to life with the astounding, realistic special effects. When Eleven uses her powers to defeat creatures of the upside down, you feel as though you’re doing it with her; the screen is brought to life.
The costume designer, Kim Wilcox, dressed the characters to take you back to the 80’s; old sneakers, bell bottom jeans, and teased hair are a common theme throughout the wardrobe. The set and design team also kept a realistic 80’s theme in mind. The characters in the show are only in eighth grade, so they are often biking and using walkie talkies to communicate with each other.
Sound designer Craig Henighan used a unique soundtrack and unusual sound effects to set the mood. The sound effects during scenes that involve supernatural actions are extremely realistic. The soundtrack has classic song from the 80’s, suspenseful tunes in times of worry, and an identifiable theme song.
The hard work of the cast and crew in the “Stranger Things” series paid off in season one, and they’ve thus far pleased the crowd with season two. The final episode of “Stranger Things 2” foreshadowed a third season, and fans are excited. The cast and crew have formed a tight bond working together that shows on-screen; the main reason people fell in love with the show. As the show grows, so will the fandom. “Stranger Things 2” has been a success, living up to the expectations of its riveting first season.