to say Stranger Things Series 2 was fucking shit?

[FiddleWiddiRiddim]

Just so you know, I'm not BU because it was absolutely shit.

Spoiler Alert*

It was formulaic

Eleven running away to meet Number 8 was just strange and completely unnecessary.

Number 8's band of 80s outlaws were completely ridiculous (compared with the fairly normal characters in Hawkins)

All the monsters was a really dumb, boring and over-dramatic plot device.

Introducing Bob just for Bob to die was lazy.

The ending of the whole series was just plain creepy. In series 1 (and a lot of series 2), the kids had a really idealised 80s childhood- great friendship, a secret club, charging around the town on cool bikes getting into adventures, communicating via walkie talkie, hanging out at the arcade. Then, suddenly, in the last episode they're having some kind of weir pseudo-adult, sexually charged slow dancing bullshit. Whaaaat?

Johnathon being a pervert at the start of season 1 was just brushed under the carpet.

Something very unsettling about Jonathan...

Shame Steve grows up to be Jean Ralphio.

I bloody love it ! So there !

I was only half hearted about the first series, if I’m honest and I only got through half of the second.

It’s very clever, but a bit too clever with all its knowing little nods.

It just made me want to go and watch one of the films it’s based on. Like maybe Stand By Me or The Faculty.

For me it was decidedly hmm.
Season One I was "PUT THE NEXT ONE ON!!!" at the end of each episode, Season Two just didn't do that for me until the last two.

I loved the new focus on Steve, that probably saved it for me. Bob was such a wasted character and it felt like he was only brought in to die. Billy the misunderstood brother token Rob Lowe I really didn't like at all, even when revealed why he was the way he was. And Nancy I can't see without worrying about how thin she is.

All that said I'll most likely watch season three as no matter how weak the scripts are that is a bunch of exceptionally talented children.

Personally, I loved it. Even the weird episode with Eleven joining the Poundstretcher Suicide Squad. Loved the character development of Hopper, Nancy, Dustin, Max, Lucas and particularly Steve. Was gutted when Bob bought the farm. The only characters that felt a bit flat for me were Will and Mike, neither of whom had a great deal to do. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens with the next series- hopefully Will can be more than a passive victim.

I don’t think the ending was creepy or sexualised at all. In fact I thought it was kind of sweet and awkward. I kissed my first boyfriend when I was 13 at a school disco and at the time, it felt ridiculously romantic. How it looked onscreen was how it seemed in my head when I was that age.

I think one of the strengths of Stranger Things is that you’ve got 3 really fun levels to work on- the setting, with all its nostalgia; the mystery/ monsters, and the kids who are growing up in the middle of it all.

I preferred series two to series one (don’t flame me!). Agree that the 11/8 meeting seemed like a “filler” episode though.

I was watching the interviews after and they had originally thought that Steve was gonna be a bad guy but his character didn’t progress that way. Hence they brought in Max’s brother... who really was just a product of his environment (the scene with his father was the scariest thing in the entire series).

I didn’t really care much for Max.

Bob was brilliant and Hopper .

I think Winona Ryder is a terrific actress in this and she’s also so beautiful.

The kids’ acting is superb. Do we have to wait a year for series three?!?

Agree. But then I wasn't overly impressed with S1 either.

I still think the opening credits do a better job of creating the kind of atmosphere the show is going for than the show itself does.

It wasn’t as scary as S1 but I loved it.

Mainly because of Hopper 😍 I’ve developed quite the crush.

I loved it, though I sobbed at bob. It was all about character for me ... and developing the lesser characters (Steve, Dustin, eleven and hoppers relationship) .... note v little of mike.
I think it's prepping for an epic S3

And I don't even bathe nostalgia of the 80s co sidering I was born In 95'

Hang on - when was Jonathan a pervert in the first series??

I liked it too. Winona Ryder was awesome in both series.

Also agree Jonathan and Nancy are annoying AT and J is creepy and looks 40 not 18

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! Although I was half cut watching most of them

I loved the relationship with Hopper and Eleven
And the Steve and Dustin bromance. I agree Steve was great in this series. In my head him and the kids are now known as Steve and the little shits 😁

Steve's hair style tips to Dustin made the series for me. There were bits that were a bit 'meh' - the aliens references & Paul Reiser being the good guy instead of killing everyone (including himself) were a bit too formulaic for me. Liked Hopper's paternal instincts with Eleven, fit well with his back story. Bob was just a wasted character - he had yuge potential for next series, being as nerdy as the kids & clearly unphased by all the weird shit around them. Clearly Hopper & Joyce have history & will end up together at some point but there's a few incidental characters to get in the way til that happens.

Overall it wasn't as good as1st series but not a total waste of time. Ending was cringey though.

Another one here who loved it - episode 8 aside.

I thought the ending was very sweet
A year has passed since S1 so of course there will be a different dynamic within the friendship group. And yes to the PP who alluded to Stephen King's IT - the Lucas/Dustin/Max dynamic made me think
of Ben/Bill/Beverly.

I wasn't crazy about the demadogs but thought the shadow monster and more specifically the possession of Will (whose acting was astounding!) was terrifying.

The best but for me was Nancy and Jonathan getting together!

I loved it if just for the baby demogorgon and the bit where Dart lets them past because he remembers Dustin.

And actually I thought the ending was absolutely adorable in its sheer awkwardness.

Shhhhh all of you. It was brillaint.

I loved it. Loved Bob (I'll always love Sean Astin) and was gutted when he died. Loved the development of Steve, who I couldn't stand in season one and loved looking at Billy. I didn't particularly like the move away from the Upside Down to that of tunnels or the episode with Eight. Most of all I loved Hopper finding a daughter to love again.

The worst bit for me was that they seemed hell bent on creating ‘drama’ but having the gang fall out. I loved the fact they were all mates and did everything together. I hated the treatment of the new girl they added in, thought that was completely unnecessary, she was really just unwanted everywhere (family and friendship group!)

I hated the number 8 stuff, although I think that might be leading up to something for season 3.

Yep! Let down YANBU OP

The episode with 8 was the low point for me too. It definitely felt shoe horned in. Probably as others have said to lead into another story line for future series.

I'm guessing there are potentially at least another 9 out There, unless I've missed a bit that explained the rest have died or something.

And actually I thought the ending was absolutely adorable in its sheer awkwardness.

A nod to John Hughes?