Nine years ago this week, Netflix released the second season of its breakout hit, Stranger Things. While many acclaimed television series falter under the pressure of following up a successful debut, Stranger Things 2 proved to be a worthy successor, delivering a deeply satisfying narrative that, while perhaps not reaching the same storytelling heights as its predecessor, excelled through the introduction of compelling new characters and the further development of its established cast.
The season picks up a year after the events of the first season. Will Byers, recently rescued from the Upside Down, struggles to readjust to normalcy and experiences disturbing visions of a monstrous entity later identified as the Mindflayer. Simultaneously, Eleven, believed to be lost, is secretly being harbored by Hopper. The group dynamic is further complicated by the arrival of Max, a new student who quickly draws the attention of both Lucas and Dustin. The season's primary conflict escalates with the appearance of a blight affecting local pumpkin patches, revealing an underground network connected to the Mindflayer and bringing forth Demodogs, aggressive smaller versions of the Demogorgon, to Hawkins.
The Strengths of Season Two
Stranger Things 2 distinguishes itself by focusing on character development. The introduction of Max Mayfield as the group's sixth member provides a fresh dynamic, adding a distinct personality to the core group of boys. Her older stepbrother, Billy, serves as a menacing antagonist, while Bob Newby, Joyce's new boyfriend, offers a lovable and relatable adult character who shares the kids' enthusiasm for science fiction and Dungeons & Dragons. The season also introduces Murray Bauman, a quirky conspiracy theorist, and further develops the relationship between Eleven and Hopper, who evolve into a paternal figure for her. Perhaps the most significant character arc belongs to Steve Harrington, who transitions from an unlikable jock to a more mature and protective figure, notably forming an unlikely friendship with Dustin.
The season's narrative also benefits from the characters venturing beyond Hawkins, exploring different plotlines that eventually converge. This episodic structure, while effective in season two, would later become a point of criticism for the series.
Season Two's Lingering Issues
While Stranger Things 2 is widely regarded as a strong follow-up, its successes inadvertently contributed to some of the series' later shortcomings. The Duffer Brothers' adeptness at introducing and developing new characters in season two led to a pattern in subsequent seasons, resulting in an increasingly crowded ensemble. Furthermore, the deliberate separation and eventual reunion of the main group of kids, a successful narrative device in season two, became a recurring and somewhat formulaic element in later seasons.
Despite these observations on the series' trajectory, Stranger Things 2 stands as a testament to the show's early creative power, successfully building upon the foundation of its first season and delivering a compelling, character-driven science fiction narrative.
Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix.