Am I the only person that thinks Joyce actually loved Bob? I don't think it was forever love, but she did love him. We don't always love everyone for the our whole life, some people we just love at the moment and that's how I felt about Joyce and Bob. His death allowed her to do something she NEVER would have done last season, torture her son. I loved Bob, but clearly those Duffer brothers hate people whose names begin with B. Benny, Barb, Bob.... Billy is so screwed next season.
Katie Herzig I don't know. She didn't seem that torn up about his death. Even in the last scene at the ball after the danger was over. That's why it felt like she was using him to me.
Katie, I agree completely with you about everything!! My boys and I were even teasing about B names getting killed off. And I totally buy that Joyce loved Bob as much as she felt free to. She was horrified when he died and she did get strength from his death to do the right thing along with the maternal instinct to get that thing out of her baby of course!!
The Red Salamander it didn't feel that way at all to me. She genuinely enjoyed his company and his loss was devastating to her. She was so rageful she let her son feel tremendous pain! She would have never done that without the loss of Bob just adding to her pain. I felt their connection. I think Joyce and Hopper are endgame, but that doesn't mean she didn't love Bob for that particular moment in her life.
Katie Herzig I think she loved how good of a person he was, but wasn’t necessarily in love with him, though she definitely liked him very much. Kind of like a puppy love.
Kay Cronin Yeah that's how I feel. She cared about him, but I don't feel she was in love with him. Also did you see how she was acting when Hopper was in danger in the tunnels? Completely ignored Bob like he wasn't there. Made me almost feel like he was the other man and that she will probably end up with Hopper at some point. I feel bad for Bob like he wasn't appreciated enough. As soon as he left that gun I said he was gonna die. Very sad. I don't hate Joyce, she is a great character, but I do feel as if she used Bob somewhat even if that wasn't her intention.
I really do feel like Noah (Will) isn't getting enough credit for his performance this season. That scene where he felt like he was being burned alive was fucking hard to watch because of just how well he sold it.
It's cool if you did... but for me it doesn't just make it above. And I felt like they screwed up a lot of the characters and things that made the first season as great as it was. They did succeed in a lot of stuf though .
zeekified I just posted the same comment about how every show or movie sequels sucks but I enjoy this more than the first one this season's made the show my second favorite show and I hope. season 3 will be like season 2
I felt that the Mind Flyer was more of a representation of mental diseases. In the case with Will, and what he goes through, is very symbolic with dementia and amnesia. Losing bits and pieces of memory making it impossible to recognize relatives is something that can be emotional because to lose memories of the ones you love is hard to imagine, but easy to lose. The sequence where his family and friends try to talk to Will during the interrogation sequence almost made me tear up as he just looked like he didn't recognize anyone or anything that they were saying.
If Grace is as good as she says in foreseeing storylines, she knew they had set him up to be a nice person that they could kill to get everyone sobbing. :D At least I saw it coming. Doesn't mean I liked it. He was a good character and I love Sean Astin. I wonder if they casted him because he played in the Goonies too... ^^
Lucas little sister and their relationship was one of the highlights of Stranger Things season 2 for me. Simply because if you have a little brother or sister you know how intrusive and annoying they can be. Lucas....I feel for you man.
Season 2 was very very good. More ambitious in scale and I appreciate the chances that were taken. It led to more missteps than the first season but also more greater highs
I loved when he was in the meeting at Hawkins Lab and one of the doctors said they should let Will die N stuff and Dr Owens was taking none of that sh#t
I honestly thought Joyce loved Bob, it was just there was too many weird things going on in her life, and moving though appealing is not always easy, regardless of the trauma. I was super sad when he died TT^TT
Victoria Martinez For me the placement sucked and it probably didn't need to be a whole episode, but it worked because it made El realize Hawkins (and Hopper) are her family and her home. And it made us miss Hawkins same as her. And we need to explore these other kids, she's 011 for a reason otherwise she'd be 001.
It wasn't bad, it's just we won't fully get to reap the rewards of that episode until future seasons. I personally didn't mind the change of pace and tone for 1 episode. I treated pretty much everything Eleven gets up to once Hopper fails to make it back in time for Halloween, and up to her epic return, as a side story anyway. I'll choose to believe that things intentionally never felt quite right until El came back anyway. Mike was an emotional mess, Will was possessed, Lucas and Dustin were fighting over Max's affection, Nancy was still grieving and figuring things out with Johnathan.
Loganski Jones After the way episode 6 ended, I didn't want a break. I wanted it to pick right up after that. I don't hate it outright, but I wish it had been an earlier episode or something.
I think Kali was an analogy for the Mind Flayer: her group were people serving her that she had "fixed" with her mind. So they reflected parts of her personality or her needs.
I liked episode 7. I liked the new characters, the change of scenery, the new revelations about the program that Eleven escaped from, and I also felt that it provided very necessary character development for Eleven. Her character arc this season was all about the concept of "home," and she needed to experience different possibilities to make an informed determination of where her home really is. She has been hidden away from the world for her entire life. She needed to explore what was out there so she could try new things and figure out where she belonged. To have her just make her whole world all about Hawkins might make her friends happy, but this was about Eleven, and what SHE needed to grow as a person.
From the introduction in episode 1 I'd been waiting for a return to this group, so episode 7 was too long a wait. I kept thinking Billy and Max were related to this group or were some kind of criminals. I got a New Mutants kind of feel to ep. 7, which wasn't bad since only the sisters had powers. I thought Mama sent her there to bring back the girl who could fix her own mind.
I actually really liked it, but I see how it is disliked. After the prior episode, people were thrown off by the tone of 7 and the lack of resolution provided at the end of 6. This episode does play a necessary part in El’s character arc this season - testing her morals and allowing her to find just a little bit more of who she truly is. Also, Kali is sort of her Yoda - which leads to her being able to close the gate in the finale. It isn’t that it wasn’t well-directed or well-acted, it’s just how the episode was delivered. Then again, it’s far easier to notice a singular grey spot on a pristine-white palate when compared to a grey palate stained by blacks. If this is the worst the Duffer Brothers can do, I hope they never stop pushing out content.
I love how Lucas doesn't wanna be the black ghostbuster by default really good writing. I think mike having less of a presence gave the others a chance to shine.
I really liked this season and I liked that they waited so long to reunite Mike and Eleven, because I was really longing for their reunion, so when that happened I was just really relieved and for me it felt like a good way to end season 2. Loved it!
I think the introduction of 008 was just the beginning of more experiment characters like Eleven. I have a feeling they’re going to create a whole team of them that will destroy the upside down in the final season.
I loved episode 7. Elleven's whole arc before that was pretty much just her being sad, alone and miserable each episode. True, she ended up going back at the end, but she grew from that. I was pretty suprised to see everyone else hated it tho...
Lookin hot grace... nice new backdrop! I don't think episode 7 was that bad, loved the punk aspect... I think the rest of the season was so strong it makes 7 feel really average... But I think it was necessary for 11's character to decide who she is and what she would do with her powers... She was on the edge of being out of control with her powers and she needed to have that moment to decide to spare the life... It all just wasn't executed as well as other themes in the series..
I enjoyed episode 7 because I viewed the whole criminal team as character development for 011. Basically, they were making evil choices, but you can completely understand their grievances. Their interactions with 011 showed that she is able to make the harder moral choices, despite being burdened with the same trauma. But make no mistake, they were murderers, so I personally have no interest in any future episodes that try to justify their current behavior. As for Bob, I loved him. He was the MVP. He told Hopper to leave and let him die if needed to save everyone else, and he took the risk to boot the computer to save everone else. And he figured out the puzzle. MMM. VVV. PPP. Everyone would be dead if not for him. Sure, his advice was bad for Will, but its good advice in general. If he had known about literal hivemind shadow demons, he would tell Will to run. Oh and sure, he forgot the gun, but guns are completely outside his experience. He may not have even knocked over that mop; it could already have been poised to fall after he had already rumbled around in there. When ge froze, he literally stopped no more than 3 seconds. He still would not have cleared the door based on the scene positions. ALSO it should be clear that those things didnt happen because he was dumb; they happened because the writers set him up to die; his 'mistakes' were plot devices. Steve and Dustin were amazing togther. Steve has been my favorite character in both seasons. I thought 011 was awesome too; I thought she ended strong. I loved Lucas this year. I didnt think he was underused at all first season. In fact he was my third fave character last year because he had the challenging role of being that friend that is always annoying and causing drama and complaining, but you love them anyway because they are your close friend. He was almost a minor villain in a way, in season 1. But I loved him in season 2 also because he has matured, become more agreeable, etc. Plus we see his younger sister who is also likeable despite being a pain. She was great and I hope to see more of her in season 3. I don't want Will to be a villain going forward. They made it pretty clear he is free for now. I hope the writers won't repeat themselves and make him bad again. I dont want a whole season of different powered people. I hope 008 and 011 are the only ones. But I don't mind 008 and 011 having different powers. There have been different words for different mental powers long before the X-men, in fiction and speculation. So I think it was a good choice. But I agree that I dont want a whole show about powers. I think the show should be about the townsfolk and the horrors happening there. I do hope the show stays in Hawkins. Thanks for the good review Grace!
This show is so good and such a breath of fresh air among other shows with unlikeable characters, unrealistic characters, and pretentious writing. And best of all it doesn’t try to beat over the head to teach a lesson. It’s just a show that wants to entertain you. Hopefully that continues.
People really disliked episode 7??? WHAT?? It was one of their best episodes. I really liked the design of the gang and the real energy it had. So people didnt like it because it didnt take place in Hawkins?? Come on. Change needs to happen in order for this show to go anywhere past Season 2. The episode was so crucial for 11 and I think this was a great way to introduce concepts for s3.
I feel like the Mind Flayer monster was only really interesting when it was being portrayed through Will, which is why I wish they had kept it as being a part of him at the end of the season instead of exorcising it from his body.
Episode 7 was cool because it showed characters outside Hawkins and did a great job in showing Eleven making very teen choices and moral restraints. The gang was also like a (more or less) flip side to 11's gang. Plus that monster was just scary. I dont need to relate or connect to a monster.
This season was on par with season one, which is good. I do love that Dustin got a major storyline this time as well as bonding with Steve, which was a highlight of the season for me. While I liked episode 7, it SCREAMED backdoor pilot. The Mind Flayer was just out of place as a villain, especially compared to the DemoDogs, which I preferred.
Grace, Do you have an concerns about the season going so far over the nostalgic bar it becomes a parody? When watching season 2 I was constantly reminded of aliens; and after watching many reviews and easter eggs I see even more connections to older movies its beginning to remind me of the "Scary Movie" of 80's films. Your thoughts?
We connect with the Mind Flayer through Will. The ending of episode 6 works so well because you can tell that Will is bending his will (heh) to the Mind Flayer and is now doing his bidding. Definitely felt more threatening than the Demogorgon, it actually had a conscious
I liked episode seven. It did take me away from the main plot but I liked how 8 taught eleven how to use her powers and gave her comfort that she's not alone.
I really like episode 7. I thought it was a real insight into season 3. If 8 ever makes it to Hawkins, the group is gonna have a much easier time breaking into government facilities and dodging demodogs/demogorgans. Plus, the Mind Flayer would be a more sinister villian if and when he infects either 8, 11 or one of the other unknown psychic kids.
Ashley Cheatham since it's a show you can binge I didn't mind but if it was like The Walking Dead where it's one episode a week and they randomly put a Backstory episode I would have been annoyed
wasn't that the point? I think lots of people are missing the point, it was supposed to feel out of place and not fitting especially for Eleven. It was her hero's journey. It was always clear from the start of the episode that she would reject them and come back to Hawkins.
you gotta stop with the "diversifying thing" it can't be the thing you bring up every time a colored character is introduced. "Diversity" isn't the only reason a colored person is hired. edit: I don't agree with anyone saying "there are too many other raced people already in the show" minorities exist every assholes. Im saying i don't like that Grace brings up "diversity" before a character's acting skills every time. I love Lupita Nyongo but every time Grace brings her up she has to mention how "lighter skinned black women are more cast than dark skinned" although true im tired of that being the only thing Grace has to say about Lupita.
Kehinde O...so we KNOW who you are as a person still using the word 'colored' to describe PEOPLE OF COLOR. I for one HATED seeing yet another white girl added to the main cast to eventually be 11's friend. Why couldn't that be a black little girl or another POC??? That character had ZERO arc that required her to be white considering we already have 11 and Nancy. But I guess America can't take more than 1 token POC or your sensibilities are too aghast.
I'm not an expert on the demographics of random towns in Indiana, but I don't imagine it being very diverse. It makes sense for the people in Hawkins to be mainly white, while Kali is in Chicago.
Clearly mainly bubbled white people in this comment section uncomfortable with anyone mentioning diversity. And as mentioned earlier only a person who isn’t used to being around any race other than white would think it’s okay to still use the term “colored.”
vigorlilover I’m not white, and not really offended by the term ‘coloured’. Although I don’t really understand the logic of the term, seeing as every human is coloured in some way, the word itself actually means someone who is at least partially non-white.
I do believe that the love between Joyce and Bob was very real... It's well established from the beginning... the only issue was that Joyce had to keep secrets for him...
No one irl I’ve talk to about season 2 has mentioned episode 7 negatively. No one on my twitter feed / tumblr dash have mentioned episode 7 negatively. Y’all are exaggerating and nitpicking. Apart from that I agree with almost everything.
I take it no one recognized that the Mind Flayer being the Upside-Down is exactly the same as the Preeminent being the Cursed Realm from the Ninjago show?
Outlaw7502 yeah i felt it was fine too, i feel like Grace hit the nail on the head with the main problem people had being the timing as the previous episode ended with a cliffhanger.
That's an unfair comparison. This change in location fits in with the story. Eleven went to Chicago to find her sister. It's called world-building. Do you seriously think this whole government conspiracy with super-humans would just stay in this random town in Indiana?
Brian Dubya I used to think back in season 1 the others were killed or 'failed' like her mother as subjects and Eleven was the strongest to survive. Now it feels like another Superteen show, all about the powers and angst.
"Bleed out of every oriphice"... Grace... Eleven is a teenage girl right around her first periods... My roomate thinks I am crazy because of that laughter you gave me)))
I liked the season, but the 08 story arc felt a little out of place. The mom plot went nowhere, and it sort of helped 11 not kill anymore, but she was already on that path. IDK season was good overall
Not to mention it was a combination of closure, psychological despair, helplessness and an all around bitter semi sweet reunion. It added another layer to Eleven' s complex trauma and emotions. It was a major moment, considering she spend so much time searching and desperately wanting parents.
This is interesting. Episode 7 was my parents’ favorite ep of the season. And I felt the final third of the season was much better than the first 2/3. Saved the whole season for me.
I did feel a lot of Resident Evil vibes with the DemoDogs ...and I felt 11 in episode9 did a way freaking better Dark Phoenix than any X-men live action movie to date. Also, with episode 7.. I was like... “when did this turn into The Gifted”.... overall not my favorite episode. Although;: I’m ready to rewatch ST2 again.
Here’s what I think about Episode 7: I think that Episode 7 is getting WAY too much hate than it deserves. I mean yeah, it definitely stands out from the rest of the season and the actors did a subpar job at acting, but that doesn’t ruin the episode. She abandoned Hopper in Hopkins and found her long lost sister, who showed her how to grow stronger both with her powers and her independence. When her sister tried to use Eleven’s powers the way that she wants, Eleven realizes that this isn’t what she wants and returns to Hopkins to save her friends. Episode 7’s purpose wasn’t just to diversify their cast or to show what direction they’re taking in season 3 (personally I hope that they don’t follow a format similar to this episode for season 3). The purpose is more important than that. Eleven’s whole story arc is about her finding out what home really means to her, and that’s exactly what this episode did.
I TOTALLY agree about episode 7. It was the only episode in the season that I couldn't wait to end. However, I was SO GLAD that Eleven did NOT keep that style at the ball. I was just waiting for her to go back to looking like a regular girl haha
I liked Kali, I think she genuinely connected with Eleven however her quest for revenge was very self corrupting. She manipulated Eleven with her abilities to further her goals. Kali may be well meaning but her morality and motivations make her a kind of chaotic character (neutral or evil I cannot decide yet). I would have liked if she had been introduced sooner. The single cameo and long intermission had forced me to think it was a scene worth not investing in. If they had saved episode for series 3 it may have worked better. One last point, everyone talks about Kali and her group being clichés and weak bland characters that don't work. But I wonder if that was intentional. Once in a while people can be very archetypal and stereotypical. I think Kali's goals and personality made her so comic book without her realizing it. Just my thoughts.
Episode 7 wasn’t horrible but it makes no sense to have it. I also thought it felt derivative especially that scene with the train it felt like something straight out of X-men. This season would of been good with 8 episodes.
I really like season 2. Watched it all, over the weekend. I loved Eleven's new look. I really liked Bob and hate what happened to him! But I suspected it would happen to him. It was the most obvious. You're right, Steve did become very nice guy and he did lose his popularity to an extent. Though that felt like Billy's doing, especially when he got in the fight with Steve. You could tell that Billy wanted to "take over the school", so to speak. I really dug the 80's-ness of the show. It never felt too overwhelming or too forced most of the time. A very solid, fun season for sure. I wonder how they'll move forward for season 3 (we all know they'll do it!).
Episode 7 was a great episode. Not the best of the show but not even coming close to deserving all of the hate that it is getting. My only suggestion who be for the show to have switch ep 7 with ep 8 so that the eleven reveal at the end of ep 8 would have been more of a shocker. Also, I am tired of everyone saying that the show is becoming X-men, individuals with special powers existed before X-men. Stranger Things entire appeal, as I see it, is that it remixes things that are common movie and tv tropes, now they are going to do that with comics. PS. I know I will get the comment about this is just my opinion and the majority of people disagree with me and I don't care, unpopular opinions should still be shared and defended.
10:00 yes and no. You can rebound from that kind of damage as long as your nose isn't broken. Even if you break an orbital bone and swell up, you can heal back to normal. But if you break your nose you will likely need some expensive surgery to rebound 100%.
The last 3 episodes were actually my favorite. I loved all three of those episodes. I liked the mind flayer as well. I think they gave the villain a grander presence than season 1. I loved bob too.
Winona is still the best hands down, and I hate that they kill all the characters that I truly love #justiceforBob (lucky Joyce is still alive) Loved that they gave Barb a special ending. Curious about season 3 🤔hopefully they go more in depth into the story and the upsidedown And I would love to meet 007 in season 3 😉
Am I the only person that thinks Joyce actually loved Bob? I don't think it was forever love, but she did love him. We don't always love everyone for the our whole life, some people we just love at the moment and that's how I felt about Joyce and Bob. His death allowed her to do something she NEVER would have done last season, torture her son. I loved Bob, but clearly those Duffer brothers hate people whose names begin with B. Benny, Barb, Bob.... Billy is so screwed next season.
Katie Herzig I don't know. She didn't seem that torn up about his death. Even in the last scene at the ball after the danger was over. That's why it felt like she was using him to me.
Katie, I agree completely with you about everything!! My boys and I were even teasing about B names getting killed off. And I totally buy that Joyce loved Bob as much as she felt free to. She was horrified when he died and she did get strength from his death to do the right thing along with the maternal instinct to get that thing out of her baby of course!!
The Red Salamander it didn't feel that way at all to me. She genuinely enjoyed his company and his loss was devastating to her. She was so rageful she let her son feel tremendous pain! She would have never done that without the loss of Bob just adding to her pain. I felt their connection. I think Joyce and Hopper are endgame, but that doesn't mean she didn't love Bob for that particular moment in her life.
Katie Herzig I think she loved how good of a person he was, but wasn’t necessarily in love with him, though she definitely liked him very much. Kind of like a puppy love.
Kay Cronin Yeah that's how I feel. She cared about him, but I don't feel she was in love with him. Also did you see how she was acting when Hopper was in danger in the tunnels? Completely ignored Bob like he wasn't there. Made me almost feel like he was the other man and that she will probably end up with Hopper at some point. I feel bad for Bob like he wasn't appreciated enough. As soon as he left that gun I said he was gonna die. Very sad. I don't hate Joyce, she is a great character, but I do feel as if she used Bob somewhat even if that wasn't her intention.
"How was the pull-out?"
Priceless.
G7130 perfect joke👌🏽
I had to pause the show for a second cause I was laughing so hard lmao
"We did anal..."
"Jon!!"
G7130 BEST FUCKING LINE!!!
G7130 That may be my favorite line of all time, movies and TV
I really do feel like Noah (Will) isn't getting enough credit for his performance this season. That scene where he felt like he was being burned alive was fucking hard to watch because of just how well he sold it.
Spore6001 facts, conviction.
I was so sad that Bob died. I really liked him and I really wanted to see him in the next season
Same, Bob and Steve this season
Bob and Steve were the best characters this season
Bob, Steve and Lucas's little sister just for her attitude :)
#Justice4Bob? ;)
The Duffer Brothers already told us that Bob will be the Barb of Season 2. With more lines.
That scene with Billy and his dad was so hard-hitting. Crazy to think people actually go through that and then project that onto others as bullies.
I disagree about Bob being used. She was so heartbroken by his death
Shayan Akhavan facts
I actually like season two more then season one, it was more intense.
Season 1 had more mystery, season 2 had more character, fun, and interesting new stories
zeekified ikr, that’s why I love this season.
zeekified same
It's cool if you did... but for me it doesn't just make it above. And I felt like they screwed up a lot of the characters and things that made the first season as great as it was. They did succeed in a lot of stuf though .
zeekified I just posted the same comment about how every show or movie sequels sucks but I enjoy this more than the first one this season's made the show my second favorite show and I hope. season 3 will be like season 2
I felt that the Mind Flyer was more of a representation of mental diseases. In the case with Will, and what he goes through, is very symbolic with dementia and amnesia. Losing bits and pieces of memory making it impossible to recognize relatives is something that can be emotional because to lose memories of the ones you love is hard to imagine, but easy to lose. The sequence where his family and friends try to talk to Will during the interrogation sequence almost made me tear up as he just looked like he didn't recognize anyone or anything that they were saying.
Disagree. Nothing else about the mind-flayer relates to that metaphor.
Justice for bob
Amen
Thomas Blong justice served with Barbra style.
Amen
Thomas Blong #JusticeForDart
Ok, seriously... this cannot be a continuing trend.
You can see how pissed Grace is about people spoiling Bobs death.
If Grace is as good as she says in foreseeing storylines, she knew they had set him up to be a nice person that they could kill to get everyone sobbing. :D At least I saw it coming. Doesn't mean I liked it. He was a good character and I love Sean Astin. I wonder if they casted him because he played in the Goonies too... ^^
it was pretty predictable tho
It was kinda predictable, as soon as hopper gave him the gun I knew exactly what would happen.
I need more of Lucas sister. 😂😂😂
*"Code Red? How 'bout Code SHUT UP?!"*
How about the parents? "She's never wrong" killed it.
Erne Geo lol ikr
Erne Geo facts😂
You are so right! Erica had the best lines in the movie!!
people are too picky. This was still pretty good.
Lucas little sister and their relationship was one of the highlights of Stranger Things season 2 for me. Simply because if you have a little brother or sister you know how intrusive and annoying they can be. Lucas....I feel for you man.
Season 2 was very very good. More ambitious in scale and I appreciate the chances that were taken. It led to more missteps than the first season but also more greater highs
The doctor is the new Steve of this season, meaning the stereotypical character that gets redeemed in the end.
I mean he was never a bad dude to begin with. He always tried to maintain a level of decency.
I loved when he was in the meeting at Hawkins Lab and one of the doctors said they should let Will die N stuff and Dr Owens was taking none of that sh#t
He wasn't totally evil, he just had no idea what he was messing with.
I honestly thought Joyce loved Bob, it was just there was too many weird things going on in her life, and moving though appealing is not always easy, regardless of the trauma. I was super sad when he died TT^TT
Lost Sister was X-Men
I know I kept thinking that it copied first class a lot
x-men done real bad
FilmPunk It did when Magneto moved that Satellite
Ruben Avalos nah...lost sister was season 2 of heroes.
I'm not seeing it. It's not like they all had powers. Just Kali and Jane.
IT finished filming in Sept 2016 & ST 2 started in Nov 2016, so filming wasn’t Mike’s issue.
I hope episode 7 is not an example of where season 3 is going. I absolutely agree with you Grace...stay in Hawkins.
Episode 7 was definitely the weakest in the season, but it was still pretty enjoyable
Agreed, it wasnt bad at all. I enjoyed Eleven's development. The storyline just felt completely out of place. But still good.
yeah it didn’t fit in the story in terms of tone and such, but i can get behind what it did for eleven and the mastery of her powers
Victoria Martinez For me the placement sucked and it probably didn't need to be a whole episode, but it worked because it made El realize Hawkins (and Hopper) are her family and her home. And it made us miss Hawkins same as her. And we need to explore these other kids, she's 011 for a reason otherwise she'd be 001.
I agree
It wasn't bad, it's just we won't fully get to reap the rewards of that episode until future seasons. I personally didn't mind the change of pace and tone for 1 episode. I treated pretty much everything Eleven gets up to once Hopper fails to make it back in time for Halloween, and up to her epic return, as a side story anyway.
I'll choose to believe that things intentionally never felt quite right until El came back anyway. Mike was an emotional mess, Will was possessed, Lucas and Dustin were fighting over Max's affection, Nancy was still grieving and figuring things out with Johnathan.
I HATED episode 7!!! Not because it was a terrible episode, but because it threw me out of the whole storyline (I was binge-watching)!
Chris_H I agree. If it was removed from the season, nothing would have changed
georgia123 except for the fact the 11 learned from her how to get the strength to close the gate
I liked episode 7 because it was different, a break from small town shenanigans. And Eleven is still the most compelling character on the show
I loved it. It was a breath of fresh air to get out of Hawkins. It was the only time I found this season interesting.
Loganski Jones After the way episode 6 ended, I didn't want a break. I wanted it to pick right up after that. I don't hate it outright, but I wish it had been an earlier episode or something.
I hated episode 7 because none of the characters were remotely likable
Ethan Aguirre I loved Kali, but everyone else was meh
I like the black girl. She had cool hair
I liked Kali
I think Kali was an analogy for the Mind Flayer: her group were people serving her that she had "fixed" with her mind. So they reflected parts of her personality or her needs.
SimChar that doesn't matter, I still don't want to spend time with those people, regardless of what the point was
I liked episode 7. I liked the new characters, the change of scenery, the new revelations about the program that Eleven escaped from, and I also felt that it provided very necessary character development for Eleven.
Her character arc this season was all about the concept of "home," and she needed to experience different possibilities to make an informed determination of where her home really is. She has been hidden away from the world for her entire life. She needed to explore what was out there so she could try new things and figure out where she belonged. To have her just make her whole world all about Hawkins might make her friends happy, but this was about Eleven, and what SHE needed to grow as a person.
Well said!!👊🏽😉
Agreed
Damn right
Definitely Agree.
It was jarring, but it was also so necessary for her arc as a character.
Has anyone else noticed that Will and Eleven haven’t met onscreen yet?
They were both at the dance --- but yeah they haven't really interacted.
Episode 7 AKA the out of place X-Men episode.
Eleven is Baby Dark Phoenix
To me, it was more like a bad episode of Gotham
From the introduction in episode 1 I'd been waiting for a return to this group, so episode 7 was too long a wait. I kept thinking Billy and Max were related to this group or were some kind of criminals. I got a New Mutants kind of feel to ep. 7, which wasn't bad since only the sisters had powers. I thought Mama sent her there to bring back the girl who could fix her own mind.
I actually really liked it, but I see how it is disliked. After the prior episode, people were thrown off by the tone of 7 and the lack of resolution provided at the end of 6. This episode does play a necessary part in El’s character arc this season - testing her morals and allowing her to find just a little bit more of who she truly is. Also, Kali is sort of her Yoda - which leads to her being able to close the gate in the finale. It isn’t that it wasn’t well-directed or well-acted,
it’s just how the episode was delivered. Then again, it’s far easier to notice a singular grey spot on a pristine-white palate when compared to a grey palate stained by blacks. If this is the worst the Duffer Brothers can do, I hope they never stop pushing out content.
Totally!!
I love how Lucas doesn't wanna be the black ghostbuster by default really good writing. I think mike having less of a presence gave the others a chance to shine.
Lucas and Max. Power couple. Glad the show let the black character get a white girlfriend considering the time/era.
kronosleblu888 gotta love the diversity.
I really liked this season and I liked that they waited so long to reunite Mike and Eleven, because I was really longing for their reunion, so when that happened I was just really relieved and for me it felt like a good way to end season 2. Loved it!
I think the introduction of 008 was just the beginning of more experiment characters like Eleven. I have a feeling they’re going to create a whole team of them that will destroy the upside down in the final season.
Can't wait until next season!
KanWoo76 I KNOW RIGHT!
*What are we gonna do until then!!?*
You might be waiting until 2018
I loved episode 7. Elleven's whole arc before that was pretty much just her being sad, alone and miserable each episode. True, she ended up going back at the end, but she grew from that. I was pretty suprised to see everyone else hated it tho...
Well, House of Cards just got canned by Netflix. I don't get This, why not kill off Spacey's character, and make Robin Wright the lead?
TheoKabala89 because the decision was made months ago, it's just bad timing's what it is.
I'm so sad. It's literally my favorite tv show
I also thought that, I thought that Robin Wright's character would have him killed in season six and we would have another six seasons about her.
Emerson Hemdon I still wouldn't put it past them of pulling a sneaky and ending house of cards and starting a spin off featuring robin wright.
Exactly.
Never clicked so fast
Lookin hot grace... nice new backdrop!
I don't think episode 7 was that bad, loved the punk aspect... I think the rest of the season was so strong it makes 7 feel really average... But I think it was necessary for 11's character to decide who she is and what she would do with her powers... She was on the edge of being out of control with her powers and she needed to have that moment to decide to spare the life... It all just wasn't executed as well as other themes in the series..
I enjoyed episode 7 because I viewed the whole criminal team as character development for 011. Basically, they were making evil choices, but you can completely understand their grievances. Their interactions with 011 showed that she is able to make the harder moral choices, despite being burdened with the same trauma. But make no mistake, they were murderers, so I personally have no interest in any future episodes that try to justify their current behavior.
As for Bob, I loved him. He was the MVP. He told Hopper to leave and let him die if needed to save everyone else, and he took the risk to boot the computer to save everone else. And he figured out the puzzle. MMM. VVV. PPP. Everyone would be dead if not for him. Sure, his advice was bad for Will, but its good advice in general. If he had known about literal hivemind shadow demons, he would tell Will to run. Oh and sure, he forgot the gun, but guns are completely outside his experience. He may not have even knocked over that mop; it could already have been poised to fall after he had already rumbled around in there. When ge froze, he literally stopped no more than 3 seconds. He still would not have cleared the door based on the scene positions. ALSO it should be clear that those things didnt happen because he was dumb; they happened because the writers set him up to die; his 'mistakes' were plot devices.
Steve and Dustin were amazing togther. Steve has been my favorite character in both seasons. I thought 011 was awesome too; I thought she ended strong.
I loved Lucas this year. I didnt think he was underused at all first season. In fact he was my third fave character last year because he had the challenging role of being that friend that is always annoying and causing drama and complaining, but you love them anyway because they are your close friend. He was almost a minor villain in a way, in season 1. But I loved him in season 2 also because he has matured, become more agreeable, etc. Plus we see his younger sister who is also likeable despite being a pain. She was great and I hope to see more of her in season 3.
I don't want Will to be a villain going forward. They made it pretty clear he is free for now. I hope the writers won't repeat themselves and make him bad again.
I dont want a whole season of different powered people. I hope 008 and 011 are the only ones. But I don't mind 008 and 011 having different powers. There have been different words for different mental powers long before the X-men, in fiction and speculation. So I think it was a good choice. But I agree that I dont want a whole show about powers. I think the show should be about the townsfolk and the horrors happening there. I do hope the show stays in Hawkins.
Thanks for the good review Grace!
Yea i didnt understand ep 7. STEVE HARRINGTON WAS THE BEST CHARACTER
This show is so good and such a breath of fresh air among other shows with unlikeable characters, unrealistic characters, and pretentious writing. And best of all it doesn’t try to beat over the head to teach a lesson. It’s just a show that wants to entertain you. Hopefully that continues.
People really disliked episode 7??? WHAT?? It was one of their best episodes. I really liked the design of the gang and the real energy it had. So people didnt like it because it didnt take place in Hawkins?? Come on. Change needs to happen in order for this show to go anywhere past Season 2. The episode was so crucial for 11 and I think this was a great way to introduce concepts for s3.
GeminiJoule true but the characters in the gang was just unlikeable and it should've been an extra episode or something
Corsair II true but it would've been better tho
Honestly, I think if they swapped ep7 with ep8 people would've liked it better
Agree!!
I feel like the Mind Flayer monster was only really interesting when it was being portrayed through Will, which is why I wish they had kept it as being a part of him at the end of the season instead of exorcising it from his body.
SO DAMN GOOD!!!!! Been waiting for this review all day. Yes episode 7 was lame. But this show was still amazing! The finale was pretty fantastic!
"I hate you damn kids." - Mind Flayer, 1984, according to Grace 😂
If episode 7 is a glimpse into season 3, god help us
Episode 7 was cool because it showed characters outside Hawkins and did a great job in showing Eleven making very teen choices and moral restraints.
The gang was also like a (more or less) flip side to 11's gang.
Plus that monster was just scary.
I dont need to relate or connect to a monster.
This season was on par with season one, which is good. I do love that Dustin got a major storyline this time as well as bonding with Steve, which was a highlight of the season for me. While I liked episode 7, it SCREAMED backdoor pilot. The Mind Flayer was just out of place as a villain, especially compared to the DemoDogs, which I preferred.
Oh really? I liked the mind-flayer but didn't like the demo-dogs. They were too "Demogorgon-lite", but I guess that was the point.
Grace, Do you have an concerns about the season going so far over the nostalgic bar it becomes a parody? When watching season 2 I was constantly reminded of aliens; and after watching many reviews and easter eggs I see even more connections to older movies its beginning to remind me of the "Scary Movie" of 80's films. Your thoughts?
Season 1 - 10/10
Season 2 - 9/10
For me it’s reversed
We connect with the Mind Flayer through Will. The ending of episode 6 works so well because you can tell that Will is bending his will (heh) to the Mind Flayer and is now doing his bidding. Definitely felt more threatening than the Demogorgon, it actually had a conscious
That part when Eleven came back gave me everything. Favorite scene of the whole show.
I liked episode seven. It did take me away from the main plot but I liked how 8 taught eleven how to use her powers and gave her comfort that she's not alone.
I loved episode 7! It was so different and gave Eleven a rich backstory. I also loved Kali and Eleven's relationship
Been waiting all weekend for this!!! ❤️❤️
Steve is the best character in the show
Stranger Things is my life! Awesome characters, actors, plot, cinematography, and editing.
Steve is the best.
I really like episode 7. I thought it was a real insight into season 3. If 8 ever makes it to Hawkins, the group is gonna have a much easier time breaking into government facilities and dodging demodogs/demogorgans. Plus, the Mind Flayer would be a more sinister villian if and when he infects either 8, 11 or one of the other unknown psychic kids.
You definitely have a point about episode 7. Trust and believe we'll probably get more episodes like that in season 3.
I want that. I throughly enjoyed episode 7.
Ashley Cheatham since it's a show you can binge I didn't mind but if it was like The Walking Dead where it's one episode a week and they randomly put a Backstory episode I would have been annoyed
I don't. I hated it. It's just X-men all over again. A group of mutants fighting The Man! Yuck.
Yep, but now they have feedback from the viewers, and they would be stupid not to use it. If anything episode 7 was just a testing ground.
wasn't that the point? I think lots of people are missing the point, it was supposed to feel out of place and not fitting especially for Eleven. It was her hero's journey. It was always clear from the start of the episode that she would reject them and come back to Hawkins.
you gotta stop with the "diversifying thing" it can't be the thing you bring up every time a colored character is introduced. "Diversity" isn't the only reason a colored person is hired.
edit: I don't agree with anyone saying "there are too many other raced people already in the show" minorities exist every assholes. Im saying i don't like that Grace brings up "diversity" before a character's acting skills every time. I love Lupita Nyongo but every time Grace brings her up she has to mention how "lighter skinned black women are more cast than dark skinned" although true im tired of that being the only thing Grace has to say about Lupita.
Kehinde O...so we KNOW who you are as a person still using the word 'colored' to describe PEOPLE OF COLOR. I for one HATED seeing yet another white girl added to the main cast to eventually be 11's friend.
Why couldn't that be a black little girl or another POC??? That character had ZERO arc that required her to be white considering we already have 11 and Nancy.
But I guess America can't take more than 1 token POC or your sensibilities are too aghast.
I'm not an expert on the demographics of random towns in Indiana, but I don't imagine it being very diverse. It makes sense for the people in Hawkins to be mainly white, while Kali is in Chicago.
Clearly mainly bubbled white people in this comment section uncomfortable with anyone mentioning diversity. And as mentioned earlier only a person who isn’t used to being around any race other than white would think it’s okay to still use the term “colored.”
vigorlilover I’m not white, and not really offended by the term ‘coloured’. Although I don’t really understand the logic of the term, seeing as every human is coloured in some way, the word itself actually means someone who is at least partially non-white.
Kehinde O great comment. Sometimes the best person cast even that person happens to be green 😎
this is a great review grace. i think they might be experimenting a little bit with episode 7, hopefully they got the memo from the viewers.
I do believe that the love between Joyce and Bob was very real... It's well established from the beginning... the only issue was that Joyce had to keep secrets for him...
No one irl I’ve talk to about season 2 has mentioned episode 7 negatively. No one on my twitter feed / tumblr dash have mentioned episode 7 negatively. Y’all are exaggerating and nitpicking. Apart from that I agree with almost everything.
Gabriela Alejandra I see a lot of People on RUclips hating Episode 7 and few of us who enjoyed it and said it was a nice Episode
Episode 7 was Legion if Legion got cancelled in 1 episode. It wasnt even a decent xmen rip off
"Eleven bleeding from all the orifices" sounds very wrong Grace. :|
I loved episode 7 honestly. It was a nice change of pace from the rest of the season. It was a little disjointed, but still very enjoyable.
Noah Schnapp NEEEEDS an Emmy!!! 😄
How come you didn’t talked about the mike and eleven reunion!!!, or the snow ball, or the Lucas max relationship, but specially the snowball...
I’m just glad that they made a second season that was as spectacular as season 1
I was personally fascinated by episode 7 and I can’t wait for more
I liked episode 7. I hope to see eight or other kids with superpowers next year
Roland Wright Yea I cant wait to see 007 James Bond in Stranger Things 😂
I take it no one recognized that the Mind Flayer being the Upside-Down is exactly the same as the Preeminent being the Cursed Realm from the Ninjago show?
I actually really enjoyed episode 7, it was refreshing exploring outside Hawkins. If they don't deviate, the show will get boring fast.
Outlaw7502 yeah i felt it was fine too, i feel like Grace hit the nail on the head with the main problem people had being the timing as the previous episode ended with a cliffhanger.
Exactly. The show wont evolve if they stay in Hawkins for like 3 more seasons.
Brian Dubya Space really is the next logical step
That's an unfair comparison. This change in location fits in with the story. Eleven went to Chicago to find her sister. It's called world-building. Do you seriously think this whole government conspiracy with super-humans would just stay in this random town in Indiana?
Brian Dubya
I used to think back in season 1 the others were killed or 'failed' like her mother as subjects and Eleven was the strongest to survive. Now it feels like another Superteen show, all about the powers and angst.
yay you finally posted your review! I've been waiting since Saturday!
I enjoyed ep 7. This season was great.
"Bleed out of every oriphice"... Grace... Eleven is a teenage girl right around her first periods... My roomate thinks I am crazy because of that laughter you gave me)))
I liked the season, but the 08 story arc felt a little out of place. The mom plot went nowhere, and it sort of helped 11 not kill anymore, but she was already on that path. IDK season was good overall
Here sister taught her how to channel her power and that’s how she closed the gate.
Not to mention it was a combination of closure, psychological despair, helplessness and an all around bitter semi sweet reunion. It added another layer to Eleven' s complex trauma and emotions. It was a major moment, considering she spend so much time searching and desperately wanting parents.
This is interesting. Episode 7 was my parents’ favorite ep of the season. And I felt the final third of the season was much better than the first 2/3. Saved the whole season for me.
Noah my baby deserve an award 💗
Have you seen the very New Dark series on netflix? Just for a heads up it's great!
I did feel a lot of Resident Evil vibes with the DemoDogs ...and I felt 11 in episode9 did a way freaking better Dark Phoenix than any X-men live action movie to date.
Also, with episode 7.. I was like... “when did this turn into The Gifted”.... overall not my favorite episode.
Although;: I’m ready to rewatch ST2 again.
16:09 I see what you did there!
😂🙃😂🙃😂
But the gifted is so good, Grace
Here’s what I think about Episode 7:
I think that Episode 7 is getting WAY too much hate than it deserves. I mean yeah, it definitely stands out from the rest of the season and the actors did a subpar job at acting, but that doesn’t ruin the episode. She abandoned Hopper in Hopkins and found her long lost sister, who showed her how to grow stronger both with her powers and her independence. When her sister tried to use Eleven’s powers the way that she wants, Eleven realizes that this isn’t what she wants and returns to Hopkins to save her friends. Episode 7’s purpose wasn’t just to diversify their cast or to show what direction they’re taking in season 3 (personally I hope that they don’t follow a format similar to this episode for season 3). The purpose is more important than that. Eleven’s whole story arc is about her finding out what home really means to her, and that’s exactly what this episode did.
The Best Pizza Connoisseur *Hawkins
" Cheap Xmen show's rip off " dang that hurt us Gifted fans
I TOTALLY agree about episode 7. It was the only episode in the season that I couldn't wait to end. However, I was SO GLAD that Eleven did NOT keep that style at the ball. I was just waiting for her to go back to looking like a regular girl haha
I personally really enjoyed episode 7 and it set up future episodes I feel like
I liked Kali, I think she genuinely connected with Eleven however her quest for revenge was very self corrupting. She manipulated Eleven with her abilities to further her goals. Kali may be well meaning but her morality and motivations make her a kind of chaotic character (neutral or evil I cannot decide yet). I would have liked if she had been introduced sooner. The single cameo and long intermission had forced me to think it was a scene worth not investing in. If they had saved episode for series 3 it may have worked better. One last point, everyone talks about Kali and her group being clichés and weak bland characters that don't work. But I wonder if that was intentional. Once in a while people can be very archetypal and stereotypical. I think Kali's goals and personality made her so comic book without her realizing it. Just my thoughts.
one of my favorite moments was when we first saw billy, the cool car, "Like a hurricane" song, and that boot stomp.. nut
yay ! love your reviews
All I was thinking was Phoenix Force when Eleven disintegrated part of the mind flayer! 😂😂😂
Episode 7 wasn’t horrible but it makes no sense to have it. I also thought it felt derivative especially that scene with the train it felt like something straight out of X-men. This season would of been good with 8 episodes.
I really like season 2. Watched it all, over the weekend. I loved Eleven's new look. I really liked Bob and hate what happened to him! But I suspected it would happen to him. It was the most obvious. You're right, Steve did become very nice guy and he did lose his popularity to an extent. Though that felt like Billy's doing, especially when he got in the fight with Steve. You could tell that Billy wanted to "take over the school", so to speak. I really dug the 80's-ness of the show. It never felt too overwhelming or too forced most of the time. A very solid, fun season for sure. I wonder how they'll move forward for season 3 (we all know they'll do it!).
Episode 7 was a great episode. Not the best of the show but not even coming close to deserving all of the hate that it is getting. My only suggestion who be for the show to have switch ep 7 with ep 8 so that the eleven reveal at the end of ep 8 would have been more of a shocker.
Also, I am tired of everyone saying that the show is becoming X-men, individuals with special powers existed before X-men. Stranger Things entire appeal, as I see it, is that it remixes things that are common movie and tv tropes, now they are going to do that with comics.
PS. I know I will get the comment about this is just my opinion and the majority of people disagree with me and I don't care, unpopular opinions should still be shared and defended.
"now I've got to bleed out of every orifice to stop this thing" -that was NASTY Grace lol!
;)
Pray for Mew
Mew Mews dead.
10:00 yes and no. You can rebound from that kind of damage as long as your nose isn't broken. Even if you break an orbital bone and swell up, you can heal back to normal. But if you break your nose you will likely need some expensive surgery to rebound 100%.
Was starting to wonder how Eleven's nasal bleeding didn't bother anyone...
The last 3 episodes were actually my favorite. I loved all three of those episodes. I liked the mind flayer as well. I think they gave the villain a grander presence than season 1. I loved bob too.
Sean Aston was amazing.
I was waiting for this !!
Winona is still the best hands down, and I hate that they kill all the characters that I truly love #justiceforBob (lucky Joyce is still alive)
Loved that they gave Barb a special ending.
Curious about season 3 🤔hopefully they go more in depth into the story and the upsidedown
And I would love to meet 007 in season 3 😉
I loved this season!!! It was better than season 1 for me, and I didn't mind episode 7. I thought it was good!
To be honest I did like the 7th episode, but it should have been like episode 4 or 5.