It’s not everyday that a psychokinetic female, a quiet town and a group of four teenage boys come together in an 80’s theme venue. However, Stranger Things makes it work. When season one of the show hit Netflix, it blew up like a storm. It was nominated for multiple Emmys, and even won five out of the 18 it was nominated for. It led people to wonder what they would do next, and whether or not it would turn out better than before. However, season two of Stranger Things did not disappoint its viewers.

The first scene of the show, an intense car chase, not only gives an insight on one of the many subplots of the show and an introduction to one of the many new characters in the show, but also sets up the tone of the season. Shot in darker settings and with an older cast, it gives a hint that the rest of the nine episodes will be much darker and that the stakes raised much higher than in season one.

Much like season one, the show has two main villains: a human and the creature from the Upside Down. As compared to Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, and the demogorgon, the show creates Billy Mayfield and the Mind Flayer, both of whom are characters that are darker versions of their counterparts. While Steve’s character changes for the better, Billy retains no pity, even with the backstory that is given.

One of the primary goal of season two was to develop the characters as they are seen now. Set one year after the events of the first season, the audience sees the characters dealing with the aftermath of the demogorgon attack. Nancy Wheeler, played by Natalie Dyer, is forced to reconcile with the death of her best friend, Barb, and the secrets she must keep about the circumstances surrounding Barb’s death.  Will Byers, played by Noah Schnapp, attempts to go back to a normal life after being kidnapped and combating with the aftermaths of the kidnapping. Mike Wheeler, played by Finn Wolfhard, must deal with the supposed loss of his schoolboy crush on the show’s main character, played by Millie Bobby Brown. The show gives more depth to the characters and makes them more believable than ever.

The show also introduced a few new characters to the mix such as Maxine “Max” Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, and Bob Newby, played by Sean Astin. Both characters play pivotal roles within the structure of the TV show, and find a way to nestle their way into the viewers hearts.

Overall, the show is a great addition to the Stranger Things universe. I would give it four christmas lights out of five.