The Good: The final 15 minutes of this episode was gripping, excellent television. Through two seasons, Eleven has been shown to be very powerful and hasn't faced any real threats. To see Billy beat her and almost kill her was shocking and seemed like a terrible possibility in the moment. Earlier on in this scene, Billy pleading and then attacking Max was very suspenseful, while also giving us key information that Billy is not fully possessed.
Before this amazing scene, I appreciated seeing the kids coming together so quickly and not questioning if the Mind Flayer had come back. It makes sense after two seasons that the kids would be used to horrors happening and I was glad we didn't have to sit through scenes of them arguing.
Nancy and Jonathan's argument was heartbreaking, especially because you can see the point of view for each of them. Steve and crew finding the Russian elevator was an exciting development and I am curious to what they will find (and how it will help answer some questions).
The Bad: Hopper beating up Mayor Kline felt very unrealistic and out of character. In fact, Hopper and Joyce's storyline this episode felt off and over-exaggerated.
Erica is a very unrealistic character and feels very blatantly like a writer's idea of "precocious child" rather than how an actual kid would talk. Also, she is not as funny as the writers appear to think she is and I do not look forward to her joining the story as she is so bratty.
Highlight of the Episode: The final 15 minutes.
Conclusion: While this episode had some worrying spots, the final 15 minutes of this episode were so strong that I have to reflect it in my score. Action has finally exploded to Season 3, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Before this amazing scene, I appreciated seeing the kids coming together so quickly and not questioning if the Mind Flayer had come back. It makes sense after two seasons that the kids would be used to horrors happening and I was glad we didn't have to sit through scenes of them arguing.
Nancy and Jonathan's argument was heartbreaking, especially because you can see the point of view for each of them. Steve and crew finding the Russian elevator was an exciting development and I am curious to what they will find (and how it will help answer some questions).
The Bad: Hopper beating up Mayor Kline felt very unrealistic and out of character. In fact, Hopper and Joyce's storyline this episode felt off and over-exaggerated.
Erica is a very unrealistic character and feels very blatantly like a writer's idea of "precocious child" rather than how an actual kid would talk. Also, she is not as funny as the writers appear to think she is and I do not look forward to her joining the story as she is so bratty.
Highlight of the Episode: The final 15 minutes.
Conclusion: While this episode had some worrying spots, the final 15 minutes of this episode were so strong that I have to reflect it in my score. Action has finally exploded to Season 3, and I can't wait to see what happens next.