Stranger Things 2

I haven’t yet finished the season, and I know a lot of people are still working their way through it, so I’ll refrain from discussing any spoilers here. Instead, what I’ll say is: I was really concerned that the “sequel” to Stranger Things—one of my absolute favorite TV shows of all time—would just artificially make everything bigger and crazier and more amped up…a trap that so many bad sequels fall into. I was afraid that the sheer joy-filled magic and goosebump-inducing fright of the first season would be lost in the scope of its eagerly-awaited followup.

So far I’m relieved to discover that the Duffer brothers have pulled off a truly remarkable feat: the second season of Stranger Things indeed remains faithful to the sublime essence of the first while also making everything bigger, and crazier, and more amped up. Can such a thing even be possible? You be the judge. But all I know is I can’t wait to find out what happens next. On with the show!