I actually prefer this season to the first. Both production and story wise it’s much more ambitious, but still maintains the show’s heart.

It seems like a simpler Jaws style villain is generally preferred by most people, but personally I find the Mind Flayer, and the idea that the upside down is its organisation, much more interesting and much more sinister. It gives the show a larger sense of purpose now that there’s an antagonist with an agenda that they’re up against, even with that agenda being as simple and arguably generic as it is.

Noah Schnapp gives one hell of a performance as Will, and I think the exploration of his trauma and ongoing suffering is the show’s strongest element. The conclusion to episode three (probably my favourite episode) is haunting. I think it’s an interesting reoccurring theme in the show that a lot of the adults think they know what needs to be done, but actually end up making things worse, whether that’s the scientists with this whole fiasco, Hopper with El, or in this case, Bob with Will.

I still have my issues. They try to dip their toe into giving a character like Billy a nuanced exploration, but despite his large presence in the season, it needed to be way more developed. And despite the potential of the lost sister plotline (I didn’t hate that episode by any means), the writing is quite trope-y and hence the subject matter on abuse and corruption is watered down.