Watching the last two episodes of Stranger Things Vol 2, it’s hard to underestimate the magnitude of the ambition with which they were created.
If you want a finale, the screenwriters seem to ask, we’ll give you the finale to end all the finals.
To put it succinctly, I haven’t experienced anything so mind-blowing, mind-bogglingly epic in quite some time.
Warning: Spoilers
We start these blockbuster episodes (the first is an hour long; the second, a whopping two and a quarter) in a pretty predicament.
Vecna (Jamie Campbell-Bower) is revealed as Number One, Eleven’s former lab mate; Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) herself is locked in a secret facility with Dr. Brenner to regain her powers; Hopper (David Harbour) and Joyce (Winona Ryder) are trapped in Siberia and the rest of the gang tries to escape the Upside-Down. Press play.
Yes, there are explosions and CGI galore (although they never detract from the action). The special effects are incredible – Vecna’s prosthetics, which you can see up close several times – are hair-raising, and the Duffer brothers turn the horror down to 10 inches; Some scenes had me really reaching for my couch cushions.
Yes, there is Kate Bush, because of course there is. Those beautiful synth notes support some of the episodes’ most exciting and tender moments.
And yes, we get what we want. These episodes are about nothing but fan service, but they hit the spot every time.
Steve and Nancy’s non-relationship continues to thrive; Eddie gets his moment in the spotlight playing Metallica while a swarm of infernal bats swarm around him (so cool!); Eleven trades superpower punches with Vecna in a twisted version of a prom — though her body is actually floating in a pizza restaurant’s repurposed freezer. The kids also get some desk for what feels like the first time in a while (who needs adults, right?), devising a detailed plan for taking the fight against Vecna using guns and Molotov cocktails.
I didn’t realize I wanted to see Hopper face a Demogorgon with a sword either, but you live and learn.
The action aside, the Duffers wisely give the finale episodes time to breathe, making room for the character moments that are the beating heart of the show.
While the relationship between Eleven and Mike is rather sticky (hearing Mike’s love for Eleven made me cringe rather than melt), all the others sound true – especially Will, who gets his long-awaited moment in the spotlight, coming to terms with his feelings (although disappointing, it is never said out loud). Max and Luke; Eddie and Dustin: It was heartwarming to see their arcs during the season, and they’re paying off, they’re really putting a stake in the action that’s about to unfold. I won’t spoil anything, but towards the end my throat choked several times.
There’s a lot of hanging out in episode eight – the equivalent of the showrunners putting all their chess pieces on the game board prior to the endgame. There’s a lot of intricate explanation of how Eleven and Hopper can help defeat Vecna from halfway around the world (Arizona and Siberia, respectively). The jock storyline with Chrissy’s injured friend Jason doesn’t quite pay off.
But honestly, who cares when the end result is this good? Give us more.