It's back! Stranger Things is without a doubt Netflix's biggest property at the moment, and after the critical and widely seen success of the first season of the Duffer Brothers' Sci-Fi/Horror show, a second season was imminent (I mean, there was a cliffhanger that was super obvious to that.) It's been out a couple of weeks and I was finally able to binge watch it this week after being quite busy. At once I was astounded - but soon after, I felt a little missing. What I really can say about season two is that it really has the charm the first season had yet doesn't deliver anything that we haven't already seen before. It's mediocre at best.

Now before you get your knickers in a twist, let me bring you up to speed. So after Will Byers returns from the Upside-Down. A year later, he begins having episodes, visions of a monster from the other dimension who starts to haunt him. When other strange events begin happening around the town of Hawkins, the boys, Jim Hopper and Joyce begin to delve into the mystery. Meanwhile, Eleven begins a journey of her own to discover herself, one that takes her far away from Hawkins, and far away from everyone else who needs her back home.

Now, this show still has it. The writing and acting that makes up our core characters, have never been so good or as consistent. The boys are still loveable as ever, Winona Ryder's Joyce is as compelling as ever, and the new dynamic between Hopper and Eleven is touching - and easily the best part of the new season. Harbour and Brown's chemistry is brilliant, and ever so emotional. There's a lot of heart put into these two in particular and I can't wait to see more of it. New characters such as Bob are very likeable and fit so well into the world, and Steve gets to be more of a hero in this season, which works really well. Some newer characters such as Max feel a bit like filler, but her brother Billy is way more exciting, and adds a new thread of danger and intensity to the world and the characters lives.

The special effects are still a little foggy but it works well for the tone and atmosphere of the show, which is still great as always. Pacing and direction is handled fine and it all feels like one giant movie. And that's a good thing! The 80's nostalgia trip is delightful and we hear some great and memorable tunes, as well as seeing some great pop culture references (Ghostbusters!) and easter eggs. The show does cross new ground this season in Episode 7, which had to be my favourite. Of course no spoilers, but it does something very different and helps expand the world a lot more, easily one of the best things about this season.

Alas, I feel like I'm watching the same exact thing as the first season. Other than Episode 7, the show dares not to do too much new or exciting, and instead has to make references and callbacks time and time again to the best moments of the first season - and it's annoying. The first callback to eggos for example is fine, but it's overplayed way too often and honestly quite boring. Scenes that replicate those iconic ones in season one are rather noticeable, and the last two episodes just seem way too similar to that of its previous season. The show also spends too much time sucking up to this fan service, especially with Nancy and Jonathan, who are probably the worst part of the season. Their quest to get 'Justice for Barb' as well as their awkward relationship is boring and seem's like fan fiction. They are both way too forgettable and their scenes are a drag. These two aren't well developed at all, and part of me wishes we'd had focussed on other characters rather than these two.

This does limit my opinion of this season a lot. It feels like the Duffer Brothers have taken their success and decided to play it safe, which is fine - but I feel like more could have been done here. It's still a fun show but I really wish their could have been more expansion and less re-treading. I guess we will get that in the future, but that just makes this season feel like filler. Still, people love it. And there isn't a lot to not love. I'd still recommend it, but I do say stay closer to the first season. It's way more special.

6/10