With episode two serving as the setup for a lot of the main plots we are going to be following this season, it didn’t take long for even more twists, turns, and wrenches to be thrown into the mix of this season. While the last episode ended on a grim note with El being taken away for assaulting her bully, Angela, and Nancy’s nerdy goofy friend getting murdered by Vecna, this episode provides somewhat of a breather as we watch our favorite weirdos delve into the plot.
With Vecna still obviously running rampant, an unlikely duo we didn’t know we needed provides some excellent plot driving entertainment. Nancy and Robin team up in order to find any information they can on Victor Creel and the possibility of him being the one behind Chrissy’s death. Despite consistently hitting dead ends on their search they’re able to uncover an article where Creel insists that the only reason he committed these murders were because he was possessed by a demon. So far in this season the planting and payoff aspects have been excellent. Even though at this point Victor Creel is a bit of mystery, the incorporation of Eddie’s uncle mentioning him leading to an entire plot point was definitely an excellent choice by The Duffer Brothers. From a character perspective, fans were overjoyed at the combination and wonderful scenes between Nancy and Robin.
Nancy and Robin
With our other characters, Joyce and Murray strike up a deal and fly to alaska to deliver ransom money in exchange for Hopper. However once Joyce leaves, all hell breaks loose with the kids back in California. While Will awkwardly third wheels with El and Mike, El does everything in her power to prevent Mike from finding out she’s been having a hard time adjusting to her new life. This inevitably blows up in her face resulting in her getting arrested after striking Angela in the face with a roller skate in the last episode. This outcome was definitely shocking and devastating to audiences everywhere especially since Joyce is nowhere near California to help her kids out.
However, as a shock to fans everywhere, Eleven’s trip to juvie gets cut short when Owens, a character from previous seasons comes back to help Eleven out. Aside from the Angela situation, US Army Lieutenant Jack Sullivan had previously approached Owens with his concerns that Eleven was the one responsive for Chrissy’s death due to her previous abilities to see people anywhere via the classic sensory deprivation tank. However Owens convinces him to let Eleven train with him in getting her powers back which she lost at the end of season 3. Eleven agrees to go with him, leaving Will, Mike, Jonathon and Argyle in California.
Back in Hawkins, Jason suspects that Eddie was the one behind Chrissy’s death after discovering she died in his trailer. Along with Jason the rest of the basketball team rally’s behind him and begins to plan out finding him. Lucas however ditches Jason and rejoins the rest of the gang as they discover similarities between Chrissy and Fred. One of the biggest similarities include the fact that they both were seeing the school counselor. After Max goes through both their files she realizes the symptoms of PTSD, headaches, nose bleeds, etc. are all the exact same things Max has recently been dealing with. The episode ends with one of the best reveals of the season thus far with Max realizing she is being targeted by Vecna, and hearing the fatal chime of the grandfather clock at the end of the episode. Overall with the previous episodes this one definitely stands out as the best so far solely due to the power of the characters and the relationships we see growing. Not only with Robin and Nancy but with the reunion of Max and Lucas working together as well.
Rating: 9/10