Finished season 2 today. (Spoilers probably?)

Overall, a very good sequel that I think might be elevated by later seasons, as I think a lot of this season was “setting the board” for where things go from here.

My main issue with season 2 is a lack of focus. Everyone was doing their own thing in season 1, too, but from the start we knew that all of their stories revolved around Will’s disappearance, whether the characters were aware or not, which made it very satisfying when it all came together and no one’s story felt like filler or wasted.

In season 2, everyone has their own story again, but it’s not clear what any of them have to do with the main thrust of the season until the end, and even then some of it feels contrived. In particular, Eleven’s story (especially episode 7) felt very disconnected from everything else, and the way she comes back into the fray for the finale felt a little too “deus ex machina” for me.

Season 1 = 8/10; Season 2 = 7/10

Also, fuck Nancy and Jonathan. They’re both shitty people and they deserve each other. Steve is the best.