A Netflix favorite returns for a second season

Last summer, audiences were taken back to 1983, where supernatural forces were stirring up trouble in the small town of Hawkins, Indiana. Netflix’s “Stranger Things” took viewers by surprise for its creativity, memorable characters and incessant 80s nostalgia, earning 18 Emmy nominations for its first eight episodes, as well as a fanbase obsessed with the numerous references that populated each scene.

Now, like with the majority of 1980s films which inspired the first season, series creators the Duffer Brothers returned to the story to premiere a sequel, specifically a second season that arrived on Netflix on Oct. 27, just in time for Halloween.

Before I continue discussing “Stranger Things 2,” a caveat: While I will not be giving spoilers for this season, I will be referencing a few choice details from season one, so if one hasn’t seen it yet, this is the final warning before those spoilers.

Overall, season two is genuinely scary and on the same level as its predecessor. A year after the events in 1983, everyone’s favorites are back: Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) is recovering from his time in the Upside Down, Sheriff Jim Hopper (David Harbour) is dealing with the aftereffects of supernatural experiments at Hawkins Lab, Nancy Wheeler (Natalia Dyer) is second-guessing her relationship with Steve Harrington (Joe Keery) and her younger brother Mike (Finn Wolfhard) is still pining after the psychokinetic Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown), who vanished after saving Will.

Additionally, there are newcomers to the cast. Will’s mother Joyce (Winona Ryder) has gained a boyfriend in Bob Newby (Sean Astin, a star of “The Goonies,” which inspired the first season), conspiracy theorist Murray Bauman (Brett Gelman) is convinced of the presence of Soviet spies in Hawkins, and arcade game prodigy Max (Sadie Sink) tries to join the misfit group consisting of Will, Mike, Dustin (Gaten Matarazzo) and Lucas (Caleb McLaughlin).

The new season is rife with references, ranging from “Ghostbusters” and arcade games to Farrah Fawcett. Storylines aren’t exempt from this either. For example, Dustin’s relationship with a new pet is akin to “Little Shop of Horrors,” Steve’s newfound friendship with the misfit kids harkens back to “Adventures in Babysitting,” and even Joyce’s determination to beat the Upside Down sees shades of Sigourney Weaver in “Aliens.”

All of this is well and good, but the season’s biggest weakness comes from the outside, not inside. In their eagerness to cater to fans and lure in new viewers, it appears the Duffer Brothers are giving fans exactly what they want, which isn’t exactly what the show needs.

The most egregious example is seen when Nancy begins to feel guilty over the death of her best friend Barb Holland (Shannon Purser). This is strange to see, because Barb was barely discussed once she died in the Upside Down last season, resulting in the rallying cry “Justice For Barb.” This doesn’t sound like a natural progression, just something the writers thought the fans would enjoy seeing.

Another example is seen through Eleven, who became the standout character of the series upon its premiere and was largely discussed for her mysterious background. Here, more of her backstory is revealed, but it feels unearned and only there to satiate the fans.

Aside from these issues, the second season is a thrilling, entertaining and at times a sweet little nostalgia trip with some noteworthy performances, mainly from Brown and Schnapp. While I wouldn’t recommend this to someone who hasn’t seen the first season already, those who are already fans will enjoy it thoroughly.

And there’s nothing “strange” about that.