Prepare to Binge-Watch: “Stranger Things” is Back!

As if anyone needed another reason to ditch the books and turn on their screens, Netflix is here to add to the never-ending struggle. “Stranger Things” second season premiered on the streaming service on October 27, and does not fail as an equally thrilling follow-up to the 2016 break-out series.

It seems that the townspeople of Hawkins, Indiana have not had their fill of the supernatural, even after the first season’s finale. The gang is all back, bringing the same 80s nostalgia that propelled the season to critical acclaim.  Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers and David Harbour as Sheriff Jim Hopper return with more evolved characters and significant changes from season one, but the true stars of the show are still Eleven and her friends.

As was revealed in the trailer leading up to the show’s release, the psychokinetic Eleven, played by the phenomenal Millie Bobby Brown, makes her triumphant reappearance in Hawkins, heralding more trouble from the “Upside Down.”

“Stranger Things” serves as a coming-of-age story on top of the side-splitting humor and supernatural suspense, as character Mike Wheeler, played by “IT” star Finn Wolfhard, tries to understand his place in the world with his friends and the horror that seems to follow in their wake.

New additions to the cast are much-welcomed with the appearance of new student Max Mayfield and her bad boy older brother Billy. The two serve as both interesting foils for the kids and their older siblings as they are introduced to the unexplainable mysteries that unfold.

The sleeper hit of the show is that of Joyce Byers’ new boyfriend and surrogate father figure to her son, Will, Bob Newby. Tolkien fans will recognize the actor, Sean Astin, as Samwise Gamgee from “Lord of the Rings.” The surprises are all too real with cameo appearances from famous actors, bodybuilders, and more throughout the season.

The stakes are raised even higher this season, as it is up to a frustrated sheriff, a telepathic heroine and a couple of kids on bicycles to save the world. With a nine-episode season, instead of last season’s eight, there is plenty of time to lose yourself in this exciting world and take a break from real life.