We've reached the endgame (oops, wrong universe).
Even though we knew it was coming, I greatly loved Will's big coming out and I'm glad it wasn't treated as an easy moment for him. His anxiety was at the highest level and, while it wasn't a surprise, seeing how everyone didn't hesitate to express their love and acceptance of Will really hit hard for me. Added to how much this must've meant for Noah Schnapp, this whole scene was so beautiful and powerful. Between this scene and Robin's coming out to Steve (and all of the conversations between Robin and Will), the show has done a wonderful job in telling queer stories.
I will say I didn't expect the reveal about the Upside Down's nature but I loved that it leaned into physics so hard despite the overall supernatural trappings. I am glad that many of the madcap theories fans had were completely off base (including the entirety of the show has been a fantasy of Will's since kidnapping). I expect we'll still get another twist or two before the end but I'm not sure what they'll be other the true nature of Henry Creel.
Speaking of whom, we got some nice teases about his past and how his dark nature predated Hawkins (which I had been spoiled on by some careless reviewers regarding The First Shadow). I really hope the finale will be more explicit about his past and not keep it vague for the sake of the play. I still very much want to see the play (in whatever form that might be, whether it's a recording or I finally get to see a performance of it some day), but the play's biggest reveals shouldn't be kept there and they should at least be outlined in the show itself.
Although I've been a big Nancy/Jonathan shipper, I nonetheless loved their desperate, long overdue heart-to-heart talk about their feelings about each other and were finally honest about their relationship. Considering how things were between them last season, this conclusion isn't a surprise but it still saddens me a little. I also appreciated Nancy's mature response about Steve and I hope the show takes the uncommon route of resolving of a love triangle with no one together and they're mutually happy about that.
I know a lot of people hated the Dustin/Steve conflict but I still maintain it was a natural discourse, especially in the regards of where Dustin's head was at after Eddie's death. I believe how they finally resolved their differences (both in the heat of the moment and their own quiet heart-to-heart later on) demonstrated that it was a worthy journey for them to take and their friendship is stronger as a result. The only way I can see the Steve dies is if they both die, even if its that the obvious route, but I still don't think that'll happen.
Kali isn't wrong about the vicious cycle that's been perpetuated around her and El, but I'm not convinced her solution is the best one, nor do I think El will ultimately follow through (regardless of whatever Hopper may think or do). I do think Kali is going to trying to force the issue and Hopper is going to get in the way, but I don't think either of those actions will sway El in either direction. She's always been her own person. The only question is whether Kali or Hopper attempt a sacrifice for her sake.
While I figured Karen and even Vicki would be read in by the end, I was pleasantly surprised how Mr. Clarke was suddenly right in the thick of it all! This makes up for missing out on him last season. Just a shame that he (and Erica) aren't part of the final mission in the Upside Down.
I'm still holding onto hope for Powell and Callahan return by that seems unlikely at this point, beyond a glorified cameo during the denouement. Speaking of which, I'm quite surprised Owens hasn't return or hasn't even been mentioned. Last we saw, he was Sullivan's prisoner...and then nothing come of that. But maybe he's part of Kay's final play.
Gods, all of that just came pouring out of me. I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff (Max has finally awaken! Henry was especially a creepy motherfucker when he turned the kids against Holly! The military's plan is of course gross and evil!) but, man, I cannot wait for the finale. Thankfully it's only a week away!
Even though we knew it was coming, I greatly loved Will's big coming out and I'm glad it wasn't treated as an easy moment for him. His anxiety was at the highest level and, while it wasn't a surprise, seeing how everyone didn't hesitate to express their love and acceptance of Will really hit hard for me. Added to how much this must've meant for Noah Schnapp, this whole scene was so beautiful and powerful. Between this scene and Robin's coming out to Steve (and all of the conversations between Robin and Will), the show has done a wonderful job in telling queer stories.
I will say I didn't expect the reveal about the Upside Down's nature but I loved that it leaned into physics so hard despite the overall supernatural trappings. I am glad that many of the madcap theories fans had were completely off base (including the entirety of the show has been a fantasy of Will's since kidnapping). I expect we'll still get another twist or two before the end but I'm not sure what they'll be other the true nature of Henry Creel.
Speaking of whom, we got some nice teases about his past and how his dark nature predated Hawkins (which I had been spoiled on by some careless reviewers regarding The First Shadow). I really hope the finale will be more explicit about his past and not keep it vague for the sake of the play. I still very much want to see the play (in whatever form that might be, whether it's a recording or I finally get to see a performance of it some day), but the play's biggest reveals shouldn't be kept there and they should at least be outlined in the show itself.
Although I've been a big Nancy/Jonathan shipper, I nonetheless loved their desperate, long overdue heart-to-heart talk about their feelings about each other and were finally honest about their relationship. Considering how things were between them last season, this conclusion isn't a surprise but it still saddens me a little. I also appreciated Nancy's mature response about Steve and I hope the show takes the uncommon route of resolving of a love triangle with no one together and they're mutually happy about that.
I know a lot of people hated the Dustin/Steve conflict but I still maintain it was a natural discourse, especially in the regards of where Dustin's head was at after Eddie's death. I believe how they finally resolved their differences (both in the heat of the moment and their own quiet heart-to-heart later on) demonstrated that it was a worthy journey for them to take and their friendship is stronger as a result. The only way I can see the Steve dies is if they both die, even if its that the obvious route, but I still don't think that'll happen.
Kali isn't wrong about the vicious cycle that's been perpetuated around her and El, but I'm not convinced her solution is the best one, nor do I think El will ultimately follow through (regardless of whatever Hopper may think or do). I do think Kali is going to trying to force the issue and Hopper is going to get in the way, but I don't think either of those actions will sway El in either direction. She's always been her own person. The only question is whether Kali or Hopper attempt a sacrifice for her sake.
While I figured Karen and even Vicki would be read in by the end, I was pleasantly surprised how Mr. Clarke was suddenly right in the thick of it all! This makes up for missing out on him last season. Just a shame that he (and Erica) aren't part of the final mission in the Upside Down.
I'm still holding onto hope for Powell and Callahan return by that seems unlikely at this point, beyond a glorified cameo during the denouement. Speaking of which, I'm quite surprised Owens hasn't return or hasn't even been mentioned. Last we saw, he was Sullivan's prisoner...and then nothing come of that. But maybe he's part of Kay's final play.
Gods, all of that just came pouring out of me. I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff (Max has finally awaken! Henry was especially a creepy motherfucker when he turned the kids against Holly! The military's plan is of course gross and evil!) but, man, I cannot wait for the finale. Thankfully it's only a week away!
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