As i expected the wow-effect wore a bit of in the second episode. But still i enjoyed it a lot. After they set up their general nostalgia-flair and their very well written and acted characters, this episode showed us, what i think is the key element that makes and hopefully will make this series so lovable. It is a dichotomy of the protagonists between being an 80s cliché and a human being with a soul [spoiler](although i am not sure that all protagonists are human beings...)[/spoiler]. There are some scenes in this episode that really stung right in my heart, [spoiler]for example at the beginning, when Eleven lies there and starts crying. It felt so true. I remembered all the times as a kid when i was sleeping somewhere besides my own bed and felt homesick. So well play by Millie Bobby Brown! And also when Chief Hopper says how in the city he only dealt with strangers and now it was his friend. Those scenes are maybe easy to write, but not easy to act without it feeling acted but real.[/spoiler] Furthermore the story is really interesting. I have absolutely no idea how it will unfold and that happens rarely these days. There are so many possibilities and _Stranger Things_ makes not the mistake to explain anything. It's show, don't tell how i wished i would see more in the mystery and sci-fi genre. I gave the episode 8 points because i want to keep some reserve for episodes that really overwhelmed me.

Love this show but I don’t get the whole Barb phenomenon.