The Duffer Brothers have obviously learned their lessons well, delivering an engaging and highly entertaining first season in a somewhat overwrought genre.

The usual shortcomings inherent to mystery-drama-thriller-science fiction, predictability and plausibility, are managed quite well here and generally overcome by stellar performances all around, (Winona Ryder and Millie Bobby Brown are standouts), big budget production values, and a storyline that never veers too far off target. Up to date Grimm fans might be scratching their heads a bit once The Monster is fully revealed, (Isn't that an Alp?), but that doesn't detract from the overall quality or enjoyability of Stranger Things. The real test for the Duffer Brothers will be season 2, when such inherent shortcomings can be more acute and difficult to manage. Especially when the first go around is so successful. Expectations will be high.