Note: I've only watched season 1. as of now.

I'm writing this because the hype over the 2nd season reminded me of this show. And frankly, of how much I was disappointed when I watched it last year, tempted by stellar reviews.

How "Stranger Things" got these reviews, I still can't understand. Could everybody be blinded by nostalgia to such an extent that they forgot it was a NEW series? That it should offer something more than heaps of references to be good? In fact, that it desperately needed some steering away from the plot devices straight outta the 80s - not to end up worn out as hell?

Ugh. This series wasn't a nod to 80s stylistics. It was a rip off.

I could end up liking it anyway if it was more character-driven - even if the plot is fairly simple, it's still fun to watch strong characters deal with it. It wasn't. I watched a standard set of small town Stephen King characters, lead by a bunch of kids on bikes. Stereotypes, stereotypes everywhere. Could this have been more derivative?

Giving it a 2 for capturing the elusive 80s vibe. They nailed it.

As far as everything else goes, I'll give the 2nd season a try. But if it's as "good" as the last one... I'll probably be snoring halfway through episode 1.