Stranger Things Season 2 is a Story of Struggle and Hope

I finished binge-watching Season 2 of ‘Stranger Things’ a while back, but decided to wait before publishing this because I still know some people who haven't gotten around to watching its awesomeness. Unfortunately, I can't wait any longer and I really need to let it out! In my humble albeit broken opinion: the second season of 'Stranger Things' is even better than the first season! (Yes, it's possible!)

While I enjoyed the E.T. / Stand By Me / sci-fi vibe of the first one, this Goonies / Alien / Jurassic Park second season resonated so much with me on several levels.

For starters, it has to be shared that Will Byers has been my favorite 'Stranger Things' kid ever season Episode 1 of Season 1. I remember watching the first few minutes and claiming that Will was definitely my favorite kid. Imagine my dismay when he went missing and most of the season didn’t have him in it, save from a few Upside Down snippets that just depressed me altogether. Season 1 was more about Eleven, the other kids and the Byers: how they dealt with the disappearance of Will and never gave up hope of finding him.

Stranger Things made it up to my Will-loving heart in this second season, though, as most of the season really revolves around him. (Massive shoutout to the amazing Noah Schnapp for his acting chops in this one, by the way. You made your biggest fan so, so, so, so proud!)

While I knew that there would be a lot of Will in the second season, it isn’t until Episode 2 that I realized how much I could relate to Will on a deeper level in this season. In Episode 2, he is sitting on the couch talking to Mike and they start talking about how they feel like they’re going crazy. *cue my schizophrenia here*

And then this happened and it was the most beautiful thing I had heard in a while:

By the time I reached Episode 3, I found myself completely immersed in Will’s emotions. This is when everyone starts to realize that even though they thought Will was back to normal, a part of the Upside Down is still with him. His hallucinations aren’t hallucinations, after all; they’re real.

Bob talks to him at one point and tells him to face in his fears and man, when Will finds himself stuck in-between worlds, Will tries. He tries so fucking hard. The shadow monster comes after him after he finds Dart in the bathroom, and he hears all of the wise words of wisdom that Bob had given him in his head. "Face your fears, Will. Tell it to go away." And that’s where the struggle happens. And that’s where I almost broke. Will tries so hard and you see him try so hard and he screams at that thing to just go away, and yet, the shadow monster consumes him anyway. That scene describes my current mental health situation perfectly.

This goes on for several episodes where Will tries to explain what he’s feeling, but just somehow can’t put it into words. And you see him struggling between being regular Will and another version of himself that is actually the shadow monster (which is, by the way, what I will be calling my schizophrenia from now on :p). In Episode 5, Will says, “The more he spreads, the more connected to him I feel.” And that was the pinnacle when I realized that this is what would make me love this season more than the first: my relatability to it.

And it's not just Will that's relatable, either; everyone is sure to find someone to relate to in this season, be it the misunderstood Three Musketeers-loving Dart; the everything-is-bullshit-thinking Nancy, the lovesick abangers Jonathan; the even more lovesick and hopeful Mike; or the more mature, responsible and protective Steve. Even Bob and Joyce bring so much to the table in this season. Especially Hopper and Eleven. There are just so many feels in Season 2, it's hard to decide who to love the most (though for me it's definitely still Will :p).

All of those struggles aside, though, Stranger Things Season 2 shares a common denominator with the first season: it proves to be a beacon of hope in the dark.

Whether or not you are struggling with serious issues like I am or if you’re struggling with something a little less deep, Stranger Things Season 2 does a good job of showcasing different people's struggles in life (without belittling any of the other struggles that everyone else is going through), and how hope and positivity and an amazing support system can pave the way to a better you. The world feels a little more hopeful after watching Stranger Things Season 2. I hope that somehow it strikes a chord in you, too. :)

On that note, I'm giving away Stranger Things merch, in particular Dustin's cap, a Netflix baller ID, and a Funko Pop of Will! All you have to do is post any Stranger Things photo of your choice on any of your social media accounts with the hashtag #WWRxStrangerThings and tell me why that's your favorite Stranger Things photo! :D

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