First Things First…
Well, the episode title seems to give away the main plot point. But even though I’ve never watched this show before, I think I knew a kid’s disappearance is the instigating event.
Somehow, I’ve let this show evade me for six years now. So I’m excited to finally dive in.
5 Things I Like
5. White Rabbit
Oh, is this gonna be a “needle drop” show?
Even better — is this a classic rock “needle drop” show?
I freakin’ hope so.
One of the best parts of Supernatural — especially the early seasons — is the classic rock soundtrack. I’d love it if this is similar.
Dropping “White Rabbit” while Eleven has to escape from the bad guys at the diner is an awesome one to start with.
(BTW — did this kid just murder a couple of people? I see she’s powerful, and she’s in danger, but I still wasn’t expecting that.)
4. So Long, Benny ☹
Speaking of the diner — man, Benny, I hardly knew ya.
I recognized the actor from This Is Us, even though I only ever saw the pilot episode of that show. But it made me think this guy would be good.
One of the best signs of good stories is when a fringe character is well-developed and feels like a real person.
I was disappointed to see Benny get killed already. But that’s only because he feels real. He reacts with anger when he sees a kid snuck into his kitchen and is stealing from him, but his whole demeanor changes when he realizes it’s a little girl.
He suddenly is this big teddy bear — still firm (kinda), trying to get answers from her and understand what’s going on, but also feeding her and trying to find out if she’s been hurt, if she ran away, if she was abused by her parents…
And when he smiles at her, and gets her to smile back, it’s a really cute moment.
He’s endearing even with so little screen time. And the episode is better for fleshing him out when he could’ve been one-note and forgettable.
3. Hello, Friends
I just met all these characters. So I don’t know why the end of this episode struck me as so important and cool.
Imagine if Mike, Dustin, and Lucas spent the first three or four episodes looking for Will on their own, while Eleven spent those episodes on the run, never staying in one place too long…
And then they ran into each other in the woods at the end of those episodes.
That could’ve been awesome.
And yet I reacted that way at the end of just one episode.
Maybe I just really like these kids. I mean, they’re all sympathetic. Three of them are searching for their missing best friend. And the other is clearly in a bad way and being hunted by bad people.
It’s an incredibly effective hook for the next episode.
2. Old Flames?
Until Hopper walks into his office with a donut dangling from his mouth and sees Joyce waiting for him, I assumed she was just another townsperson he probably doesn’t know except maybe in passing.
But as soon as they start talking, there’s a sense of ease and familiarity. Maybe even affection?
Yes, she’s distraught. And he’s trying to calm her down and convince her this is probably nothing.
But everything from the way she calls him “Hop” … to the way she’s comfortable snapping at him… to the way she tells him, “He’s not like you, Hopper. He’s not like me,” to explain what kind of kid Will is… speaks to history between them.
Maybe they were together at some point?
Even though Joyce has an ex-husband, Lonnie, who’s the father to her kids, she could’ve dated Hopper in the past. Or gone to high school with him. Or who knows what…
I’m sure they’ll explore their relationship as we go. I’m anxious to find out more about them. And having them know each other makes it more interesting for Hopper to be investigating.
1. Two-Pronged Cold Open
The cold open sets the stage for this show perfectly. At least, for what I think this show is going to be.
It goes back and forth between two scenes…
A nameless scientist in a lab, running away from an unseen creature, sets up the horror/supernatural elements.
And the four boys in the basement, playing Dungeons & Dragons (or whatever RPG) nails the nostalgia of nerdy boys growing up in the 80’s.
Their banter is perfect…
“Fireball him!”
“Cast a protection spell!”
“Don’t be a pussy!”
“The demogorgon is tired of your silly human bickering!”
Their excitement and passion for the game they’re playing… finding out it took them weeks to plan their campaign… it all works.
1 Thing I’m Mixed About
1. Stop Blowing <Gazing Intently>
It’s not like I don’t buy into superheroes or Jedi looking at something intensely or waving their arms and having magic happen.
So I don’t have a problem buying into Eleven’s powers.
But the intense squint as the camera moves toward her, followed by the fan stopping, feels too cliché.
I don’t know what a better method is. But if she’s going to use her powers often, I hope they find ways to mix up what it looks like.
2 Things I Don’t Like
2. Nobody Thinks to Keep an Eye on Their Panicked Son?
I know there’s a lot going on in Mike and Nancy’s house, especially with a baby.
And effing Ted seems oblivious at best… and useless at worst.
So it’s understandable that the parents don’t hear Steve climb in Nancy’s window and hang out in her bedroom.
But Mike is obviously super-upset about Will’s disappearance. He makes it clear he thinks they should be out looking for him. He storms away from the table.
And yet mom and dad don’t think to check on him?
Come on. I know the 80’s was a more trusting time, but shouldn’t this be priority number one for them while their son is distressed?
1. Bad Romance
I’m willing to give Steve and Nancy a chance. But this is annoying.
She seems way too smart and he seems like an unbearable scumbag.
I hope I’m wrong.
The good girl falling for the bad boy is tried-and-true for a reason. And it could lead somewhere intriguing. Especially if it affects Nancy’s friendship with Barb (maybe she’s gonna “outgrow” her nerdy friend) or if they get tangled up in the boys’ story and Will’s disappearance.
So I’m not judging this too harshly yet. But for one episode, it was definitely my least favorite part.
Final Thoughts
It’s tough when so much of your show relies on child actors, but the four boys handle themselves really well here and are perfect for the nostalgia and camaraderie they’re going for.
And Eleven is good too. She’s not in it as much, and she barely has any lines, so most of her acting is with her face. But she uses it to great effect, which is why she’s so sympathetic despite being the powerful one.
I’m intrigued by a lot after this — the disappearance, what’s happening at the lab, and especially how Eleven AND a monster escaping from the lab, plus Will seemingly being taken by a monster, connect.
Tim Matassa
