Virtual Roundtable: "Stranger Things: Season 2"

The second season of Netflix's cult favorite series "Stranger Things" is upon us, and many a nostalgia nerd have already plowed their way through the quick nine-episode run. We here at The Underground have gathered some of the brightest minds this side of the Jordan River to discuss in detail the zigs, zags, ups and upside-downs of this Fall's most binge-worthy show.

Be ye warned and forewarned that forthcoming will be MAJOR SPOILERS for "Stranger Things: Season 2." Do not proceed past this point unless you have either watched the entire season or really don't care.

All right. If you've made it this far, we will assume that you have watched both seasons of "Stranger Things" and will therefore not take time to explain who characters or nor go into great detail laying backstory for the events that take place in the show. You've watched. You know. We're all adults here.

What follows will be a compilation of answers that were given, with no collaboration between participants. Although some of the comments may ultimately wind up edited for length, clarity and/or punctuation and grammar, the content and intent thereof will remain unchanged. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's introduce today's panelists:

Aaron Christensen - Main contributor and creator of the "Signs of the Times" blog franchise; former journalist of Deseret News, Salt Lake Comic Con and college radio fame.

Amy Morgan - Two-time Virtual Roundtable contributor, lover of "This is Us," the one and only Christensen sister.

Mandi Russell - Hardcore gamer, cosplayer, double Instagrammer.

Abbie Sugihara - She talked to Aaron at church twice and made the happy mistake of commenting on his recent "Stranger Things" status updates.

Amanda Nelson - Underground contributor, Whovian, frequent world traveler.

Karrie Randall - First-time mom, party game champion, dressed as Barb for Halloween.

Brad Randall - Married to Karrie / Father of Lou, overall cool dude, dressed as Dustin for Halloween.

Suzzanne Bailey - Hilarious coworker, lover of Tom Hiddleston, wearer of amazing t-shirts.

Jena Alison - She says she's a passionate, organized mom. I say she is the granter of Comic Con wishes.

The time has come. Let's get it on!

Question 1 - What did you like most about Season 2? What was the most pleasant surprise?

Consensus: Everybody loves Steve. The character "pair-ups" were also a big hit with the panelists.

Mandi: My favorite thing about Season 2 was the building of characters. With every episode, a new layer was peeled back on each character and we learned more about them in a very natural way. The pairing of characters (Hopper & Eleven, Steve & Dustin) really brought out new aspects to each of their personalities, where we saw them define and realize who they really were. A perfect example was the episode where Steve and Dustin were walking along the train tracks. Steve began to mentor Dustin and was a real and true friend to him - he even let Dustin in on his haircare secrets!

Abbie: The character development for Steve & Hopper. (Talk about a major "glow-up.") Steve and Hop both act as father figures for the younger kids while maintaining their toughness.

Karrie: I loved the "team” that ended up together fighting off the demo-dogs and trying to free Will from the influence of the smoke monster. I loved the addition of Max and I loved the role that Steve played in helping the kids and Joyce. ... This season, I [also] really learned to love Joyce and Hopper and Will!

Suzzanne: I actually liked this season better than the first. I loved how we didn't spend a lot of time developing new characters, and the adventure started off from the word "go." The villain was better, scarier and more sentient than the Demogorgan from Season 1. Most pleasant surprise? The Steve/Dustin bromance. It was everything I didn't know I needed in my life.

Question 2 - What did you like least about Season 2? What was the biggest disappointment?

Consensus: The panelists really didn't like Episode 7, Max and Billy.

Mandi: My least favorite thing was meeting Eight. The gritty/grungy vibe of the mid-80s was great, and I loved what the Duffer brothers were going for, but it dragged and the characters weren’t lovable, let alone likable or relatable. I didn’t care for any of them, and Eight’s relationship with Eleven didn’t seem very deep. I believe that Eight will eventually want to reach out to Eleven and have a more serious connection with her, but I felt that she was using Eleven far more than helping her unlock her potential.

Suzzanne: I don't really think that they needed a human antagonist. The whole Billy storyline was kind of a waste of screen time that could have been given to more Eleven-and-Hopper scenes. ... I do wish we'd seen more Eleven interacting with the boys, beyond the brief scene at the Byers' house and at the Snow Ball.

Amy: It's a tie between the weird love triangle between MadMax, Dustin and Lucas, and "The Lost Sister." I really don't care for Max or Lucas in the first place, so I just thought it was annoying. "The Lost Sister" could have been summed up into 5 minutes of actual important stuff. I was not that impressed with Eight and I hated seeing Eleven as this angsty teenage girl who ended up looking like a gothic teenage version of the Godfather. [Also,] Nancy and Jonathan sleeping together and them getting together with the weird P.I. to take down Hawkins Lab. I hated everything about that episode.

Aaron: Episode 7 was just plain terrible. I understand why they did it, but they could have basically condensed that whole episode into a five-minute Eleven training montage. If I ever re-watch this season, I'm skipping that episode. Also, Greaser Eleven is the worst. Also, that ridiculous will-they/won't-they scene with Jonathan and Nancy (AKA "Jancy"), which that they jacked straight out of "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

Brad: Episode 7. I get that they are trying to build on Eleven's character, but I didn't feel that story deserved an entire episode and I didn't feel it pushed the story further.

Karrie: Obviously, Episode 7 was a bit of a bust. I was excited to find out who 008 was and, while I am excited to see where that goes, that episode felt like a waste. I also thought that certain plot points were a little muddled and could have used a little more detail, like when Nancy and Jonathan went to lab and then met with that man who helped them send out the tape to all the newspapers. It just felt like they weren’t quite committed enough to that portion of the story. I also really wanted there to be more justice and closure for Barb and her family!

Abbie: "The Lost Sister" episode was garbage. The additions of Billy and Max also sucked. They provided no extra meaning to the plot. It’s like they were just... there.

Question 3 - Who was your favorite Season 2 character and why?

Amanda: Dustin. That kid has the best one-liners. His humor just makes it.

Brad: I really liked Will. I thought his acting was incredible.

Jena: Eleven. It was nice to see her be a kid.

Mandi: Steve. Selfless, caring and tough. 

Karrie: I loved both Joyce and Hopper. Joyce, because she seemed way less cuckoo in this season and I loved how she fought for her son. I loved that Hopper took Eleven in and how kind he was to Joyce.

Suzzanne: Steve! Talk about character development. He needed more to do, and he's way too good for Nancy.

Aaron: Gotta go with Steve. The man is a baller with glorious '80s hair.

Amy: Steve hands down. He is the best [dang] babysitter around!

Abbie: STEVE HARRINGTON. He had the greatest character development from Season 1 to Season 2. Plus, I’m also 100% here for his hair.

Question 4 - Who was your least favorite Season 2 character and why?

Consensus: Everybody hates Billy the Bully and his fancy through-the-legs layups.

Abbie: Billy. He was garbage. He served no purpose to the season except for giving us Steve’s confused “....Nancy?” when he woke up after getting beaten by Billy.

Amy: Max and Billy. They were crappy additions to the show that the [story] could have easily done without.

Suzzanne: Billy... UGH. He kind of took over Steve's throne as the school 'cool kid/king of the jerks' but I don't think that they really needed it.

Mandi: Max and Eight are tied for least fave. I feel like Max was thrown in as a P.C. necessity and Eight wasn’t at all altruistic - she was very selfish and manipulative.

Aaron: Mad Max and Billy were practically pointless. Honestly, when did Max ever do anything of value, other than illegally driving a car? Also, I didn't know Billy actually had a name until like Episode 5. I just called him "The Kid That Is Always Smoking on School Property."

Jena: The doctor. I thought he was slimy and didn't want him to be "good."

Question 5 - Who is the most underrated character of the series so far?

Brad: Lucas! Or Steve. Love them both.

Amanda: Hopper. His character development is great. I really can't [wait to] see what they do next with him.

Karrie: Joyce. She doesn’t get enough credit for all that she does and has done for Will and the others.

Jena: Joyce. She gets written off as crazy, when she's really the only one who's paying attention.

Amy: Bob. Sure, he was kind of a goofy guy, but he did so much to help the Byers, from being somewhat normal to escaping Hawkins Lab by knowing Basic.

Suzzanne: Dustin. This kid is smart - he knows he needs his paddles for his curiosity voyage! He so many moments of bravery in this season (and a few stupid moments... of course your weird new friend is a baby demogorgan!) He wasn't completely useless without his friends either; he went looking for Mike and, when he couldn't find someone, he recruited Steve.

Aaron: That goofy police officer with the glasses. Did anybody dress up like him for Halloween? That would be a great costume.

Question 6 - Is there a character that you wish would have been killed off? If so, who and why?

Consensus: Brad and Karrie are the kindest of the panelists because they didn't want to kill anyone. Five points to each of them.

Abbie: Billy and/or MadMax.

Jena: The doctor. I don't see a reason for keeping him alive actually.

Aaron: I thought for a second that they were going to have to kill Will. That would have been crazy. Other decent options: Nancy, Max and Billy.

Amanda: I'm not a huge fan of Will. I feel like he is just there to further the story along, but I have no connection to him.

Mandi: Max. She is everything i hate in female protagonists: cocky, pushy and mysteriously better than anyone else at something. I’m sure she’ll be helpful next season, but they need to tone down her “holier than thou” attitude.

Amy: Either Max or Billy because they are the worst. Or the stupid P.I. conspiracy theory guy. He was just a part of the series to get Nancy and Jonathan to sleep together.

Suzzanne: Actually... Jonathan. He's a sweet kid, and I do believe that he would die for his brother. Something about him creeps me out, though. I think I'd like him a little better if he did some great self-sacrificing gesture so his baby brother could have a normal life. Is that mean? Maybe.

Question 7 - Was there anything you wish would have happened in Season 2 that didn't come to pass?

Amanda: I wanted the shadow monster to come out of the Upside Down!

Suzzanne: I wanted more Will. He was the such a central character in Season 1 and he wasn't featured a whole lot. I wanted to get to know him a little better.

Karrie: Some other part of Barb's story. I’m not sure what they could have done... but I️ would have liked to see something..

Mandi: I wish we could have seen more of the Upside Down. Are there any good or redeemable creatures there (like Dart?), or are they all inherently evil?

Abbie: Part of me is still waiting for Joyce and Hop to hook up.

Aaron: I was really hoping there would be a scene at some point where Joyce came home to discover an unconscious boy on her floor and a dead alien in her fridge.

Question 8 - Who or what is most to blame for the calamities that befell Hawkins, Indiana, in Season 2, and why?

Karrie: Technically, Eleven opened the gate. But she was doing that to try to save herself. So really, it’s the labs fault, and Papa's.

Amanda: Eleven. I mean she started the whole thing. The season connected completely to season one. Although, if not for Eleven there probably wouldn't be a show, so yeah.

Abbie: As much as I love her, probably Eleven. She opened the gate at the end of season 1, and by it staying open, the mess from the upside down seeped into Hawkins.

Aaron: Eleven, originally, but in Season 2, I put a lot of the blame on Dustin for keeping (and feeding) Dart. You know what? I blame the Three Musketeers!

Mandi: Bob! I loved him, but knew it wouldn’t end well the moment he told Will to “fight” the shadow monster.

Amy: Bob, because he told Will to stick up to the Mind Flayer/shadow monster. Dustin, because he raised a demo-dog. The pumpkin farmers for creating so much drama. Nancy because she's the worst. Above all, I blame the Mind Flayer for everything that happened in Hawkins.

Jena: The lab. Because, government.

Suzzanne: The Cold War.

Brad: I'm sure there's a better answer here, but I'm guessing Donald Trump is somehow behind it all.

Question 9 - #JusticeForBarb or #JusticeForBob?

Question 10 - Who should Nancy date?

Question 11 - How did you feel about Episode 7: "The Lost Sister"?

Question 12 - Whose powers would you rather have?

Question 13 - What is the best song featured in Season 2?

33.3% "Every Breath You Take" - The Police

22.2 % "Runaway" - Bon Jovi

11.1% "Should I Stay or Should I Go" - The Clash

11.1% "You Don't Mess Around with Jim" - Jim Croce

11.1% "Rock You Like a Hurricane" - Scorpions

11.1% "Whip It" - Devo

Question 14 - Is Stranger Things the greatest TV show of all time?

Amanda: Close. It just has so much to love about it. Great characters and plot, but I don't know if anything can beat "The X-Files."

Jena: Not quite, but it's still fantastic. "Doctor Who" and "LOST" are at my top.

Suzzanne: Greatest show of all time? No. An amazing show that has mass appeal and is wildly entertaining? Abso-freaking-lutely. This show has great appeal because it is a mix of sci-fi, suspense, comedy, mystery, and nostalgia. It's just great. The re-watch value is high, and it gives you a lot to talk about.

Mandi: It's my favorite new show, for sure. It’s instantly nostalgic, has iconic references and pop culture moments, but is unique and not at all kitschy or overplayed. I really love how they develop the characters and make it just creepy enough to really suck you in.

Amy: I don't know about "all time," but I do think it's a great TV show. It's kind of a thriller, but it's funny enough to keep me coming back for more. I also love the '80s theme! The songs, the style, the glasses, the Eggos... It's all so perfect!

Brad: No. It is not. But it is a wonderful popcorn binge-worthy entertainment choice that is a hit with many teens and adults alike. When does that happen?

Abbie: Debatable. I love it, but I also know people who don’t, usually because Sci-Fi isn’t something they get into. All things considered: 11/10 would recommend to anyone.

Karrie: Yes.

Aaron: I give it 8/10 stars, but no. The greatest TV show of all time has already been made... and its name is "LOST"!

Question 15 - Make a bold prediction about Season 3 or beyond.

Mandi: I think the Mind Flayer has its sights set on Eleven. My guess is it realized her strength and it will possess her.

Jena: We see more of the lost siblings.

Brad: I think Season 3 expands [the story] outside of just Hawkins. Hawkins is the central area, but bigger powers get involved and more havoc unleashes.

Amanda: The earth is destroyed and they all get stuck in the Upside Down.

Abbie: As much as I hated the "Lost Sister" episode, I’m hoping that it serves a greater purpose than some minor character development for El. I think there’s potential for something great with her story.

Karrie: Billy is going to end up a good guy. Joyce and Hopper end up together.

Suzzanne: The Mind Flayer uses another telekinetic kid to open a gate and it comes for the town of Hawkins. Eight is brought into the story by Eleven to try to help trick the Mind Flayer and save the day.

Aaron: Somebody finally gets the guts to say, "You know what? I'm moving to Omaha."

Amy: [HOT TAKE ALERT!!!] Hopper and Dustin are going to be the new hosts for the Mind Flayer. (They both got stuff in their mouths in the tunnels and it may be something that causes an infection.)

BOOM! There you have it! What do you think? Do you agree? Disagree? Did we miss anything you wanted to discuss? Sound off in the comments section below. But not on Facebook. No, no. Not on Facebook for a couple more weeks, lest your friends unleash fury upon you for ruining Episode 7 for them.

See ya on the flip side. 🙃


For more "Stranger Things," check out our Season 2 Power Rankings by clicking here.

Total World Domination

Let’s face it. Those three words tend to strike fear into the hearts of men. No one wants to be dominated. Everyone wants to have choices. However, the world domination I am talking about is something I would totally jump on board with, and it all comes down to one word. Disney. Yes, you heard me. Disney is taking over the world. For some of you this may be difficult to believe, but let me just take a few minutes to prove my point.

First of all, Disney reigns in the amusement park industry. Millions of people visit Disney parks all over the world each year because they have it figured out. For me Disneyland is my Mecca. Not only do they have fantastic rides, friendly employees, and memorable characters, they also have that special something. The magic you feel when entering a Disney park is second to none. It doesn’t matter if you are nine or ninety Disney has something for everyone. Every other amusement park tries to live up to Disney’s standards and personally I think that they are light years behind.

Secondly, Disney reigns in the film industry. Who could forget their first time seeing Beauty and the Beast, the Lion King, or Tangled? With amazing animation, wonderful story telling, and catchy music, (“Let it Go” anyone?) Disney has found a way to please both children and adult.

Last but not least, Marvel. Disney made one of its greatest moves in purchasing Marvel. Marvel continues to release blockbuster after blockbuster and I don’t see that stopping anytime soon. With movies planned far into the future, Disney has secured itself.

So, as Disney continues to conquer the world, I will continue to be ready for it. After all, who wouldn’t want everywhere to be the happiest place on earth? Let’s just keep It’s a Small World tucked away in a dark corner.

The Con to End All Cons

As a nerd have you every asked yourself the following questions? Are there other nerds out there who have my likes? Is there a place where all nerds could come together? I’m here to tell you that there is in fact a place. A place so coveted tickets are like gold. Yes, I’m talking about the nerd Mecca, San Diego Comic Con (SDCC). Now if you’ve ever experienced a con, you have been exposed to a mere fraction of what SDCC is like. If you don’t like crowds of screaming fanatics, you best stay away because SDCC is not for the feint of heart.

Having been two times I can tell you that every nerd MUST experience the awesomeness that is SDCC. However, there is a right way to do SDCC and there is a wrong way. In this post I will offer a few tips to make the most out of your SDCC experience (because believe me after this post you will be making plans for next year).

1. Be prepared to spend most of your money on a hotel room

Location is key. My first time, I spent an hour commuting round trip from my hotel. That is a precious hour I could have used for something else, like waiting in line. My second time, I booked a hotel in the Gaslamp district. My commute consisted of a ten-minute walk, which was perfect.  After a full day of geeking out, you will be glad you paid the extra money for a close hotel.

2. Don’t expect to get any sleep

If you want to see the good panels, you must be in line at 2am to have a hope of getting in. I got in line for a panel that early and I almost didn’t make it. Bring a comfy chair you don’t mind sitting in because you will spend a lot of time in line.

3. Bring your own food

Once you get into a panel room, you can stay there as long as you like, but once you leave the room you have to wait in line all over again. At this point, you may have been awake for 8 hours and can feel the hunger taking over. SDCC does sell food, but it is overpriced and not very good. Bringing your own food ensures that you will be well fed and happy the duration of your day.

4. Bring a good camera

Cons are the perfect place for people watching. You really never know what you are going to experience and you may want to remember that moment forever, or not as the case may be. Have a camera handy for pictures of your favorite actor, or just some great cosplaying.

5. Make friends in line

This is one of the best parts of SDCC or any con. You will spend a great deal of time in line, so it’s great to start a conversation with the people around you. Don’t worry, you are both at a con already so you have something in common.  I have met the nicest people while waiting in line. Making friends will make the wait seem much shorter.

6. Remember, you won’t be able to see it all

SDCC is HUGE! No one can cover everything. Make a plan A and a plan B before you go. I have found this to be extremely helpful. A good plan can make SDCC a once in a lifetime experience. A bad plan could leave you feeling disappointed. Keep in mind that you may not get to see everything, but you will have a great time trying.

And that my fellow nerds are a few quick tips on how to experience a great SDCC. Above all, when you go to any con just remember to HAVE FUN. Con’s are a great way for people with similar interests to come together and have a good time. So, if this has wet your appetite to go to SDCC let me know. I’d love to meet up with you next year.

Looking for some hidden treasure? Netflix marks the spot.

I have a problem. It only happens in the summer starting around May and ending sometime in August/September. It’s called television withdrawal. As soon as my favorite shows start ending their seasons, I’m faced with one question. The question that will haunt me for the entire summer: What do I watch now? For many years, there was no answer. My summer nights were filled with movie watching and reruns.  Then along came Netflix and the question was answered.

In the past few years, Netflix has been building their streaming library and I for one am continually grateful that they have. Now I have a vast number of movies and television shows at just the click of a button. But there still remains one problem. How do you search through the vast library to find something that is actually good? Let me help you with that. Here are five shows that I recently discovered that deserve your attention.

5. The Intouchables

If you’re not afraid to read subtitles, then give this movie a try. The Intouchables tells the true story of a rich quadriplegic man who hires an ex-con to be his caretaker. As the ex-con learns to care for this man with whom he has nothing in common, a friendship develops that makes them inseparable. Fully of witty humor and heart-warming moments, this is a great feel good movie.

4. Much Ado About Nothing

If you’re like me, you’ve been brought up on Shakespeare’s plays. And, if you are also like me, you love them but have a hard time sitting through them. This movie is your answer. Seriously you can’t go wrong with a William Shakespeare play directed by Joss Whedon. This movie feels like a bunch of friends got together one day and decided to make a movie. Ironically, that is exactly what happened. This movie was filmed in about 12 hours at Joss’ house. The actors completely succeed in bringing this play to life.

3. Crossing Lines

I have a confession. I love crime dramas. I also love people with accents. This discovery was a match made in heaven for me. The premise of this show is a group of detectives from various law enforcement agencies around the world gather together and solve crimes that cross international borders. This is a fun and interesting new take on the crime drama genre. The only downfall is that only the first season is available on Netflix right now. Oh well, at least there is something to look forward to.

2. Royal Pains

I know that everyone loves a good medical drama, but sometimes you just need something a little lighthearted. This show is a great compromise. The story focuses on an up-and-coming ER doctor who is fired from his job in the big city. His last minute trip to the Hampton's becomes a permanent stay when he becomes a Concierge Doctor to the rich and famous. Hilarity ensues.

1. Doctor Who

Could there be any other show as my top pick? This may not seem like hidden treasure, but it was for me. Let me just tell you that when I first watched Doctor Who I thought it was the weirdest show I had ever seen. But, once I got past the first couple episodes I was hooked. I mean what could be better than a two-hearted alien who travels through time and space in his blue police box shaped ship (aka the TARDIS) and takes human companions along for the ride. This is a thrilling ride for all ages.

There you go. My five top picks. What about you? Do you have any great new discoveries on Netflix? If so, let me know in the comments so I can check them out.

Are you ready for another exordium? Well here it is... - Meet Amanda Nelson

Hey Underground! I’m so excited to join this awesome community and share my feelings about entertainment with all of you. By the way, if you don't know what exordium is I give you permission to google it. I'm Amanda. I'm a 28-year old single geek who's alter ego works at a jewelry manufacturer of men's wedding rings. I attended BYU-Idaho for my bachelors degree and the University of Phoenix for my masters degree.

My love of pop culture and the geek world was like falling in love. Not that I know what that feels like (ha ha), but Jane Austen’s Pride And Prejudice pretty much sums it up. “I cannot fix the hour or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew I had begun.” Yep, I just compared being a geek to being in love. I went from a girl who read books and didn’t “nerd out” over anything, to a girl who buys geeky shirts and attends cons. When I’m not trying to catch up on all of my favorite shows, hitting the movie theater with my movie theater popcorn and frozen Junior Mints, or shamelessly seeing what the latest celebrity gossip is, I love to read as many books as I can get my hands on, spend time with my awesome family, play the piano, and rock out to classic rock in my car. There you have it. I’m just a geeky girl who finally has an excuse to talk about things that cause normal people to squint their eyes and give me the “who are you?” look.  So bring on the apocalypse because I’m ready to go Underground.