Stranger Things Season 2 Review: Still Charming But Needs More Millie Bobby Brown

The NetFlix sleeper hit of 2016 returns with a new season this year. It seems like we cant get enough of the 1980s these days. Other recent examples include: "Glow", "Atomic Blonde", "The Americans", and my favorite episode of "Black Mirror". The list could go on and on.

In "Stranger Things" season 2, our favorite group of teens, tweens and assorted adults are trying to get back to life as normal in Hawkins, Indiana. It's been a year since the season 1 finale. Eleven is MIA. The other kids are back at school-- including Will. He gets called ZombieBoy a lot (not very nice). Their happiness is short lived.

Dustin ends up with a baby demodog and nicknames him Dart. The little thing really likes 3 Musketeer bars. Sure he's cute to start with (not really) but then grows up and eats Mews the Cat. RIP Mews. Will is haunted by his visions of the Upside Down. Jocelyn takes him to Hawkins Lab where a cryptic doctor (Paul Reiser) tries to help... or does he? I still dont trust th guy. Mike spends a lot of time pining after Eleven. Unfortunately he doesnt get much else to do this season.

New characters include: Bob Newby (Sean Astin) is Joyce's new boyfriend. PS I continue to love Wynonna Ryder in her role as a spastic protective mother. A red headed girl named Max also arrives in town. She's from California, We meet her loser step-brother Billy #RoadRageMuch ? Max is great at video games and rides a mean skateboard. Unfortunately she (like Mike) doesnt get too much to do except serve as a source of fascination for the boys (and potential love interesting for Lucas). Speaking of Lucas, we seriously need to see WAY more of his little sister. She's a hoot.

Nancy and Steve break up when she gets drunk and confesses to not loving him. Steve ends up joining the Scoobie gang and provides some great comic relief as the kid's babysitter. I like the guy much better now. Nancy and Jonathan's (Will's brother) relationship deepens. They visit a conspiracy dude who catches them up on the happening at Hawkins Lab and elsewhere. I was seriously worried the guy might be a serial killer so I'm glad they survived.

Eleven/Jane (Millie Bobby Brown) has been hiding in Jim Hopper's house in the woods since the end of season 1. The two have their issues but end up developing a very close relationship. Too bad there's not more of Millie this season though. She goes off to find her sister Eight/Kali and is gone for several episodes. Eight is headed down a path of revenge and petty crime. Good thing Eleven gets away from her when she can.

In the show's climax, the group struggles to stay alive against the demogorgon. They barely escape Hawkins (thanks to Bob sacrificing his life). They find a way to stop Will from telling the Mind Flayer their location. The shed scene was super intense. Eleven uses all her powers and closes the gate to the Upside Down. PS I'm digging her new bad ass look.

The final scene features a school dance. Heartwarming stuff. Eleven and Mike share a sweet kiss. Nancy dances with Justin (since the girls his age arent biting). Lucas and Max share a moment. And outside Joyce and JIm chit chat. How long do we have to wait before those two become an item? Oh, I almost forgot. Jim adopts El and gives her the family she desperately craves.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). The kids of "Stranger Things" continue to act their little hearts out. There are also several great character additions including Bob and Max . Billie Bobby Brown doesnt get enough screen time though. And she's the main reason I watch the show. That girl has some serious acting chops. Great things are ahead of her.

Season 2 shows us more of the Upside Down universe. Unfortunately the story seems like a retread of season 1 (just with a bigger budget for special effects). I would have liked to have seen the group come up against a different Big Bad. Or they could expand on Hawkins experiments (insert child torture here). This must be part of a larger government conspiracy. Call Alex Jones!

Despite these criticisms, was "Stranger Things" still worth watching? Yep, I think so. The positives still outweigh the negatives. The young actors are EXTREMELY charming and talented. Remember "Stranger Things" was nominated for an Emmy last year for Best Drama. Millie Bobby Brown was nominated for Best Support Actress and David Harbour (Jim Hopper) for Best Supporting Actor.They lost out to the juggernaut that is "Handmaid's Tale" but there's still lots of potential here. Just don't watch "Stranger Things" expecting hard core horror. The show is geared more towards younger audiences.

PS #Justice4Barb. We still feel ya girl.