S1.E8

Chapter Eight: The Upside Down

Episode aired Jul 15, 2016
TV-14
54m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Millie Bobby Brown in Stranger Things (2016)

Drama Fantasy Horror Mystery Sci-Fi Thriller

Joyce and Hopper are taken in for questioning. Nancy and Jonathan prepare to fight the monster and save Will.Joyce and Hopper are taken in for questioning. Nancy and Jonathan prepare to fight the monster and save Will.Joyce and Hopper are taken in for questioning. Nancy and Jonathan prepare to fight the monster and save Will.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

9.3/10

28K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
Hopper (David Harbour) wears a braided blue bracelet throughout the series. Its origins are touched on in a flashback: the materials for the bracelet are his daughter Sarah's hairbands that she was wearing the day she got sick.

Goofs
In "The Upside Down" the form of CPR used by Chief Hopper is actually the latest method of CPR (30 compressions:2 breaths) introduced in the 2010's. The way CPR was performed in 1983 was 5 compressions:1 breath.

Quotes
Mike Wheeler: Are you feeling any better?
[El shrugs]
Eleven: What's pu-tt-ing?
Mike Wheeler: [chuckling] Pudding. It's this chocolate goo you eat with a spoon. Don't worry. When all this is over you won't have to keep eating junk food and leftovers like a dog anymore. My mom, she's a pretty awesome cook. She can make you whatever you like.
Eleven: Eggos?
Mike Wheeler: Well, yeah Eggos but real food too. See, I was thinking that once all this is over and Will's back and you're not a secret anymore, my parents can get you an actual bed for the basement. Or you can take my room if you want, since I'm always down there anyways. My point is, they'll take care of you. They'll be like your new parents. And Nancy, she'll be like your new sister.
Eleven: Will you be like my brother?
Mike Wheeler: What? No! No...
Eleven: Why 'no'?
Mike Wheeler: Because... cause it's different.
Eleven: Why?
Mike Wheeler: I mean, I don't know, I guess it's not... it's stupid.
Eleven: Mike?
Mike Wheeler: Yeah?
Eleven: Friends don't lie.
Mike Wheeler: Well, I was thinking... maybe we could go to the Snowball together.
Eleven: Snowball?
Mike Wheeler: Yeah. It's this cheesy school dance where you go to the gym and dance to music and stuff. I've never been but I know you're not supposed to go with your sister.
Eleven: No?
Mike Wheeler: I mean, you *can* but it'd be really weird. You go to school dances with someone that... someone that, you know... someone that you... like.
Eleven: A friend?
Mike Wheeler: Not a friend.
[stumbles over his words]
Mike Wheeler: uh... someone like a...
[leans in and kisses her]

Connections
Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best TV Moments of 2016 (2016)

Soundtracks
Horizon
Written by Edgar Froese, Christopher Franke and Johannes Schmölling
Performed by Tangerine Dream
Courtesy of Jive Records

User reviews45

Review

Featured review

10/10

Quality hasn't gone upside down

Season 1 was of a consistently high quality, with all the episodes ranging between good (Chapters 2 and 6) and incredible (over two thirds of the season). 'Stranger Things' was a big surprise when first getting into it, the premise did sound great but Netflix's original output have always varied with some being great and others not being very good. Luckily it very quickly became one of their best (along with 'The Crown' and 'House of Cards' in their prime).

"Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" is an incredible finale and Season 1 couldn't have ended on a better note than this. Anybody who has seen some disappointing season finales recently or in their time will find "Chapter Eight: The Upside Down" is a relief, and proof that season finales can be great and more. Not only is it a strong contender for the best episode of Season 1, and that took some beating, but three seasons later it's still one of the best episodes of 'Stranger Things' and essentially what it's all about.

The production values are superb. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully.

Also incredibly impressive is the beautifully balanced writing. That has a lot of thought and intrigue, with the usual brains and heart. The storytelling is tremendously engaging, atmospheric and never simplistic or convoluted, as well as doing wonderfully at building upon the chess pieces that began to fully fall into place in the previous episode. It is rich in affectionate nostalgia (reminiscent of Stephen King's depiction of childhood), poignant emotional impact and suspenseful turns in the more mysterious elements.

Furthermore, the character writing is spot on, especially the richer writing for Jim Hopper. The character interaction likewise, especially between the younger cast in an interaction reminiscent of 'Stand By Me'. The performances are superb across the board, especially beyond her years Millie Bobby Brown and nuanced David Harbour.

Overall, incredible. 10/10.