On Friday, September 20, 2019, I watched the finale of Stranger Things 2. To start, here’s some stories lines that stood out to me in retrospect: Eleven battles the Mind Flayer and demidogs. Additionally, Murray, Nancy, and Jonathan, drop the dime on Sam Owen’s secret laboratory experiments. Also, Barbara Holland is laid to rest. These are just a few good story lines, which I liked on a trip down memory late of the last episode of Stranger Things 2 titled “Chapter Nine: The Gate”.
It’s “Chapter Nine: The Gate” where Mike realizes Will could die, too, when it comes to killing the Mind Flayer. Mike tells the Stanger Things kids, saying, “Even if El can, there still is another problem. If the brain dies, the body dies. If we’re really right about this, I mean, if El closes the gate and kills the Mind Flayer’s army, closing the gate will kill him [Will]” Duh, cutting off the snake’s head will kill the rest of the body.
Also, during this episode, Hopper notices some new changes in Eleven after she returns from her Pittsburgh trip. Hopper inquires from Eleven, wondering, “I am just curious why you look like some MTV punk. I’m not mad, kid. I just want to know where you’ve been.”
Meanwhile, this airing sees the safety of Eleven come up when the Stranger Thing Kids wonder about her protection. Lucas says to Mike: “The chief will take care of her.” Max adds, “Because she needs protection,” in a sarcastic tone.
In this braodcast, too, the Mind Flayer gets control of the minds of the demigods. Dustin says to his friends: “These demidogs have a hive mind. When they ran away from the bus, they were called away.”
Also, in “Chapter Nine: The Gate,” we learn Max can drive a car, which she does after knocking Billy out with a needle. Max says, “Shut up! I’m trying to focus,” as she drives the Stranger Things kids in Billy’s Trans Am.
It’s “Chapter Nine: The Gate” where Hopper tries to get Eleven help from Sam Owens.
“Hello Doc… Oh yeah, I been meaning to telll you. This is Eleven. Eleven, doc Owens. Doc Owens, Eleven. She’s been staying with me for about a year and she’s about to save our asses.” Hopper explains cautiously to Doc, saying, “Maybe when this is all said and done, maybe you can help her out too, you know. Maybe you can help her like lead a normal life. One where she’s not poked and prodded and treated like some kind of lab rab, you know. I don’t know, it’s just a thought. And think about it.”
Elsewhere, Dustin discusses politics with Steve; specifically, the role of the party in governance. Dustin explains to Steven about party rules: “The bottom line is a party member requires assistance, and it is our duty to provide that assistance.” Today, the party is the only way to achive political power in this world.
As well, Kali returns in this episdoe, too. During one scene, Kali tells Eleven, saying: “I want you to find something from your past that angers you. Now channel it.”
Also, again, we see the scene where Eleven leaves behind Kali. While crying, Kali screams to Eleven, saying, “Jane!” The only family Kali ever knew was Eleven.
During “Chapter Nine: The Gate,” a watered down version of the truth, a truth constructed Murray, Nancy, and Jonathan, is released to the citizens of Hawkings by the local news.
“Since the release of the incendiary tape, the once quiet town of Hawkins, Indiana, has spent time in a place it never expected. The national spotlight. Under mounting pressure, several high-ranking members from the U. S. Department of Energy have admitted involvement in the death and cover-up of Hawkins resident Barbara Holland who died due to exposure to an experimental chemical asphyxiant, which had leaked from the grounds of the lab. We sent our own April Kline to Hawkins to speak to residents, residents who told us they thought they lived in a safe town. The kind of town where, they say, nothing ever happens.”
In one scene, the police give Murray the finger. Apparently, the police aren’t fans of Murray. Perhaps, they don’t like his version of the truth.
Moreover, the Barbara Holland funeral scene is sad. In one scene, you see Barbara’s casket lowered in to the ground. Also, only a handful of people know about what really killed Barbara Holland.
This episode had some good music, too. We hear Pat Benatar’s “Love Is A Battlefield”. Also, we hear Olivia Newton John’s “Heaven Can Wait.” Plus, Cindy Lauper’s “Time After Time”. Finally, The Police’s “Every Breathe You Take” is another one in this episode. These were the main pop songs of “Chapter Nine: The Gate”.
Once again, in “Chapter Nine: The Gate,” Hopper is promoting cigerettes on television aka the internet. In moment with Joyce at the Snow Ball, he tells her, “What do you say? I am pretty sure that Mr. Cooper retired in the 70s, so it might be ok.” In 1971, cigarrette ads were banned from TV, raido, and billboards across the US.
Briefly, my look back at “Chapter Nine: The Gate” was worthy of another look. First, Eleven sealed up the Mind Flayer in his dimension; originally, I thought she killed it, but she only sealed it up for a time. Also, Murray, Nancy, and Jonathan got pay back on the police. Plus, Barbara Holland was finally buried; however, they never recovered her body. If you can’t kill the Mind Flayer because it will kill your friend, it’s probably best to seal it up; that being said, I enjoyed this episode even though I saw it before.