Stranger Things: S2. Ch9. The Gate

Babysitting, exorcisms, monstrous wombs, the snowball..it's the exciting season 2 finale! Join Sarah and Lea as they discuss Steve's new development, El's female rage, and whatever the hell that was between Billy and Karen!

The lab gets put into lockdown with a Demodog attack, Will struggles to break the Mind Flayer's hold on him, and tragedy strikes a member of the group. Join Sarah, Lea, and guest Robbie as they discuss behind the scenes of the lab show down, Billy's new development and Dacre's view on it, the continued subversions on the teen characters, the decisions behind *that* death, and more!

Determined to learn more about her sister from the lab, Eleven/Jane makes her way to Chicago where she meets Kali and her band of misfits. Join Sarah, Lea, and Tony as they discuss the significance of the urban setting, El's moral dilemma, behind the scenes facts, and their personal feelings on Stranger Things' most hated episode. Listen to Tony and his co-host Dave recap Buffy the Vampire Slayer over at All Bronze, No Brains!

Lucas and Max meet up with Dustin and Steve to try to capture Dart, Jonathan and Nancy take a huge step in their relationship, and Joyce, Hopper, Bob, and Mike try to figure out what's wrong with Will at the Lab. Join Sarah, Lea, and guests Courtney and Brandon as they discuss the Dustin and Steve dynamic, the symbolism behind Nancy and Jonathan sleeping together, and Will's predicament being an analogy for the AIDS epidemic of the 80's.  Listen to Courtney and Brandon recap Buffy and Angel over on Revamped

While Dustin frantically tries to find someone to help him with his Demogorgon situation, Mike, Will, and Joyce enlist Bob's help to save Hopper, Nancy and Jonathan reach out to an investigative journalist, and El finds her mom. Join Sarah, Lea, and guest host Jess, as they discuss the surprising director for the episode, hyper-reality and the 80's, Noah Schnapp's incredible acting, and the episode's central theme that the manner in which truth is communicated is just as important as the truth itself, and how this is a matured version of the kids' motto: friends don't lie.  Check out Jess' podcast, "Re-Witched: A Charmed Rewatch Podcast" here

Will starts exhibiting weird behavior, Joyce and Hopper make a breakthrough, and Dustin discovers that Dart is not quite as innocent as he first believed. Join Sarah, Lea, and guest host Naj as they discuss "Harringrove," Hopper and Eleven's confrontation, and Dustin's attachement to Dart.  Featuring: Naj Reacts

Dustin's new pet turns out to be Will's worst nightmare as the Shadow Monster closes in on him. Join Sarah, Lea, and Tabby from Becoming Buffy as they discuss whether or not Steve and Nancy broke up, Dustin's weird bond with his new pet, and the trope of the Suburban Gothic 

Who you gunna call?? It's Halloween as the boys dress up as Ghostbusters and go Trick or Treating with Max, Hopper investigates some weird tree slime, Eleven is stuck in the cabin, and Nancy and Steve have a brutal conversation. Join Sarah and Lea as they discuss the cabin set design, our new characters, and Nancy and Steve's relationship break down. 

A new family comes to town, Mike's pining after Eleven, Will is getting therapy from the lab, Nancy's guilt over Barb's death continues to grow, and Hopper is guarding a big secret. Listen as Sarah, Lea, Steph, and Kara discuss the parallels between Steve and Ted Hopper, Karen's parening style, and the arrival of the Mayfield's. 

What are our thoughts on season five and the series' finale? El's ending on the show? Listen as Sarah and Lea discuss listeners' questions and thoughts, give their own hot takes, and give a summary on two prequel books centering around Hopper's time in New York and Terri Ives' time with Brenner.