Stranger Things (TV Series) Chapter Two: The Mall Rats (2019) User Reviews

Ups and downs

[frankhenneick-74973 · 7/10 · 5 July 2019]

So we are in episode 2 now and the magnets and that Billy went to the other dimension was a good starter for the mysteries. But first we still have to struggle with the cringe behaviour of the the teenage heroes. But that's not the only thing: the scenes at the newspaper is the most stupidest plot! It's like a big joke of characters! The Duffys just forgot that in the past weird things happened in Hawkins and the media might be aware when strange things happening again! But yeah, it's the easiest way to show the world before #metoo happened!

A little better

[Trey_Trebuchet · 7/10 · 6 September 2021]

A bit of a step up from the first episode, if not by much. Oddly enough, I thought it was cooler when everyone was NOT dating each other. Idk, maybe that's the point.

Anyway, there were enough interesting things to keep me invested. Billy's weird visions, the exploding rats, the science teacher (whom I love)... It was all cool. Hopefully things really pick up in the next episode or two.

And the plot thickens.

[Smith-jordan431 · 8/10 · 8 July 2019]

We start to see each storyline begin to grow and slowly intertwine. Love what they're doing with Billy's character as he is now looking like the new host for the Mind Flayer, and how Joyce is off on her own adventure (someone please make a GIF of Mr. Clarke opening the garage). The kids are still off on their own thing with relationships which I'm still buying (love the coming of age 80s stuff) but I can tell things are quickly going to make a turn. I LOVE the new relationship between Steve and Dustin and their plot on figuring out what the Russians are planning. I can tell the show is really about to ramp up.

Subtitle Suggestion & Spoiler-free Description

[anonymous-66302 · 8/10 · 9 August 2019]

If you wish to remain in edge-of-your-seat and down-to-the-wire suspense, turn the Netflix subtitles off. The subtitles give away the impending doom with descriptions of the music changes.

The episode is clever & amusing, with hints of whimsy drowned out by an underlying sense of impending doom. The episode ends with Hopper drunk, Billy going cray-cray, rats exploding, and Will having the heebie-jeebies. What else could one expect from the Duffer Brothers??

The Mystery Thickens

[petereviews · 8/10 · 7 July 2019]

The Good: Similar to the first episode, this episode was a little bit slow, but gave what seems to be important table-setting for the episodes to come. The character interactions still are the highlight. Max and Eleven's bonding in the mall was fun to watch, and introduced a new character pairing that will be fun to watch in the future. Mike was also consistent to his awkward personality established in previous seasons, and his floundering was amusing.

I didn't talk about Robin last episode, but she is a fun addition to the cast and has an easygoing chemistry with Steve and Dustin. Watching this trio begin to piece together the Russian message was enjoyable.

The opening with Billy provided a fascinating twist and raises more questions about the Mind Flayer. With his abduction of the lifeguard, does this mean an army is being built?

The Bad: Nothing really bad in this episode, but some things did drag or feel like too much exposition (ie. the Mayor and Hopper). Also, while Nancy and Jonathan's sleuthing may have been necessary for the characters, the amount of time spent with them was not necessary for the viewer as we already knew what was going on with the rats and it was a bit tedious.

Highlight of the episode: Max and Eleven's shopping spree.

Conclusion: While a small step down from the previous episode, this still felt like an important character-building episode that gave us some key information. Hopefully now that the puzzle pieces have been set, the proper plot can kick in.

It's supposed to be different! I love how it's going!

[lorivera · 10/10 · 18 July 2019]

So, far this season has the best start and the second best start. It's all about the Summer Of Love. One thing that's supposed to happen since this season is supposed to be more different compared to the first two.

The suspense is building...

[ninjaboyballer · 9/10 · 6 July 2019]

This is episode 2 of Stranger Things 3, and is so far still great. Max and El's relationship is really fun along with the subplot of Mike, Lucas, and Will. Nancy and Jonathan's parts in theses episodes have been a bit boring and least interesting, with them investigating rats eating dangerous chemicals. And Joyce and Hoppers will they won't they thing kinda drags out. But Billy's parts are interesting as he is being corrupted by the Mind Flayer and is being drawn back to the road he was attacked on, which ends with him abducting a girl named Heather and giving it to a monster being made out of the rats flesh. Steve and Dustin in this episode are also really great, with them trying to crack the mystery of the transmission while being an absolute gold duo at the same time. Overall this episode is picking up steam and heading in an actual direction

Final rating: 8.8/10

The Blob Meets Willard

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 6 July 2019]

Rats have been infested, they explode, and then become disgusting blobs that obviously are deadly. Humans are going to be doing the dirty work, rats running the show, or whatever. The romance thing with the boys hot for girls, is getting a little tired. Eleven is moving out into society. Meanwhile, the Russian signal is being interpreted, and this looks like fun.

Poor rats, but...

[lcadkin · 10/10 · 4 July 2019]

Of course Mr. Clarke is a Weird Al fan! I'm so happy with this season so far. The '80s pop reference are so spot on. I love it!

In the Starcourt Mall

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 18 October 2019]

Billy succeeds to escape and when he stops his car in a phone booth to report what happened to the police, weird creatures approach and he sees himself among them. Mike misses the date with El without explanation and when she calls him, he lies to her. There is a mob protesting the loss of jobs caused by the new Starcourt Mall and Kline presses Hopper to stop them. Dustin meets Steve and asks him to help to translate the Russian message that is encoded and Robin asks to join them. El and Max go to the mall for shopping and Mike tries to find a gift for El. Nancy and Jonathan decide to investigate a lead at Mrs. Driscoll´s home about rabies rats. Billy is dizzy with flashbacks in the Upside Down. Joyce stands Hopper up at the restaurant.

"Chapter Two: The Mall Rats" is a better episode of "Strange Things" with more mystery and action than the first one. Nevertheless is not a great episode, but the plot is improving. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Chapter Two: The Mall Rats"

A good start to the series

[evansjoshyr · 9/10 · 4 July 2019]

Plot developing further than the first episode. Characters are feeling more like first two seasons. Mystery continues. Over all a good episode

3x02

[formotog · 6/10 · 2 May 2020]

Honestly this was a below average episode. Still feels like mostly set-up, and while I understand this whole coming-of-age stuff is probably necessary, I'm really not a fan. This show is feeling more like a teen drama than a sci-fi thriller. This episode had a lot of unnecessary screen time and made use of quite a few clichés, and a lot of plot points are already looking really quite predictable. Some of the characterisation was nice but ultimately not nearly enough is being done to progress the plot. Anything relating to the plot at this current point is shrouded in mystery but that's being drowned out by spectacle-y angsty teen drama and other seemingly dead-end stuff like the town hall protests. Also, the way they figured out the transmission wasn't from Russia was very very convenient. I hope we get some actual plot very soon.

High 6

Magnets

[dafoat · 5/10 · 4 July 2019]

Okay. I know it's just a TV show. It's a fantasy. Virtually nothing in it is scientifically accurate. But I just have to say something about the magnets. When spooky things start to happen in the first two episodes, one of the ominous signs is that magnets stop working. Fine.

Except it's just refrigerator magnets. All of the electrical devices that have magnets in them, and use magnetic fields to work, are unaffected. Telephones, televisions, radio speakers, the alternators in car engines - they all work fine.

That just really bugs me and I had to say something. Thank you.

Better than the first episode

[regionsam · 9/10 · 4 July 2019]

Whilst the first episode was slow and not as interesting as it could be, this was a better episode, still room for more sci fi and introduction to antagonists, monsters etc

The plot thickens

[schroederagustavo · 10/10 · 31 August 2019]

So, there's a bit more going on in the story in this episode, still not a lot going on but we're starting to see something form here. I like the direction the show is taking this season, being really focused on the relationships between the kids (now teens), because that's always been the strongest part of this show.

IT'S Billy

[MistrTxxas · 10/10 · 5 July 2019]

This season is already starting off better than season 2, I highly applaud the writers, directors, cast, and especially the actors. We are beginning to piece together what is possibly to come this season. But, still know nothing about how this season is going to go down.. I enjoy watching how seperate characters are swaying away from the main group, and seeing how each pair discovers new crucial information to the story line. I can't wait to see what else Stranger Things 3 has in store for us.

Amazing ride in this season

[angelovarg1 · 9/10 · 4 July 2019]

You have to understand they are older now you can't hBe the same stuff happening they are all adapting this was perfect I think that it literally went the perfect route

Just keeps getting worse

[RIPMOVIES · 6/10 · 4 July 2019]

This episode is brought to you by Jcpenny, this episode is just as bad as the first one, I'm really starting to get pissed off at how much this actually feels like a show and not a secret Netflix series only a small amount of people know about

Again, WHAT IS GOING ON

[humzahladiwala · 6/10 · 7 April 2021]

This episode gets points for the iconic "I dump your ass" line, and I like how Sadie Sink and the Scoop Troops perform. As far as the story though? I don't know. I'm a little confused as to where this is going tbh. The Duffers better get moving on this, fast.

Fun

[Joshumms · 10/10 · 30 March 2022]

This season so far is different from the first 2, it's very fun with its characters but it also does the best job with the monster side of things and it strikes a perfect balance and it makes it very good.

Zero Events!

[AbdullaAlsada · 6/10 · 17 July 2019]

The episode ended and I asked myself what was going on? Nothing literally happened in this episode, just seeing eleven and mike breaking up and Harbour drunk.

bad. so bad.

[peppersaltzman · 2/10 · 6 July 2019]

It was like a unfunny sitcom. I dont like it. The shopping scenes were so cringe! This show doesnt deserve an episode like that. Poorly written.

Strong start

[chloeemg · 10/10 · 9 July 2019]

Seeing the kids grow up is really cute and i'm glad they added this to the plot. i really like where this season is going so far.

Funny, Strange and progressive.

[deepakdst · 10/10 · 6 July 2019]

This was the most funny episode in Stranger history. Especially El and Max made this more interesting. I loved the episode and will watch it again again.

Impressive pacing and lots of fun.

[cruise01 · 10/10 · 7 July 2019]

Stranger Things Episode 3.02 (5 out of 5 stars).

Chapter 2 continues with Nancy and Jonathan investigating about the diseased rats. Dustin needs Steve's help in translating a message. The episode gets more fun with Eleven getting upset at Mike for avoiding her after Jim frightened him about their intimacy. Eleven and Max go out shopping at the mall. Which Mike and his friends are trying to shop to get her something so she can forgive him. Meanwhile, Billy's encounter with the other world brings something along with him.

The episode is fast paced. Great story pacing with each character. There is not one boring scene or a slow story. It does have a lot of fun with the direction and music soundtrack. Can not wait for the next episode.