What We Know So Far
Dustin went to Nerd Summer Camp (it’s called ‘8g Camp Know Where and it’s OBVIOUSLY for extreme science nerdery), and when he gets home no one wants to hang out with him. He’s probably missing D’art.
BUT NO … the gang, including Max, has planned a kickass Eleven-sponsored surprise for him that ends with Lucas getting White Rained in the face (except Dustin has taken Steve’s Farah Fawcett advice to heart OF COURSE). Foreshadowing the sad sad showdown that will be Dustin hating Lucas for his relationship with Max? Maybe. Especially if that shot of the two new lovebirds heading downhill, leaving Lone Dustin looking after them is any indication.
Mike’s voiceover is a shot to in the truth bone about growing up, and things always changing. In a group that’s been through so much, are they going to just keep going as they’ve been going since elementary school?
“We’re not kids anymore. I mean, what did you think? We’re just gonna sit in my basement all day? Play games for the rest of our lives?”
Mike isn’t the most empathetic of guys, and it looks like he’s not going to be able to handle Will’s increasing anxieties, his (potential) longing for the old days, or even perhaps his desire for his childhood back. Will, like Dustin, looks like he will remain outside and outcast to some extent, forever playing catch up to the rest of them who are able to move on, when he is still stuck.
Jonathan and Nancy look MISERABLE, but together? It seems that we will start the season with the two of them either applying for jobs at The Hawkins Post or looking for a new way to expose what’s been going on.
Aside from the two very short glimpses we got of Joyce (we can’t tell at all where her story post-Bob is going), Nancy and Jonathan look like the most ill-adjusted of the group; the ones that just aren’t able to get it together and live their lives. I mean, even Hopper is trying to date. TURN UP, MIAMI HAWKINS VICE.
Billy is working DAT ASS at the local pool as a lifeguard. All the girls are circling around him (it looks like we see at least three different girls in scenes with him). And if that shower scene is anything to go by, season 2’s least-needed new character was just getting the introductory treatment for his major role shift in season 3. Will the monster that Billy was last season aid him in potentially turning into THE actual monster of season 3?
Steve Harrington is KILLING IT as the Flavor of the Month at Scoops Ahoy, his perfectly 80’s job at the Starcourt Mall, which looks to be one of the sources of new contention in the quiet town of Hawkins.
The new Mayor Kline (played by Cary ARE YOU KIDDING ME Elwes – whose importance I had to explain to my daughter ugh) is bringing all kinds of new-fangled 80s delights to town (including the Fun Fair, which looks to be the setting for all kinds of major Non-Fun for our favorite band of heroes).
You can see protestors calling him Mayor Swine holding picket signs emblazoned with “Recall the Mall” and my personal favorite, “The pretzels aren’t even that good,” which prompts me to use my favorite gif of all time in solidarity with Aunt Annie lovers everywhere and David Rose in particular.
It looks like the populace of Hawkins wants to protect its downtown integrity; it definitely had a hometown feel in prior seasons. Remember the mom and pop run movie house where Nancy was slut-shamed? Or the sweet downtown street outside the morgue where Joyce and Jonathan fought over Will’s funeral? Hawkins is adorable with its General Store and its one Radio Shack. Mayor Pirate Roberts wants to turn it into a monument to consumerism that we all know, by 2019, will be an empty, disgusting eyesore. TEAM TOWNSPEOPLE. Hopper says, “I want this to feel like it can still be your home,” and while he means a lot more than aesthetics, we have to agree.
Eleven remains reigning badass, and I’m so glad to see that her palazzo pants and her scrunchies and her adorable rompers are not going to get in the way of her leading the charge into the Upside Down to save her friends. Things Are Happening Still in Hawkins, and no mall thrall is going to stop Eleven from tearing shit down to keep her new home.
Also, every time she goes to that place, it makes for gorgeous graphics of the inimitable Millie Bobbie Brown.
Addendum: MILEVEN
They were holding hands in the opening scene in Dustin’s house and THAT KISS is literally the only thing my teen daughter took away from a truly chock-full-of-awesome trailer. I made a screenshot for her to tape over her bed. Lord.
Questions We Have
Whose eye is this, and what exactly are they infected with? My guess? This has something to do with Billy and his creeping greyscale disease. 
Is Eleven still living with Hopper officially, and is that her sweet bedroom that she and Max are chilling in?
Is Mayor Kline the big (human) bad this season?
Where is 008 from last season? Are they gone for good?
Can the monsters from the Upside Down keep getting bigger and scarier and more gross or are we going to reach Peak Disgust soon?
IS THAT LUCAS’ LITTLE SISTER???? YES GIRL GET A BIGGER ROLE.
