Stranger Things: 1.1: CHAPTER ONE: THE VANISHING OF WILL BYERS

I am in love. Hooked after the first five minutes. How on earth have I not seen this before now? It's SO my cup of tea!

I am an American who grew up in a suburb of Cleveland in the 80s/90s, Midwestern USA. Of course I am going to relate to the culture and setting! I seriously feel like I am experiencing my childhood again. Bikes, oh the bikes are brought back! Bikes = everything in the 80s/90s USA. Kids rode bikes everywhere and we felt powerful and damn special on our bikes too... it was our form of independence and it was everything.

As a result, I am digging the 80s Midwestern vibe and all the American trends and pop culture stuff (Dungeons & Dragons! ), the music ("The Rains of Africa!" Ha!), and overall feel to it. It reminds me of a combination of The Goonies and The X-Files (80s/90s). That recipe is a good thing in my mind. 80s tropes. Small town Midwest America, kids on BMXs, D&D and nerds and repulsive bullies. Perfection. I can see why this show has been nominated and won endless awards already. Putting the terrific acting aside, the setting, production, music, directing, everything fits together like peanut butter and jelly. Just perfect! Acting is incredible, both the children and adults, this cast can act.

I love seeing Winona Ryder back on my screen. I seriously adore her acting skills. She's outstanding and I can tell she's going to light it up in this role.

The reason why this show works for me immediately is because not only did I devour and relate to the American culture and setting... but the strength is the friendship and bond between the four kids... a monster story only works if we care about the characters the monster is chasing around... and I do care! Will and his dorky friends are the heart and soul of this show... they bicker, call each other names, fight, make up, have fun, but the biggest thing of all is the intense loyalty, love and caring they have for each other. Their bond is what will carry this show.

Speaking of... I loved seeing the kids get so excited about the ham radio! These little things make me love this group even more, while remembering how much simpler and awesome growing up in their time truly was. We didn't have to worry about all the new age technology and endless social media constantly tormenting. Life was so much more simple and awesome back then.

I feel so sorry for Will's brother, Jonathan. He took an extra shift to help make some money and his brother is missing and he feels responsible. Poor guy. I love how his mother comforted him. It is not his fault, even if he thinks it is.

Ted is the most annoying oblivious kind of dad. He can leave. Do. Not. Like. Him.

Poor Benny! I immediately liked him but that was the point. He's too helpful and caring. The minute "social services" showed up and he commented on how quickly she arrived, I knew he was a goner.

Nancy and Steve making out in the bathroom... I can't tell whether Steve is a player only or really likes her. Either way I appreciated how she put her foot down and let him know she is not someone he is just going to score with.

David Harbour is awesome. Chief of Hawkins Police Department, and obviously the death of his family member has something to do with why he's lingering in pain. I liked him immediately. I love the actor too. He awesome in pretty much everything, and I'm already digging his character.

I've always loved Matthew Modine too and I assume we'll see more of him as one of the scientist/government guys.

What are the boys going to do with Eleven?!!! It's clear she has psychokinetic abilities which is really cool! I assume she escaped from Hawkins Laboratory.

Great start, loved the Pilot!