But most importantly: What about Bob?
Yeah, it’s not like any of these scientists have ever been wrong about anything before.
To his credit, Owens quickly realizes his mistake and sets off the alarm.
Credit: Netflix
Now back to the whole “put Will to sleep” thing.
Let’s check back in to see if those scientists are doing okay.
Ugh, no, they’re dead.
At least this one has security cameras!
Elsewhere in Hawkins, things are equally scary for Billy.
His dad and Max’s mom get home and are worried when they can’t find Max.
He definitely is liking what he sees in the mirror.
His good times end when his pissed off dad barges in and throws Billy against the wall.
Jeez, this dad is no Danny Tanner.
That doesn’t sound like him.
So clearly her parents have nothing to worry about.
An argument ensues between Lucas and Dustin.
Lucas is mad that Dustin kept Dart, and Dustin is mad that Lucas told Max about everything.
The fight ends when they follow the sounds they hear coming from the lab.
Unable to get through the gate, Nancy and Jonathan head toward noises they hear coming from the woods.
What could it be?
Dart and his brothers?
Nope, something even scarierher maybe-still boyfriend.
That last step is why Bob decides he’s going to be the one to do it.
“It’s gonna be okay,” he assures Joyce as they hug.
“Remember, Bob Newby: superhero.”
“Don’t wait for me,” Bob tells Hopper, who promises to get everyone out.
And if that weren’t enough, he even directs a demodog away from their side of the building.
But that mission is going to be that much harder without the gun he just left behind.
Luckily, Owens stayed behind and is guiding Bob out.
Good to know that there are still some nice scientists around there.
“Run,” screams Owens.
Bob books it as the demodog follows in hot pursuit.
He makes it to the lobby and stops for a rest, which is an amateur move.
Do you see Usain Bolt take a break a few feet from the finish line?
And sadly, but predictably, Bob becomes demodog dinner.
As the great Pete Campbell would say, “Not great, Bob.”
Hopper gets Joyce out of there just as Jonathan pulls up.
Our heroes all return to the Byers house, which seems to be a little obvious.
Considering the Demogorgon’s history there, maybe try a new location.
He goes to check on Joyce, and the two sit in silence.
I miss happy Joyceit was so short-lived.
“We can’t let him die in vain,” declares Mike.
Yeah,Stranger Thingssurely doesn’t want #WhatAboutBob to start trending.
We do have two pieces of good news.
First, Dustin shares his genius “demodogs” nickname with everyone else.
Second, Mike kind of has a plan that involves Dungeons & Dragons.
For some reason, the mention of zombies is where they officially lose Hopper.
But Joyce is all in.
“They’re right, we have to kill it,” she says, emerging from her room.
“I want to kill it.”
Mike believes that Will is the key.
All right, it’s interrogation time.
Joyce is playing good cop and Hopper is also playing good cop.
“Why am I tied up?”
Will repeatedly screams, going into fullExorcistmode.
Joyce, Jonathan, and Mike do their best to reach him by sharing sweet stories.
For Mike, it’s the first time they met.
“I just felt so alone and so scared.”
They became friends that day in kindergarten, and the rest is scary and frightening history.
It doesn’t seem to be working, but Hopper notices Will tapping under the chair.
Rushing inside, he realizes Will signaled “here” through Morse code.
Soon, he sends another message: “Close gate.”
It’s probably not a coincidence that the phone then starts to ring, which Will hears.
Nancy shows some impressive strength and rips it from the wall.
Back outside, the shadow monster has fully taken over Will, again.
As they all brace for what’s coming, a dead demodog flies through the window.
This leaves everyone confused.
They’re about to get some clarity when the door opens…and it’s Eleven!
The episode’s final shots are of Mike and Eleven exchanging loving looks that are to die for.
Most ’80s Moment:I mean, the name of the episode is “The Mind Flayer.”
Best Quotes
“It’s going to be okay.
