STRANGER THINGS: 1980s NOTALGIA, A TV COMEBACK AND A ROLLICKING GOOD STORY… FAN THEORIES!

In the current crisis in the world, we have rulers hell-bent and driven only by settling scores on Twitter, while natural disasters dominate the news on a weekly basis, and a sense of dread, fear and confusion permeates the global mood. You’d be forgiven for thinking that we’re currently living in the “Upside Down”.

Sadly, we’re not.

The somewhat desolate and sticky alternate reality that dominated Stranger Things last year sometimes looks more appealing than real life, making a mockery of our increasingly bleak daily run of world events.

The thrill of the first series derived from its expert referencing of pop culture. Viewers looked forward each week to the 1980s references the showrunner Duffer brothers – twin thirtysomethings Matt and Ross – would stir into each episode, proving that nostalgia is good and the world can never have enough ET references.

Luckily, it’s about to return for season two. We were left with many burning questions from series one finale, and fans have come up with more than a few of theories and predictions for the upcoming episodes.

1. The Upside Down is Eleven’s mindEleven’s fate was unclear at the end of the first season and fans are speculating that she could be dragged back into the Upside Down in season 2.

The theory goes that the Upside Down is in fact all part of Eleven’s mind. Fans believe she created it to help her make sense of her crazy world. She has incredible and mysterious powers – it’s logical that she would need some escapism.

2. Eleven is the monster?

Eleven is inexplicably related to the Upside Down. She can enter it in her mind, control the monsters and has even said “I am the monster.”

Could little Eleven really be the monster itself? Some fans certainly think so. Are Eleven and the monster one of the same?

3. Nancy and Jonathan are meant to be together

The love triangle between Jonathan and Nancy and school jock Steve Harrington was one of the storylines that fans really invested in emotionally in season one.

Who will Nancy choose in season 2? Fans believe she will end up with Jonathan, but are they thinking with their heart rather than their head?

4. Barb will return

Barb (Shannon Purser) gained cult status in season one. With her stylish mop of red hair, oversized reading glasses and high neck frilled shirts – how could she not?

Consumed by the Upside Down in season one, things don’t look good for the character – but fans are still optimistic that she will be back.

5. Will is still in the Upside Down

Will was trapped in the Upside Down and his mom, brother, and gang of Dungeons and Dragons and bicycle loving buddies were determined to get him back. Eventually his mom Joyce and Chief of Police Hopper were able to pull him out from the Upside Down – but fans are wondering if this really is Will or in fact a clone.

6. Will is now part monster

Perhaps this is the “real Will” but he’s now part monster? He spent a fair amount of time in a monster infested supernatural world, so who’s to say that some of this hasn’t rubbed off on him? Some fans are theorising that Will will have new powers in season two, supposedly which he gained in the first season. Whether these powers are used for good or bad, we will just have to see.

7. The Upside Down is the future

Is The Upside Down an alternate universe, simply Eleven’s warped mind or actually their unassuming hometown of Hawkins, Indiana in the future? With Cold War undertones throughout season one, perhaps the future isn’t so bright for America, and it is soon to be ravished by chemical warfare and destruction. Are the monsters really monsters in a traditional sense or a representation of the death and destruction that is to come in a not so distant future?

8. Hopper is evil

Hopper, Hawkins Chief of Police acts like the good guy and is clearly in love with Will’s mum Joyce. But he could be more sinister than he seems? In season one we saw him mysteriously get into a car with some men from the lab. While we saw him infiltrating the organisation supposedly to save Will, could this simply be a decoy, and he’s up to no good? Could he be a federal agent under cover all along or perhaps hoping to join them? Hmm.

9. Hopper is Eleven’s dad

Where did Eleven come from? Some fans are speculating that Hopper is her father. Hopper says his daughter tragically died from cancer, but could it be that he was brainwashed and his daughter was stolen from him and his wife because of her telekinetic powers? And the baby is actually alive and well and is Eleven herself?

What do you think? Do you believe any of these theories? Or do you have any more of your own? So… Culturedemandsgeeks, get ready to revisit 80s Hawkins!