*Spoilers ahead

After winning two MTV movie awards, including the award for Show of the Year and receiving a practically cult-like fan following, Netflix’s Stranger Things released its highly anticipated second season Oct. 27.

The popularity of the first season was no surprise. The show, directed by the Duffer Brothers, combined elements of ’80s nostalgia, captivating cinematography and standout actors of all ages. It seems that the most popular shows on television and streaming services have been storylines of sci-fi, drama or mystery in an effort to play on the popularity of escapism. Both seasons of Stranger Things are no exception to this rule.

The pilot of the nine-episode second season picked up with key plotlines that left fans on a cliffhanger from the first season. Eleven, played by Millie Bobby Brown, the undisputed heroine of season one has been pseudo-adopted by Hawkin’s sheriff Jim Hopper played by David Harbour. Forced to live out her days kept away from society for fear of being discovered by the “bad men,” Eleven begins to grow restless and wishes to reconnect with her friends and the life she once knew.

At the same time, Will Byers has returned from the Upside Down, however some strange visions still haunt him. Flashbacks and run-ins with “demo-dogs” or variations of season one’s “demogorgon” appeal to fans who loved the sci-fi storylines of the first season. The main conflict of the second season seems to revolve around making sure that Byers’ visions stop – before it’s too late.

Another element of Stranger Thing’s plot that captivated its audience and led to multiple BuzzFeed polls on the matter was the love triangle between the three teenagers on the show. The first season left off with Nancy Wheeler, played by Natalia Dyer ultimately choosing to stay with her boyfriend and antagonist Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery. However, fans were left to speculate chemistry between Wheeler and Jonathan Byers played by Charlie Heaton. It seems as though Wheeler has opted for romantically pursuing Jonathan by the end of the second season, while Harrington took on a new role as a sidekick to the younger kids in trying to solve the mystery of Byer’s visions.

Ultimately, in releasing its second season Stranger Things has further established itself as a cultural phenomenon. The fast-paced and varied plotlines provide elements of suspense, teen drama and science fiction, meaning that viewers of all ages are sure to identify with at least one of the storylines. The introduction of new characters, including video-game fanatic Maxine “Max” Mayfield, played by Sadie Sink, and her emotionally abusive older stepbrother Billy Hargrove, played by Dacre Montgomery, also gave critical variance from the first season.

Fans and critics alike undoubtedly anticipate a third season with high expectations. For now, binge-watching the first two installments will have to suffice.