These are nicely crafted episodes. We get to see the evolution of El and how she is trying to have her own voice. It's hopeful that very soon she will connect with the boys. The scientists from that facility are becoming more and more dangerous. Enter the little reptile (or whatever, Dart) and we have a common cause for the guys. The chief continues to investigate but he has about had it. He should have realized along the way that El was not going to continue to stay put. She feels that she is being lied to and won't follow the rules anymore. Reality versus fiction continues to haunt Will. I hope that some of the other reviewers soon begin to deal with the specifics of these episodes instead of simply putting the same thing down with no thought. I guess it's to not watch anything but to be in the face of those who find this show quite a bit of fun.
22 Reviews
The Slug from the Upside Down
claudio_carvalho2 January 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Dustin finds a slug in his garbage and believes it is a pollywog. He calls the creature Dart and becomes obsessed for her. Bob tells to Will that he had nightmares in the past and only resolved his fears the day he faced his fear and asked to go away. When Will sees Dustin´s creature, he recalls the slug he had spat out in the bathroom. Barb convinces Jonathan to tell the truth about Barb's fate to her parents. Will has another episode and decides to face the shadow monster in the Upside Down.
"Chapter Three: The Pollywog" shows basically Dustin and his pet Dart. What will happen to Will that decided to follow Bob´s advice is the great question to be resolved in the next show. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Chapter Three: The Pollywog"
"Chapter Three: The Pollywog" shows basically Dustin and his pet Dart. What will happen to Will that decided to follow Bob´s advice is the great question to be resolved in the next show. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Chapter Three: The Pollywog"
A Hopeful Evolution
lbrosprod1 November 2017
Stranger Things is back to being the plot-driven series we have all been excited about. I love that the stakes are higher, and the monsters feel more horrific. In fact, the end of the episode made me get chills because I didn't expect such detail. However, there is something off about this season so far. It's not bad. It's just different. I love that they took risks by putting last seasons main faces -- Eleven, Mike, Joyce, and even Jonathan and Nancy -- to the background and put other characters in the forefront -- like Will, Lucas and Dustin, and Steve. The only character I believe has stayed in the spotlight is Hopper, which is good because he is the most complex character in the entire series. I miss that last season's faces don't get as much screen time, but I love that the series is growing and maturing, evolving.
Don't adopt strange little creatures: haven't they seen Gremlins?
BA_Harrison28 October 2017
In The Pollywog, we get to see what it was that Dustin found lurking in the trashcan at the end of Episode 2: a large tadpole-like creature, clearly a refugee from the upside-down, that Dustin subsequently adopts and names Dartagnan. What Dartagnan will eventually grow to become is anyone's guess (a big frog?), but the chances are that it won't be nice (a big, man-eating frog?).
We also learn how Eleven came to be under the protection of Jim Hopper, living in his grandfather's woodland cabin for the past year, away from prying eyes. Eventually, however, prolonged solitary confinement proves too much for the girl and she breaks Jim's rules by going in search of Mike (Finn Wolfhard).
A great third episode boosted by some nifty CGI creature effects and ending on a marvellous cliffhanger, The Pollywog sees the second season finally getting into its stride. The characters are all present and correct, the plot thickens, and the pace quickens. I can't wait to see how all of this pulls together (next episode in 5 seconds, 4, 3, 2, 1 .).
We also learn how Eleven came to be under the protection of Jim Hopper, living in his grandfather's woodland cabin for the past year, away from prying eyes. Eventually, however, prolonged solitary confinement proves too much for the girl and she breaks Jim's rules by going in search of Mike (Finn Wolfhard).
A great third episode boosted by some nifty CGI creature effects and ending on a marvellous cliffhanger, The Pollywog sees the second season finally getting into its stride. The characters are all present and correct, the plot thickens, and the pace quickens. I can't wait to see how all of this pulls together (next episode in 5 seconds, 4, 3, 2, 1 .).
Intriguing
soham-2135831 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Best web series I have ever seen..thumbs up for great story,screenplay,cinematography,background score,CGI and last but not the least acting.Actually acting and 80"s nostalgia are the USP of this series.All child actor are fabulous.Hats off to The duffer brothers and co. for such a fascinating creation.
Very good
Joshumms29 March 2022
Very good episode, all the new characters and old characters are used very well and it's very enjoyable to watch. When it comes to the monsters of the show it is a very slow start for season 2 as it's just ramping up in this episode but when it comes to the characters it has been done very well.
Gremlins
TheLittleSongbird7 September 2021
'Stranger Things' in particularly Season 1 was a truly excellent show at its best and even when at its weakest it was still very watchable. After such a high quality previous season, Season 2 was watched with high expectations and they were met on the most part. It did have a slow start and there was one disappointment, but once it got going it was as good as Season 1 and the best episodes were equal to the best of the previous season.
After two very well executed and intriguing, if at times slow going, previous episodes, Season 2 has its first great outing with "Chapter Three: The Pollywog". It isn't perfect, but things really do move forward here in story progression, character advancement and momentum. And in a way that is darker, has more tension and has a lovely balance of humour, drama and nostalgia. "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" may not be 'Stranger Things' at its best, but it is truly great.
There are a few scenes that are agreed unnecessary and not as interesting as they could have been, especially the very cliched love triangle.
"Chapter Three: The Pollywog" is excellent everywhere else. Had no issues with the acting from the young and adult casts, where everybody gives never less than great performances. Noah Schnapp is a standout. The character interaction is just fine too, particularly between Bob and Will in Bob's recalling nightmares scene.
Production values are superb. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully.
Writing is thought-probing and has a lot of brains and heart. The humour is gentle but very subtly witty and funny, while there is a poignancy (without being too sentimental) and tension. Throughout "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" has creepiness, intriguing mystery, inventive sci-fi, affectionate nostalgia and emotional impact. The mystery again is even deeper and more complex than before but is always intriguing and never confusing. The ending is suspenseful and makes one excited for what happens next in subsequent episodes.
In summary, great. 9/10.
After two very well executed and intriguing, if at times slow going, previous episodes, Season 2 has its first great outing with "Chapter Three: The Pollywog". It isn't perfect, but things really do move forward here in story progression, character advancement and momentum. And in a way that is darker, has more tension and has a lovely balance of humour, drama and nostalgia. "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" may not be 'Stranger Things' at its best, but it is truly great.
There are a few scenes that are agreed unnecessary and not as interesting as they could have been, especially the very cliched love triangle.
"Chapter Three: The Pollywog" is excellent everywhere else. Had no issues with the acting from the young and adult casts, where everybody gives never less than great performances. Noah Schnapp is a standout. The character interaction is just fine too, particularly between Bob and Will in Bob's recalling nightmares scene.
Production values are superb. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully.
Writing is thought-probing and has a lot of brains and heart. The humour is gentle but very subtly witty and funny, while there is a poignancy (without being too sentimental) and tension. Throughout "Chapter Three: The Pollywog" has creepiness, intriguing mystery, inventive sci-fi, affectionate nostalgia and emotional impact. The mystery again is even deeper and more complex than before but is always intriguing and never confusing. The ending is suspenseful and makes one excited for what happens next in subsequent episodes.
In summary, great. 9/10.
Eggo- It's Only 8,000 Calories
nebohr9 November 2021
Dustin is obviously not the brightest bulb on the tree. What with all the crazy weirdness going around he doesn't give a second thought to bringing some strange creature into his mom's house. Feeding it Three Musketeers. And evicting Yertle. Also we are starting to think that all Hopper and Eleven ever eat is Eggo.
Easy-Peasy!!
deepakdst17 June 2019
The ending though
funnycommentor7 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The plot of the 3rd episode was about the "creature" that Dustin found outside his house. The storyline is well-written, so far. Sadly, Max and her stepbrother Billy don't have much screening time and they aren't very well-developed. Eleven, went outside, looking for Mike, but some people saw her, which is really bad for her. Will, has the same visions (of that creature, on the sky). The ending scene, was epic. I think Will, might have been possessed by the creature.. Moreover, I think Nancy and Steve are gonna breakup soon. Probably, she's gonna be on a relationship with Jonathan. Another thing I noticed on season 2 is that, Joyce and Jim don't have much screening time. I think they were more active on season 1.
Dustin Finds a Gremlin
Samuel-Shovel2 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Chapter 3 continues its heavy doses of nostalgic homage/parody/borrowing (whatever you want to call it) with it's use of the Gremlin-like creature that Dustin discovers in his trashcan. This appears to closely resemble the creature that Will coughed up at the end of Season 1. Meanwhile Eleven gets fed up with being cooped up and ventures back out into the world. Nancy & Jonathan devise a scheme to test whether the government agents really have left the town. Joyce discovers that Will's visions might not just be in his head.
A modest improvement over the first two episodes, this one actually manages to create a little tension with the use of Dart and the FBI's overarching wiretap of the town.
I'm not a huge fan of this will they/won't they relationship between Mike & El though. It's a very cliched plot device that should be reserved for less interesting young adult dramas. I hope that this isn't what this is turning into.
A modest improvement over the first two episodes, this one actually manages to create a little tension with the use of Dart and the FBI's overarching wiretap of the town.
I'm not a huge fan of this will they/won't they relationship between Mike & El though. It's a very cliched plot device that should be reserved for less interesting young adult dramas. I hope that this isn't what this is turning into.
Pollywog
bobcobb30129 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The goofiness of the reptile/creature is exactly why fans love this show. While they are clearly trying to push off Eleven and Mike's reunion as some big moment, they need to stop forcing it down our throats. It is getting ridiculous. If they want to make it sound like a big story and a once in a lifetime romance that is fine, but spare fans from seeing Eleven reduced to nothing more than a lovestruck tweener.
Outside of that this was actually the strongest yet in Season 2.
Outside of that this was actually the strongest yet in Season 2.
Utter trash - not scary and full of bad acting
juyew30 October 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There's just one thing that really impressed me about this series and that is the high IMDb rating given to this heap of garbage.
I say this because I find it utterly amazing that the reviewers who rated this steaming pile of excrement with 9's and 10's must surely ALL be under 12 years of age, and yet they have somehow managed to write reviews that, for the most part, are well worded, grammatically correct and with very few spelling errors. So - well done, kids!!
For anyone over 12 years of age - please, just stay right away from this stinker Show.
I say this because I find it utterly amazing that the reviewers who rated this steaming pile of excrement with 9's and 10's must surely ALL be under 12 years of age, and yet they have somehow managed to write reviews that, for the most part, are well worded, grammatically correct and with very few spelling errors. So - well done, kids!!
For anyone over 12 years of age - please, just stay right away from this stinker Show.
Bob's a villain confirmed?
TheDonaldofDoom6 November 2017
Warning: Spoilers
So Bob was leading Will to face the monster with this stupid Mr Baldo story. It's too much of a coincidence for anything else to be true. With that last cut of Bob's face, there's something sinister about that smile... The Pollywog is such a "Stranger Things" thing, it made me smile. And a bit like the Gremlins, it's not hard to work out there's something ugly hiding behind the surface, especially as Will's negative feelings, throwing him into the Upside- down, was triggered by it. Dustin is charming as usual. He's hilarious, there's no way the library scene wouldn't cause you to crack up.
There are some things that didn't work so well. Nancy, John and Steve have a love triangle emerging, a cliché which isn't welcome. Steve's "do you love me scene" is the kind of melodrama Stranger Things usually avoids. The "Pollywog gets loose in a school" is also a bit too cliché. And while the Eleven/Mike scene near the end is touching, this kind of holding back of their inevitable meeting to halfway through the season is unnecessary. We know they're going to meet each other at some point so this all feels a bit like padding.
These are minor quibbles though. The Pollywog is an entertaining, funny, touching and at times intense hour of television.
There are some things that didn't work so well. Nancy, John and Steve have a love triangle emerging, a cliché which isn't welcome. Steve's "do you love me scene" is the kind of melodrama Stranger Things usually avoids. The "Pollywog gets loose in a school" is also a bit too cliché. And while the Eleven/Mike scene near the end is touching, this kind of holding back of their inevitable meeting to halfway through the season is unnecessary. We know they're going to meet each other at some point so this all feels a bit like padding.
These are minor quibbles though. The Pollywog is an entertaining, funny, touching and at times intense hour of television.
Fun, Entertaining episode
ououzaza27 September 2019
Chapter Three: The Pollywog (#2.3)
ComedyFan201020 May 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Dustin discovering the "new species" was adorable. Such a cute kid and he moments with that animal were funny.
In this episode we can see how Will seems to be getting in trouble again and the story really begins. One also gets to see what a great actor Noah Schnapp is. So much better than Millie Bobby Brown. Unbelievable that she makes more per episode and is also so over hyped.
Her character used to be annoying, now she even seems to be nasty.
S2.E3 - Dart, Will & the Upside Down [9/10]
panagiotis19934 May 2024
Warning: Spoilers
(S2. E3) My Live Reaction / Review for Stranger Things Season 2 Episode 3 ''Chapter Three: The Pollywog''. The previous episode was good and I gave it a rating of 9/10. Let's see if this one is better or worse. Dustin has a new weird pet, what is it though? I really like Bob, he has a kind heart. I just want Eleven to meet Mike again, when will it happen? Could this pet be from another dimension like those monsters we've seen? Dart evolved and he also escaped? They should just kill this creature if it is from the Upside Down but Dustin wants to protect it. Is Max part of the gang now, i dont know how i feel about that? Eleven got jealous and left the school? That sucks, I really wanted her to meet Mike. Overall this episode was good and I enjoyed it. My rating is 9/10.
Convince Me
amongpixels29 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The relationship between Hopper and Eleven only grows sweeter through flashbacks, Bob continues to be naturally likeable, the humour is fun, the design for the Upside Down demon haunting Will is memorable, there are a number of emotionally effective moments (Mike almost seeing Eleven, Joyce discovering Will's visions are real, etc.), and the episode retains the show's comfy, endearing 80s style. However, the flashbacks to Bob's story at the end of the episode were totally unnecessary, and while none of the character drama and stakes are bad, the gradual rediscovering of a new Upside Down conspiracy (much like the first season, including Will being "taken" again at the end) does make the plotting a little repetitive and not quite as captivating overall.
father and son?
AvionPrince1618 February 2022
Hooper become more protective with Eleven. We meet the boyfriend of Joyce, Bob. We know more about the beast that Dustin find in his room. Nancy want to tell the truth about Barabara. Eleven come back at the school and find Mike and Alex. I love the episode. It have interesting moments: funny, action, special effects. Still have great plot and make us to watch until the end. Nice episode.
Nice
gianmarcoronconi4 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First episode that brings the plot to life by showing us a grown-up 11 who wants to reunite with her friends and which truly shows us the enemy of the season who in a completely senseless way attacks a member of the group making him become even more fundamental for the plot.
Dustin's Tadpole
vivianla17 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Dustin brings home a creature and feeds it nougat. He goes to the library and takes five books to research.
We see how Jim met El again in the woods. El is still mad at Jim and uses her powers to knock over the waffles on to Jim.
Jim brings her to a little shed in the woods that belonged to his grandpa. It is her new home. They clean it up and El sweeps the floor. Jim gives her three rules but she breaks all of them because she wants to see Mike.
The pretty girl goes to the gym where her bf is playing a basketball game. Some of the guys are shirtless. She takes him outside and asks her bf why didn't he pick her up.
Will remembers the creature he coughed out in the sink and realizes it is the same pollywog that Dustin took in. Will and Mike interrupts Dustin and the others who are about to show their new creature to him. They quickly dismiss it and run off taking the creature.
The four boys discuss locking Max outside. They get into an argument and Max picks the lock. The door bursts open and the pollywog runs out. Everyone goes to look for the pollywog.
Max looks in the boys' locker room - it is very antiquated and Mike comes in asking her what is she doing here, this is the boys' room.
El goes into the school and gets jealous when she sees Max and Mike together.
We see how Jim met El again in the woods. El is still mad at Jim and uses her powers to knock over the waffles on to Jim.
Jim brings her to a little shed in the woods that belonged to his grandpa. It is her new home. They clean it up and El sweeps the floor. Jim gives her three rules but she breaks all of them because she wants to see Mike.
The pretty girl goes to the gym where her bf is playing a basketball game. Some of the guys are shirtless. She takes him outside and asks her bf why didn't he pick her up.
Will remembers the creature he coughed out in the sink and realizes it is the same pollywog that Dustin took in. Will and Mike interrupts Dustin and the others who are about to show their new creature to him. They quickly dismiss it and run off taking the creature.
The four boys discuss locking Max outside. They get into an argument and Max picks the lock. The door bursts open and the pollywog runs out. Everyone goes to look for the pollywog.
Max looks in the boys' locker room - it is very antiquated and Mike comes in asking her what is she doing here, this is the boys' room.
El goes into the school and gets jealous when she sees Max and Mike together.
See also
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