Ep 2. Chapter Two: The Mall Rats

As summer hits the town of Hawkins, Indiana, the kids are excited about a newly opened mall. Mike, Lucas, Max, and Eleven spend their days at the mall, enjoying the ice cream and shopping. But as they wander, they begin to notice that something is amiss. The neon lights and smiling mall employees are a stark contrast to the strange happenings that have become commonplace in Hawkins.

Meanwhile, Joyce is struggling to keep things together at home. Her son, Will, is still reeling from the trauma of previous seasons and is feeling isolated from his friends. When he overhears something on his radio that is too strange to ignore, he takes matters into his own hands.

Elsewhere, Dustin has returned home from a science camp and is excited to reconnect with his friends. But when he tries to make contact, he realizes that something is wrong. His walkie-talkie, the main mode of communication for the group, is malfunctioning. He becomes determined to figure out the problem and fix it, setting off a chain of events that will lead to a shocking discovery.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that the mall is not what it seems. Strange power fluctuations and electrical surges are plaguing the building, and the kids begin to suspect that the new mall is somehow connected to the evil forces they have battled in the past. With the help of Steve, who is working at the mall's ice cream parlor, they begin to investigate.

Joyce and Hopper continue to investigate the strange occurrences in Hawkins. They visit a local farm and talk to the owners, who have noticed strange electromagnetic activity that coincides with the power surges at the mall. Despite their efforts, they are still struggling to piece together what is happening and how it is connected to everything else.

As the episode comes to a close, tensions are high as the kids and Steve make a startling discovery in the mall's basement. With danger lurking around every corner, they must use all their wits and bravery to survive. The episode ends with a shocking cliffhanger that will leave audiences on the edge of their seats.