In Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero, the third episode of the fourth season of Stranger Things, the young heroes of Hawkins grapple with the difficulties of growing up and the challenges that come along with being a teenager.

As the episode opens, we see that Eleven and Max, who have now become best friends, are starting to drift away from the other boys in their group. The tension is exacerbated by the girls’ discovery of an underground room that once belonged to Billy, which they find eerie and unsettling.

Meanwhile, Steve and Robin’s attempts to infiltrate the Russian corporation Starcourt go awry when they are caught and drugged by a Russian operative. They are narrowly saved by the arrival of Dustin and Erica, who break them out and help them to escape.

The episode continues with the introduction of new characters, including Eleven’s Aunt Lacy, a scientist who specializes in studying psychic abilities. Lacy’s curiosity about Eleven inspires her to explore some of the darker aspects of the young girl’s powers, which causes distress for Eleven and those closest to her.

The episode concludes with Eleven and Max attending a party, where they discover that the sinister Billy has left behind a dangerous legacy that threatens to consume them all.

Chapter Three: The Monster and the Superhero provides a fresh, nuanced perspective on the themes of growing up and moving on from childhood. The complexity of the episode’s character development and interactions is perfectly balanced with fast-paced action sequences and a steady build of suspense. The arrival of new characters and new dangers facing the Hawkins kids further expand the world of the series, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and eagerly waiting for what’s next.