History Recap / StrangerThingsS2E5ChapterFiveDigDug

* DissonantSerenity: Bob is only mildly surprised to see that Joyce has wall-papered her home with a tangle of crazy drawings, to be asked to solve an inexplicable puzzle related to those drawings, to learn that there's a large network of tunnels under Hawkins mapped out by Will's drawings, and to find Bob tangled in a mass of fast-moving vines that scream and retreat when cut with a knife.

* CatapultNightmare: Will wakes up this way from a BadDream in which he [[DreamSpying saw Hopper being in trouble]].

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: After Murray finds out all of the details regarding the truth of Hawkins Lab (that Nancy and Johnathan know of) and accepts that it's both too insane to be made public ''and'' will probably have people wanting to kill him just for knowing this very vague gist, and provides them with the solution to release (in a way) the truth about Barbara, he kicks them out of his house and tells them to never come looking for him again.

* DidNotThinkThisThrough: Hopper doesn't seem to have thought through how he was planning to get out of the hole once going through. He also doesn't seem to have had a plan of what to do once getting there, besides exploring. This immediately gets him trapped there.

* {{Telepathy}}: Used by Eleven to try and communicate with her mother. Unfortunately her electroshock-induced brain damage is too severe, and all Eleven can do is see details of the PhotographicMemory loop Terry is stuck.[[note]]This effect is a sad and terrifying example of TruthInTelevision. In the 1950s, some psychiatrists believed that mental illness could be "cured" through severe electroshock therapy and reverting the patient to a "blank slate." This resulted in the patients suffering the same kinds of fugue and memory loss we see with Terry.[[/note]] The visions include a little black girl, a clue that Eleven leads to another place in the episode after next.

* {{Telepathy}}: Used by Eleven to try and communicate with her mother. Unfortunately her electroshock-induced brain damage is too severe, and all Eleven can do is see details of the PhotographicMemory loop Terry is stuck. [[note]]This effect is a sad and terrifying example of TruthInTelevision. In the 1950s, some psychiatrists believed that mental illness could be "cured" through severe electroshock therapy and reverting the patient to a "blank slate." This resulted in the patients suffering the same kinds of fugue and memory loss we see with Terry.[[/note]]. The visions include a little black girl, a clue that Eleven leads to another place in the episode after next.

* {{Telepathy}}: Used by Eleven to try and communicate with her mother. Unfortunately her electroshock-induced brain damage is too severe, and all Eleven can do is see details of the PhotographicMemory loop Terry is stuck in. This effect is a sad and terrifying example of TruthInTelevision. In the 1950s, some psychiatrists believed that mental illness could be "cured" through severe electroshock therapy and reverting the patient to a "blank slate." This resulted in the patients suffering the same kinds of fugue and memory loss we see with Terry.

* {{Lobotomy}}[=/=]MindRape: We learn that Terry has been trapped in a memory loop ever since she received an electro-shock lobotomy at Hawkins Lab meant to silence her. Eleven is not able to get through to her but does learn the meaning behind the litany of numbers and words Terry keeps repeating.[[note]] "Breathe" is from Becky trying to calm her when she went into labor; "sunflower" is from the sunflowers that Becky brought her in the hospital; "3 to the left, 4 to the right" is the last two numbers to the combination on a gun safe; "rainbow" is from a rainbow decoration that marked Eleven and Kali's playroom; and "450" is the number of volts Brenner ordered in an effort to neutralize her with electroshock (a normal level is 70-150 volts).[[/note]] Through her mind.

* CrazyPrepared: Steve reveals to not only kept the spiked baseball bat from Season 1 but also keeps it in the trunk of his car as if a new Demogorgon threat was something he already anticipated.

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Max thinks Lucas' recounting of the events of the [[GenreThrowback first season]] was "derivative in parts," referencing how the show wears its influences on its sleeve.

** Max does not believe Lucas' story for a moment, as he has absolutely no proof.

* {{Telepathy}}: Used by Eleven to try and communicate with her mother. Unfortunately her electroshock-induced brain damage is too severe, and all Eleven can do is see details of the PhotographicMemory loop Terry is stuck in.
** This effect is a sad and terrifying example of TruthInTelevision. In the 1950s, some psychiatrists believed that mental illness could be "cured" through severe electroshock therapy and reverting the patient to a "blank slate." This resulted in the patients suffering the same kinds of fugue and memory loss we see with Terry.

Dustin traps Dart in his root cellar and recruits Steve to fight it.

* {{Lobotomy}}[=/=]MindRape: We learn that Terry has been trapped in a memory loop ever since she received an electro-shock lobotomy at Hawkins Lab meant to silence her. Eleven is not able to get through to her but does learn the meaning behind the litany of numbers and words Terry keeps repeating.[[note]] "Breathe" is from Becky trying to calm her when she went into labor; "sunflower" is from the sunflowers that Becky brought her in the hospital; "3 to the left, 4 to the right" is the last two numbers to the combination on a gun safe; "rainbow" is from a rainbow decoration that marked Eleven and Kali's playroom; and "450" is the number of volts Brenner ordered in an effort to neutralize her with electroshock (a normal level is 70-150 volts).[[/note]] Through her mubd

Lucas tells Max the truth about Will's disappearance last year, while she at first doesn't believe him, but she notices how deadly serious he is about it, and resolves to give him the benefit of doubt.

Jonathan and Nancy meet up with Bauman and tell him everything they know about the events in Hawkins, using Owens' recorded confession as evidence. Bauman readily believes them and agrees that the story needs to be told, but points out that the story is far too incredible for the general public to swallow. The three eventually agree to tell a modified and more believable version of the story about Barb dying from toxins released by the lab. Owens and the lab scientists realize the soil from the infected pumpkin patches is part of a hive mind.

Vines trap Hopper in the infected tunnels. Will realizes Hopper is in danger.

Lucas tells Max the truth about Will's disappearance last year, while but she at first doesn't believe him, she notices

Jonathan and Nancy play Owens's confession to Bauman. The three agree to publicize a watered down and more believable story about Barb dying from toxins released by the lab. Owens and the lab scientists realize the soil from the infected pumpkin patches is part of a hive mind.

Bob figures out Hopper's location, and he and Joyce enter the tunnels to rescue him. They are joined by scientists from Hawkins Lab. As the scientists burn the vines filling the tunnels, Will screams in agony and collapses.

-->'''Hopper:''' Hey, Bob.
-->'''Bob:''' Hey, Jim.

-->'''Max''': "It’s crazy, but I really liked it. I mean I had a few issues. I just felt it was a little derivative in parts. I just wish it had a little more originality, that’s all."

Lucas tells Max the truth about Will's disappearance last year, but she doesn't believe him.

-->'''Lucas:''' Dad, how do you make Mom stop being mad at you?
-->'''Mr. Sinclair:''' First, I apologize. Then, I get your mother whatever she wants.
-->'''Lucas:''' Even when she's wrong?
-->'''Mr. Sinclair:''' [[DeadpanSnarker She's never wrong, son]].
* INeedAFreakingDrink: After Nancy fills Bauman in on the facts of Barb's fate, he immediately pulls out a vodka bottle and starts mixing a drink.
-->'''Nancy:''' What are you doing?
-->'''Bauman:''' Thinking
-->'''Nancy:''' With vodka?
-->'''Bauman:''' It's a central nervous system depressant, so yes, with vodka.

* MindMeld: When she notices the lights flickering in the house, Eleven realizes that this is her mother trying to get in touch with her. She then sits down with her mother and taps into her memory loop. It's there that she sees her "lost sister" for the first time. This leads Eleven to try and find Kali two episodes later.

* {{Lobotomy}}[=/=]MindRape: We learn that Terry has been trapped in a memory loop ever since she received an electro-shock lobotomy at Hawkins Lab meant to silence her. Eleven is not able to get through to her but does learn the meaning behind the litany of numbers and words Terry keeps repeating.[[note]] "Breathe" is from Becky trying to calm her when she went into labor; "sunflower" is from the sunflowers that Becky brought her in the hospital; "3 to the left, 4 to the right" is the last two numbers to the combination on a gun safe; "rainbow" is from a rainbow decoration that marked Eleven and Kali's playroom; and "450" is the number of volts Brenner ordered in an effort to neutralize her with electroshock (a normal level is 70-150 volts).[[/note]]

"''Nancy and Jonathan swap conspiracy theories with a new ally as Eleven searches for someone from her past. “Bob the Brain” tackles a difficult problem.''"

Mike comforts Will while Joyce finishes piecing together Will's drawings. In the tunnels, Hopper comes across some sort of growth shaped like the mouth of a Demogorgon. It shoots spores at him and he begins to cough, then another one blasts him and he passes out, while above him the entrance he dug is sealed over with vines. Later, Will wakes from a nightmare to tell Joyce that he thinks Hopper's in danger. Hopper wakes up, vomiting black sludge, and tries to escape, but realizes he's been trapped. Unbeknownst to him, thick tentacles follow as he searches for a way out.

Lucas tries to figure out how to apologize to Max, and Dustin tries to catch the immature Demogorgon now living in his closet. Eleven hitches a ride to Terry Ives's house and convinces her aunt that she's Terry's daughter Jane, but can't get Terry to respond. Jonathan and Nancy meet up with conspiracy theorist Murray and Nancy corrects his [[StringTheory wall of connections about Barb's fate]]. Lucas corners Max and starts to tell her the truth about what happened to Will.

Bob arrives at the Byers house while Joyce and Mike try to use Will's "map" to locate Hopper. Joyce starts to chase him away, but calls him back when she sees that he's brought some puzzles for Will, realizing he might be able to help them. After some initial confusion, Bob [[SmarterThanYouLook quickly recognizes that Will's scribblings are actually a map of Hawkins]] and could lead them to Hopper's location.

In the tunnels, Hopper has realized that the MeatMoss surrounding him [[KillItWithFire recoils from fire]] and uses his cigarrette lighter and scraps of his uniform shirt to fashion a torch, which he uses to clear a small window. Dustin buries his mother's cat and tries to get rid of all the evidence of his [[NiceJobBreakingItHero mistake]], all the while trying to get in contact with his various friends, none of whom are responding.

Becky tries to get to know Eleven a little better, and shows her the room Terry kept for her. She offers to let Eleven stay, and just as Eleven cautiously accepts, the lights start to flicker. Eleven follows them through the house to Terry, where she finds her mother still in a trance, but now [[PsychicNosebleed with blood running from her nose]].

Will, Mike, Bob and Joyce try to triangulate Hopper's location. Joyce and the boys rush off, with a confused Bob hurriedly following behind. At Mike's house, Dustin fails to find any of his friends, but does manage to press-gang a very bewildered Steve into joining him. An exhausted Hopper collapses and is immediately swarmed and bound by tentacles.

Max doesn't believe Lucas's story and rushes off, but Murray believes Jonathan and Nancy's, and the three work together to try and figure out how to get their evidence public without it immediately being discounted. At the lab, Dr. Owens and his team discover that the dirt from the infected pumpkin patches has some strange HiveMind like qualities, while at Terry's house, Eleven continues to try and contact her mother. She doesn't get through to Terry, but sees memories of her birth and of [[MindRape what Brenner did]] to make Terry forget (electro-shock therapy after she breached the Lab, killed a security guard, and saw Eleven and Kali playing).

Joyce and Bob head into the tunnels to rescue Hopper, leaving Will and Mike on the surface. While the adults search, a fleet of Hawkins Electric vans arrive and surround Joyce and Hopper's cars. Bob and Joyce find Hopper and cut him free, but are surrounded by tentacles. They turn around to find one of the Hawkins Lab scientists armed with a flamethrower. He covers their retreat and starts burning back the attacking vines, which causes Will to collapse, seizing violently and [[HellIsThatNoise screeching in a way that's not entirely human]]. Smash cut to credits.

* {{Lobotomy}}: We learn that Terry has been trapped in a memory loop ever since she received an electro-shock lobotomy at Hawkins Lab meant to silence her. Eleven is not able to get through to her but does learn the meaning behind the litany of numbers and words Terry keeps repeating.[[note]] "Breathe" is from Becky trying to calm her when she went into labor; "sunflower" is from the sunflowers that Becky brought her in the hospital; "3 to the left, 4 to the right" is the last two numbers to the combination on a gun safe; "rainbow" is from a rainbow decoration that marked Eleven and Kali's playroom; and "450" is the number of volts Brenner ordered in an effort to neutralize her with electroshock (a normal level is 70-150 volts).[[/note]]

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: Max thinks Lucas' recounting of the events of the [[GenreThrowback first season]] was "derivative in parts".

* DidNotThinkThisThrough: Hopper doesn't seem to have thought through how he was planning to get out of the Upside Down once going through the hole. He also doesn't seem to have had a plan of what to do once getting there, besides exploring. This immediately gets him trapped there.

** Hopper realizes he can build a makeshift torch using his lighter and materials from the Upside Down, and burn a breach back to the real world.

* SeenItAll: Downplayed, but Bob's reaction to his and Joyce discovering a series of MASSIVE tunnels under Hawkins, filled with moving vines, slime, and Joyce's half-dead ex-boyfriend is quite subdued.

* VillainousRescue: The Hawkins Lab's team of flamethrower-wielding hazmat soldiers arrive just in time to rescue Hopper, Joyce, and Bob from the Upside Down.

* EurekaMoment: Murray's vodka is so strong that he needs it watered down, which in turn inspires Murray to edit the content of the tape to make it much more believable to the public. In other words, saying that Barb’s death was caused by the lab's experimental toxins rather than an evil monster from a parallel dimension.

* StringTheory: ConspiracyTheorist Murray Bauman has a pin wall in his home with plenty of red strings to link all the evidence.