Could You Escape The Upside Down?
- by Dylan Dembrow
- – on
- in Movies and TV
After waiting for what felt like an eternity in the Upside Down, the second season of Stranger Things finally dropped on Netflix on October 27th, giving us all an excuse to spend the weekend in bed, binge-watching one of the greatest show in recent memory.
The nine newest episodes of the series found us back in Hawkins, Indiana, revisiting familiar faces and meeting some new ones as the town braced for yet another run-in with the monsters from another dimension. We watched as Will Byers struggled yet again to defeat the darkness of the other realm, while Eleven continued to hone her powers and shut the gateway beneath the small town once and for all.
One of the many reasons that Stranger Things has become such a cultural phenomenon, is that it reminds a lot of us of our childhoods -- growing up in small towns and going on adventures with our closest friends. Of course, there’s a good chance that you never had to run away from a giant Shadow Monster or lure a Demogorgon into a trap, but it does make you wonder how you would handle these sci-fi situations should they actually arise.
With season two of the show further exploring the other dimension and its expansion into the actual town of Hawkins, let’s see if you acquired the skills to make it out of the Upside Down alive!
What device would you use to locate the inter-dimensional gateway?
Before the Upside Down began to spread underneath the ground of Hawkins, there appeared to be only one way into the other dimension in Season 1. Therefore, Dustin is the one character who actually figures out how they can locate the doorway. Do you remember which device he uses?
What is the only reason you would enter the Upside Down?
From everything we’ve seen in seasons one and two of the show, you’ll want to stay as far away from the Upside Down as possible if you have even the slightest desire to keep on living your life. But if there was one situation that gave you enough courage to take the trip through the portal, what would it be?
If you could only take one weapon with you into the Upside Down, what would it be?
So you’re all geared up for a trip into the Upside Down, but of course, you’ll want to bring a weapon along for the ride. Since you can only bring as much as you can carry, you’ll have to choose carefully. So what do you think will do the most damage in this other dimension?
What do the boys nickname the monster from Season 1?
If you don’t know the answer to this question, then you clearly haven’t been paying attention while watching Stranger Things, nor do you have any business taking this quiz. While the monster has never been given an official name, the boys give the creature this nickname, which they take from the Dungeons & Dragons manual.
Which character would you want to accompany you into the Upside Down?
As we’ve clearly seen, some people are just not equipped to handle the stressful situation of your town being consumed by inter-dimensional monsters. In that case, you’ll only want the people you seem the most competent and willing to adapt backing you up. So who’s joining you on your expedition into the unknown?
Which character would you NEVER want to accompany you into the Upside Down?
Just as we’re sure you have a number of characters in mind who you would definitely want by your side, there’s also probably a few that you would want no where in your vicinity while taking a trip into the unknown. Here are a few unfortunate souls who have not had the best of luck when it comes to the Upside Down or the monsters that inhabit it.
If you could only pick one piece of equipment to bring with you into the Upside Down, what would it be?
This one is a toughie, considering that pretty much everything in the Upside Down is looking to cause you harm. But after everything we’ve seen throughout the show, what device do you think would actually be the most beneficial to you in the long run? Or, which one would you be in the most harm without?
What conjoined name does Dustin give the multiple Demogorgons in Season 2?
Just when you thought the Demogorgon was a thing of the past, Dustin’s pet “pollywog,” know as Dart, just kept on growing and growing. But as if one Demogorgon wasn’t already enough of a nuisance, we soon found out that dozens have popped up in Hawkins, which Dustin nicknames this since they’re slightly smaller and walk on four legs more often than the Demogorgon in Season1?
What would you do if you found the Upside Down spreading underneath your town?
For the first season at least, the problems pertaining to this inter-dimensional gateway were mostly contained in the Hawkins Lab. Unfortunately, in season two we saw that the Upside Down need not be contained behind a gateway, and that it can spread out like a virus into our world. So how would you react if you saw your town taking a turn for the worse?
If you found an unknown species, what would you do with it?
In a play on movies like E.T. and Gremlins, in season two of Stranger Things Dustin stumbles upon to what appears to be a new species hiding in his garbage can. Of course, being the science nerd that he is, Dustin decides to keep the “pollywog” as his pet. But would you do the same?
Which character originally opened the portal to the Upside Down?
With season two fresh in our minds, certain details about how this entire Upside Down thing started in season one may be starting to fade from your memory. Of course, the original portal was located in the basement of Hawkins lab. But do you remember how it got there?
What would be your biggest fear traveling into the Upside Down?
Pretty much everything in the Upside Down wants to kill you. Its air is toxic, its filled with creepy monsters, and, so far as we can tell, the entire dimension is controlled by a giant Shadow Monster. But if you were to take your first step into this dreary new world, what would be the number one fear occupying your mind?
If your best friend became intertwined with the Upside Down, what would you do?
Will Byers has certainly had a bad time living in Hawkins. In fact, we’d be outright flabbergasted if the entire Byers family doesn’t decide to pack it up and leave town at the first sign of danger in season three. But if Will was your best friend, and he had become one with the enemy, do you know how you would handle it?
Where did the portal to the Upside Down originally open up?
In season two, we watched as the Upside Down slowly began to tunnel its way beneath Hawkins. But in the first season of the show, there appeared to be one main way in and out of the other dimension. Though other doorways were known to appear sporadically, do you recall where the original one was stationed?
What nickname do the boys give the Shadow Monster?
Of course, it would’ve been a major disappointment if the new season didn’t come with a new creature, and it doesn’t take long for Season 2 to introduce us to the Shadow Monster that goes on to infect Will. But do you remember the more specific nickname that the boys give it using their Dungeons & Dragons manual?
What is the only known way to stop the Upside Down from continuing to spread?
Destroying a virus is no easy feat, especially when it’s all being controlled by a central system, known as the Mind Flyer, that is heavily guarded. Using their combined knowledge of science and Dungeons & Dragons, the boys construct a plan to destroy the Upside Down once and for all, which revolves around…
Who has ultimate control over the Demogorgons?
While the one Demogorgon may have seemed like the biggest threat residing within the Upside Down in season one, in the last batch of episodes, we learned that there is far more to this other dimension than meets the eye. In fact, these Demogorgons now seem more like pawns in a much greater scheme, which is controlled by…
What member of the group would you be?
In the midst of crisis, it’s important to know exactly where your strengths and weakness lie. There would be nothing worse than taking a trip into the Upside Down thinking of yourself as the group’s security when you can’t even win an arm wrestling contest against a 12-year-old girl. So be honest, which member of your squad would you actually be?
What do we know about the Shadow Monster?
It may have seemed like Eleven had finally restored the peace in Hawkins by the end of season two. But in the last shot of the show, we got a glimpse of the mysterious Shadow Monster luring around the Upside Down’s version of Hawkins Middle School. We don’t know a lot about this creature yet, which makes sense that he may pop up again later in the series.
What’s the name of the process by which the Demogorgons grow?
If you’re going to survive a trip into the Upside Down, it certainly doesn’t hurt to know as much as possible about what you’re up against. While the origin and conditions surrounding the Demogorgon were largely still a mystery at the end of season one, we now know a lot more about these creatures, including just how shockingly fast they can grow.
Is it possible to communicate with the outside world once you’re in the Upside Down?
If you’re going to travel into another dimension, one of the first things you’d want to figure out is if you can communicate back to your friends. Therefore, if you’re in need of some serious back up you can always call for it, or at the very least, let others know to not risk their lives trying to save you. So from everything we’ve already seen, is it possible to communicate from one dimension to the next?
If you had to enter the Upside Down, how would you ensure your escape?
As we’ve seen time and time again, getting into the Upside down isn’t really that hard. It’s getting out that proves the biggest challenge. After all, we know that both the Demogorgon and the Mind Flyer want to consume those that are around them, so they’ll do anything in their power not to let you out of their homeworld once you’re inside.
How many sci-fi/ fantasy movies do you watch on a monthly basis?
On top of being members of AV club as well as avid Dungeons & Dragons campaigners, Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas are clearing huge sci-fi and fantasy geeks. This can be seen in everything from the posters they hang up to the action figures they play with, and it’s exactly this kind of mind that is a perfect balance of science and imagination that helps them grasp the effects of the Upside Down.
Which one of the four boys do you think is best equipped to survive the Upside Down?
We can only hope that Will and the entire Byers family gets a break from the other-dimensional disasters in season three of the show. But if that’s the case, it means a few of our other favorite characters are in for a rocky ride. So far, Will is the only character to survive an extended stay in the Upside Down, so do you think anyone else would have fared better?
As the Chief of Police, what would you do if you saw the town being consumed by another dimension?
For the keeper of the peace, Chief of Police Hopper is certainly prone to losing his cool on a pretty frequent basis. While he may not be the most science-savvy of the gang, he’s certainly not afraid to dive in head first and get his hands dirty. But would you be as willing to put yourself in harm’s way for the sake of your town’s safety?
Have you ever played Dungeons and Dragons?
Who would’ve thought that one of the nerdiest games in existence would be the key to saving your town from inter-dimensional destruction? Luckily, thanks to shows like Game of Thrones and Stranger Things, D & D is undergoing a bit of a renaissance. So have you ever partaken in a campaign of the fantasy role-playing board game? Bonus points if you’ve ever served as a Dungeon Master!
What was your favorite subject in school?
If Stranger Things has taught us anything, it’s that us younger generation are not being taught (or retaining) enough of the information we learned in science class. As Mr. Clarke tells us in season one, science may be neat, but it’s not very forgiving. And if you’re not brushed up on at least some basic understanding of science, your trip into the Upside Down will be the thing that’s not very forgiving.
How would you communicate with your friends if the town was about to be swallowed up by the Upside Down?
With your town on the brink of disaster, there’s a good chance that you and your friends will have to split up at some point to try and form a complex attack plan. But it’s important that you’re able to stay in touch with each other. So would you use today’s technology as your aid, or rely on some old school tactics that are more reliable and give you a bit more secrecy?
What would you use to lure a Demogorgon into a trap?
Demogorgons may be powerful and hard to destroy — as we’ve seen that bullets don’t always do the trick — but that doesn’t mean they’re all that intelligent. In fact, we’ve seen them be successfully lured into traps on multiple occasions. So if you had to draw one away from your friends or out of your house, what substance would you use?
For what cause would you be most willing to sacrifice yourself?
The idea of having to sacrifice yourself is certainly not a pleasant one, but in this scenario, we’re not giving you a choice. You’re going down, but you obviously want it to be for a good cause. So if you could choose, which scenario would you be most ok with dying in the Upside Down for?
What would you do if the Shadow Monster was chasing after you?
If you’ve already watched the entirety of season two then you definitely know what you shouldn’t do when the Shadow Monster is hot on your trail. Though Bobby the Brain may have given an inspiring speech about standing up to your fears, he clearly failed to grasp the concept of threats that are 100% in your head, and others that are real and ready to kill you.
If your friend was killed in the Upside Down, how would you react?
Though Barb may have died at the beginning of last season, her friends (and especially her fans) have certainly not forgotten about her. This past season we watch Nancy struggle with having to keep the secret inside. And instead of pushing the guilt deeper down she decides to take action against those responsible. Would you do the same?
If your friend was possessed by the Mind Flayer, would you be able to burn the monster out of them?
One of the more disturbing scenes of this last season of Stranger Things involved a quasi-exorcism scene where the Byers family attempts to burn the Smoke Monster out of Will. But would you actually have the confidence to carry through with this seemingly cruel act? Or would you fold under the pressure?
If someone you trusted told you that an inter-dimensional gate opened in your town, you would…
One of the central motifs at the heart of Stranger Things, is that friends do not lie to one another. So if one of your most trusted mates sat you down and explained the danger that you guys were in would you believe something so outlandish without question? Or would you at least want some proof before you hoped on the bandwagon?
Aside from weapons and gear, what else would you take with you into the Upside Down?
You’re all geared up with your breathing apparatus and flamethrower and you’re about to step into another dimension for god knows why, but is there anything else you’d rather have by your side? This is where some basic survival skills would come in handy, so if you were ever a boy or girl scout, you may have already have a slew of skills tucked up your sleeve.
