#Instead her secret was revealed so quickly and Charlie found out in that same episode

[seaweedraindraws]

I kind of wish they met in the first episode

[bloodline-rpg]

BLOODLINE, A RECAP brought to your admins

BLOODLINE’S POLITICAL STORY is headlined by three major witch covens. The Devereauxs, the Blacks, and Thierry’s Immortal Coven You should give each of their original coven leaders biographies a read to orient you in the politics of the world:

Celestina Black

Brigid Devereaux

Thierry Astor

Celestina Black has three children, two of which are active participants int he games current politics; Aemilia and Aurora. Aemilia was the well disciplined child, the Black who took leadership seriously and wanted to prove her value as a woman in their patriarchal family. Aurora was the baby, the free spirit who always felt rejected by their father. 

Brigid Devereaux has only one daughter. Victoria. Victoria was trained heavily under her mother’s thumb, in a fairly intense and abusive upbringing. She’s incredibly physical and dedicated but unlike her mother, much more compassionate and levelheaded (something that took some time and getting out from under Brigid’s thumb to find out.)

Thierry’s Magic was adapted with the help of a partner, a very smart, inventive holistic witch Lucio Lontoc. HOWEVER to this day no one knows of Lucio’s involvement. Thierry has never told anyone who helped her create immortal magic. 

During the early part of the game, the wolf pack hailing from the Devereaux Compound in Massachusetts was lead by Alpha Derrick Falco (you do not need to read Derrick’s bio.) Derrick’s beta was Elias Irving, the son of the previous Alpha who Derrick had appointed to honor the older Alpha’s legacy. 

The wolf pack as it originally stod in the game was made almost entirely of new wolves. Stragglers that had been picked up along the way, and the freshly turned. This included Ana who remains with the pack still and several other characters who have since left the game. Pre-existing members of the Devereaux pack didn’t really arrive until a bit later. 

At the start of the game, Victoria Devereaux and Aurora Black were entered per their mother’s orders into an arranged marriage with the goal of demonstrating the political alliance between their families. At first they DID NOT get along. But they quickly realized that they were each holding back a lot of trauma, pressure, and insecurity that brought them closer. 

Aurora was also hiding a secret; her penchant for clairvoyant dark magic. Since the game began, Aurora’s power has slowly been growing and more people are aware that she can do it. She can visit memories and astral project. Her sister Ameilia can visit people’s minds and witness their fears. 

Here are some important conflicts and plot points as relatively in order as I can get them that have happened since the game started that have directed effected the politics or dynamics: 

Aurora Black and Thierry Astor slept together, something the Black family and Victoria did not react kindly to. 

It was discovered that a wolf named Charlie was actually secretly a human. She was imprisoned. Victoria, seeing that the pack cared for Charlie was afraid that executing her would create a lack of trust between the pack and her family’s leadership so she went over her mother’s head to convince the council to spare and turn Charlie instead. In order for Charlie to be turned, they needed a bonded wolf to do it safely. Derrick and Victoria (who had always bene close allies) decided to bond to one another so that he could safely turn Charlie and because they both cared deeply about the survival of the pack and saw eye to eye. (Charlie is no longer in the game but Derrick and Victoria’s alliance was a massive political shift as well as Victoria’s decision to involve Aurora in going above their parents head to get the council votes. It was the first instance of the younger generation of leaders working against their parents and deeply frustrated Aemilia Black. 

Ericka an immortal witch who had previously been tortured and held captive by wolves years ago, accused Presley a super innocent pop start turned wolf who wouldn’t hurt a fly of attacking her. Presley was jailed until an answer was found but it was ultimately proven by Aurora Black’s magic that Erick had been having an intense ptsd related episode and had not in fact been attacked, thus revealing Aurora’s Black magic on a more public scale and absolving Presley. 

Aemilia locked Aurora in her room under the guise that it was for protection as a method of controlling her. 

Victoria and Ana often struggled to see eye to eye regarding witches and wolves relationships. 

Aemilia and Thierry stayed in a constant state of rivalry after Thierry slept with Aurora but all of Thierry’s theatrics were intended to be distractions to keep the other witch families from realizing that she was trying to continue enhancing immortal magic. 

Brigid arrived and resumed her intense and violent training with Victoria. This started one night in the rain where she brutalized her and Aurora found out and ended when she tried to use Aurora as a means of teaching Victoria emotional control. Instead, Victoria snapped and nearly killed her mother, stopped by Derrick. BUT the attack lead to the Blacks and Aurora beginning to attempt to overthrow Brigid. It also solidified Victoria and Aurora’s deep care for one another on a public scale. 

A group of Devereaux wolves arrived including Beta Elias and his gang of friends: Eden, Kyle, and Ronan. All of them were pretty anti-witch and secretly plotting to overthrow the pack leadership and the Devereauxs. Notorious for antagonizing new wolves and wolves they deemed weaker than them they even started small “fight club” in the woods. Their primary target was Presley (you should read Presley’s bio for more background on the stones and the Devereaux Compound attack). Eventually Eden came to care about Presley, they bonded over their shared trauma and the loss of their families at the attack on the Devereaux Compound and became an item, thus starting Eden on the path of no longer wanting to support Elias. 

Elisa eventually called for a new alpha vote and LOST. As such, Derrick was re-appointed Alpha and given the chance to appoint a new Beta. He chose Presley.

Around the same time, the Pack had arrivals from the Washington Branch of the Devereaux Compound. [ You should read Reed Jackson, Noah Niccolai and Ellery Jackson’s bios in that order for important backstory regarding the Jacksons, the Devereauxs, and other soon to be relevant drama. Noah and Reed were not among those arrivals. Lucas Jackson and Ellery were.]

Pissed about the Alpha vote, Elias and Kyle acted on their over throw pla. They Started a fire in the wolf quarters, burning them and the barn to the ground. As the fire was blazing, they used it as a distraction to murder Derrick. Victoria felt Derrick die and knew something was wrong but before she could interfere, she was attacked by Elias. Being that she’s one of the strongest original witches of all time, Elias didn’t stand a chance. Victoria killed him quickly and without holding back. She then ran to her mother to tell Brigid about what had happened but Brigid LOST IT. Because Brigid knew that killing someone would trigger victoria’s secret werewolf gene. Brigid lost it, dragged Victoria away, beat her within an inch of her life and nearly killed her. As soon as Ellery found out what had happened, she grabbed Aurora and ran to Victoria’s rescue just in time. She was stopped only seconds before murdering Brigid by Aemilia Black. 

The Blacks finally fully overthrew Brigid as coven leader, locking her up in the cells and replacing her with Victoria. Celestina was NOT thrilled about letting a hybrid witch/wolf be coven leader but lost the vote. She did however try to call off the wedding between Victoria and Aurora. But when Aurora insisted on still marrying Victoria, Celestina kicked her out of the Black coven for good. (Additionaly, Ellery finally filled Victoria in on EVERYTHING and who her real father was and the fact that they were siblings.) In essence Victoria went from heir of the Devereauxs to A wolf, coven leader, and inheriting a whole family all in one day.

The pack rallied together to vote Victoira in as the Alpha to replace Derrick. She appointed Eden as her Beta, seeing Eden as someone who understood what the pack needed and wanted and who could offer her other perspectives as someone from a powerful wolf family. 

Around that time, Aemilia Black had slowly begun to come around to Presley. She saw Presley as dutiful, dedicated, and useful and after they got closer she asked Presley to bond with her. 

One night about a month later, a body showed up at the door of the Compound. The body was a very sick and mangled Noah Niccolai. They quickly realized Noah had not in fact been killed but held captive by the government this whole time, having had her bond to Ellery severed. 

Meanwhile, while grieving the loss of Derrick, Presley and Eden were abducted on sentry duty. The Manor went into uproar trying to figure out how or where they had went. Aemilia Black could feel Presley being tortured and that was all they had to go on. 

Victoria planned a rescue mission that was voluntary. All wolves participated. They went together and found Eden and Presley being held by some back woods hunters where Presley had been brutally tortured to try and get Eden to give information on the witches. Neither of them had cracked. 

During the rescue mission the wolves found a wolf in wolf form chained in a cage by the hunters, stuck in wolf form. They brought the wolf back with him and when the drug keeping him stuck that way wore off, they learned it was Cash Stone, Presley’s brother who everyone thought was dead. 

Victoria and Aurora were married in a small, quiet private ceremony but thrown a surprise reception by their loved ones when the rest of the manor found out about it. Once they were married, Victoria bonded to Aurora. The bond and Victoria’s hybrid nature make her the most powerful person in the manor. 

During the rescue mission for Presley and Eden, Aemilia went to Noah and Ellery. She wanted to try and restore Noah’s lost magic so that Ellery and Noah could restore their bond and help with the rescue. They were unsuccessful. 

What aemilia did not know is that she caught a magical virus from Noah. later, when she performed Victoria and Aurora’s marriage ceremony, she gave said virus to Aurora. After the wedding in a strange enemies to lovers flirty banter way, thierry and Aemilia slept together. When Aemilia woke terribly sick, she accused Thierry of trying to kill her and locked Thierry in a cell. It was revealed a few days later that Thierry was also sick and thus not the culprit. 

All of the witches slowly fell sick to a magic virus that they later figured out was being spread through performing magic. (wildly enough we planned this pre-covid lmao) Any time a host did magic with someone else without realizing they were carrying the poison they gave it to them. All of the witches fell sick and eventually it was discovered by Peyton and Ericka who just happened to be getting freaky that wolf blood was the cure. The wolves quickly came together and cured the witches. 

HOWEVER the witch virus killed Augustin Crow (the holistic coven leader), Devon Vaus, and Mika Iwata. (Mika was actually killed by Thierry but Aemilia helped her cover it up). 

The witches all realized that this whole thing had been a set up. Noah arriving at their door as a biological attack. She had been the catalyst for the virus. She was cured and her magic returned. She and Ellery are now bonded again. Making them the current third bonded pair in the game. (Not including Victoria and Derrick cuz he’s dead).

LASTLY, very recently Eden went missing on sentry and was later found dead, drained of blood. (This wasn’t in the plan but the player left so here we are). Everyone is grieving currently as she was very close to the pack, Especially Presley. Victoria secretly appointed Ellery as Beta in the interim but no one knows that yet. Victoria proposed putting the entire manor on permanent lockdown, no one in or out until they get the answer. The residents of the manor will soon find out that it was the vampires who are arriving soon. When the vampires arrive, the lockdown spell will be broken and that’s when new characters will be free to arrive. 

Other characters you should know about

Ana: Reluctant solider but a good fighter, has been here since day one and has SEEN SOME SHIT and lost some people.  Lucas: Ellery’s and Victoria’s brother, Reed’s adopted son. A foster kid with some anger issues who accidentally killed his brother at the ripe age of 8 triggering his wolf curse super young. Isa: Derrick’s sister who was once part of Bran’s pack in WA, however left with Bran’s permission about 5 years ago to become a hired gun for witches to kill hunters and government agents and dispose of their bodies silently. She became a trained assassin, but accidentally killed a family of witches in an explosion and has come to the compound to find atonement.  Lou and Theo: Human best friends who have been in the cells since the game started. 100% Theo is secretly in love with Lou.  Haven: Chaos baby immortal witch who has since had quite a dark night of the soul and change of heart. She’s starting to turn her shit around and be a better person.  Minni: a new holistic witch who only came across her powers recently. But they had been blocked by her father. When she realized Noah’s powers were also being blocked by something they figured out it was the same thing. Now, Minni’s grabbing life by the horns and embracing magic and opportunity.  Ronan: The last survivor of Elias’s crew. He was not involved in the plot to kill Derrick and the Devereauxs. But he’s still really sad his friends are dead. Kyle was executed after the fact. He keeps to himself but is a bit of an ass hole. He recently had one (1) moment of vulnerability. Puck: new kid on the block. Holistic witch son of Original witches close to the Deverauxs. He’s fascinated by wolves and wants to develop a cure for lycanthropy. Even if people don’t want that.  Alex and Peyton: also fairly new, Best friends who grew up in foster care together. Alex is a vet student and knew exactly what to do to help Peyton when she was bitten and turned by a werewolf. She brought her to Carden but now Peyton’s in gen pop and Alex is part of the human blood supply.

Other important changes of note:

The wolves have recently been given uniforms. When we add you to the GC you’ll see pictures. But they’re fancy and cool.

The wolves now live in the manor with everyone else since the wolf quarters burned down. However they rebuilt a barn to chain up on full moons. 

The humans have recently been moved out of the cells and into a bedroom. 

THAT SHOULD BE EVERYTHING! If you’re a current player and feel something substantial is missing hit me up. If you’re a new player, thanks for reading this giant post. Obviously we don’t expect you to know EVERYTHING but this will help you understand where things are at now. Everyone is beginning to work together as a unit, there’ a significant amoutn more respect among leaders. The big power players in regard to leadership are Victoria, Aemilia, Thierry, Ellery, and Aurora. Anywaaysss I def didn’t link to everyone’s bios here becuase I didn’t want to overwhelm you so don’t feel obligated. But it def wouldn’t hurt to give some of the ones not linked here a read when you have time. 

[ambitionsource]

AMBITION Season 1 ♫ “Extra, Extra” [ 1.05 ]

CREATED BY Esther (rapunzles) & Maggie (quincywillows)

HEADLINERS – Isadora’s world crumbles when AAA Confessions shares a major secret. Lucas’s temper flares out of control. Rumors swirl around Charlie and his relationship with Riley.

43 Minutes (6.5K words) || No warnings apply.

[ ← Special Snowflakes ] [ S1 Synopsis ] [ Stripped → ]

( Follow along with the music on Spotify here! )

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Rumour Has It” as performed by Adele || Performed by Maya Hart (feat. Chai Fresco, Sarah Carlson, and Darby Winters)

The episode kicks off with a broody and ballsy rendition of this flagship Adele track, MAYA HART leading while CHAI FRESCO, SARAH CARLSON, and DARBY WINTERS back her. Everything about the performance emanates trouble ahead – the shadowy lighting, the song choice, the urgency of the vocals. Yes, we’re back from winter break, and that warm and fuzzy holiday spirit isn’t going to survive long.

As the song unfolds, we get glimpses of everyone getting ready for school much like in the pilot. But our focus narrows in on a couple of students in particular.

INT. RILEY’S BEDROOM - DAY

At the Matthews apartment, Cory and Topanga’s arguing is growing more difficult to ignore, Riley electing to climb out the bay window rather than pass them to the front door.

INT. FOSTER HOME - ISADORA’S ROOM - DAY

ISADORA DE LA CRUZ is getting ready for the day, just pulling her hair back out of her face. Her phone lights up with a text message, seemingly from Asher. The message is simple: “did you see the confessions page??”

Isadora frowns, obviously having no clue what he’s talking about. Even as she’s trying to open the Instagram app and search it, another message comes in at the top of her screen. This one is from Dylan (“Dyl Pickle,” as he’s known in all the techies’ phones): “omg y didn’t u tell us?????”

Now Isadora is nervous. She waits impatiently for the page to load, scrolling past the latest post – one featuring Riley and Charlie – to find what they could possibly be talking about. When she sees it, her eyes widen and she reacts as though she’s been burned. She gasps, dropping her phone. Another message comes in, from Asher: “Isa???????”

It’s evident that whatever is on that page, it’s mortifying to her. She can’t even bring herself to pick up her phone.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As people filter into the school building, students of all ages and stature are checking out the latest Instagram updates.

The post in question for Isadora features selfies of her and a rather glamorous woman, enjoying the Los Angeles sunshine in the midst of winter. This is VALERIE DE LA CRUZ (40s), one of the biggest pop singers out there right now. And as the posts from her Instagram suggest – taken and reposted on the AAA Confessions page – Isadora is her daughter. Isa is famous blood, the rogue talentless daughter of one of the greatest performers of a generation, and none of them even knew it. What a plot twist…

The other post featured that morning is a photo of Riley and Charlie, the submitter having captured the moment they hugged after their performance at the winter showcase. The caption essentially implies that the two might be forming much more than a musical partnership.

Isadora makes her way into the school, and already all eyes are on her. Whispering, passing judgment, trying to put the pieces together. How is that the daughter of one of their idols? She tries to avoid the stares, but it quickly becomes too much. She goes to hide in the girls bathroom.

INT. AAA - GIRLS BATHROOM - DAY

The moment she steps inside, she snaps at the two freshmen in there to get out. They listen, wise enough not to mess with her. Isadora fights a panic attack as Maya’s vocals come to a climax, Isadora ducking into the farthest bathroom stall. She can’t bring herself to calm down. She never wanted this to happen. No one was ever supposed to know.

Frustrated, she throws her phone at the wall. It shatters and slams to the floor, yanking us out of the number.

Cue title sequence.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

The techies are assembled sans Isadora, frantically discussing the latest AAAC update. This is the first time a techie has been featured, so they’re all freaking out. ASHER GARCIA claims he tried to text Isadora to see if she was okay, but she didn’t answer.

LUCAS FRIAR emerges from the technician’s booth, all of them immediately jumping him with questions. Has he talked to Isadora? Has he seen the Instagram? What are they supposed to do? Lucas is like it’s way too fucking early for this, slow down, what’s going on? DAVE WILLIAMS pipes up first.

Dave: Well, for starters, the AAAC posted a very interesting bulletin that Prince Charming Charlie Gardner may have finally found his chosen princess in one Miss Riley Matthews.

Lucas: [ impossible to read ] … I see. And why do I care?

Dave: I mean, it’s just interesting. Especially considering –

Jeff: You spend way too much time following this thing.

Dave: ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING, their more recent posts about Charlie have sort of suggested an opposing narrative –

Lucas asks Dave if he can see his phone. Dave happily obliges. Lucas swipes to the Instagram app and holds it down until the “x” pops up, deleting it from his phone. Then he hands it back, giving him a smile. Dave takes it back with a frown.

Dave: Hey. :(

Asher and DYLAN ORLANDO redirect, claiming that’s not what they wanted to tell him. They simply mention Isadora, and immediately Lucas is in danger mode. He’s like what the hell are you talking about, and they hand him Dylan’s phone with the posts already open.

Lucas: [ dead serious ] Shit.

Dylan and Asher call after him, but he’s already outta there. The techies exchange worried looks, not sure what the hell is going to happen next.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Lucas darts into the halls, a man on a mission. He starts sprinting in one direction and accidentally runs right into RILEY MATTHEWS, who was incidentally heading towards the auditorium to find him.

Riley: Have you seen – ?

He doesn’t even bother to comment on the post, instead insisting that they have to find Dora. Now. Riley is on the same page, nodding and taking off down the hall with him. They go around checking all of the girls bathrooms, Riley darting inside and Lucas impatiently waiting for her to emerge and confirm or deny. No show after no show.

When they get close to the one where she actually is, they can already hear her from outside. Lucas doesn’t wait for Riley this time, darting in without delay despite the gender norms. Riley hesitates on this, then dashes in after him.

INT. AAA - GIRLS BATHROOM - DAY

Lucas has already found Isadora when Riley steps in, approaching them crouched in the corner stall. He’s kneeling down next to her, talking her down and demonstrating that he knows well enough how to interact with Isadora when she’s in a state like this. It’s also a completely different persona on display than we’re used to. More authentic? Hard to say.

Lucas: Okay, look at me. Dora. Listen to what I’m saying. Follow my voice, not your thoughts. What are five things that you can see?

Lucas continues doing this specific routine with her – five things you can see, four you can hear, three you can touch, two you can smell, and one you can taste. Isa’s answers aren’t the most optimistic (“I can smell sweaty performer stink”), but it’s getting her out of her panic.

Riley watches, uncertain how to help but also feeling as though she shouldn’t interrupt. It’s clear that she’s impressed (and maybe, potentially, attracted) by how effortlessly Lucas is handling the situation, but also that she is no longer sure what the dynamic between him and Isadora actually is. She always assumed friends, but now it’s hard to tell.

Searching for some other way to help, she goes and picks up Isadora’s phone off the ground. The screen is totally shattered, making for a careful task to hold. Yikes.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Class has assembled, but all anyone is talking about are the Instagram posts. Trying to determine whether it’s true, if it could be faked, working out their reactions to it. How could they have the descendant of a famous person in their class and not even know it?

Darby: My mom is part of the team developing a cure for lung cancer in pets.

Haley: Okay, Darbs, we meant someone famous that we care about.

People are also a bit confused about the name business of it. They’ve known Isadora as “Smackle” for as long as they’ve been at school together, and never really questioned it.

Dave: How did we not know? I thought her last name was Smackle.

Asher: It’s De La Cruz.

Nate: Yeah, you could’ve checked the yearbook.

Dave: SINCE? WHEN?

CHARLIE GARDNER states that out of respect for Isadora, they should stop perpetuating the drama and discussing it so much. Everyone is like okay Prince Charming, blah blah blah, rolling their eyes. NIGEL CHEY points out another facet to the exchange.

Nigel: You were featured this morning, too, your highness. Don’t you care about that?

Charlie: [ with a nonchalant shrug ] Can’t control rumors.

It’s… honestly weird that Charlie doesn’t seem at all phased by this considering the earlier posts featuring him seemed to rattle him so much. But ANGELA MOORE disrupts before anyone can comment further, gathering their attention. She knows there is drama afoot, and she doesn’t have the time or patience for it. She claims they’ve got rehearsing to do, so best get to it. When she tells the techies to set up, they’re uncertain.

Dave: But Lucas and Isa aren’t here yet.

Angela: … and?

The message is clear. The theatre waits for no one. Get to work!

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Riley and Lucas drop off Isadora at ERIC MATTHEWS’ office, who thanks them for their help and for looking out for their friend. JACK HUNTER is present as well, checking in with Isadora after catching wind of the reveal. She doesn’t have much to say at the moment. Jack turns to Lucas and Riley, thanking them as well before dismissing them.

Lucas starts to argue, wanting to stay with Isadora, but Jack gives him a warning look. If he’s going to pick any time not to be difficult, it should be now. Jack tells Eric he’ll leave them alone, escorting Riley and Lucas out.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As Jack shuts the door to Eric’s office behind him, he turns to Lucas and Riley and asks them what they know about the purported “AAA Confessions” page. But he’s talking to the new kid and the guy who never checks social media, so they’re not much help.

Jack instructs them to return to class, leaving them alone in the hall. But Lucas is bristling, evidently in no mood to be going and watching his stupid classmates sing as if that’s the only thing on Earth that matters. Riley tries to guide him in the right direction but he storms the other way. It’s clear he’s not going to the auditorium.

Riley is like well, shit. She glances back towards the auditorium, before making a decision and going after Lucas instead of heading to class. As the opening drum riff bleeds in…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Nicest Kids In Town” as performed by Hairspray Original Movie Cast || Performed by AAA Sophomore Performers

The sophomore class runs through an energized yet somewhat ironic performance. They’re singing about how they’re the nicest kids in town, but considering everything that’s going on at the moment that seems far from the truth. Still, it’s boppy! FARKLE MINKUS takes the Corny Collins lead vocal, and Charlie of course is their Link Larkin.

EXT. AAA - LUNCH COURTYARD - DAY

Lucas pushes through the doors out into the exterior lunch courtyard, typically abandoned this time of year considering the weather. It’s cold enough to see their breath and lightly snowing, but it’s the only place with fresh air and that’s what he really needs at that second.

He stands there for a moment, letting his brain catch up to what’s actually happening. He lets out a frustrated “fuck!” and kicks at the legs of one of the tables, allowing Riley the chance to catch up to him. She steps out into the courtyard and immediately hesitates because of the chill, uncertain whether she should join him or not.

Ultimately, she opts to stay. She steps out into the courtyard, trying to calm him down. She states that Isadora is in good hands with Eric, that her uncle is the best at comforting people, but Lucas claims she doesn’t get it. She doesn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

Lucas: Dora never wanted people to know about her mom. It was this whole thing. We did so much so that people wouldn’t ever…

[ He curses again, lightly kicking at the table again. ]

Riley: [ out of the loop as always ] So, Valerie… is famous? People like her?

Lucas: People without taste.

Lucas deflates, crashing into one of the benches at the table he keeps kicking. Riley slowly approaches and sits down next to him, taking a moment of silence.

Riley ventures another thought, commending him for how well he handled the situation with Isadora. He claims it wasn’t a big deal, that’s the kind of stuff you’re supposed to know when you’re friends. It’s also not the first time she’s had a panic attack while at school, but the cause has never been this huge.

They exchange a few more words on it, before settling into the cold and the quiet. After a couple more moments, Lucas speaks.

Lucas: Sorry you’re missing class. Didn’t mean to turn you into a truant.

Riley: Don’t flatter yourself. I’m a big girl, I can make my own decisions about being a truant.

[ Lucas scoffs at this, but it does seem to ease some of tension. Riley watches him for a moment, then shrugs. ]

Riley: So far, it’s not so bad.

Lucas glances at her, the two of them making eye contact. Then he looks away, rubbing his hands together. They sit there for a moment longer, hanging on the temporary peace…

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

SHAWN HUNTER has joined Angela to tidy up after the class is dismissed for lunch, the students chattering as they make their way out. Angela hangs back to help him rearrange things, and he has a snarky comment or two about how wow, suddenly she is helping him clean up. Was it her that had the change of holiday heart instead? Angela smacks him on the arm.

The two of them do get to talking, discussing Isadora and the revelation that one of their students has a famous mom. Well, Angela is surprised, as Shawn already knew and was entrusted with helping keep the secret. Hence, why they called her Smackle from day one and then just let everyone else run with it.

Angela: You didn’t tell me?

Shawn: Well, I’m loyal to my crew. Someone has to be.

Angela is touched by this, once again noting how much Shawn cares about his students, if nothing else. Before she heads out, Shawn takes a moment to thank her for the holiday stunt she pulled. Their shared gaze hangs just a little too long. As Shawn walks away, Angela is like… is this really happening again. Am I really feeling things for this mess again? Oh, no.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Eric and Isadora finish their conversation, trying to decide what to do next. It’s evident that Isadora has been crying, but Eric doesn’t make a big deal out of it. He’s trying to assess what’s going on in her head, make her as prepared as possible for how the rest of the day might proceed. She’s nervous, fretting over what people are going to think of her now and things are inevitably going to change. If there’s anything to know about Isadora, it’s that she hates change.

Eric assures her that she has options, and he’ll support whatever she feels would be the least stressful avenue forward. He’s genuinely sorry this happened, but he’s not sure that continuing to hide from it will help.

Eric: I totally understand if you don’t want to have lunch in the cafeteria today. But you know, it’ll only get harder to go back tomorrow, and the day after that. The anxiety will only increase, and we don’t wanna let that happen.

Isadora nods. She knows he’s right. But it’s still a daunting task.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Riley is wandering sort of aimlessly towards the lunch room, accidentally bumping into Charlie. He’s happy to see her, pleasant and charming as always. He asks if she’s caught up on all the drama of the day, which reminds Riley of the fact that she too was featured this morning before it all got lost in the shuffle of Lucas and Isadora. She takes Charlie’s arm and pulls him aside, darting into an empty classroom so they can speak more privately.

INT. AAA - CLASSROOM - DAY

The moment they’re alone, Riley breaches the question of… well, if he… likes her, or what. Because of the Instagram post, and just some of his behavior since she came to the school. Charlie doesn’t get the implication at first, but as Riley becomes more explicit in her questioning he gets what she’s trying to say.

Charlie laughs nervously, removing his arm from Riley’s hold and clarifying that he doesn’t see her that way. They’re just friends, no worries, and rumors are just rumors. Although this reassurance is a relief, it’s hard to tell if it’s genuine or not. Riley points out that he doesn’t seem very upset about the post or the rumors. Charlie shrugs, basically stating his stance that as long as a rumor isn’t problematic, isn’t going to cause unwanted trouble, it’s not really worth stressing over. Is it?

Charlie: [ lowering his voice ] I mean, if it were true… you and me. Would that be the worst thing in the world?

[ Another weird, potentially flirtatious moment that contradicts what he stated earlier. Riley blinks, obviously not sure how to react. ]

Riley: I… um. I have to go.

Charlie watches Riley go, maintaining his pleasant smile until she’s out of sight. Then his facade drops a bit. It’s so difficult to tell what is real with him and what isn’t. He seems genuine about seeing Riley as just a friend, but doesn’t mind perpetuating the rumors that they might be an item. So what gives?

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Dirty Little Secret” as performed by All-American Rejects || Performed by Charlie Gardner

Charlie starts this anthem to avoiding the truth, kicking it off in the empty classroom before taking his self-expression out into the halls.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Charlie parades around the halls, belting the rocker and dancing with an unusual amount of frantic energy. It’s somewhat confusing, but again, a really good performance. He carries us right up until the lunch bell, the students assembling to break their daily bread.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Lunch is here, the first true communal gathering of all the students since the morning news broke. There’s a strange energy to the room, an ominous sort of sense that almost crackles like electricity. Nothing has happened since the drop, but everyone is waiting for it. Like an aftershock after a major earthquake.

It doesn’t help that everyone is continuing to talk it up. Farkle is seated off to the side of some of his performer classmates, and he tries to get them to shut up about it. He’s both tired of the discourse interrupting rehearsals, but he’s also perhaps aware of how negatively the gossip might be impacting some of their classmates.

Farkle: Ms. Moore told us to drop it, so just stuff it and eat your processed chicken nuggets. Please and thank you.

Not the nicest way to go about it, but the sentiment is there, and from an unlikely ally at that.

Riley is at another table at the other end of the cafeteria, attempting to explain what she knows about the situation to ZAY BABINEAUX, YINDRA AMINO, and Charlie. But she’s also trying to maintain Isadora’s privacy, so what she has to offer isn’t exactly groundbreaking intel.

As if on cue, as she mentions them, Lucas and Isadora enter the lunchroom together. The room somehow simultaneously gets quieter and more chattery, and as the two of them attempt to make their way across the room to the techie table in the back corner it’s impossible not to avoid some choice commentary.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Tremble For My Beloved” as performed by Collective Soul || Instrumental

None more vocal than our table of gossips. Maya watches as they approach, Darby, Chai, WYATT LIVINGSTON, and Sarah all having something to say. The rest assembled at their table watch, amused and curious as to what might happen next. Maya seems apprehensive.

Darby: Smackle, I can’t believe you didn’t tell us your mom was Valerie De La Cruz.

Chai: Wait, can we even call her Smackle anymore? If that is your real name?

Maya: Would you all leave her alone?

Maya’s statement goes unnoticed – one of the few times she’s lost her power since she stepped up to the plate when she arrived at AAA. But there’s more interesting fish to fry today. Lucas looks more aggravated than Isadora, ready to do something about it.

Isadora: [ to Lucas ] Just ignore them. It’s not worth it.

Sarah: I can’t believe she’s your mom. I guess the talent gene skipped a generation.

[ Most of the table laughs at this. Lucas starts to do something but Isadora pulls him back, nudging him forward to keep walking towards their table. They’re almost there. Just have to get to the table. ]

Wyatt: Yeah, she got the retarded gene instead.

YIKES! There’s no way that’s going to be spoken without consequence. There’s a moment where it seems like maybe they’ll be able to move past it, Isadora stunned but obviously not looking for a fight. She grabs Lucas’s arm and gives him a look, already sensing trouble. Warning him not to.

But there are tears pricking at her eyes and she’s biting down on her cheeks to stop her lips from trembling. Lucas gives her a thin smile, nodding like, no, yeah, totally. No trouble here.

Then Lucas whips around, marching back over to Wyatt and clocking him clean across the face.

In an instant, the cafeteria erupts into a full on war-zone. People swarm as they always do, trying to get a good look at the fray. Wyatt has friends at the table who jump to his defense, expanding the fight.

Dylan and Asher see the chaos from across the cafeteria, immediately rushing through the crowd and jumping into the scrap to defend Lucas. RIDE. OR. DIES.

Riley exclaims an “oh my God, oh my God,” before scrambling to her feet, she and Zay launching into action and trying to do damage control as the rest of the school swarms to get a good view. Charlie and Yindra attempt to stem the flow of traffic, guiding students in the other direction.

Farkle attempts to step in and stop the fight, but he gets caught in the middle of it instead. A stray punch lands on him and he goes down, hitting the ground. Riley tears her gaze away and takes off, running to get more help.

Maya, startled, jumps around the commotion and tries to get to Isadora. She’s standing in the midst of the fight, watching it unfold in front of her but totally frozen. She can’t move, she can’t react. Maya – well-intentioned but not prepared for this kind of situation – roughly grabs Isadora and drags her out of there.

Janitor HARLEY KEINER (50s) is the first adult to arrive on the scene, breaking through the crowd and attempting to pull Lucas off of Wyatt. But he’s basically rabid, and it’s going to take more than one person to get him out of there. The beat down is relentless. Good luck, Wyatt.

Riley returns with Shawn, the latter dashing into the fray without hesitation. Together he and Harley are able to peel Lucas back, restraining him as they work to get him out of the cafeteria. He’s bruised and bloody, but he’s nothing compared to Wyatt.

Lucas: [ as Shawn and Harley drag him out ] I’m gonna kill him! I’m gonna kill him!

As more faculty arrives, the other fighters are escorted out, Asher and Dylan included and both with scrapes on their faces. Zay kneels down and tries to help Farkle, who is still stunned by the fact that he literally got punched in the face. It would be funny, if the situation weren’t so overwhelming.

Riley tries to comprehend what the hell just happened. She looks to Zay, who locks eyes with her and shakes his head in bewilderment. Welcome to Adams? Riley exhales, dumbstruck.

INT. AAA - GIRLS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Maya leads Isadora into the girls dressing room, her usual safe haven and go-to recluse. She immediately starts checking Isadora for any accidental injury, talking her down from the situation but more so keeping herself calm. Isadora is in complete shutdown and totally out of it, so it’s mostly Maya talking for the sake of talking.

Maya: Forget what Wyatt said. He’s an idiot. Most of them are.

Maya handles Isadora with the utmost care, going on to explain that she understands how terrible other kids can be. She herself isn’t all that great, sometimes. It’s evident that she’s speaking from experience, ruminating on how hard she works to keep her financial status under wraps because of exactly this sort of behavior.

It’s the softest side to Maya we’ve seen extended to another classmate yet. Maybe she’s got more of her mother’s nature in her than she thought.

INT. AAA - CAFETERIA - DAY

Riley, Zay, and Charlie are helping clean up in the aftermath of the fight. Janitor Harley gives them instructions before heading out to give his testimony as to what he saw happen. There’s blood smeared on the floor, and Riley can’t look away from it. It seems impossible, surreal.

Zay claims that Wyatt got what he deserved, as he’s always saying rude shit like that and this was one step too far. Charlie agrees to a certain extent, but he argues that there’s no way Lucas isn’t going to get the axe for this. Like, speaking of one bridge too far. This is enough to pull Riley out of her fugue, asking Charlie what the hell he means. She gets all fired up on Lucas’s behalf, stating that there’s no way they can expel him. She storms out, obviously on the warpath.

Zay and Charlie watch her go, both skeptical that her quest is going to hold any water. Now alone, Zay takes the initiative to question Charlie on his seemingly calm nature in regards to all the rumors going around about him. Charlie remains nonchalant, but Zay is clearly suspicious about how chill he seems about the whole thing. It just doesn’t feel… believable. Or human.

Charlie grows more and more nervous at the way Zay seems to see right through him. He suggests they focus on the cleaning, avoiding any further interrogation.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Speaking of clean-up, Shawn is back in the auditorium attempting to patch up a couple of scrapes he got from pulling Lucas off of Wyatt. He winces as he does so, evidently not able to stretch the way he needs to in order to bandage himself up effectively. Angela enters, watching for a moment in amusement before sauntering her way over.

Angela: You always were fiercely independent. Even in licking your wounds.

She steps up and holds her hands out, waiting for him to relinquish control of the bandages and allow her to help. She starts to patch him up. Shawn jokes about how he will defend Lucas to the death, but God if the kid isn’t like a feral cat half the time.

Angela points out that whatever is going on with the culture of their students, the rivalry they’ve been perpetuating between the two of them definitely isn’t helping matters. Shawn agrees, and the two of them effectively decide to try and work more in one another’s corners rather than against one another. Let the past be the past, and focus on right now.

There’s a moment of tension as they realize how close they’re standing and how quietly they’re speaking. When Angela finishes patching him up, she lifts her gaze to meet his. All those old feelings have definitely shaken loose… they’ve got this magnetic drift towards one another…

Shawn backs off before the moment can develop. He thanks Angela for her help, before excusing himself to go check on his students.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Never Can Say Goodbye” as performed by Glee Cast || Performed by Angela Moore (feat. Maya Hart, Chai Fresco, and Darby Winters)

Angela is left reeling, wondering if she really is destined to fall back into the same traps with Shawn Hunter as she did all those years ago. She takes this song out into the halls of AAA.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As she’s wandering her way through the halls, her backup singers make the trek with her. She ends outside teacher’s lounge, walking away just as Eric comes down the hall with Isadora. He’s walking her protectively, making a march towards the lounge.

INT. AAA - TEACHER’S LOUNGE - DAY

Eric steps in, telling the couple of loitering teachers present to get the hell out. They do, knowing that if Eric is snapping at them – usually jolly and cheerful Eric Matthews – then something must be seriously wrong. He goes to set Isadora up on the couch, doing everything he can to make her more comfortable.

It’s evident that he’s prepared for these kind of situations, taking his role as a counselor to an autistic student quite seriously. Once he’s gotten her all situated, he offers to stay with her. The two of them settle into the quiet, Isadora lightly fiddling with a string on the edge of the weighted blanket she’s been given. As we’re settling into the quiet…

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

BAM! Jack slams his planner down on the desk, launching into an intense scene between him and a bloodied up Lucas. It seems as though Lucas hasn’t even been to the nurse, he was carted and dumped straight into Jack’s office. Without the chaos of the fight to blur it, his injuries are more glaring up close.

The two of them debate what the hell happened. Lucas is aloof and defensive to start.

Jack: Well, you tell me what the hell you think I’m supposed to do. What am I supposed to say when a student is carted out of the cafeteria shouting…

[ He reads from a testimonial on his desk. ]

Jack, deadpan: “I’m going to kill him, I’m going to kill him?”

Lucas: Sounds like hearsay. Kind of a big problem at this school…

Jack, louder: [ Slamming his hands down on the desk. ] Is this a joke to you? You’re lucky they’re not PRESSING CHARGES!

Lucas: What, was I supposed to just do nothing? With the shit he was saying –

Jack: Whatever it was, it doesn’t give you the right to –

Lucas: He called Dora a… a retard, I’m not just gonna stand there and let that happen!

Jack: … what?

He hadn’t heard that part of the witness reports, at least not yet. Lucas gives him the full spiel, a bit hard to understand through how he’s gritting his teeth. Jack is more sympathetic upon learning the full context. But it still doesn’t give Lucas a free pass.

Jack: I’m sorry to hear that. It’s disappointing, and unacceptable that he said those things. [ off Lucas’s disdain ] But the way you reacted isn’t appropriate either. And I can’t just do nothing.

Lucas: So? What?

Jack: Dylan, Asher, Sarah, and the others will be receiving a day’s suspension and one Saturday detention.

Lucas: Don’t punish Asher and Dylan, they were just –

Jack: Wyatt will be given a week-long suspension, especially given the full context of what may have provoked the fight in the first place.

[ There’s a pause. Lucas locks eyes with him, waiting. ]

Lucas: [ practically daring him to say it ] And?

Jack: Ten days. Effective immediately. Go get your things.

Jack is done with the conversation. Lucas isn’t, not expecting the dismissal to be so sudden. He hesitates, changing his tune. He pleads for one last visit to Isadora. It’s the first soft moment he’s shown the entire conversation, obviously sincere.

Lucas: Can I see her? I just want to make sure she’s okay.

[ Jack hesitates. Lucas meets his gaze. ]

Lucas: Please.

Jack: … five minutes. That’s all I can give you.

INT. AAA - ERIC’S OFFICE - DAY

Riley marches into Eric’s office. She launches into an impassioned speech about why they can’t expel Lucas. She explains all that she knows about the situation and what may have provoked the attack, as well what she’s been able to glean about Lucas as a person so far. She specifically references the way he handled Isadora this morning, and how he was obviously, clearly acting in her defense. They can’t expel him. They can’t!

Eric, patiently: Lucas isn’t being expelled.

Riley: WELL – Oh! Oh. Well, good. Good. Um, what?

Eric gestures for Riley to sit, which she does obediently. He then proceeds to give her the full explanation.

Eric: I’m sure you, like everyone else, have been questioning why Lucas at triple A.

Riley: Well, I wouldn’t… he’s a good technician…

Eric: I don’t dispute that. But it’s pretty clear being here doesn’t seem like his top choice. And that’s because it isn’t.

Eric explains, for the first time, the true reason Lucas is at Adams. His enrollment is a personal favor to an old friend of Jack’s, who happened to be best friends with Grace Friar in college. She specifically requested that Lucas get a spot at the school after a particularly disastrous freshman year at the local public school.

To put it lightly, Kenneth Friar isn’t… the most charming of men. It’s best to keep Lucas away from him as often as possible. So why this school? The local public school that Lucas would go to isn’t all that bad… except that it employs Kenneth as a coach and part-time administrator. If Lucas attended that school, he’d be in the grip of his father basically full-time, which wouldn’t be good for anybody involved. In fact, they know this for a fact, as Lucas skipped so much school the first time he went to ninth grade that he had to repeat it upon transferring to Adams.

So given the circumstances, it’s pretty unlikely – barring serious, serious crime – that Lucas will be expelled any time soon.

Riley is completely floored. She mutters an “oh my God” and hides her head in her hands, trying to wrap her brain around it. First Isadora’s famous mother, now this. But at least she’s getting a fuller picture, if there’s a bright side to be found.

Riley: Is… is anybody here fine? Is anybody actually happy?

Eric: [ with a sympathetic shrug and half a smile ] We try our best.

Well, seems like their best isn’t good enough. Riley gets to her feet, still somewhat dazed.

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Fake Happy” as performed by Paramore || Performed by Riley Matthews (feat. AAA Sophomores)

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

As Riley emerges back into the sea of students, she launches into this sardonic and cynical Paramore tune. Other performers trickle in throughout, until they’re a full parade of dazed and somewhat depressed students marching through the hall.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

They finish the number on the stage, Riley front and center with the rest of the main cast behind her. As Riley finishes the song, she tries to catch her breath. It’s been a crazy day.

INT. AAA - JACK’S OFFICE - DAY

Angela, Shawn, and Eric have assembled in the principal’s office to discuss the confessions page. Jack has reported it, but that’s not guaranteed to dispose of it or keep it gone for good. He instructs all of them to be vigilant, keep an eye out for odd behavior, because it’s time they started figuring out where the hell this page is operating from.

They all agree, finally on the same page and working towards a united cause.

INT. AAA - TEACHER’S LOUNGE - DAY

Isadora is starting to come out of her shutdown, more restless and uncertain what’s going on than anything else. She’s still obsessively picking at threads from her blanket, unable to sit still.  Thusly, it’s relief when Lucas comes by to visit – that is, until she sees his condition. She questions what the hell he was thinking as he sits down next to her, telling him that he shouldn’t have started the fight. He claims he had to, but she disagrees. It was too dangerous, and not worth whatever consequences he might face because of it. Because when he’s not there, when she has to face all this alone, she’s in just as bad a shape. She can’t deal with this hellhole without him.

Lucas opts not to tell her about his suspension. Instead, he assures her that it’s all going to work out, checking to see if she needs anything and expressing gratitude that she’s okay. They quickly get back to their usual banter, showing just how easy and comfortable their relationship is.

INT. AAA - BOYS DRESSING ROOM - DAY

Farkle is in the dressing with Yogi, Charlie, and Nigel, attempting to cover up his developing bruise with stage makeup before rehearsal. He’s on a dramatic tangent, forlornly lamenting how his perfect face is marred. And for what? Nigel and Yogi exchange a look, the former rolling his eyes. Maya enters, startling the boys.

Yogi: You can’t be in here!

Maya: Unclench, Yogles, and scram. I need to have words with Minkus.

Farkle glares at her, potentially a little scared. Nigel and Yogi sense the seriousness of her statement, leading the way out with Charlie following behind. Within moments, the two of them are alone. He continues his soliloquy in lieu of not knowing what else to say as she’s approaching.

Farkle: It’s a true shame. With a face this damaged, I’ll probably never work in this town again.

Maya: [ with an eye roll ] Alright, Rocky, calm down. Let me see that. Come on.

Maya takes the makeup from his hands, leaning closer and beginning to apply foundation to the bruise. Farkle is hesitant, but lets her help. The two of them stand in silence for a few moments, Maya much more skilled with the makeup than he was.

Not able to hold it in any longer, Farkle questions why she’s helping him at all. They’re not exactly… well, they’ve never been friends. Maya admits that she doesn’t know, really. But something about the way he jumped into the fray to try and stop it this afternoon impressed her. Showed he had an actual heart in there somewhere beneath all the self-righteousness and entitlement. Digs aside, there’s an actual potential for future friendship between them.

Maya finishes with the cover up, directing him out with her towards the stage for their final number. Farkle asks if they’re still doing it with everything that happened, to which Maya simply shrugs.

Maya: Show must go on.

INT. AAA - AUDITORIUM - DAY

Song Cue ♫ ♪ “Titanium” as performed by David Guetta (feat. Sia) || Performed by AAA Sophomores

The sophomore class wraps the episode with this impassioned performance. It’s a bit odd, some students missing and everyone a bit out of step. But the sentiment rings true.

INT. AAA - HALLWAY - DAY

Isadora is gearing up to head out of school, but not before taking back control of the narrative. As she heads through the halls, she turns on her cracked phone and goes to Instagram. She prepares to submit a post of her own to AAAC, scouring through a folder in her photos application simply labelled “Valerie.” She picks a photo of the two of them.

For the caption, she puts a simple statement: “I’m Valerie De La Cruz’s daughter. My surname is De La Cruz, not Smackle. So now you know. Now fuck off, and leave me alone.”

Then, she blocks the account. As the song comes to an end, she walks past the crowd of students staring at her and pushes through the doors like a boss. Leaving the drama behind…

In theory.

END OF EPISODE.

[pixelparty-blog1]

Feast your eyes upon my compilation of Stranger Things theory’s. Some original, some taken from elsewhere, and some taken from elsewhere with a twist. Most things are scattered. Whoops. Feel free to give ideas/feedback.

Chief Hopper = Eleven's real Dad? (How does he stay in contact with Eleven while she is in the upside down?) (Sarah?) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQKBEBWqu4I)

Is Chief Hopper's daughter Sarah a test subject like Eleven?

Dr. Martin Brenner dead? Who's in charge now?

Fake statement from Dr. Martin Brenner? (dead?)

Thessalhydra?

Stranger Things Season 2 takes place in 1984, Ghostbusters came out in 1984.

New character (Max) One of the episodes (Season 2) is called "MADMAX"

One episode (S2) is called "THE PALACE" (Is this a larger corporation behind the Hawkins Lab?) (Wheeler's house?)

One episode (S2) is called "POLLYWOG" (Tadpole) Is Will the "tadpole"? Does will turn into a monster?

Season 2 takes place one year later, Eleven is confirmed to be in S2.

One episode (S2) is called "THE SECRET CABIN" Is this where Eleven is hiding?

One episode (S2) is called "The Lost Brother" Does Eleven have a brother? Did Terry Ives have twins?

New character is a radio host, will the kids attempt to make a radio strong enough to connect to Eleven?

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, that's not it, is it? No, there's a medal ceremony Oh, a medal ceremony? What are you talking about? - And - The campaign was way too short. - Yeah! - It was ten hours! But it doesn't make any sense. - It makes sense. - Uh, no, what about the lost knight? And the proud princess? And those weird flowers in the cave? - I don't know, it's -"

"The campaign was way too short." - Referencing how long the season was

"What about the lost knight?" Possibly referencing Chief Hopper, or Jonathan

"And the proud princess?" Referencing Eleven, or Nancy

'And those weird flowers in the cave?" Possibly referencing the eggos Chief Hopper left for Eleven

In S1xE8 Will chooses to fireball the Thessalhydra and hits it, killing it.

- Later. - It was a seven. - Huh? The roll, it was a seven. The Demogorgon, it got me.

Will was in the upside down for 7 days, he rolled a 7.

Is Sarah/Terry Ives the 7th test subject?

Eleven has the tattoo 011 on her forearm, Hawkins lab was planning to create atleast 100 test subjects.

Will has a slug come out of him in episode 8, is he incubating eggs? Does he turn into a monster?

In the new trailer, Chief Hopper Might be in "The Secret Cabin" when the the storm comes.

In the beginning of the new trailer, you can see Eleven with a bloody nose.

"there will be more of that for seasons to come" (SEASONS) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNr5hLbUWls) | (http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/stranger-things-season-two-cast-9231559) "Yes, the co-creators have said they're up for it but it will end after four or five seasons."

The Duffer Brothers confirmed Millie will be in every episode

Charlie Heaton Said "From episode 1-4, it's gonna be a ride. Episode 4 is a big episode."

In season 2, the gate is still open. In S1 E5, Mike asks Mr. Clark "But what if this gate already existed?" Which Mr. Clark replied "Well if it did, I think we would know. It would affect gravity, magnetic fields, it might even swallow us whole."

In a season 2 teaser, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArdlXQ7Id5I) a newscaster says "Goodnight everyone; and whatever you do, avoid Merkwood this Halloween."

(Unknown) License plate is 2Xw91e1 on agents car

In the very last episode about 10 minutes before the end, Chief Hopper exits the hospital and gets into a black car with two men in suits. The camera hangs on the license plate for about 2 seconds and the plate reads "2Xw91E1" Which I interpreted as "Two times, watch 9-1 Episode 1" So I re-watched episode 1 from minutes 9-10. The open shot after the credits is of a drawing on Chief Hopper's living room wall. The drawing is a stick figure drawing of presumably Hopper, his wife and daughter. It is in the same style as the drawing that Hopper finds when he breaks into the lab earlier in the season when he thinks Will is being held hostage by the 'Government Organization'. Other insights: There is a flashback in the last episode of Hopper and his daughter in a park - she has blonde hair and is suddenly terrified of something and Hopper tells her to relax and breathe. Earlier in the season 11 is looking at her reflection with the blonde wig on and is fascinated with how she looks. Hopper believes that the government can completely cover up someones death, even though doctors have presumed the person dead and realizes this to be true when not only discovering that Will's body is a fake at the morgue - but also in speaking with the woman who supposedly had a miscarriage in the third trimester and her baby was never born - also presumably taken and experimented on becoming '11' But what if that was all a red herring? What if 11 is not this woman's daughter but is actually the daughter of Chief Hopper? Could that also explain why they were willing to let he and Will's mother live and search for Will instead of killing them both outright when they had the imprisoned at the compound? Also at the very end of the last episode he places some food and an wrapped Eggo in the box in the woods which looked like the same place he found the hatched egg in when Joyce and he were searching for Will in the 'Upside Down'.

Does Will have unknown powers? How did he contact Joyce while he was in the upside-down?

(Re-Stated Theories) The Duffers have said that S2 will introduce a few "critical" characters.

Sadie Sink has an older jock type brother in S2  (Played by Dacre Montgomery). She will also be the love interest for Dustin and Lucas. The first episode of S2 is called "MADMAX", this is most likely the episode where Max meets the boys. Nothing (so far) hints at Eleven having a sister, but she might have a brother. The very last episode of S2 is called "The Lost Brother". This is either referencing Will, Jonathan, or it might even hint that Eleven has a brother.

I'm just glad Eleven is back. Episode 8 of S2 is called "The Brain" (There will be 9 episodes in S2). This episode could reveal the history of Brenner's experiments done on her (possible) mother, Terry Ives. This could also somehow strengthen El's powers.

(Sorry for the scattered episodes)

Episode 6 of S2 is called "The Pollywog". Dustin is confirmed to have a new alien like creature as a pet. This episode could introduce the new pet, or possibly a larvae stage monster from the upside down.

Episode 3 of S2 is called "The Storm". When we think of a storm, we think of lightning. As we saw multiple times throughout Season 1, beings in the Upside-Down can manipulate electricity in the real world. (Remember how Nancy and Jonathan were able to predict the Demogorgon’s arrival in the Season 1 finale?) But if the gate to the Upside-Down starts to weaken in Season 2, it could result in a major electrical storm. Since Mike, Dustin, and Lucas met Eleven in a downpour in the first season, this could also mark the return of Eleven.

Is Eleven both "Jane" and "Sarah"? Eleven could be both Sarah and Jane without Hopper and Terry having a previous relationship, Terry was convinced that her baby had powers and she believed that was the reason why they took her, but maybe that wasn't exactly true, maybe the authorities took her because they saw Terry as an unfit parent, a single young hippie mother who claims a secret agency gave her baby powers via hard drugs to fight in the war is not someone who would get much respect or credibility (or help of any kind) in the conservative society of a small town in the 80's, it is possible they took Jane and gave her up for adoption to Hopper and his wife, they renamed her Sarah and when her powers started to show up, the same people responsible for them, who had been looking for her since she was took from Terry made it look like she died of cancer and also did something to Terry so she wouldn't talk, they let Terry keep her sanity while the child was with Hopper and his family because they may have needed her to find her daughter but now that they have her, they don't need Terry any more and if she could talk she would be a threat but it would be too suspicious if they killed her.

MIKE SCREAMED "ELEVEN!" IN S2 TRAILER, SHE'S BACK.

Casting Call for: "Females who are willing to have their hair chopped down to a buzzcut."

The gate to the Upside-Down was created when Eleven touched the Demogorgon. Will seems to have some sort of PTSD, which causes him to see the Upside-Down as seen in S1xE8. Could Will see Eleven in one of the flashes, and bring her back?

Casting Call: NOW CASTING MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE KIDS FOR MULTIPLE DAY BOOKING *IF YOU HAVE BEEN SENT AN AVAILABILITY CHECK FOR THESE DATES ALREADY, PLEASE DO NOT RESUBMIT YOUR CHILD* 1) MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS Boys and Girls - Ages 8-14yrs old - All Ethnicities Please see specifics on what we are looking for: GIRLS: Between the heights: 4'6" - 5'3" - Short hair styles, shoulder length or shorter. Bangs are great. Natural hair styles & colors ONLY! BOYS: Between the heights of: 4'8" - 5'6" - Longer hair styles and willing to be "cut to style" - we are looking for hair 2" all around or longer - Please let us know if they are willing to have their hair cut if needed. LOCATION: TBD, ATLANTA GA, OR SURROUNDING CITIES - MUST BE FLEXIBLE WITH LOCATION SHOOT DATES: Tuesday, MAY 23rd and Wednesday, MAY 24th RATE: $72/8hrs SUBJECT LINE: MIDDLE SCHOOL 23 AND 24 2) MIDDLE SCHOOLERS WITH REAL DANCE EXPERIENCE Boys and Girls - Ages 8-15yrs - All Ethnicities *PLEASE LIST ALL DANCE EXPERIENCE IN SUBMISSION! We are looking kids who could learn choreography quickly and have experience performing on stage, camera, classes, etc. GIRLS: Shorter hair styles, shoulder length or shorter. Bangs are great. Natural hair styles & colors ONLY! BOYS: Longer hair styles and willing to be "cut to style" - we are looking for hair 2" all around or longer - Please let us know if they are willing to have their hair cut if selected. LOCATION: TBD, ATLANTA GA, OR SURROUNDING CITIES - MUST BE FLEXIBLE WITH LOCATION DANCE REHEARSAL DATE (Mandatory): Monday, May 22nd SHOOT DATES: Tuesday, May 23rd and Wednesday, May 24th RATE: $72/8hrs + Fitting / Rehearsal Bump, TBD SUBJECT LINE: MIDDLE SCHOOL DANCER

Snowball? Pumpkindisco?