The 10 best sci-fi/fantasy TV episodes to watch while sheltered in place

Stranger Things 108: “The Upside Down”

The Stranger Things season 1 finale had it all: Emotionally-charged flashbacks of Hopper (David Harbour) watching his daughter Sara die of cancer, Will’s (Noah Schnapp) rescue from the Upside Down, Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) killing the frightful Demogorgon to save the group even if she dies in the attempt, and the emergence of the true hero of the show: Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). Or at least, Steve Harrington’s hair.

What makes “The Upside Down” stand out on a show filled with superb episodes is how perfectly it ends this leg of the journey while carefully setting the stage for what’s to come. The bulk of the episode itself is a breathless thrill ride, but the series of little endings tell us that it’s not over. Even though Eleven is gone, Hopper places Eggo waffles out in the woods for her to find and eat, and although Will is rescued from the Upside Down, he coughs up a disgusting slug in the final moments, showing that even though he’s out, it’s not out of him.

This episode also has a spark of a romance between Jonathan (Charlie R. Heaton) and Nancy (Natalia Dyre), who eventually breaks up with hero Steve. There’s also a more innocent romantic angle between Mike and Eleven. All season long, Mike told Elle she was part of the group even if his friends didn’t always agree. Here, he takes it to the next level.

You can watch all three seasons of Stranger Things Netflix, but if you only have time for the one episode, make it this one.