Will describes the storm and the evil that wants to kill everyone
Dr. Owens warms Will up with candy talk, then Will recounts being frozen in the Upside Down under a storm that felt like it was watching him.
Dr. Sam Owens
The lab's new director, gentler than Brenner, keeping watch on Will. Played by Paul Reiser.
17 moments · 26 min
Owens warns of the Anniversary Effect; Hopper tells Joyce to call him first
The doctor predicts more episodes and asks for trust; outside, Joyce bristles and Hopper backs the science but insists she call him if it worsens.
Hopper demands the lab convince him the rot is contained
With a map of dead crops three miles wide pointing at the lab, Hopper reminds Dr. Owens of their deal and insists he prove there is no leak.
Dr. Owens apologizes: mistakes have been made
Released from a holding room, Nancy and Jonathan get a walking lecture from the lab's new boss; Nancy says flatly that they killed Barbara.
Owens shows them the gate and talks of pulling weeds
Owens reveals what really killed Barbara, explains why the truth must not spread, and makes clear he will stop it by whatever means necessary.
Joyce demands answers from the lab doctors
Joyce tears into the Hawkins Lab staff who told her to be patient, and asks the room whether anyone can say what is wrong with her son.
Owens shows Hopper what is growing under the lab
Cleared by the doctors, Hopper is walked down to see how far the rot from the gate has spread, and why they have not burned it.
Will remembers Mike but not Hopper
The doctor tests Will's memory: he knows his friend in the photo but not the man who carried him out, and says the soldiers upset something.
A virus with a hive mind
Owens lays out his theory that Will is infected by something whose hosts communicate, and Joyce asks what happens when nothing of her boy is left.
Cold open: the demo-dogs breach the lab
Hopper and the lab staff watch the pack test the glass from the other side; the defences fail and the alarm goes up as the attack starts.
Will has to be put to sleep
With the lab overrun, Mike argues Will is a spy for the shadow monster. Joyce asks her screaming son if he knows her before holding him down to sedate him.
Bob Newby, superhero: Bob volunteers for the breakers
Only Bob knows BASIC, so he insists on going down to the basement alone. Hopper teaches him the gun in four words, and Bob promises to get everyone out.
Open sesame: Bob gets the doors open
Alone in the dark basement, Bob resets the breakers and reboots the system while Nancy and Jonathan rattle the gate outside. The locks release and he cheers.
Guided through the halls: get in the closet
The stairwell is no longer clear. Bob improvises with an extinguisher, hands over the radio, and is talked through the corridors until he has to hide.
Bob's run for the front door
Told he is almost home free, Bob makes a break for the lobby. Joyce arrives just in time to watch and Hopper has to drag her away.
Hopper finds Owens and asks him to give Eleven a normal life
In the wrecked lab, Hopper patches up a wounded Doc Owens, introduces Eleven, and asks him to help her live without being treated like a lab rat.
Owens hands Hopper a birth certificate, and Hopper asks for one night out
Over diner food, Owens gives Hopper the paperwork that makes Eleven his, warns him to keep her hidden for a year, and Hopper bargains for one night.