Stranger Things (TV Series) Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly (2016) User Reviews

Now you're talking!

[Mr-Fusion · 9/10 · 31 October 2016]

I know that not every episode can be a winner, but if the majority of this season id as strong as 'Holly, Jolly', then this is shaping up to be one hell of a show. I love their methodology for dropping clues here; Barb's alive (but in what world?); we finally get a peek at the monster; and one of the highlights is seeing Eleven's powers in practice (that image of the Millennium Falcon levitating is beyond cool). Even the disturbing Matthew Modine is deepened, if only a little.

I dunno, compared to the previous episode, this just fires right along; the pacing's great, the mystery thickens, and it goes out not just on a cliffhanger, but an emotionally effective development.

9/10

This is where it gets good.

[robday-60169 · 9/10 · 15 July 2016]

After watching the first two episodes, I was underwhelmed by the show, thinking it would continue at a mediocre level - I was wrong! This episode raised the bar with the shocking discovery that can be one of two people. The start of the episode finally gave us the classic 80's horror movie feel, and finally moved away from the sci-fi a little bit, which is what I loved. Winona's acting, and the rest of the cast, was solid, and I finally got sucked into the story line - it just became interesting. What I didn't like about the previous episode (the heavy drama aspect rather than horror, and the drawn out phone call chapters with unnecessary characters and a lack of answers thereof) was turned on it's head. By the end of the episode I was on my feet, heart pounding at all the emotion and mystery and HORROR needed to make a horror show good. The reason I didn't give it a 10/10 is because I don't think it was Will's body, and it was just a waste of the drama in the end - never the less it was exciting and shocking to discover a body, which may (doubtfully) have been Will's This episode finally makes me want to watch further... let's hope they keep getting better

A definition of a episode of the first season that kept me hooked!

[gavin-thelordofthefu-48-460297 · 10/10 · 25 February 2018]

Chapter Three: Holly Jolly does a great job expanding more on the first two episodes. I mean, it kept me hooked the moment I started watching the show on Netflix.

It showed what happened to Barbara after the end of the previous episode and her death was so sad it made me feel sorry for her. Because Chapter One and Two showed the characterization of her. She started out as a nerdy classmate and a misfit in society before she got killed by the monster, which is the only reason why the show gained a fanbase. Kudos to the producers for making us sympathize with her.

Also, the story and writing are even stronger. It expands more on the first two episodes and gives out some more character depth to not only Eleven (El), but Joyce Byers as well. Joyce starts to hear Will trying to communicate with her and she uses the Christmas lights to communicate with him as well it makes you feel for her and her son too. Even the interaction between Eleven and Mike is great. Not only that. The actors range of emotions you feel in the beginning and end of the episode gives you goosebumps which is the only reason why the third episode is a definition of why the first season has been keeping me hooked so far.

The actors continue to deliver excellent performances. Finn Wolfhard, Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder, and Natalie Dyer along with the other actors impressed me with their range of emotions like I said before and the script is superb while the music score continues to compliment the 1980s setting and year perfectly.

Overall, Chapter Three: Holly Jolly is a classic episode and a definition of how an episode of the first season kept me hooked when I started watching Stranger Things. Thumbs up from me. :)

Slow burn

[Fluke_Skywalker · 8/10 · 12 April 2017]

I began watching Stranger Things last October, but even though it's totally in my wheelhouse (Retro 80s setting with a with tone and style that's sorta like a mix of Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante and Steven King), and had all of the hype that was seemingly justified by a strong opener with a solid follow-up, I bailed. But I sit here now, with my brain gears grinding over work stress and a myriad of things caught up in the orbit of all that, and I crave comfort food. But not reheating something I've eaten dozens of times before. I want new, but familiar. That's where jumping back into Stranger Things comes in. I remembered enough from the first two episodes that I felt comfortable jumping right back into Ep.3 w/o a refresher, so here goes.

The episode unwinds slowly, sneaking up on you. We get a look at the various characters as they deal with more personal arcs as well as the story at large. It's good stuff, but there's no big reveal... until the last two minutes, when a major bombshell drops and the totality of all of the careful craft hits you. This is a show where, so far, all of the ingredients come together.

One of the strongest episodes of 2016

[ahmadmobeenqazi · 10/10 · 21 July 2016]

Damnnn! And I said the previous cliffhanger was good!

Without doubt, "Holly, Jolly" is one of the most impactful episodes of this year. The range of emotions you feel from beginning to end leave you exhausted yet yearning to learn more about this small town fable.

As this is a spoiler free review, I'll leave the details for you to experience firsthand, and will focus on the individual elements that help make this such an addictive and rock solid episode.

Basically, it's down to the two females: Winona Ryder (Joyce) and Millie Brown (Eleven) (though Cara Buono gets a special mention for that motherly scene with Natalia Dyer). There's this ancient Urdu proverb that says that even mothers who go mad and fail to recognize no one, recognize their sons. Winona Ryder, in this episode, is the personification of this proverb. Keep a tissue box next to you, people. You'll be needing one.

Mille Brown on the other hand... Oh mann!! She says with no words what many notable actors fail to say with the help of dialogues. Near the end, the interaction between her and Finn Wolfhard (Mike) seems so authentic and real, it hurts.

I say, leave whatever you are doing and go watch this episode. Verdict: 10/10

Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly (#1.3)

[ComedyFan2010 · 8/10 · 18 May 2019]

This episode is much better than the first two. It already gets one into the story and waiting to find out more. Joyce who seems crazy even to her son by thinking Will communicates with her through lamps actually gets a message from him. And now one has a question, is he alive as he said or was he found dead in a river? Another thing that is interesting is how the detective realizes that the lab people are lying by showing a wrong tape. So we should see him investigate this soon. And will the city soon be looking for Barb as well?

Holly Jolly

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 9 March 2021]

'Stranger Things' got off to a great, captivating start with "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers", with the execution being almost flawless and doing so well in setting things up as a first episode should do. Was a little disappointed in the still good "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street", it did well at building upon what was set up previously and was actually mostly great but went off the boil quite badly in the final act (which was frustrating).

"Chapter Three: Holly Jolly" to me is a superb episode, one of the best of Season 1 and what 'Stranger Things' is all about. It is a big improvement over "Chapter Two: The Weirdo on Maple Street" and is even better than "Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers". Having all its great things and executing them even better, again excelling (while also being much better at doing so) at carrying on from and expanding upon what is already known.

The production values are superb. Very stylish and atmospheric, with some truly beautiful images that one can't believe such high quality comes from a Netflix show. Not to mention the highly impressive special effects that put a good deal of big budget films in recent years to shame. The music has a wonderful 80s nostalgic vibe while also being quite haunting, enhancing the atmosphere beautifully.

Writing is thought-probing and has a lot of brains and heart. The humour is gentle but very subtly witty and funny, while there is a poignancy (without being too sentimental) and tension. Throughout "Chapter Three: Holly Jolly" has creepy suspense, intriguing mystery, inventive sci-fi, affectionate nostalgia and emotional impact. The final act is not awkward at all here and paced just fine, it has tension too and the tone is much better balanced and focused than the previous episode.

As to be expected, the characters are interesting and well written, and it was great to see Joyce's character expanded upon more and in a rootable way. The acting continues to be great, especially from Millie Bobby Brown and Winona Ryder has improved a lot from the first episode.

Summing up, outstanding. 10/10

Good story can't wait to see the next one.

[ououzaza · 9/10 · 13 September 2019]

The most interesting thing in Stranger Things is the story and mystery. they did really good job. make me wanted to watch more to know about it.

I Am So Hooked!

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 30 December 2016]

This episode contains so much. It begins with the death of Nancy's friend, Barb, by some kind of slimy monster. In Episode 2 we knew something happened to her. Back in school, Nancy and her boyfriend (bullying jerk and friends) sees her. She is beginning to feel guilt after sleeping with him and now her friend doesn't show up for class. It is totally out of her character. We cut it the three boys and Eleven. She claims to know where Will is with her limited speech. They must go to school and so she is left to her own designs until 3:15. The boys have collected some weaponry and are going to continue to search for Will. After school, the boys are bullied by some of their wonderful peers. Mike is thrown to the ground, flat on his face. The big kids leave. Back at school, Will's brother is developing photos of the party, but one of the girls sees what he is doing. In the parking lot, the bullies accost him, tear up his pictures, and smash his camera. At Will's house, Joyce is stringing up Christmas lights with an amazing result. Nancy finally realizes that something has happened to Barb, finds her car, and realizes this is really serious. The conclusion can't help but make us want more.

The episode that made me fall in love with Stranger Things!

[thebloonclashers · 10/10 · 7 July 2020]

This is one of my favourite episodes in the whole series. Excellent music, stellar acting, great drama, and THAT ENDING. That ending was so perfect, so emotional.

Holly, Jolly indeed.

[SendiTolver · 9/10 · 4 July 2018]

When the first two chapters were quite slow (still tense and interesting) the the third one really kicked the things going. The roller coaster ride of emotions. Episode kicks of with intense scene where we see what happened to the Barb, then the quick fall back into peaceful small town atmosphere, that even elevates the shock level of the opening scene (can't get over that opening). The tension starts to rise when Eleven decides to help the boys to look for Will, chief Hopper starts to take his act together and finally begins proper investigation. Glimpses into the past of Eleven, final shocking reveals, and then that tearful ending.

It was kind of episode that it is hard to expect anything better from now on, but I guarantee - the ride is getting bumpier.

Millie Bobby Brown again shines as almost speechless Eleven (genuine acting genius), and Winona Ryder keeps her powerhouse on.

So far, the Best Episode

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 30 December 2017]

"Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly" is so far the best episode of "Stranger Things". Barb is hunted down by a monster and Nancy seeks her out later. Joyce is obsessed believing that Will wants to contact her. However, Winona Ryder has another terrible performance acting like a lunatic. Further, she is fleeing from the monster and when she sees her son in a car, she waits for him and they hug each other. Certainly this is not the best way to escape from a monster. Sheriff Jim Hopper is the best character of this series and makes discoveries about Dr, Martin Brenner and the staff from the laboratory in the best segent of this episode. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Chapter Three: Holly, Jolly"

Mystery still

[CursedChico · 8/10 · 19 December 2020]

Mystery still

I saw the clues but could not notice until this episode. This series are showing 1980s-90s. When i saw he-man cartoon at tv, it came to my mind suddenly! No cellphones, no new designed computers.

I am very surprised for anything in episode. Will and barb were captured by same thing, maybe monsters? Probably yes.

I also thought same, putting bulbs for each letter to communicate.

It seems it is like a parallel universe where will is. But what is that research center?

Lots of unanswered questions and i like it :)

It's coming to get you Barbara!

[BA_Harrison · 4 August 2016]

After a somewhat uneventful second episode, Stranger Things pulls the viewer back in with Holly, Jolly, which sees Joyce (Winona Ryder) discovering a way to communicate with her missing son Will, Eleven practising her psychic skills, Nancy making herself a prime target by sleeping with boyfriend Steve (have sex, will die?), and Barb waking up in an alternate dimension and meeting a monster. The episode ends with a cliffhanger: the discovery of a dead child at the quarry, which may or may not be Will.

The pace of the show is still very measured (some might say a tad too slow at times), but the engaging characters, great performances and well-handled suspense keeps one glued to the screen. Looking forward to part four (and seeing what movie posters they manage to sneak into the background; this time around, new additions glimpsed include The Thing and The Evil Dead).

First Glimpse

[danajs24 · 9/10 · 14 September 2016]

Well we finally saw the monster. It was a pretty cool lead up to his unveiling, with the new system of talking with Will being developed kind of like the way they talked with Matt Damon in the Martian. Not sure how Will can still be alive after being found in the quarry, but I feel like he still is. The development of Eleven is extremely cliché, and I feel like we've seen this story a billion times before in Marvel comics and movies, and they usually don't turn out to be the greatest. Some powers and extensive lab training/experiments that don't create Wolverine usually flop (the first Deadpool in origins). Hopefully we don't obsess with Winona Ryder, because her craziness is on par with Michael Scott's awkwardness. Extremely difficult to watch.

This is where it gets really good.

[RAMALAX · 10/10 · 23 November 2019]

This episode is probably the only one I would call scary. I love this one. Even better than the pilot.

JUST MY OPINION

[amirbpoper-75624 · 8/10 · 16 September 2019]

I'm not a critic and I'm not here to tell people the mistakes of this episode , i just want to help them understand how much this episode worthes , and i think this episode worthes 8.9

Holly, Jolly

[jasperan · 8/10 · 14 September 2018]

What will happen to Barbara now? It was really spooky when Will communicated with his mom.

My opinion

[ahmuuuu · 9/10 · 28 June 2019]

I don't know my feeling is mixed between sad and confused I really very sad and I need a rest thank you very much

Unpredictable and emotional

[Jakeybennett-007 · 10/10 · 24 November 2022]

Score: 96%

We all knew Will wasn't dead but it was still emotional to see everyone's devastation along with the song choice, however making a choice like this so early on keeps the show even more unpredictable and dramatic.

Nancy gets more involved and definitely deepens the mystery after the shocking cold open death of Barb. Joyce's mania intensifies and remains ambiguous if its just a manifestation of her grief and the kids and Eleven searching for their friend builds very well. So early on this season is able to completely shift expectations and provide so much emotion its extremely impressive, and as a whole only acts as an ending to the first act of the first season. Fantastic episode.

REWATCH THIS EPISODE AFTER SEASON 4!

[mattrabbi · 10/10 · 15 July 2022]

I originally gave this episode a 9/10 but I'm switching it to 10/10 because there's so many details in this episode that, with the context of some reveals we learn in Season 4, make so much more sense and are so satisfying to watch. Even small details. I won't specify any here because you should watch it yourself and see if you can piece together some connections with the new context.

Not even just this episode, but all the earlier seasons are elevated with some reveals/context in Season 4. This show is not given enough credit for how tightly written it is!

"Like Reagan's Star Wars"

[juanmaffeo · 7/10 · 4 September 2016]

The search for Will continues and our three parties get new information.

Joyce finds a way to communicate with Will using lights, Hopper starts getting suspicious about Hawkins Lab and the kids... well, they don't do much on this episode. The real star here is Eleven. We get two amazing flashbacks that enrich her past. You now realize this is where the story lies, within this three story lines.

But there's something else: freaking Nancy. I mean, I got nothing against the character but she and her storyline is consistently the weakest part of this show. It has nothing to do with the rest of the story (the Barb crap is no way to connect stories) and it has the most clichéd moments and characters. I'm getting pretty tired of the bullies and her romance with Steve. Seriously, it adds nothing to the main story.

Will's Blinking Lights

[vivianla · 24 August 2020]

Nancy's friend is with the monster. Nancy and Steve have sex. In the morning Steve stays in bed not caring about Nancy in the moment. Nancy goes home alone.

At school Nancy feels like she is being stared at and asks Steve if he thinks their buddies told the school. Steve says she is paranoid.

In the cafeteria Nancy asks if they saw her friends. The girl and boy said no and they imitate Nancy and Steve's lovemaking. "Oh, Steve" is repeated and the boy bangs the table.

Will's older brother is caught by the group. His bag is looked through and the photos he took last night are found. One photo has Nancy's back with her bra.

Nancy goes home early instead of staying for the game. Her flared dark jeans and striped sweater outfit is cute in a way.

Will's mom hangs up Christmas lights and writes letters to communicate with Bill.

The boys and Eleven ride their bikes following the emergency crew. Will's body is taken out of the water. The nice boy gets angry at El for not helping them bring Will alive when she said she knows.

This is the episode that got me hooked onto the show

[davidb-19321 · 10/10 · 17 September 2021]

It made me question if Will was alive or not. If he was alive then who or what was that body and if he was dead then what or who was triggering the lights.

I think people who consider this show or at least the first season overrated didn't finish this episode because how can you call the first season overrated after seeing this episode.

AND IT BEGINS!!!!!!

[aarshjpatel · 10/10 · 2 March 2022]

This is it. & We're so in it. Best episode so far. Gripping, thrilling, shady, breathtaking, exciting, terrific every element fit perfectly in a single episode.