Stranger Things episode 1 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

In Hawkins, Indiana, four friends' Dungeons & Dragons game is cut short, leading to Will Byers' eerie encounter while biking home.

Full Episode S00E01 Recap

### Opening Scene - **Setting**: Mysterious and tense atmosphere with cricket sounds, alarm blaring, heavy breathing, and low growling. - **Events**: Panic and fear are palpable as the scene sets the tone for suspense and unknown dangers. ### Dungeons & Dragons Game - **Location**: Mike's basement. - **Characters**: Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and Will. - **Events**: - The boys are deeply engaged in a Dungeons & Dragons session. - Mike narrates a suspenseful scenario involving a Demogorgon. - Will, facing a crucial decision in the game, rolls the dice but is interrupted. ### Interruption and Departure - **Characters**: Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, and Mike's family. - **Events**: - The game is abruptly ended by Mike's mother, insisting it's time for bed. - The boys express their frustration but eventually start to leave. - Will mentions to Mike that his roll was a seven, indicating his in-game character was defeated by the Demogorgon. ### Will's Encounter - **Location**: On the way home, at Mirkwood road. - **Characters**: Will Byers. - **Events**: - Will experiences a terrifying encounter while cycling home. - He hears strange noises and sees something in the woods, leading to a sense of imminent danger. - Will crashes his bike and runs home, visibly scared. ### Home Alone - **Location**: Byers' house. - **Characters**: Will Byers. - **Events**: - Will, now at home, tries to contact his mother but is unable to reach her. - He senses something sinister in the house and prepares to defend himself. - A creature's presence escalates the tension before the scene cuts off, leaving Will's fate uncertain. ### The Next Morning - **Location**: Various settings in Hawkins. - **Events**: - Hawkins wakes up to another day, with news reports mentioning power outages. - Joyce Byers and her elder son, Jonathan, discover that Will is missing. - At school, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin realize Will is absent and begin to worry. ### Will's Disappearance - **Characters**: Joyce Byers, Chief Hopper, school staff, and Hawkins residents. - **Events**: - Joyce reports Will's disappearance to the police. - Chief Hopper shows initial skepticism but starts an investigation. - The boys, defying instructions, decide to search for Will themselves. - Various characters react to the news of Will's disappearance, setting the stage for a community-wide search. ### Mysterious Girl - **Location**: Benny's diner. - **Characters**: Eleven, Benny. - **Events**: - A young girl with a shaved head, Eleven, appears in Benny's diner. - Benny, the owner, tries to communicate with her and offers help. - The scene hints at Eleven's mysterious past and abilities. ### Conclusion - **Setting**: Night falls over Hawkins. - **Events**: - The episode concludes with a growing sense of mystery and urgency. - Will's friends, armed with flashlights and determination, set out to find him. - The episode leaves viewers with many questions and a cliffhanger, promising further intrigue and suspense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the main characters introduced in this episode?

Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Joyce Byers, Chief Hopper, and Eleven.

What game are the boys playing at the beginning of the episode?

Dungeons & Dragons.

What decision does Will face in the Dungeons & Dragons game?

Whether to cast a "Fireball" or a "Protection" spell.

Why is the Dungeons & Dragons game interrupted?

Mike's mother insists it's time for bed as it's a school night.

What does Will encounter on his way home?

Mysterious noises and an unseen creature in the woods.

How does Will react to the strange occurrences at his house?

He tries to call his mother and arms himself with a gun, appearing scared.

What unusual event is reported in Hawkins the next morning?

Power outages across the county.

How does Chief Hopper initially react to Will's disappearance?

With skepticism, suggesting Will might be with a relative or playing hookie.

Who is Eleven and where is she found?

A young girl with a shaved head, found in Benny's diner.

Does the episode resolve the mystery of Will's disappearance?

No, it ends with his friends searching for him, leaving the mystery unsolved.

Watch Stranger Things episode 1 Online

Chapter One: The Vanishing of Will Byers