I’m two episodes into Tales from ’85 and it’s… fine. The kids from Hawkins meet new allies and new monsters in this animated spin-off. Set after season two, the show recaptures the “kids adventure” tone that the original cast outgrew. Lore fans may wish the writers let a new crew play in the Duffer sandbox. But if you watched the show for Mileven, Lumax, Dustin and Will then the sound-alike actors will give you familiar comfort food. The teen and adult characters only give cameo appearances. This allows for short, focused episodes without the bloat that weighed down seasons four and five.

The largest new role, transfer student Nikki Baxter, is polarizing. With her pink mohawk, snarky attitude and fierce combat skills she could be dismissed as a pile of fan fic tropes. It’s hard to get invested when you know she’s absent from the main series. The heroine of the Stranger Things stage play faced the same challenge. I don’t mind Nikki so far. I’m always in favor of assertive, queer-coded characters. And Will needs more role models.

Will you be watching? Is it too soon to revisit Hawkins? Is the Telltale Games art style a barrier? Share your thoughts below.