Can you feel sorry for the monster that's trying to destroy your town? Join hosts Darrell and Addi as we break down "The Golem," the episode where the H.I.C. learns who is behind the hauntings and hate sprites. El's vision reveals that the Lich is Daniel, Nikki's mom's ex. His body is trapped in the Upside Down, but his mind is reaching into Hawkins through his serum and the plants he controls, including the army of "evil Pinocchios." We dig into the gang's argument over whether he deserves any sympathy, which includes a Darth Vader debate, and the decision to split the party and hunt him down. We also cover Dustin and Lucas getting caught climbing out of the sewer by Mr. Mackie, and the near-miss of the gang poking around gas-filled mine tunnels.

Then everything goes sideways. We talk through Nikki's attempt to talk Daniel down, how close it seemed to be working, and the horror when he snaps and unleashes the Golem. We cover El's fight to buy her friends time, and the cliffhanger that leaves Mike and El in serious danger. We also share our theories on what will happen in the season finale in the next episode. Whether you're Team Redeem Daniel or Team Take Him Down, this episode has plenty to unpack. Let's face the Golem!

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What if the ghost haunting Hawkins was never a ghost at all? Join hosts Darrell and Addi as we break down "The Lich," the episode where the H.I.C. finally learns what they're up against. After a wild chase with Dustin and Charlie, the gang realizes the Wraith Hound can't survive without the glowing flowers. It turns out to be made of pollen, which is why it evaporates when it's led away from them. That means the thing "haunting" the town is a Lich, a creature that harvests fear and stores its power in a hidden lair. We cover Dustin's camera trick for tracking the Hate Sprites' pollen trails, the trip to Daniel's old lab, and the horror of the wooden golems and the eggs waiting nearby. We also talk through the cliffhanger, when El searches the Lich's mind and makes the discovery that the Lich is Daniel.

Beyond the monster mystery, this episode has real heart. We talk about El's heartbreaking moment of feeling "useless" and her fear that her friends only keep her around because she can fight for them, plus the reassurance she gets from Mike. We also dig into Nikki's announcement that this may be her last mission with the H.I.C. as her family's money struggles force her to get a job, and Will's attempt to comfort her. Whether you saw the twist with Daniel coming or it caught you completely off guard, this episode gives us plenty to unpack. Let's hunt the Lich!

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What happens when you try to be polite to an angry ghost? Join hosts Darrell and Addi as we break down "The Séance," the Valentine's Day episode where the H.I.C. decides the best way to celebrate the holiday of love is to summon Bloodaxe Bill's vengeful spirit. We dig into Mike and Nancy's heart-to-heart about finally asking El to be his girlfriend, the trip to Madam Ortiz's occult shop for proper séance instructions, and the ominous warning that contacting Bloodaxe Bill is basically "inviting death." We also cover Charlie Dandridge crashing the séance as the ghost's direct descendant, demanding a say in confronting his own family's curse, and Mike and El's sweet, low-key Valentine's Day exchange amid all the chaos.

We also dive into the séance itself—the protective circle, the planchette, and that chilling moment when contact is actually made—followed by the ghost's violent reaction. Beyond the supernatural scares, we discuss Nikki and her mom Anna's conversation about money and share our theories on what this all means for breaking the curse once and for all. Whether you're rooting for Mike and El's relationship or still trying to figure out what happened to poor Uncle Ernie, this episode has plenty for us to unpack. Let's get into the séance!

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