Stranger Things: Every Season 3 Episode Ranked Worst To Best

Stranger Things sure loves its missing person plot device.

Will Byers. Barb (who finally found justice the season ????? she disappeared). In Chapter 3., "The Case of the Missing Lifeguard," the titular lifeguard is Heather. And while she's missing to some, we know exactly where she is: under the spell of The Mind Flayer, working alongside Billy.

Chapter 3 does a few things right. First, there's a return to the scene of the crime at the Hawkin's Laboratory by Joyce and Hopper. This is done, on the surface, to ensure that the lab is still sealed. What it really does is allow for one more emotional moment featuring the late Bob Newby, allowing Joyce to properly grieve — and move on.

We also get a Robin, Steve, and Dustin dynamic with Robin being set up as a clear love interest for Steve, which will allow for the big swerve later in the season. Here's what's wild: the best relationship in season three was the one that didn't work out as a relationship, i.e. Steve Harrington and Robin.

Outside of that, there's a lot of in-fighting that doesn't come across quite as authentic as the Duffers likely hoped. Yes, characters are growing up and attractions are revealing themselves. But we've all gone through that, and this gang of unlikely friends has fought through much worse — ergo seeing Will accusing Mike of splitting up the party, and the girls breaking away from the guys, just feels forced.