The thing about Russia for me is that most of the issues arise from Season 3 boxing them in. Hopper being alive and captured is arguably the most egregious instance of plot armor/contrivance in the entire series. He should have died there in Season 3 but IF he survived, that he was recovered by the Russians is another layer of absurd. Joyce and Murray don't see him and the military was inbound but they get him out of there and out of the country? Same with them having Demo-creatures. Season 3's stinger established both of these so 4 had no choice to run with these and it can't really salvage it. There's some good moments in there but also a bunch of nonsense. Yuri is also pretty intolerable too.
California Road Trip gang is a bit better IMO because we get to see how El is doing without her powers and trying to integrate into a normal life and I think the fact that it's going terribly is relatable and makes sense within the story. Jonathan is mostly just there and real talk I did not care for Argyle at all in Volume I (liked his moments a lot more in Volume II), Mike continues his spiral into unlikeability and Will is basically screaming internally at being stuck in this situation both in and out of universe. Volume II is a lot better for this crew because Will's conversation with Mike is one of the more impactful scenes as is Jonathan talking to Will later on at the pizzeria and once they link up with El again it feels more like a genuine leg of the plot but for most of the season it was just not great.
---
May you find your book in this place.
... Copied to Clipboard!