Considering that season 1 of Stranger Things came out in July of 2016, I know I'm a little bit late to the game with this one. I don't have an extensive track record with binge-watching shows on Netflix; it pretty much begins and ends with Parks and Rec. But I've been hearing so much hype about this show from my friends and family over the past year and a half that this winter break, amidst holiday cookies and a cascade of falling tree needles, I gave it a try.

And I have to say, it exceeded my expectations and became my new TV obsession before I had even finished the first episode, for a few reasons. Warning though for those who haven't seen season 2 yet, there are some spoilers ahead.

1. The kids on this show are such good actors that they make me feel laughably inadequate

Though, as I'll say later, I appreciate all of the actors on this show, the kids are really the reason that Stranger Things is so good and memorable. It's rare to find a quality drama that centers on the action of several kids in a small town. This is probably because there aren't that many amazing child actors walking around, but this show certainly lucked out because it cast some pretty amazing child actors.

I'm continually impressed when I see these 13 and 14-year-old kids express more love and emotion in a single glance than I've seen many adult actors do. I know Millie Bobby Brown has been nominated for several solo acting awards, but I do hope that the rest of the kids get some individual recognition for their fantastic performances somewhere down the line. They're truly inspiring to watch.

2. The theme music and opening credits alone are enough to get my heart racing

Honestly, I knew this show would be good as soon as the opening credits began for episode one. I'm pretty sure its opening credit music won an award at some point. Rarely do shows get acclaim for their opening credits, but in a "period" piece such as this, the opening credits are essential in taking the audience on a journey back to the '80s through instrumental music and impactful visuals.

The music here is suspenseful and a bit eerie, and the red-on-black text further alludes to the fact that this show is definitely not a lighthearted comedy, which makes my heart rate increase excitedly every time I begin another episode.

3. Its aesthetic is a graceful nod to some of my favorite '80s movies

If I didn't know any better, based on the look of the show alone I'd say that it was produced and released sometime in the 1980s. It's a bit too packed with '80s cultural references to completely convince me that it wasn't buried in a time capsule for 30 years. But, as a big fan of '80s movies that created an enveloping, effortlessly cool view of teen life, I strongly identify with how Stranger Things perfectly captures this vibe.

4. It presents sci-fi in a way that's very accessible to those normally skeptical of the genre

Count me among the group of people that prefaces every action movie they go to by saying "I'm not really into superheroes/sci-fi/action movies, but it sounds fun!" My usual TV watching consists of reality competitions and sitcoms, but this show is so well-written and contains so many humorous, lovable moments that I can't help but get completely absorbed in the story each episode. Even for the self-proclaimed "sci-fi skeptic," this is 100% a show worth watching.

5. It has relatable characters for every age group to enjoy

Not only are there excellent child actors on this show, but Stranger Things features phenomenal performances from its teen and adult actors as well, which makes for a really well-balanced show overall.

In some TV shows, it can seem like the kids' parents are strangely nonexistent, but in this show the parents are often just as pivotal to the plot as the adults, and Winona Ryder in particular plays a mom that you just can't help but feel for as she goes through an emotional roller coaster each season.

6. Its plot perfectly balances high-stakes drama and classic teenage tropes

Though there are many serious moments throughout both seasons of Stranger Things, it does take the occasional scene to remind the audience that it takes place with kids and high schoolers in the '80s.

I appreciate the scenes that depict teen parties, Dungeons and Dragons, the local arcade, or the A.V. Club meetings at Hawkins Middle School because they provide an essential breather between scenes of suspense. Otherwise, this show would be way too heavy to process in one sitting. Plus, the '80s were (supposedly) a simpler, happier time, so why not embrace that a few times per episode.

7. It wasn't afraid to explore major character development between seasons 1 and 2

I must admit, I was heavily in the "Steve is the worst" camp after season 1, and I really wasn't sure how/if the show would make him more redeemable in season 2. But I really love how his character transformed into a lovable mentor/babysitter for the kids, and how he somehow ended up completely intertwined with the season's main plotline by the end.

My opinion on him totally shifted for the better, but beyond just "the transformation of Steve," season 2 also featured more character depth for Dustin, Lucas, Eleven, Will... You get the picture. I cannot wait to see where the writers will take these characters in season 3, particularly the kids as they enter the big, bad world of an '80s high school.

8. Its most memorable scenes are enhanced by excellent song choices

These song choices tend to be both familiar and very relevant to the scene, as evidenced by the song "Every Breath You Take" that plays during the Snowball dance during the last scene of season 2 as the Mind Flayer hovers over Hawkins.

There are so many classic '80s songs like this one perfectly used throughout the series that immediately get my attention, yet don't distract from the action of the scene. Good music can really take a show from good to great, and the lovable '80s hits sprinkled throughout Stranger Things certainly help categorize it as the latter.

9. It alludes to topical themes without hitting us over the head with them

In this day and age, I find that many shows that claim to be "set in the past" often contain themes and dialogue that make it very clear that this show was written in our present political climate. That's fine, but I do like how this show addresses societal concerns, like "scientific" governmental testing and local law enforcement, without definitely having an agenda.

Not every new show or movie needs to explicitly mention modern political issues, and for that reason, this show is a wonderful escape.

10. Back to the kids for a second... their characters are not Disney Channel robots, but they seem like actual kids

I know I must sound old when I say this, but I feel like a lot of the kids on today's TV shows have really contrived, bratty dialogue, and thankfully there's really none of that on Stranger Things.

Sure, the kids mouth off to their parents occasionally, and yes, they're not speaking within the confines of a laugh track, but I do really appreciate how not every line they say is sassy or overacted. The kids on "Stranger Things" are smart and playful, but also goof off in a natural manner, which is a testament to the show's excellent writing and directing.

I could go on, but I'll save my energy for writing about Season 3, which I think is supposed to come out sometime in early 2019. Until then, I'll satisfy myself with watching some of the '80s movies I've never seen that this show references so I don't feel out of the loop.