Chapter 7 – The Bathtub
Last chapter left us with Lucas breaking up the group and going on a solo mission, Nancy and Jonathan in trouble with the law, Joyce and Hopper continuing their investigation, and Elle reuniting with Dustin and Mike after saving them from certain death at the hands of bullies. Quite a ride! We also saw Dr. Brenner leading a search party in pursuit of Elle.
We open this chapter with Elle and Mike in the basement bathroom. He’s helping her clean up from her night in the woods, and she’s suddenly insecure without her wig.
Undeniably falling hard for her, Mike assures her that she doesn’t need it. Hold onto him, Elle, you don’t always find a man who appreciates short hair.
Ah, young love.
Just as he’s telling her how happy he is that she’s home, he leans in for a kiss, but is interrupted by Dustin, who has breaking news.
Perfect timing, sir.
All three run over to the radio where Lucas is trying to get through. They can barely understand him but get the gist of his call: the bad men are coming.
Mad Men?
Mike and Dustin run upstairs to peek out the windows where they spot the infamous mustachioed “repair man.”
Mike’s mom is on the phone, attempting to get to the bottom of the Nancy/Steve situation, but he interrupts her. He’s trying to ask whether or not there’s supposed to by any utility work done on the house, but she’s not really understanding the preteen flurry of chaos around her.
I’ve lost total control of my children.
Dustin has been continuing to peer out the windows, and witnesses a fleet of vans rolling up, making eye contact with one of the men inside. Spooked by this, he shuts the curtains and grabs Mike, insisting they leave immediately. Amidst their chaotic exit, Mike tells his mom to say he left the country if asked.
They quickly exit through the basement with Elle as all the men begin to pour out of the vans and start to pursue them on foot.
That’s a whole lotta fake utility men.
They’re led by Dr. Brenner, who makes eye contact with Elle for a second before Mike and Dustin begin to pedal away. The men get back in the vans and begin to tail the kids with more urgency, and they’re all of to the races!
Dustin has a headset on and is talking to Lucas, who shortly joins the group. They’re going as fast as they can, but eventually get cornered by vans coming at them from both directions. In a miraculous, utterly bad-ass move, Elle charges her powers at the oncoming van, causing it to stop and fly over their heads and crash behind them, blocking all the other vans.
So. Effing. Awesome.
The kids pedal away as Dr. Brenner looks on, half in awe, half pissed off.
Soon they arrive back at the junkyard (scene of Lucas flying through the air), and it’s finally time for him to come to his senses. He apologizes to Elle, shakes Mike’s hand, and the gang is officially all back together. Woo hoo!
Good to have you back, Rambo Jr.
After the opening credits, we see Joyce and Hopper pulling up to the police station. Confused, and in a hurry, Joyce bursts in to find Jonathan, demanding that the handcuffs on him be removed.
Enough with the cuffs!
Hopper agrees, and wants to speak to him in his office, but Jonathan says he won’t believe him. Geez, you guys, think of all the progress you could make if you all team up and share your knowledge!
Back with Mike’s mom, she’s still disoriented, and heads to the basement to look for Mike. Clearly she hasn’t been down there in quite some time, as she’s shocked to find Elle’s hobo shelter complete with a lock of wig hair.
Blonde moment.
Upstairs the doorbell rings, and Dad is in no rush to answer the incessant dinging. The Mrs. joins him as the door opens, revealing the notorious older woman (of CPS and Indiana AV Club fame), Dr. Brenner, and a gaggle of other lab folk.
Trick or treat.
Soon they’re crawling all over the house, as Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler look on. They go through the basement, finding D & D paraphernalia and Elle’s infamous tee from Benny’s diner.
Upstairs at the table, the woman is interviewing the Wheelers, showing them a picture of Elle. Dad is flabbergasted at the thought of a girl willingly spending time with his son, and they both agree that if an extra child had been in their house, surely they’d know.
Parents of the year.
The woman won’t tell them what Elle has done, and Dr. Brenner soon replaces her to slip in some of his infamous sweet talk. He may as well be a cult leader with the effect he has on people. He asks them to trust him, which the Mrs. agrees to.