Overview
- Episode 2 arrived early on Oct. 31 for Halloween, with the regular HBO broadcast set for Nov. 2 and weekly installments leading to a Dec. 14 finale.
- The new hour broadens the mythology with a Cold War military thread and a crossover appearance by Dick Hallorann that ties the series to The Shining.
- Warner Bros. Discovery says the premiere drew 5.7 million U.S. viewers in three days, placing the show among HBO Max’s top three series debuts.
- Opening credits showcase deep Stephen King references, pointing to Derry’s violent past and signaling future timelines the creators plan to explore.
- Early reviews praise the scares, production design, and adult performances, while noting sluggish pacing and blunt treatment of 1960s social themes.