While searching for Will, Hopper tells Mr. Clarke that his daughter lives with her mother. The truth, however, is that she died from cancer, leaving a huge void in Hopper's life.

When Dustin boasts that he has the high score on Dig Dug, an arcade employee overhears and tells him that he no longer has the high score. In a panic, Dustin checks the machine, only to find that he's been beaten by someone named "MADMAX."

Joyce is employed as a retail clerk at Melvald's General Store. When her youngest son goes missing, she's given some time off, but she returns for christmas lights and a replacement telephone.

Eleven's real name is Jane. As a baby, she was stolen from her mother Terry Ives by Dr. Martin Brenner, who knew about Jane's special powers.

Eleven is first introduced to Eggo waffles the morning after the boys find her in the woods. Mike gives her a single Eggo for breakfast. When she is left stranded in the woods, she steals Eggo waffles from Bradley's Big Buy to keep from going hungry. After her disappearance, Hopper is able to find her again by leaving a box of Eggos in the woods.

When Mr. Clarke introduces Max, he says she just moved to Hawkins from California. Later, Dustin tries to impress her by using stereotypical '80s California phrases like "totally tubular."

After placing the creature in his turtle's tank and discovering that it loves Three Musketeers bars, Dustin appropriately names it D'Artagnan after a character from the novel.

While advising Will to stand up to his fears, Bob recounts how he was once traumatized by a clown named Mr. Baldo.

Working as a lifeguard at Hawkins Community Pool, Billy garners a lot of attention from older women, most notably from Karen Wheeler, Mike's mother. Billy invites her to join him for "private swimming lessons." Karen initially agrees, but changes her mind after seeing her husband Ted Wheeler and daughter Holly in his arms sleeping together on the couch.

Scoops Ahoy is an Ice Cream Parlor located in the Food Court of the newly-opened Starcourt Mall. Both Steve and Robin work there until the Mind Flayer's avatar destroys the mall, Scoops Ahoy included.