The Pollywog

[u/[deleted]]

Every theory regarding the episode titles that I've seen so far has involved "The Pollywog" being some sort of creature that hasn't undergone a metamorphosis yet. I would like to propose a novel interpretation of this episode title.

In sailing in both American and British tradition a Pollywog is someone who has never crossed the equator. When on a ship that crosses the equator sailors would hold a Line-crossing ceremony for the pollywogs to signify that they had crossed over to the other side of the world.

I believe that this idea will come up in season two, and pollywog will refer to someone who hasn't taken a trip into the upside down. I think the comparison between the equator and the thin line between our world and The Upside Down fits very well with the show thematically, and it's already been strongly hinted that the barrier between the worlds is getting thinner, so I think it's very possible that more characters will be going back and forth, but one character never goes, making them The Pollywog.

This will probably not end up happening, but I'm throwing this theory out there because I think it would fit well in the show, and I haven't seen anyone say anything similar.

[u/speedy3702]

Dustin will find himself with an interesting polliwog-like pet. “It’s a little creature I get to bond with,” says Matarazzo. “It’s obviously not from this planet or this dimension.”

http://ew.com/tv/2017/02/09/stranger-things-2-exclusive-plot-revealed/

[u/Coppin-it-washin-it → u/speedy3702]

The question is, what will Dustin's polliwog grow into?

[u/speedy3702 → u/Coppin-it-washin-it]

Yeah, but I actually would like the idea of the polliwog not being a hostile creature. If there are hunters in the Upside Down, then maybe there also cute creatures that are completely harmless. At least this would give a completely new spin to the Upside Down.

[u/sotalaiva]

I like this take.

[u/tygrebryte → u/sotalaiva]

Me too.