I really liked it, like...a lot. I haven't read any takes from any of you to avoid spoilers, so I don't know what the general response was to it. But here's mine:

1) I thought it was good, but the first couple episodes were a little tougher to watch then elsewhere in the series. The teen hormone angst got a little too much for me.
2) I don't think Hopper is dead. The little tease at the end implied something along that line. Additionally, I can't imagine they continue with the series without him. He's too pivotal a part for the series, IMO.
3) They really increased the gore factor in this season. It was pretty gruesome in some parts.
4) I'm curious how they are going to keep going with this without rehashing the same plot again. They played off of the whole cold war thing well in this season, even if it was a bit over the top with the cliche nonsense regarding the Russians. But I'm not sure where they can go from there. They can keep pounding the nostalgia drum, but it will only continue to be successful if they couple it with a compelling story.
5) It was only 8 stinkin' episodes!!!