Even Bob’s death didn’t hit as hard in Season 2 as it could have if viewers had to really let it sink in.
Nobody remembers poor Benny from Season 1, but that wouldn’t be the case if there had been a break following his death.
Stranger Things has been known to pack in Easter eggs, and some moments, twists, and certainly cliffhangers could pack more of a punch if viewers had no choice but to wait and ruminate until the next episode.