WARNING: There are HUGE Stranger Things spoilers below. If you haven't seen the show and don't want any plot twists ruined, read no further.
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One of Stranger Things' unlikeliest breakout characters was Nancy Wheeler's fiercely-loyal best friend Barb (Shannon Purser), who — much to my chagrin — was brutally dispatched near the beginning of the series after being dragged into the Upside Down by the show's resident monster. Though some have theorized that the character still lives despite the fact that we last saw her, um, dead, with a green slug-like-thing sliding out of her dead open mouth, Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers are now doing their best to put that talk to rest. When asked by IGN if Barb would be returning for the not-yet-announced-but-all-but-certain season 2, Matt Duffer had this to say:
“I can”t see it happening. But Barb will not be forgotten. We”ll make sure there”s some justice for Barb. People get very frustrated, understandably, that the town doesn”t seem to be really dealing with Barb. That stuff is all happening. We”re just not spending any screen time on it.”
He continued: “It”s not like her parents are like ‘Oh Barb left. She died!” Season One actually takes place over the course of six or seven days – it”s a really short period of time. So part of what we want to do with hypothetical Season 2 is to explore the repercussions of everything that happened.”
As for the show's true villain, Matthew Modine's abusive, probably sociopathic Dr. Martin Brenner, the Brothers teased the strong possibility that he will indeed play a part in Season 2, despite seemingly being dispatched by the Monster in Season 1's final episode.
“I would say that if we were going to kill Brenner… as an audience member watching the show, if that was his death, that would be very unsatisfying to me – when the monster jumps on him and we cut away,” said Matt Duffer. “He would deserve much more than that as an ending. So yes, there”s a possibility of seeing him again.”
Anyway, screw Brenner! Barb is the one I care about. And while I remain saddened that she won't have the opportunity to throw more perceptive, b.s.-calling glances at Nancy in Season 2, I take heart knowing that the aftermath of her tragic death will in some way be addressed when Season 2 rolls around (whenever that is). I need closure.