Barb will get justice in the second season of Stranger Things
The show's creators haven't forgotten about its other major victim
It's happening. The justice we craved for at the close of season one of Stranger Things looks set to be delivered in season two.
If you're still yet to watch the binge-worthy Netflix show, we suggest you turn away now before ruining several major plot points for yourself. Really.
While every heart in the small town of Hawkins appeared to break when Will Buyers went walkabout, no such anguish appeared stirred by the loss of Barbara Holland.
Will got search parties, a school service of remembrance, the works. Barb? Nothing. Nada. A general response of "Who? Oh that quiet girl who used to hang out with Nancy! I thought she moved..."
We had mused over whether Barbara would return for season two, if she might cross back over from the world of the Upside Down like Will - but alas, she's gone. Really gone. The show's creators Matt and Ross Duffer have been talking to IGN about the fate of poor Barb.
Asked about whether Barb would return, Matt Duffer replied that he couldn't "see that happening" - however:
"...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.
"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."
But Barb won't be the only character to receive some much needed justice: Dr Martin Brenner, the show's mysterious antagonist, met with an altogether vague end in the climax of
Barb isn't coming back, however...
Asked about whether Barb would return, Matt Duffer replied that he couldn't "see that happening" - however:
"...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.
"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."
But Barb won't be the only character to receive some much needed justice
Dr Martin Brenner, the show's mysterious antagonist, met with an altogether vague end in the climax of the season. Was he killed by the demogorgon? Did he escape? Matt Duffer had this to say:
"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. He would deserve much more than that as an ending. So yes, there’s a possibility of seeing him again."
Oh Matt, you tease.
While there's no official confirmation from Netflix of a second season for Stranger Things, all these nudges and winks would have us hoping it's only a matter of time before we're back in the quaint town of Hawkins.
