Not much is known about Stranger things Season 5, but I’m hoping the conclusion of the popular Netflix show will bring back the Demogorgon’s first victim: Barbara Holland. Although Barbara (Shannon Purser) wasn’t a major character on the show, her death in episode 3, “Holly Jolly,” had a major impact on her best friend Nancy Wheeler. actually, Her sudden death contributed to the larger mystery surrounding Hawkins National Laboratory in season 2. There is currently no release date for Stranger things Season 5, but it is believed to debut sometime in 2025.
A photo of the principal Stranger things Cast was uploaded to the official of the show Instagram In January, announcing that production for the final season has begun. The Stranger things Instagram Also revealed that filming was halfway done as of July 3. This post included a group photo of the cast and crew. Notably, Purser is absent from both of these shots, suggesting her lack of involvement in the show’s final season. however, I believe season 5 will bring back Barb Because of how important she is to Nancy’s story.
Stranger Things season 5 needs to bring back Barb for an entire scene
Barb’s death sparked the Hawkins “curse”
Although Barb died early in Stranger things season 1, Her death created a ripple effect on HawkinsEven more so than Will Byers’ disappearance. The impact of her death was primarily explored in season 2, when her parents – unaware of the true reasoning behind their daughter’s death – launched a private investigation into her whereabouts. This influenced Nancy and Jonathan Byers to expose Hawkins National Laboratory as the cause of her death. However, while this revelation gave Mr. and Mrs. Holland closure, it did little to absolve Nancy of her guilt.
Unfortunately, Barb’s death was a minor event in the Stranger things Timeline. She was mentioned briefly in Stranger things Season 3 After the debacle at Starcourt Mall in the season finale. Similarly, in season 4, after the gruesome death of Chrissy Cunningham in episode 1, a Hawkins resident revealed that It was a city-wide theory that Barb’s death was the catalyst for the Hawkins.Curse.” Despite the consistent references, Barb’s death is treated as an afterthought. She needs a full scene to honor her in the upcoming final season.
Barb’s death remains a huge part of Nancy’s Stranger Things story
Nancy still feels guilt over Barb’s death
in Stranger things Season 4, Episode 7, “Vecna’s Curse,” Nancy was possessed by the titular villain. Because of Vecna, Nancy was taunted with A vision of Barb’s mangled corpse In the upside down version of Steve Harrington’s swimming pool, where Barb was originally killed. Vecna weaponizes Nancy’s feelings of guilt and grief, claiming that she is responsible for Barb’s death and has effectively forgotten about her best friend.
Although Nancy has continued to live her life without her best friend, “Vecna’s Curse” revealed that she is still deeply scarred by it.
This season 4 moment was a clear confirmation that Barb’s death remains a key part of Nancy’s story. Although Nancy has continued to live her life without her best friend, “Vecna’s Curse” revealed that she is still deeply scarred by it. It would be fascinating to see Nancy embrace and reconcile her feelings for Barb. I also want to see her unpack her own role in the event. This would be even more powerful if Purser reprized her role During stranger things’ Last season, much like Dacre Montgomery did with Billy in season 4.
Barb’s Stranger Things season 5 return is more important to Nancy’s story than her love triangle
The show needs to resolve Nancy and Barb’s story first
A greater focus on Nancy’s feelings about Barb’s death would make a Much more compelling season 4 story than the revival of Nancy, Jonathan and Steve’s love triangle. Season 4 sets up yet another will-they, won’t-they subplot between Nancy and Steve. Once Jonathan Byers and the rest of the Lenora Hills team returned to Hawkins, the long-distance couple seemingly reconciled, pushing Steve back to the sidelines. However, a behind-the-scenes photo uploaded by Ross Duffer showed Nancy and Jonathan sitting in the backseat of Steve’s BMW.
Although Steve is not pictured, this image suggests that the love triangle involving him and Jonathan will be at the center of Nancy’s season 5 story. That territory has already been covered, and it’s woefully uninteresting compared to the Barb storyline season 4 set up. Barb’s return in Stranger things Season 5 would be a better use of Nancy’s character arc. Furthermore, if the foreshadowing of Steve’s death comes to fruition, it would be Better if Nancy fully confronted and reconciled with the grief of one friend Before facing the potential loss of another.
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