10 Sci-Fi TV Shows That Wasted Great Characters
3. Barbara (Stranger Things)
It seems that even now, so many years since the debut of Stranger Things, fans are still talking about the show's lack of love for Barb. This unfortunate girl was unceremoniously kicked out of the now huge Netflix series, and viewers are far from being over it. It's one of the most infamous cases of making a great character, then killing them off too soon.
So, what made Barbara Holland so special? Well, in this show full of monsters and young teens, she was easily one of the most relatable characters. Her caution, kindness and general lack of confidence made it easy to root for her and gave Nancy a supportive figure to lean on. What did she get for all that? Murdered by a Demogorgon, that's what.
It's easy to see how Stranger Things could have utilised this character better. She could have been a big asset to helping the central cast navigate The Upside Down and still had so much more to give. Plus, her intense and sudden popularity (lest anyone forget the Justice For Barb movement) just showed how much of a missed opportunity she was.