Stranger Things: Why Bob Was Killed Off So Early
Bob Newby was a viable candidate to receive a multi-season arc in Stranger Things, but the character was killed early for a justifiable reason.
Bob Newby was a viable candidate to receive a multi-season arc in Stranger Things, but the character was killed early for a justifiable reason. Played by Sean Astin, Bob appeared throughout season 2 of the Netflix sci-fi series. Despite his innocence and extreme likability, Bob's presence on the show was short-lived since he was killed in season 2's penultimate episode. While some viewers would argue that he was taken off of the series too soon, his story was actually expanded compared to the original plan.
Bob was introduced in Stranger Things season 2 as the boyfriend of Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder). Aside from spending time working at the local Radio Shack, Bob was often at the Byers residence where he attempted to act as a father figure to Joyce's sons, Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Will (Noah Schnapp). The character wasn't a force to be reckoned with as was the case with Chief Jim Hopper (David Harbour). Granted, his knowledge helped Joyce, Hopper, and Will's friends assist in the Mind Flayer's possession of Will's body. When the situation became dire, Bob bravely sacrificed himself so that the others could have a chance to make it out alive.
Even though Bob's death occurred in the hospital sequence in the episode titled "The Mind Flayer," the character was meant to be killed off much earlier. Rather than be killed by the Demodogs, the series creators, the Duffer Brothers, had plans for Will to kill Bob in season 2's third episode. While driving the boy to school, Bob was supposed to become a victim after the Mind Flayer completely possessed Will's body. Astin's likability and importance to the season's story kept delaying the big death. That said, viewers were heartbroken to say goodbye to Bob, seeing as he was the first major character to be killed from the show. To some, Bob's death happened too early, but the Duffers had an understandable reason for the decision.
The Duffer Brothers Always Had A Plan To Kill Off Bob
For a brief time, the Duffer Brothers toyed with the idea of keeping Bob alive beyond Stranger Things season 2. As predicted, viewers adamantly rooted for Astin's character, especially because of his underdog nature. In the end, the Duffer Brothers knew that they had to stick to their original plan for narrative reasons. Bob was always meant to be a one-season figure that left his mark on the others. Joyce and her family had already suffered enough, but Ryder's character needed to experience was meant to experience grief before opening her heart to Hopper in season 3. Similarly, Will carried a sense of guilt since he lost a father figure in an event that he was involuntarily responsible for. In following the arc, the show also effectively developed a character that far exceeded expectations in terms of bravery.
Thankfully, Bob's death didn't hit Astin by surprise when he was cast in Stranger Things. The actor, who originally auditioned to play Murray Bauman was informed that Bob wouldn't survive the events of season 2. The character may no longer be around, but he hasn't been forgotten in the series. Flashback footage featured Bob multiple times in season 3, and there's always a chance for more past sequences to feature the character before the show comes to a close.
