Not long after fans finished watching Season 1 of Netflix's smash sci-fi hit STRANGER THINGS, the #JusticeForBarb hashtag was born. The reason for this was that many fans had identified with Barb (portrayed by Shannon Purser) and had felt that her untimely demise on the program deserved more attention.
In commenting on the Barb sensation that dominated the internet for several week's after the show's debut, David Harbour had told TV Guide that, "We has no idea how much she would take off.. I mean, the hair, the glasses, the blouse, the 'is that a new bra,' the judgement – all that, it is so wonderful when it was put together, but we had no idea she would take off in the way she did."
The fact of the matter is that the STRANGER THINGS team had not anticipated that Barb's character would take off in such a big way. Unfortunately, David Harbour says that no one should get their hopes up for a Barbara resurrection in Season 2. That being said, the STRANGER THINGS star has said that her character will indeed be honored and paid the respect she deserves in the second season.
In speaking with TV Guide, Harbour stated that, "Barb is clearly dead. But as a result, I think, of some of the fandom and also as a result of what we want to explore, justice for Barb is a big thing in Season 2. Barb was not given the justice she deserved in Season 1 because we were focused on Will (Noah Schnapp) and saving a child, but so we've realized from the fans that Barb is important, and so we are going to treat her with the respect that she deserves."
Personally, I found myself to be rather divided on the whole #JusticeForBarb movement. While my wife is a big Barb fan, I found her to be something of a good-hearted narc. In all fairness though, I've been that nervous friend at "private parties" while growing up, and it was never a welcoming position to be in. As my opinion stands, I certainly don't think that Barb deserved the grisly death she'd received at the razor-sharp teeth of the Demogorgon.
STRANGER THINGS Season 2 premieres October 31st on Netflix.