Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) almost killed a fan-favorite figure during Stranger Things season 2, but the Duffer Brothers altered the plan. Debuting in 2016, the Netflix series has acquired an immense following with record-breaking viewership each new season. Production for the upcoming installment was underway when filming was halted due to the coronavirus shutdowns, and now the Stranger Things season 4 release date remains unclear.
Will has served as an integral character in the show’s first season. His disappearance at the hands of the Demogorgon set much of the plot in motion as he was trapped in the Upside Down. Even after young Will was eventually rescued, the side effects lingered. Not only was Will plagued by PTSD, but he also suffered from physical symptoms. In season 2, it was made clear that the master of the Upside Down, known as the Mind Flayer, chose Will as its new host. By infecting the boy, the Mind Flayer had the ability to control Will, including his brain functions.
At one point during season 2’s development, the Duffer Brothers considered a storyline that featured Will directly killing Bob Newby (Sean Astin), the love interest of Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder). The innocent store owner joined the follow-up season and quickly won over viewers for his goofy demeanor and good-natured soul. Bob ended up getting killed by Demodogs in Hawkins Lab during the season’s penultimate episode. The original plan had Bob’s death occurring much earlier, episode three of the season to be exact. The Duffer Brothers, however, just couldn’t pull the trigger when it came to Bob’s death.
Bob’s death was considered for Stranger Things season 2 in the episode titled “The Pollywog.” The episode featured a specific scene with Bob driving Will to school. The sequence was significant because Bob spoke up about his own fears in life, and in turn, shared a bonding moment with the son of his girlfriend. By this point, Will would have been already fully controlled by the Mind Flayer, and the boy was originally going to kill Bob during the car scene.
Instead, the cast and crew became attached to Bob, which was understandable due to the character’s likability. Whereas Barb was the symbol of innocence in season 1, Bob acquired that title for season 2. In time, the Duffers kept delaying Bob’s death since the character became more important to the investigation into Will’s condition and the existence of the Mind Flayer.
Unfortunately, Bob’s death was still inevitable, but by waiting, Stranger Things gave Astin a more memorable presence in the series. The death felt more impactful considering Bob already built a relationship with Joyce and the young characters, particularly Will. The Duffer Brothers ended up making a good call when it came to adjusting their original plan for Bob, as depressing it may have been to witness as a fan.
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