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10 reasons Barb on Stranger Things is the best TV sidekick ever

By Brittni Miner

Credit: Stranger Things - Curtis Baker - Netflix
Credit: Stranger Things - Curtis Baker - Netflix /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Actors (L-R) Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, and Shannon Purser attend The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. 26592_010 (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TNT)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 29: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been shot in black and white. Color version not available.) Actors (L-R) Natalia Dyer, Joe Keery, and Shannon Purser attend The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. 26592_010 (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for TNT) /

2. She keeps you grounded

Once Nancy starts dating Steve, things begin to move quickly for her socially.

Steve takes her into the popular crowd. She hangs out with his friends at lunch, after school, and even goes to an exclusive “cool-kid” party at his house. As a result, she even starts to act like them. For instance, she skirts her parents’ house rules to drink beers and get wild at Steve’s party.

Barb—sweet, ever-patient Barb—kindly reminds her of her nerdy-kid roots. She’s not pushy at all. “You better still hang out with me, that’s all I’m saying,” she teases Nancy. Her line “if you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol. . .” sounds a whole lot like “remember the little people.”

Barb does a great job at keeping Nancy plugged into her youth. As much as Nancy argues with her mom and wants to be treated like an adult, Barb is there to remind her to stay grounded and enjoy being a teenager.

I almost typed “enjoy being a teenager while you still can,” but the wounds are still too raw. You were taken from us too soon, Barb. Your example and early death, however, serve to effectively sober Nancy up and remind her that life isn’t all about being cool or popular.

When Nancy realizes Barb is missing, we can see her distancing herself from the “it crowd” almost immediately. She remembers who she was and focuses her attentions on finding her friend than pursuing stupid new friends.

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