The Mind Flayer, the penultimate episode of “Stranger Things” second season, featured the passing of Bob Newby.
Season 2 of "Stranger Things" introduced Bob (Sean Astin) as Joyce Byers' (Winona Ryder) boyfriend. Bob was frequently at the Byers home, where he tried to be a father figure to Joyce's sons Jonathan (Charlie Heaton) and Will (Noah Schnapp), in addition to working at the neighborhood Radio Shack.
Of course, his information enabled Joyce, Hopper, and Will's friends to help the Mind Flayer that took control of Will's body. Bob bravely gave himself up when things got really bad so that the others would still have a chance to survive. He was supposed to be killed off much earlier than the hospital scene in "The Mind Flayer," where his "Stranger Things" death actually happened. The Duffer Brothers, who created the show, had plans for Will to murder Bob in the third episode of season 2 rather than being killed by the Demodogs. After the Mind Flayer completely took over Will's body, Bob was supposed to become a victim while driving the boy to school.
The big demise kept getting postponed due to Astin's likeability and significance to the season's plot. However, since Bob was the first significant character to die in the show, viewers were heartbroken to say goodbye to him.
Who portrayed Bob Newby on "Stranger Things"?
In the second season of "Stranger Things," Sean Astin played the role of Bob Newby. The actor Sean Patrick Astin was born in the United States on February 25, 1971. He was adopted by actor John Astin and is the son of Patty Duke, an actress.
His filmography includes performances as Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003), Mikey Walsh in The Goonies (1985), Billy Tepper in "Toy Soldiers" (1991), Daniel Ruettiger in Rudy (1993), Doug Whitmore in 50 First Dates (2004), Bill in Click (2006), Lynn McGill in the fifth season of 24 (2006), Oso in Special Agent Oso (2009–2012), Raphael in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012–2017), and Bob Newby in "Stranger Things" season two (2017).
He has won numerous honors, including two Young Artist Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Additionally, for the short film Kangaroo Court, he received an Academy Award nomination in 1994 for "Best Live Action Short Film."
Why did "Stranger Things"' Bob have to die?
The Duffer Brothers briefly considered extending Bob's life beyond "Stranger Things" season 2. As was expected, the audience strongly supported Astin's character, especially given his sense of underdogism.
The Duffer Brothers eventually realized that, for the sake of the story, they had to stick with their original strategy. Bob was always intended to be a one-season character who made an impression on the others. In season 3, Ryder's character needed to go through grief before she could open her heart to Hopper, even though Joyce and her family had already endured enough suffering. Will also felt guilty because he lost a father figure in an incident for which he was unwittingly responsible.
Thankfully, Astin wasn't taken aback by Bob's "Stranger Things" death when he was chosen for the role. The actor who had initially tried out to play Murray Bauman was informed that Bob wouldn't make it through season 2's events. Even though the character is no longer present, the series hasn't forgotten about him. Bob appeared several times in flashback scenes during "Stranger Things" season 3.
What else happened in the S02E08 of "Stranger Things"?
The majority of the scientists were killed when the Demodog pack attacked the lab. Mike persuades Joyce to sedate Will after learning that he is a monster spy and wants to stop the monsters from finding them. Will's lifeless body is taken to the lab's security room, where Mike, Joyce, Hopper, Bob, and Owens barricade themselves from the creatures. When the lab's power goes out, Bob offers to reset the circuit breakers so that everyone can leave.
When Bob's plan is successful, Mike, Joyce, Hopper, and Will are able to flee. Owen sticks around to help Bob find the door. But in front of Joyce, the Demodogs attack and trample him to death, breaking Joyce's heart. Nancy, Jonathan, Steve, Dustin, Lucas, and Max come to the survivors' aid and bring them back to the Byers' home.
The group speculates that the Mind Flayer wishes to spread into this universe and that killing it will kill all the creatures connected to it—including Will—and is desperate to exact revenge on the shadow monster, whom Dustin realizes is equivalent to the "Mind Flayer" in Dungeons & Dragons. They are able to get in touch with the real Will using Morse code, and he gives them the order to "close gate."
After locating them, the Mind Flayer dispatches the Demodogs to pursue them. One of the creatures suddenly crashed through the window as the others closed in and landed dead on the ground. Following the automatic unlocking of the door, Eleven enters after eliminating the other creatures, and the episode ends.
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