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Stranger Things literally manages to astonish its viewers! Usually, when a character is thought to be just a supporting one, the storyline makes you eat your words!
This shift does not necessarily come with a grand proclamation or a big moment. In some cases, it is just one decision, which quietly reveals to the audience a different side of the character. One such moment is depicted in Stranger Things Season 1 through Steve Harrington.
The character becomes more interesting and complex as the story unfolds, and the creators give him an important role to play. The episode does not focus on him, but his story arc and the actions he takes during this period definitely indicate a turning point.
After this moment, Steve's character begins to change, leading viewers to perceive him differently and providing an explanation for his continued significance.
Opinion disclaimer
This is a subjective analysis of character development in Stranger Things. All the details are taken from the on-screen events and verified production details. Critical comments represent narrative analysis.
Steve Harrington's role in Stranger Things
So, when Stranger Things first introduced Steve Harrington in Season 1, he was not shown in a very positive way. To put it more simply, he was just Nancy Wheeler's boyfriend, full of himself, socially powerful, and yet mostly emotionally very reactive and careless.
His interactions, and particularly with Jonathan Byers, make him look more like an arrogant and immature person than a bad one. The character's image is in line with the general trend on TV, and besides, Stranger Things offers no hint in the early stages that Steve could turn out to be more than a short-term conflict creator.
Context of Season 1, Episode 7: “The Bathtub”
Stranger Things Season 1 Episode 7, “The Bathtub,” is practically giving authority to the central plot. The episode shows the group building a sensory deprivation tank with the help of Eleven to locate Will Byers and Barb in the Upside Down.
Steve is not a principal character in the episode's main plot; however, the events around this point in the season are critical to his character. Episode 7 marks a turning point in the narrative, both for the main plot and for Steve's personal journey.
Steve’s choice and its narrative importance
Steve makes an important decision: after he has walked away from Nancy, who is in a difficult situation, he later comes back to help her and Jonathan. This action is done quietly and without any effort to deny his previous conduct.
What makes this moment important is not the amount of time it occupies on screen but the time it happens. In a season where everyone has to deal with their fears and responsibilities, Steve’s coming back is a sign of a change in his interaction with others. It signals the start of a change in behavior rather than a finished transformation.
Why is this moment widely considered to be the beginning of salvation?
In Stranger Things, redemption is seldom depicted as an immediate pardon. Steve's choice to assist does not erase his past errors or heal his connections immediately. The problem is still there, particularly between Steve and Jonathan.
This moderation adds to the moment's reliability. The series permits the development of Steve's personality through his actions, rather than through his words. Although the episode itself does not clearly state it, many viewers see this era, focused around Episode 7, as the beginning of his redemption arc.
Inside information from the Creator’s notes
One of the aspects of Steve Harrington's character arc comes from the creators of the show. The Duffer Brothers have, in fact, mentioned in interviews that the character of Steve was originally planned to be killed at the end of the first season. However, it was later decided to keep him alive and continue developing the character.
This decision made at the production level offers a crucial background. It was not a foregone conclusion that Steve would survive, thus making his gradual development feel impactful rather than unavoidable. The creators have not connected this change to a precise episode on screen, but the transition does match Steve's character becoming more prominent after the first half of Season 1.
Shifting audience perception
The perception of Steve Harrington by the audience changed as Stranger Things moved past the 7th episode. The viewers, by and large, were responding to his taking the responsibility and getting involved in the situations that posed real risks.
The change was gradual. It was developed through different episodes and seasons later on. The initial choice of going back to help Nancy and Jonathan set the stage for that change, even though at that time it was not recognized as a defining moment.
Steve’s role in later Seasons of Stranger Things
In the next seasons of Stranger Things, visibly in different ways, Steve's character continues to develop. He is more protective, especially towards the younger characters, and more aware of the impact of his deeds. These traits are built gradually rather than being introduced suddenly.
Moreover, Stranger Things does not portray Steve as a perfect character. He is still unsure of himself, impulsive at times, and his fear is very much evident. This consistency strengthens the notion that his improvement is due to the hardships he goes through rather than to the writer's/plot's convenience.
The continuing importance of Episode 7
Even without making Steve the main character, “The Bathtub” is still significant for the comprehension of his story. It denotes a season turning point where characters start taking actions that are indicative of responsibility and engagement instead of avoidance.
For Steve, this time represents the change from passive watcher to active performer. The series doesn’t announce this change; it lets it happen slowly, relying on the viewer to notice the difference over a period of time.
The difficulty of letting Steve go now
As the story of Stranger Things goes on, Steve is becoming more and more a part of the ensemble. His relationships are the ones that connect the different character groups and the emotional tones of the show.
Although the producers have given no indication of Steve’s long-term fate, the difficulty of imagining the series without him stems from narrative consistency, not sentimentality. His presence on screen mirrors the decisions that were made on the screen, beginning in Season 1.
The character of Steve Harrington in Stranger Things is saved not by a single episode with a spotlight on him. Rather, it starts very discreetly around the middle of the first season, and Episode 7 gives narrative context instead of explicit framing. His resolve to come back and assist is the beginning of a significant transformation.
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Steve's storyline is proof that Stranger Things lets characters grow without having to alter their history. It is this measured approach that makes his journey still relevant, and why, once the transformation starts, it seems less and less possible to let him go.
Also read: Eleven will face her hardest challenge in Stranger Things series finale, explored in-depth
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