Is Angela the worst character on 'Stranger Things'? Here's why teen bully deserves redemption arc
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Let's take a trip down memory lane when Cersei Lannister from 'Game of Thrones' was the best villain and the most hated character in the history of antagonists. Well, it seems like Angela (Elodie Grace Orkin) from 'Stranger Things' has replaced her. If you have watched the show, you might know how furious she made the audience by being a nuisance who created havoc in poor Eleven's life. To put it firmly, Angela had no characteristics that defined a proper show character, she was just put in to define the meaning behind "pure evil".
One might think that we are over-exaggerating, but we wish we were. The pranks that were played by Angela and her gang on Eleven were nothing but a mean elaboration of a life-threatening stunt. 'Stranger Things' stars Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in the lead.
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Angela's teen bully character deserves redemption arc
Steve Harrington was a charming, popular, and smug bully in the first two seasons of 'Stranger Things' till he had great character development in the series and turned into the mother of the group who loves babysitting the children clan. Angela is much more ominous than Steve ever was, and so there must be something really disturbing about her life that turned her ruthless.
From what we've learned watching TV shows is that every villain has their origin story, which is revealed at the end of the show or movie, so the audience develops a soft corner for them. What if Angela's behavior traits have a deeper meaning? And the reason she bullies Eleven is because of a trigger point? There must be a reason that the Duffer Brothers thought of introducing Angela to the 'Stranger Things' world and adding obstacles to Eleven's already disturbed life in California.
Villians are always misunderstood characters who are just looking for redemption. Billy's character in 'Stranger Things' Season 3 was one of the worst introductions, till he got a chance for redemption at the end of the season. Movies and TV shows are complex because of their characters and the role given to them. Each character has their own values and thoughts that make them who they are and which fuel the car of the story.
Was killing Chrissy's character a mistake?
There are many rising questions that thread the existence of the bully, Angela, and why she is the way she is. The Duffer Brothers goofed up a perfectly great character, Chrissy (Grace Van Dien) who could have been killed later and should have been given some time to grow and develop into a proper character instead of getting killed instantly in the first Season 4 episode. Although there is no chance to bring Chrissy back, there is still a window of bringing Angela back with a better storyline instead of being a rough-in-the-patch character with vileness.
In the thoughts of bringing justice to the characters of Barbara Holland, Billy Hargrove, and Chrissy Cunningham's death who the show lost without much screen time and investment in their story, the Duffer Brothers still have a chance to bring Angela back and give her the redemption arc that she deserves. 'Stranger Things' Season 5, should try to flesh out Angela - the bully rather than leaving her with a futile subplot that will slide under the rug later on.
