Steve Harrington (Stranger Things)

"She's only gonna break your heart, and you're way too young for that shit." (Stranger Things, "Chapter Six: The Spy")

Steve Harrington, played by Joe Keery, is one of the main characters in the Netflix Original Series, Stranger Things. In season 1, Steve acts as a bully with a redemption arc, however he returns in season 2 to act as a mentor and protector-figure to the younger children in the show.

A large problem with character arcs is that once they are completed, the character often becomes significantly less interesting (ex. Steiner from Final Fantasy IX). While Steve's surprising role in season 1 is worthy of note, as it breaks the convention of "douchebag unworthy-boyfriend bully runs in face of danger," his role in season 2 is considered to be his crowning achievement. His redemption arc was effectively completed in season 1, as he overcame both his fear and bullying nature in order to fight off the demogorgon. However, Steve is an example of a seemingly completed arc being expounded upon. Rather than taking a backseat in season 2, he steps up to be just as prominent a character as any other, travelling further down his path of growth by associating mostly with the younger characters. He acts as a protector and caretaker, seeming to genuinely care for and advise all of the children, both in matters of life or death, as well as romance and social lives. Steve is a great example of how, even once a character has gone through their initially intended course, they are still very open for further growth and development.