No bad days

1. There are so many stories wherein the single mother keeps attracting “the wrong men.” Along with this, single mothers on screen partially take on the blame for attracting “the wrong men.” They do not do this to Joyce and Bob.

2. Bob Newby is in love with Joyce Byers, and this love and affection for her is not mocked. There are multiple instances of them being casually affectionate to one another, modeling positive adult relationships on screen.

3. Bob Newby shows genuine care and concern for Joyce’s children. He’s not just nice to them because he loves Joyce. He wants to include the boys into his life. He does family movie nights and gives advice. He accepts them as his own.

4. Bob Newby prioritizes Joyce and her children over his things and himself. He didn’t care that his video recorder was banged up. He cared about Will’s safety. He also actively put himself in danger to ensure Joyce and Will’s survival. 

5. We skip all of the doubt and disbelief in the narrative. Bob accepts the reality of the situation, no matter how bizarre and “crazy” it is. He does not mock Joyce or her family. He immediately does what he can to be helpful.

6. The boys talk about him after the incident at the facility. He’s not gone and forgotten in one second. Bob Newby is mourned and remembered as an influential person in Hawkins who paved the way for the boys. 

I loved this character not just because he was a really good guy, but because his character broke so many ridiculous tropes that just end up shaming families like Joyce’s for struggling through things. 

Gustav Klimt

Cottage Garden (detail) 1907