| “ | Without you, we can't win this war. | „ |
| ~ Sam Owens to Eleven. |
Dr. Samuel "Sam" Owens is a major character in the Stranger Things franchise. He is the doctor put in charge of Hawkins Lab after Martin Brenner and was assigned to treat Will Byers' episodes, eventually discovering the Upside Down's expansion and becoming the only scientist to side with the main characters to stop Vecna's plans and working to restore Eleven's powers.
He is portrayed by Paul Reisier.
His Good Ranking[]
What Makes Him Admirable?[]
- He spent his time in Hawkins Lab trying to prevent the Upside Down from spreading.
- He holds sessions with Will Byers to evaluate his health, and make sure his readings are normal.
- He seems to be genuinely concerned for Will, and wants to make sure he is comfortable when speaking to him.
- He admits his predecessors were nefarious and refuses to become like them.
- He is nice towards Jonathan and Nancy and gives them a valid point on why the Upside Down must remain a secret.
- He yells at the scientists to stop when realizing Will is also hurt when the Upside Down Vines are burnt.
- He is the only scientist to try and find a way to disconnect Will from the Hive Mind and refuses to begin the burning while he was still connected.
- He sounds an alarm to warn everyone when the Demodogs enter the lab.
- He stays behind to guide Bob through the lab.
- He is convinced by Hopper to help Eleven have a normal life.
- He provides a Birth Certificate for Eleven, making her Hopper's daughter.
- On Hopper's request, he allows Eleven to go to the Snow Ball with her friends.
- He responds to Hopper and Joyce's distress call about the Soviets and a new gate.
- He helps the Byers Family relocate to Lenora Hills, California.
- He wanted to help Eleven get her powers back.
- He refuses to tell Jack Sullivan infornation about Eleven.
- He intercepts the police vehicle carrying Eleven.
- He berates Brenner to taking it too hard on Eleven and states he only worked with him to help her.
- He wants to tell Eleven the truth about One.
- He expresses distaste for Brenner's brutal honesty.
- He respects Eleven's choices, unlike Brenner and even helps her when she decides to leave.
- He schedules a trip for Eleven to Hawkins and asks a contact to check on Max.
- Even when shackled and defenseless, he refuses to give Eleven up to Jack Sullivan.
- He asks Sullivan not to kill Eleven, and even tries to make a deal with him so he can spare her life.
What Makes Him Inconsistent?[]
- He is too deceitful for NPG, as he secretly recorded all of his sessions with Will, reassures Joyce and Hopper that Will is alright, even though it's clearly not the case, and keeps the accidents at Hawkins Lab covered up instead of giving the families closure.
- He is not incorruptible as he works with Dr. Brenner, and it's hard to believe he could be swayed by a man who is so obviously a brutal and inhumane villain. Although this is a minor prevention as he only works with Brenner so Eleven can get her powers back and he's very clearly unhappy about working with Brenner.
Trivia[]
- As his fate is left ambiguous in the finale, it is speculated that Owens was killed by Sullivan. If this were proven to be true, it would make him more admirable, as he didn't betray Eleven, even at the cost of his own life.
- However, if he did survive his encounter with Sullivan, there is a chance his status could change if he returns in any future spin-offs.
External Links[]
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 Inconsistently Admirable
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The Party Hawkins National Laboratory Hawkins Residents | ||
 Inconsistently Admirable
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Animated Features Anime Live-Action Features Animated Television Live-Action Television See Also | ||