When Stranger Things first began, Steve Harrington was the high school jock who began dating Nancy Wheeler. He did some questionable things initially but soon transformed into an unexpected hero.Steve wasn't related to any of the Hawkins kids, but he treated them like he was. He helped them, protected them, and was a team member no matter what came. Here's how his transformation in Stranger Things is the most unexpected one.Steve Harrington's transformation in Stranger ThingsAt the beginning of Stranger Things, Steve Harrington was the popular and entitled boyfriend of Nancy Wheeler. He hung out with friends who brought out the worst in him. When he found out Jonathan had secretly taken non-consensual photographs of Nancy through a bedroom window, including intimate pictures of her undressing, Steve broke Jonathan's camera. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostHe let his jealousy take over him multiple times and wasn't a supportive boyfriend to Nancy when she was going through a hard time due to her best friend, Barb's, death. Nancy felt extremely guilty over Barb's death and wanted to tell the Hollands the truth. But Steve didn't want her to do that because it would put their families in danger.His redemption began towards the end of Stranger Things Season 1 when he recognized his own shallow behavior, let go of his toxic friends, and tried to make amends with Jonathan. While Steve was a jock on Season 1, and had a certain high school social status, he got replaced by Billy Hargrove in Season 2. That helped him find a new purpose.He also gradually formed an unexpected, wholesome dynamic with Dustin Henderson. Steve took Dustin under his wing and was like a brother to him. Eventually, Steve became a protective, self-sacrificing figure, taking beatings from Billy and fighting off Demodogs to keep the younger kids safe. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostInstead of running away from danger, we saw Steve jump into the climax of multiple seasons. He has fought Demogorgons and Demodogs, with his nail-spiked baseball bat innumerable times, proving that he has indeed changed for the better.As Steve transitioned out of high school and started working minimum-wage jobs (first at Scoops Ahoy, then at Family Video), we saw his ego gradually go down. Steve also became more emotionally intelligent, knowing how to handle difficult situations.Besides Dustin, Steve also developed a close bond with his coworker, Robin Buckley. When Robin came out to him as gay, Steve was surprised but happy for her nonetheless. High school Steve might have mocked and bullied her, but the evolved Steve did not.By Stranger Things Season 4, Steve became someone who held the team together. He cracked jokes, took care of everyone and his bond with the kids earned him the nickname "babysitter". Steve took the biggest risks when required and never hesitated when he had to dive into a hellish lake, lead the charge into the Upside Down, or put his life on the line for his friends.Steve started off as a character one would hate but ended up becoming a hero no one saw coming.Stranger Things is streaming on Netflix.For more articles like this, follow Soapcentral.