'Stranger Things,' 'Strange New Worlds' rousing resolutions

June 30 and July 1 were some rough streaming viewing days for fans as the ninth episodes of “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” Season 1 and “Stranger Things” Season 4 bid final farewell to a pair of fan-favorite characters.

As much as I miss them both, and as much as I’m trying not to spoil too much of either episode, I feel like other TV shows and movies could glean storytelling lessons from these two characters’ deaths.

In two franchises dominated by their fictional histories and recurring characters, this season’s sacrificial lambs stood apart for being newcomers with no prior onscreen connect...