Barb, Transparent

Barb (Tig Notaro)

Barb was a very minor character on comedy series Transparent, centering around the three Pfefferman siblings and their father, who was coming out as a transwoman.

Season 1

Barb was introduced in the second episode of season 1 as the wife of Tammy, who was the old college girlfriend of the oldest Pfefferman sibling Sarah. Tammy and Sarah had also started up their old affair again behind Barb’s back.

Barb, Tammy and their daughter Grace all spent some awkward time with Sarah, her husband Len and their children. Barb was only seen in small scenes, usually with Tammy and their daughter. In the fourth episode Tammy and Sarah decided to leave their spouses so they could be together and Barb was not seen again in the first season.

Season 2

Barb showed up for a couple of brief appearances during the second season. First in episode 1 when she was a guest at Tammy and Sarah’s failed wedding. Then in episode 3 when she runs into Sarah who is dropping off her kids at school. Sarah asks Barb out for coffee, but Barb was not interested in talking to Sarah. Later she is seen with her daughter, hanging out with Sarah’s ex-husband Len and their children.

Appearances:

• 5 episodes.

Female love interests:

• Tammy Cashman (Melora Hardin, lesbian, recurring 13 episodes, ex-wife)

Relationship story arc with a woman: No

No male love interests

Relationship story arc with a man: No

Male love interest after being identified as a lesbian? No

Filter Relationship Arc:

• None

Storyline during sweeps? No

[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.
[2] Sweeps episodes air in February, May, July and November, the periods when advertising rates are set. A character is marked as "sweeps" when there is a very limited number of episodes that address their sexuality, all air during sweeps period, and the storyline is otherwise ignore/dropped.