Stranger Things has always rewarded long-term viewers with interesting callbacks, subtle continuity threads, and relationships that evolve slowly across the seasons, and the latest stretch of episodes does just that with Caroline Elle Abrams’ Tina Turnbow. For seasons, viewers have been curious about Erica Sinclair’s (Priah Ferguson) much-discussed but unseen best friend Tina. With Stranger Things season 5, volume 1, the show finally delivered.
For years, Tina existed only through throwaway comments, but those mentions built a persistent idea that she mattered more than the series initially suggested by keeping her off-screen. With Tina’s introduction during Stranger Things season 5, it’s clear that her presence has a deeper meaning than anticipated by those who saw her character as more of a throwaway piece of Erica’s.
Tina’s introduction highlights the show’s commitment to treating the Sinclair siblings’ experiences with the same attention usually given to the Hawkins core group, making her arrival feel both overdue and impactful. While Tina’s introduction to Stranger Things on screen wasn’t necessarily a pleasant one, it was nothing short of memorable for viewers who have long wondered more about the character.
Stranger Things Season 5 Finally Introduces Erica’s Best Friend, Tina
She’s Been Mentioned Since Season 2
Stranger Things’ Tina Turnbow smiling at Erica across the table.
Although Stranger Things season 5, volume 1 was focused on laying out the show’s stories in order to wrap them up in volume 2, getting the chance to see more of Erica was an exciting treat on its own, and bringing Tina into the mix was even better. Confirming that Tina isn’t just a background name-dropped for comedy, Stranger Things was able to flesh out her character.
While Tina has been mentioned throughout Stranger Things’ run, it felt clear that the show wouldn’t be delving further into Erica’s life in a way that would bring her apparently gossipy friend into the mix. Instead of continuing to push that detail off to the side, however, Stranger Things saw Erica bring a piece of her life into the larger plan of taking down The Demogorgon.
Erica’s Friendship With Tina Hilariously Pays Off In Stranger Things Season 5
Their Biggest Moment Shows Off The Series’ Humor
Although Erica’s friendship with Tina has long been an off-screen piece of the plot, the final season of Stranger Things pulled out the stops when it came to introducing a character that Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) has been shown to be wary of. While Erica may not always be the most saintly of characters, either, seeing Tina in action didn’t disappoint.
The payoff of Stranger Things viewers getting the chance to meet the ever-illusive Tina in a way that was chaotic and unhinged was well worth the wait. Erica’s staged apology and last-second meal with the rest of the Turnbow family, which saw them passing out as the drugged pie hit their systems, along with Tina’s refusal and Erica’s desperate measures created a funny, frenzied moment.
Source: Stranger Things/YouTube
Release Date
2016 – 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix
Showrunner
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Directors
Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Andrew Stanton, Frank Darabont, Nimród Antal, Uta Briesewitz
Writers
Kate Trefry, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Jessica Mecklenburg, Alison Tatlock
