Stranger Things' Pagie holding a pie in the doorway of her friend Tina.Netflix
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Cher Thompson
Published 45 minutes ago
Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recapStranger 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
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Stranger Things
10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed TV-14 Drama Mystery Horror Science Fiction 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
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Eleven looking into an opening of the Upside Down with pink light in Stranger Things season 1
Jim Hopper (David Harbour) grabbing Jonathan's (Charlie Heaton) shoulders in Stranger Things season 1©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Eleven with cables all over her head in Stranger Things season 4
Vecna looking towards Will in the trailer for Stranger Things season 5 (2025)
Max and Eleven in Stranger ThingsNetflix
Stranger Things season 2, episode 2 "Trick or Treat, Freak".MovieStillsDB
The Upside Down in Stranger Things season 5Courtesy of Netflix Close
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