This Tumblr Thing.

Been crying on and off since I found out.

Bonus:

RIP Anthony Stewart Head. </3 Every scene he played as Rupert Giles was iconic.

You will be dearly missed. 🩷

Thinking about how her going from the token shy girl who fakes a stutter to get out of socializing to a brazen diva-type who craves attention could have been beautiful if they'd explored it. She feels unloved and unappreciated, but doesn't know how to say so because she's spent her entire life avoiding socialization; not only does she not know how to address it, but she's built her persona around being quiet, so she can't speak up without losing her "Tina." So she does what any insecure teenager would — imitates the successful / popular girls by adopting their diva mannerisms, but because it's not natural to her, it comes off as awkward and unlikable rather than a cry for help.

Thinking about how her sudden wardrobe switch reflects this perfectly. She's been reduced to the gothic Asian introvert rather than a talented & multi-faceted individual, and her ditching the clothes that once made up her identity could be an attempt at a fresh start. This is reinforced by the direction she takes with her clothes, i.e. styling her hair like leading lady Rachel and favoring similar dress styles to alpha-bitch Santana.

Thinking about how the running gag that she ~ always falls for gay men ~ could be further indicative of her low self-worth. She's convinced nobody could ever love her, so she only falls for those she knows she can't have / won't reciprocate as a way of shielding herself. (Brief aside: some psychologists think this is part of the reason why celebrity crushes are so common!)

Thinking about how her sudden "must propose to Mike Chang ASAP" could be one of two things: a) her pent-up feelings of worthlessness finally exploding after seeing her friends go on to lead seemingly great lives, causing her to latch onto the one time she felt really seen and loved, or b) an attempt at going back to the authentic Tina, the down-to-earth one we'd seen in the first three seasons, after she realized trying to be someone she isn't won't earn the respect of a group who never appreciated her, anyways.

Thinking about how her ending up with Artie, if rather abrupt, is a great way of showcasing their growth: they started off together, broke it off, grew, and returned to one another as changed, improved people.