What hurts the most...is being sooooo close!
Sooooo....I'm not talking about Marvel...that's something right? Well not really...I will be talking about Marvel later in another post, but I'd actually like to talk about Teen Wolf briefly before I come back into Marvel.
Over the past month or so, while I was trying to finish up my Avengers Reverse Bang and research for the Cap/Ironman Bigbang (that'll be dropping out of)...I somehow found my way to the MTV (yeah you heard right) tv show called Teen Wolf. This was probably the first time in my life I got hooked into a fandom before I was even aware of the actual cannon of the show. I strictly blame tumblr and AO3, and I am still scratching my head at how the hell I actually ended up on the Sterek ship.
I think the tipping point for me was hearing about how two main male characters of the show (not the actual main lead but the major side characters) had so much chemestry and that the producer, Jeff Davis, would consider putting them together if he was convinced. Mount the other evidence of the cast being aware of Sterek, using the actual actors to bribe the fandom to vote for them for the Teen Choice Awards, and the seemingly possitive views...and well yeah, I thought these characters have an actual chance to become canon. What made it even more convincing was the fact Teen Wolf takes place in a world where being gay isn't such a big deal...just a part of life. Wow...how can you not jump on board?
I mean what a revolutionary idea. Two popular male characters who they don't have to worry about prejudice, just the complexity of thier personalities that the define them as a person and showing how these two seemingly diffrent individuals can play off of one another and help each other grow as a character. I've never seen that done before with the care and complexity it deserves. Seriously...the closest example I can offer is Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones from Torchwood...a British show. And then they killed off a good chunk of their fanbase by killing off Ianto...and the backlash was somewhat ugly. Then the producer of the show actually demeaned the fans and just called them a couple of "hysterical" women - yow...way to burn them. Sure they had another season of Torchwood on Stars, but seriously...I haven't heard of it since then...how is it doing or did it just die off? N E Ways...the point is that Teen Wolf has a unique oppurtunity to be represent something fresh and new. This hasn't been really seen on TV...even with Glee (that I don't watch)...the canon gay couple is...stereotypical (or so people tell me). Nope - Sterek is a concept that could pioneer new ground.
But...when I actually stepped into the fandom...and took a look around...saw where the producers and actors were coming from...well it sort of disheartening to see that Sterek wasn't where I thought it would be. I honestly don't know if Jeff Davis/the writers/the cast/ or anyone else who helps in the production of Teen Wolf fully understood what some of the fans were asking. The "ship" is more than it seems...sure you get the squeeing and the flailing...and what could be interperated as very passionate fans. But we are not just asking for just "homoerotica", "sex" or "bromance" between the two characters.
No, the nitty-gritty is we are asking you...are you brave enough to see the possibility that yes, two popular male characters can be bi-sexual, form a connection between themselves and have that blossom into a romantic relationship? Are you cutting edge enough to take a step in a new way of portray a couple that can be together based on who they are and not what's between thier legs? Can you show that not all gay/bi/trans people have to act a certain way or fit certain molds...just like how not all girls wear pink, or how all asians are super smart, or how all black people love fried chicken? Are you willing to entertain us with something new, deeper and emotionally gratifying...can you show us a world where this kind of love is possible?
Teen Wolf is one of the few shows that I think takes into consideration to what the fans would like to see. It seems closer to it's fanbase, and for a show that isn't on a mainstream network...but a network that is supposed to be edgy and new...supposed to call out to the younger generation....yeah...it's be more than awesome if they's take the chance. But at the moment...it seems they are shrinking back and falling on hetronormativity. Why? Because some interviewers keep asking when Stiles gets to kiss a girl? Because it's "normal"? Because it's safe? Because that's what's expected? No, what I call that is blindly frustrating since many of us believe it could be so much more...that eventually leads to fandom resentment.
I'm not saying Sterek has to happen within season 3 (though it's be nice) but having the seeds be there and then the actual follow through would be ideal. THAT is what we are asking....not a one night stand...a commitment. We are asking this be taken seriously and not just all of it being fans being crazy. If at the very least, I think the fans deserve a solid answer...none of this wishy-washy "fan service". Um no...that'll just further alienate fans if you don't actually deliver.
I guess the bottom line is....does Sterek have a chance or are you just side stepping us?
Over the past month or so, while I was trying to finish up my Avengers Reverse Bang and research for the Cap/Ironman Bigbang (that'll be dropping out of)...I somehow found my way to the MTV (yeah you heard right) tv show called Teen Wolf. This was probably the first time in my life I got hooked into a fandom before I was even aware of the actual cannon of the show. I strictly blame tumblr and AO3, and I am still scratching my head at how the hell I actually ended up on the Sterek ship.
I think the tipping point for me was hearing about how two main male characters of the show (not the actual main lead but the major side characters) had so much chemestry and that the producer, Jeff Davis, would consider putting them together if he was convinced. Mount the other evidence of the cast being aware of Sterek, using the actual actors to bribe the fandom to vote for them for the Teen Choice Awards, and the seemingly possitive views...and well yeah, I thought these characters have an actual chance to become canon. What made it even more convincing was the fact Teen Wolf takes place in a world where being gay isn't such a big deal...just a part of life. Wow...how can you not jump on board?
I mean what a revolutionary idea. Two popular male characters who they don't have to worry about prejudice, just the complexity of thier personalities that the define them as a person and showing how these two seemingly diffrent individuals can play off of one another and help each other grow as a character. I've never seen that done before with the care and complexity it deserves. Seriously...the closest example I can offer is Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones from Torchwood...a British show. And then they killed off a good chunk of their fanbase by killing off Ianto...and the backlash was somewhat ugly. Then the producer of the show actually demeaned the fans and just called them a couple of "hysterical" women - yow...way to burn them. Sure they had another season of Torchwood on Stars, but seriously...I haven't heard of it since then...how is it doing or did it just die off? N E Ways...the point is that Teen Wolf has a unique oppurtunity to be represent something fresh and new. This hasn't been really seen on TV...even with Glee (that I don't watch)...the canon gay couple is...stereotypical (or so people tell me). Nope - Sterek is a concept that could pioneer new ground.
But...when I actually stepped into the fandom...and took a look around...saw where the producers and actors were coming from...well it sort of disheartening to see that Sterek wasn't where I thought it would be. I honestly don't know if Jeff Davis/the writers/the cast/ or anyone else who helps in the production of Teen Wolf fully understood what some of the fans were asking. The "ship" is more than it seems...sure you get the squeeing and the flailing...and what could be interperated as very passionate fans. But we are not just asking for just "homoerotica", "sex" or "bromance" between the two characters.
No, the nitty-gritty is we are asking you...are you brave enough to see the possibility that yes, two popular male characters can be bi-sexual, form a connection between themselves and have that blossom into a romantic relationship? Are you cutting edge enough to take a step in a new way of portray a couple that can be together based on who they are and not what's between thier legs? Can you show that not all gay/bi/trans people have to act a certain way or fit certain molds...just like how not all girls wear pink, or how all asians are super smart, or how all black people love fried chicken? Are you willing to entertain us with something new, deeper and emotionally gratifying...can you show us a world where this kind of love is possible?
Teen Wolf is one of the few shows that I think takes into consideration to what the fans would like to see. It seems closer to it's fanbase, and for a show that isn't on a mainstream network...but a network that is supposed to be edgy and new...supposed to call out to the younger generation....yeah...it's be more than awesome if they's take the chance. But at the moment...it seems they are shrinking back and falling on hetronormativity. Why? Because some interviewers keep asking when Stiles gets to kiss a girl? Because it's "normal"? Because it's safe? Because that's what's expected? No, what I call that is blindly frustrating since many of us believe it could be so much more...that eventually leads to fandom resentment.
I'm not saying Sterek has to happen within season 3 (though it's be nice) but having the seeds be there and then the actual follow through would be ideal. THAT is what we are asking....not a one night stand...a commitment. We are asking this be taken seriously and not just all of it being fans being crazy. If at the very least, I think the fans deserve a solid answer...none of this wishy-washy "fan service". Um no...that'll just further alienate fans if you don't actually deliver.
I guess the bottom line is....does Sterek have a chance or are you just side stepping us?