So, werewolves. Yeah.

"Sterek all the way" -- Dylan (Pickles) O'Brien Lost in Sterek since October 1, 2013 in Columbus, Georgia.

[archer7808]

Op-ed: The Trouble With 'Teen Wolf'

Weak references to LGBT characters and story lines on TV aren't enough for Millennial viewers.

This warms my heart. Demonstrates the power of fans when truth is on our side.

[teenwolfwikia]

Teen Wolf Season 4 - lowest rated of all the seasons.

In Teen Wolf News this week we break it all down.

The final numbers show an -18.4% drop in the number of viewers from Season 3 to Season 4. There was also a corresponding drop, -16.7%, in the share of Adults (18-54) watching the show during its initial airing on MTV.

Of course Teen Wolf wasn’t the only show to see such a decline in the numbers this year. 

The Vampire Diaries Season 5

-15.49% in total audience

Arrow Season 2

-18.48% in total audience

Pretty Little Liars Season 5

-15.27% in total audience

Once Upon a Time Season 3

-16.33% in total audience

This brings me back to my original question - what are all the folks who used to watch all these Teen/Supernatural type shows watching now?

Teen Wolf News - http://bit.ly/1AzwWPi

[archer7808]

I'm not watching anything else in that time slot. Teen Wolf was the only reason I turned on my TV on Mondays. The quality of the show has declined and it has gone in a direction narratively that does not interest me due to character evisceration. So, I turned it off because there are other things to do.

[teenwolfgossip]

TVLine: I mean, crazier things have happened; this is Teen Wolf. Ryan Kelley: That’s actually a running joke on set. Whenever someone’s like, “I don’t understand why my character would do this,” or, “This feels awkward,” the director — or whoever — will be like, “Guys, this is a show about werewolves. Just do it.”

Source

[archer7808]

Right here, we have an example of precisely how the people behind Teen Wolf feel about the show. "This is a show about werewolves. Just do it." reveals a staggering attitude of the production staff toward the show.

Allow me to translate:

This director is essentially saying that the show if a puff piece used to entertain people who haven't the ability to discern between good and bad quality storytelling, so it doesn't matter whether or not what you're character is doing makes any sense because the viewers are too stupid to realize it doesn't makes sense. Now do the job you were paid to do and shut up.

So, there you have it Teen Wolf fans! The people responsible for the production of Teen Wolf have no use for integrity, cohesive storytelling, logic, or consistency because we are not an evolved fanbase.

Now we know why season four makes even less sense than the ones before. They. Do. Not. Care. About. Integrity. It's all a joke to them.

[colethewolf]

Thanks for the input - I would say though that you are overestimating the size of the "fandom". The entire “fandom” accounts for a small percentage of the overall audience. If the drop were just 8% to 10% I would give that to the fans - 17% suggests something else is going on. Beyond your personal animus - what do you think is happening in the general population?

It’s because Jeff is under the impression that the casual audience will just eat up anything he throws out. Sure, some casual viewers will. But the majority won’t.

The casual audience will get bored, and confused, and annoyed just like the rest of us here in the fandom. They can tell when a show isn’t living up to what it used to be, and they’ll turn away completely. They’re casual viewers. They have no reason to stick around if a show is no longer satisfying them. They’ll just find something else to watch. 

[themisterjerry]

The “fandom” played a huge part in giving them higher ratings in the first place…lets not kid ourselves here.  I’m sure all the negative pr/comments that have been online about this show have played a huge part in this.  No one wants to talk about this trash or be apart of it anymore.  Personally, they did it to themselves.  For me, it started with them calling me names:  Twisted, bizarre, weird.  I’ll never forget that.

[archer7808]

I will second Jerry here and say that I will never forget twisted and bizarre. Will never forget the Caitlin scene in 3b. Will never forget being used to win contests. Will never forget Posey's disrespect to a Charity. Ever. Will never forget being told that there is a proper way and an improper way to watch.

What went wrong beyond that with the show itself? Colethewolf's diagnosis may not have been as even tempered as I may have put it, but he nailed it. The show lacks narrative structure, logical character development, and a consistent mythology. Audiences are left to fill in gaps with theory and that is just poor storytelling. Plot elements are left unfinished, leaving plot holes through which you could fly a 747 jet and not disturb the edges.

[teenwolfgossip]

[paintedlandscape]

Please note that the rapidly falling red line is the current season of Teen Wolf, the one that the majority of my dash (and apparently of the viewers in general) has given up on watching. This week’s episode was supposed to be the big lead up to the extra-long finale, and I was fully expecting it to rise in the ratings, as nearly every season has done in the final two episodes. Instead, it’s the second lowest rating of the entire show, with that big yellow dip being a season 1 anomaly.

So, Teen Wolf and Jeff Davis: this is what happens when you completely mangle the tone and characterizations in your show and then tell your loyal, passionate, free marketing powerhouse fans to fuck off. We do.

[soldieronbarnes]

#you gave us a fuck you we just gave you a fuck you back#enjoy ~pleasing yourself~ with your writing all by yourself#you could have had an amazing show completely different from everything else and thats not afraid of being it#but you decided not to#and decided to /use/ your show’s fans when it was convenient and then just treating them like shit#you had it coming#so at the end of the day you’re just getting what you deserve#its sad because this show used to make me really happy and you turned everything related to it into absolute shit#and just made me despise everything that it is now#so have fun#hasta la vista (jensensackles)

[reliel123-deactivated20141125]

Seriously y’all need to chill out

[reliel123-deactivated20141125]

What really upsets me about this post is the sheer arrogance in believing that you as a fan can have a say in how these things work like you are some all mighty god for television shows and the creators /writers must fear you just because a subset of the fandom (which I belonged to) fabricated this ridiculous notion that the show and creators have been “using” them and have been offended by that is laughable as if one part of a fandom has so much power I mean the arrogance of that mind set is baffling and on a side note so what if they “used” you the moment you started watching the show you were being used to put money in their bank anyway you weren’t special you weren’t important you were a viewer and that was it these numbers on a graph don’t mean much of anything to jeff davis or mtv because if teen wolf does get cancelled the only one who will be hurt by it will be the fans who still love the show and don’t go looking for any excuse to flame it on tumblr the writers, crew, actors all of those who are involved with the show will just move on and those of us fans who love the show for what it is will suffer from the stupidity and arrogance of you assholes.

[archer7808]

What mystifies me is that anyone thinks the Sterek fanbase has the power to drop TW's raitings by nearly 1.2 million viewers from the series high or nearly a million viewers since S4 premiered. The fanbase is blowing off a little steam and they are allowed. If you want to blame anyone for these ratings, then look elsewhere.

We tried to point out the weaknesses of this show and were dismissed. We tried to explain that confusing plots, inconsistent mythology and incongruous logic was going to bring this show down. They told us to stop watching. Jeff told us that he wrote the show to please himself, which is fine if your Quentin Tarantino. We fought for this show! Wanted it to improve, begged them to address the plot holes. And we were hand waved.

Thanks to the PR team, Jeff Davis, and all TPTB the love we once had for this show has soured. Even so, there is nothing that any of us say or do here on Tumblr, or any other social media, that would have resulted in the cratering of TW's ratings. That fault lies with the creative team.

So what plot holes you may ask? Let's stick to this season and see if you can answer these questions.

How is Braeden alive after having her throat torn out by Duecalion?

Why is Braeden not a werewolf (or other werething) when Kate is? They were both killed by the same means.

After spending 9 years as a wild animal, how is Malia a functional teenager in High School?

Why is Derek "The bite is a gift" Hale not the least concerned that his wolf is gone? Why has no one else been concerned until Deaton? It's only life he's ever known and he just peachy about it. Why?

How was Derek Deaged?

If Kate survived, then who did they bury in her casket?

How is a decades-old computer able to send text messages?

How was a school built over an underground vault without said vault being discovered when they ran the sewer lines? And how is the access method through the school sign when it was built last century?

If Derek is worth millions of dollars, then why live in an abandoned train station or the burned out shell of his former home?

Why did Derek and Laura leave that vault unattended, with millions of dollars in it, for nearly a decade? You may have to be a Hale to open the door with claws, but a backhoe doesn't care about such things.

Where are Danny and Isaac?

Let's look further back.

Did Derek ask Ennis to bite Page or was it really Peter?

How did Cora survive the fire? And why didn't she seek out her siblings instead of heading to South America... at EIGHT YEARS OLD?

Many of these issues can be addressed with a simple line of dialogue. So why not do that?

These are the things the fans wanted addressed and fixed for the health and long term survival of the show. They didn't listen. The ratings have dropped because viewers don't even know what show they are watching anymore.

Jeff recently stated that he doesn't like too much structure because it impedes the creative process. You know what else lack of structure impedes? A cohesive narrative, which, as it turns out, impedes ratings.

So let the fanbase blow off some steam.

[teenwolfgossip]

1.29 wow, been hoping for it all season but damn. They had it coming, they only have themselves to blame~! XD

[notanotherteenwolfpodcast]

(x)

[archer7808]

This is not the Derek I know and love. Would rather see him killed off than for him to no longer be a werewolf or in that contrived, laughable mess that's supposed to be a relationship.

[sarcasticalpha-deactivated20170]

The Babes

[archer7808]

Why does Colton look like he knows something we don't? Check out that expression!

[tilneyhale-blog]

In the end, Teen Wolf is a show that has a confusing canon, not enough character development, new characters that don’t serve any purpose, no LGBT representation, a fanbase that’s too smart for the show, and TPTB that want to act as if everything is awesome.

Why Are Teen Wolf Season 4 Ratings Slipping?

(via killstiles)

While there is some LGBT representation, it isn't substantive. The characters are all background without actively contributing to the plot and largely defined by their sexuality, entirely defined by it in Danny's case. Although representation at all is a net good, the quality of that representation is not progressive. It should be called what it is... tokenism.

[bearded-fuckup]

We’ve got Malia’s birthday and she’s 13 yo in canon (I think that it’s 2012 in TW universe rn). You tried TW, you tried!

[magess]

LOL. Props Lady strikes again. But hey, maybe we can salvage the month and day as legit.

[howlinattheimpala]

I think the more pressing issue is that according to this “Malia” is her last name. Her given name is “Baby”.

[hales-emissary]

Oh my god, I can’t stop laughing

[darachmoon]

Kudos, Jeff! Kudos

A round of applause to Jeff Davis who managed to confound a whole fandom. I tip my hat :)

[mgbarron-deactivated20171027]

All he did was steal from Agatha Christie - make your audience think a character is dead when they aren’t, faked their death.  That is just lazy writing since there were no clues whatsoever to allow you to figure it out.

[archer7808]

But The Show Isn't About LGBT Representation

Those who defend the lackluster portrayal of LGBT characters in Teen Wolf often say things like, “The show isn’t about LGBT representation!” or “Not every show has to represent gay people.”

Substitute the word Black, Asian, or Woman/Women for gay or LGBT in the above phrases and let us know how it tastes in your mouth. The thing is that if a storyteller intends to include a character identified with a given group, then that character should be an accurate reflection of that group. It shouldn’t be reduced to a token or a stereotype or a combination of the two. If a storyteller limits that character to a stereotype or relegates that character to the background, then the character’s existence is probably designed to get attention and nothing else. The author is saying, “Look, I have this type of character! Come check it out!”

When evaluating a character’s value in a narrative, we must ask “What does this character bring to the table? In what way is the story enhanced by this character’s existence?” One way to evaluate the strength, meaning, and purpose of a character is to ask “Can this story be told without this character?” In regard to the character of Danny, the answer is yes. Danny is not essential to the narrative of Teen Wolf. He is therefore a token and the strength of his characterization is weak. That his character is one dimensional is proof of this. He only existed to walk into a scene specifically written to point out his gayness, then exit the scene.

This kind of storytelling is often called pandering, because, you know, it is. Pandering is a gimmick. Gimmicks are used in creative works to generate interest, especially bad creative works. The author is saying that they have so little confidence in the strength of their work that they need to deploy tricks to sell their product.

Posey has praised the show’s inclusion of LGBT characters on numerous occasions, even claiming that said representation has “almost saved lives.” Don’t worry, I did a double-take as well. How does “almost” saving a life count as something good? He recently included “being gay” in a list of things that the show is about. There is nothing in Teen Wolf that could be considered even a glossing over of what it is like to be gay.

A story set within a contemporary framework must be socially conscious if it is to be relevant. That is, if the story is to resonate – to connect with its target audience – then it must be a reflection of the daily experiences of that audience. Homosexuality and associated issues is imminently relevant in our society. To ignore it is irresponsible, to reduce it to a punch line is reprehensible, and to cast it to the background is backward. For all that TW is praised for its progressiveness, it is only a facade. Not only for its treatment of the LGBT community, but for its portrayals of women and people of color. Lydia stripped of her strength and confidence, reduced to mewling damsel in distress. Braeden’s potential was snuffed in favor of hitching her to Derek, her only narrative function now to advance his arc. His story could have been advanced in any number of ways, but the writers chose to take a strong female character with tremendous potential and subordinate her to Derek. Why? Because sex sells and gender norms still govern our society. And that brings us back to Danny, who is entirely constructed as a sexual being. No substance.

The rules for television are not the same as those for movies or books, which are snapshots taken at particular moments in time within a particular society and presenting a particular point of view. Television shows are ongoing and must deal with socially relevant subject matter if it is to endure. It must reflect the experiences of mothers, fathers, teenagers, sons, daughters, students, men, women, African Americans, and other people of color. LGBT representation is a part of that, too.

[archer7808]

The Walking Dead: Is Daryl Dixon Gay? Robert Kirkman Comments On Daryl’s Sexuality

During the course of four seasons of The Walking Dead on AMC, there has been much fan discussion [...]

[archer7808]

Charlie Carver to Play James Franco’s Ex-Lover In 'Michael'

'The Leftovers' star joins 'Michael'.

[teardropfires]

In which Meagan Tandy is a bigger Tyler Hoechlin fangirl than all of us. (x)

[colethewolf]

She really needs to take a fucking step back, my god. All she does is talk about how hot he is. It’s really off putting. Like, there’s a difference between how fans on Tumblr talk about Hoechlin’s attractiveness, and then actually working with the guy and talking about how hot he is and how excited you were to make out with him? Seems really unprofessional. 

I don’t know. I feel like if the roles were switched, and if Hoechlin just constantly talked about how hot Meagan is and how he was excited to make out with her, and that’s all he talked about, people would call him a creep. Yet, it’s okay for Meagan to do it with every chance she gets?

[archer7808]

It is stunning that we as fans accept the constant sexualization and objectification of Tyler Hoechlin by this woman. By any female, for that matter, considering if a man went on like this at every opportunity it would be seen as predatory. Indulging in a behavior as a group because it has been done to you as a group does not validate that behavior, nor does it immunize you from criticism or absolve you of wrongdoing.

What Tandy consistently engages in here reinforces a double standard. It is shameful, unprofessional, and not a thing to be encouraged. Tyler is a good man with a heart of gold. Let's talk about that instead, OK? If for no other reason than out of respect for the man. We all know how uncomfortable he gets when people mention his appearance.

[colethewolf]

"It deals with going through puberty, sex, your first love, death, being gay. It just tackles everything kids go through, only with entertaining aspects."

Tyler Posey on why people keep tuning into Teen Wolf every year. [x]

Like, why must he? He’s probably a cool person, but I’m so sick of the writers, and even some of the cast members constantly bringing up how Teen Wolf tackles “gay” on the show. As if they actually do something.

When has Teen Wolf EVER tackled the topic of what it’s like being gay? I mean, if you count how the gay people are shoved into the background on the show, and only shown partying in gaybars or having sex, then yeah, I guess that is an accurate description of what being gay is like, ACCORDING TO MEDIA. ugh.

But really. So tired of the pats of the back for this non-existent “progressive” shit. When will they fucking stop?

(via colethewolf)

What Teen Wolf shows of homosexuality is in no way an accurate depiction of what it is like to be gay. Jeff Davis defines all the LGBTQ characters that have appeared on the show by their sexuality. They have no other function than to enter a scene, display their sexuality then exit the scene.

For anyone to conclude that this is a positive portrayal is a mistake. For those of us who are LGBTQ, Jeff's depictions reinforce a stereotype whereby we are reduced to sexual creatures and little else. It is a damaging image imposed by heterosexuals that many LGBTQ youth internalize in such a way that can damage one's self image. What Jeff Davis does with his depictions of gay youth does more harm than good.

Jeff, stop defining LGBTQ characters by their sexuality. You should know better (as should Posey)! While you're at it, kindly stop defining female characters by the men they are sleeping with.

Jeff's attitudes toward gay youth and women on display in his writing is backward, retrograde, and not in the least progressive.

Wake up, ladies and gays. Demand better.

[not-the-alpha]

Tyler being very diplomatic about his frustrations with the Teen Wolf writers. 

“We come up with ideas sometimes because it’s never explored on the screen that my character probably went through THIS and that’s why THIS means something to him. And then 12 episodes later, they address that point in time and they have a completely different story for it. So you’re like ‘Oh. Okay. Well, it still works but now I have to change the overall story of the character.’“