Monday Meta: Show vs. Tell
When the 3B episodes aired earlier this year, gifsets (courtesy of Qhuinn) released during airings became de rigur. During the episode /Illuminated/, the Teen Wolf tumblr posted this one (you all know which one), with the tag line "Discuss." As The Backlot's tumblr responded - we've been discussing it for years.
But the Backlot's assertion that, despite lobbying the first ball, Teen Wolf isn't ready to discuss the possibility of Stiles' queerness, is one that Teen Wolf has yet to respond to. This silence on the part of Teen Wolf and Teen Wolf social media on the subject of Stiles' sexuality has been the target of accusations of queerbaiting, and general frustration on the part of fans who want canon confirmation that Stiles is queer.
"Why do they continue to put it out there when they seem clearly not ready to deal with the consequences of it?" they ask.
The answer might be hiding in plain sight.
As many folks on tumblr are writers and storytellers of all kinds, one of the first rules you learn is to show, not tell. Don't tell me your character is interested in something, show me.
It is through showing that the possibility a queer Stiles is made visible. It's in the strategically placed silences, the unscripted facial expressions and tone of voice. We are shown, repeatedly, a character who has at least the potential for a more fluid and non-binary sexual orientation. Yes, we see his obsession with Lydia, but we're also shown his reactions to other characters outside of the heterosexual binary. Compared to other shows made for the same demographic--even airing on the same network--just showing gay men of color, drag performers, and canonically bisexual characters sets them apart in terms of progressiveness.
"But they could be better," people insist.
Absolutely. They could be. We want them to be. They might even want to be. And it is a perfectly reasonable response to be disappointed that they're not.
The silence from Teen Wolf on the subject of Stiles' sexuality might be disappointing, but silence leaves room for a response. Silence is not an explicit rejection and as such, is a possibility.
(image from above linked gifset)
It is in this silence, this space for discussion that operates outside of the Official Teen Wolf Polls on Facebook that limit Stiles' romantic options to one of two unfit but female options, that we as fans can see a tacit permission.
Discuss, MTV Teen Wolf Tumblr says.
(Because we can't), is what is unsaid.
That's okay, we're watching.
