Sometimes it feels like this blog has become a Sterek blog, and
while that’s not entirely a bad thing, I feel like maybe I should explain…
Sterek is not the only reason I watch Teen
Wolf. As strange as it might sound,
there are actually a whole bunch of other reasons to watch this show that have
nothing to do with slash. So before you go dismissing this show as nothing more
than a fangirls wet dream I have decide to give you 10 other reasons to watch Teen Wolf.
10: It gets better.
You know what I always say – don’t judge a show by its pilot and
shows like Teen Wolf are the reason
for this rule. Teen Wolf should have
sucked, it’s an MTV show based on a crappy 80s teen comedy and it was clearly
only commissioned to cash in on the whole vampires/werewolves romance craze. In
the first episode, and even the first season, you can see the show struggling
with this legacy and trying to find its niche. But by season two Teen Wolf has shown it’s true colours and
they are magnificent. It’s so much more than just a Twilight knock off, so push past the teen romance, Scott’s
stupidity and the ridiculous prosthetics because soon enough you will find
yourself asking how an MTV show could possibly make you feel this much.
9: Teenagers that act like
Teenagers
Okay so they’re prettier, and wittier, than your average teen but
they still act like kids which is not something that you see that often on
America television. They make stupid choices that have actual consequences and
they quite often want to run to their parents for help (not until they have
made a bunch of stupid mistakes first of course). They have sex, without it
being a big deal, no magic first times here, just good old-fashioned teenagers
humping anything in their path. They use condoms and not in an afternoon
special way, in a I’m a teenager having sex and condoms are a given kind of way.
They drink but it’s not an ‘issue’ that needs to be fixed, it’s just something
that happens. It’s just incredibly refreshing to watch.
8: Eye Candy
I know I’m supposed to be giving you non-hormonal reasons to watch
this show but it would be impossible not to point out the fact that this cast
is hot! Like 3rd degree burns, someone call the fire brigade, hot!
Seriously what are they feeding them at MTV? It’s like pushing on a bruise, it
hurts but in a good way. And it’s like the male cast members are allergic to
shirts – I mean if they are wearing a shirt at the start of a scene there is a
75% chance they will take it off by the end. If that’s not your thing, there
are also some seriously sexy ladies in this program and while they aren’t naked
as often as the guys you still get to see a fair bit of flesh. Yes we all like
good plot and interesting characters but it doesn’t hurt to have something nice
to look at as well.
7: Supporting Characters
The main characters on Teen
Wolf are fantastic (yes even Scott – trust me wait till season 2) and it
would be super easy to rely on stereotypes for those in background. Teen Wolf doesn’t fall into this trap,
and the supporting cast are some of the most interesting characters on the
show. First off there’s Danny, whose just your average nice-guy jock that also
happens to be a computer genius (oh and he’s gay). Then there is Bobby
Finstock, who could be just a caricature of the stupidly mean coach, but
somehow becomes more – he’s also one of the funniest characters on the show.
And that’s just a couple of examples – trust me this show will defy your
expectations on every level.
6: The Parents
In the same way that the teenagers act like teenagers, the parents
of Teen Wolf act like parents but
they also manage to be 3 dimensional characters as well. On teen shows, parents
are usually relegated to the role of villain (they just don’t understand) or
wise yoda (I hate it when they’re always right). Teen Wolf avoids this trap. The parents are parents, they worry
about their kids and we don’t get to see much of their lives outside the family
(the show is called TEEN Wolf after
all) but they still managed to be some of the most dynamic characters on the
show. They have to deal with the real world consequences of their children’s
mistakes and Teen Wolf shows this
without alienating it’s teen audience. Seriously, if by the end of season 2 you
are not in love with one of these parental figures there’ s something wrong
with you.
5: Inclusiveness
You should never watch a show simply because they include queer
characters or POC (crap shows that are ‘inclusive’ hurt more than they help) but
it certainly doesn’t hurt if a good show has them anyway. Yes, the majority of
the cast are white, and most of the characters are heterosexual (or at least
not explicitly stated otherwise) but Teen
Wolf presents a world that is a hell of a lot more inclusive than were used
to. These kids aren’t outside of societies prejudices but it just doesn’t seem
to matter to them (I mean they have other problems like werewolves)… and it’s
just really nice to see a show where race and sexuality are not ‘othered’.
Tyler Posey, who plays the lead is mixed race and as I said above there is a really
cool gay character that everyone just accepts (heck the guys shower and change in
front of him) – and the best part is, it doesn't get preachy. It’s nowhere near perfect, but it's still nice.
4: Watercooler (WTF)
Moments
Whatever else I say about Teen
Wolf, it’s important to remember that it’s Summer TV, so it’s all about
making you talk. They do this through those moments that have you screaming
“what the hell” at the television screen and in this regard Teen Wolf does not disappoint. Seriously
pretty much every episode of Teen Wolf
will leaving you staring at the screen in astonishment before reaching for your
smartphone so you can express your emotions to the whole of the Internet.
Whether you’re after creepy, adorable, awkward or sexy Teen Wolf will definitely give you something to discuss around the
watercooler come Monday morning. Remember, a good TV show will always make you
talk, and if you start watching Teen Wolf
you probably won’t talk about anything else.
3: Dynamic Female
Characters
By dynamic I don’t just mean likable or strong (I hate that term)
what I mean is that the women on this show are interesting – just as
interesting as the men. For a show with a male lead (and a predominantly male
supporting cast) this show has some of the best female characters on TV at the
moment. Allison is so much more than just the romantic interest – which is
essentially what her role was at the start of the series – and while you might
not like her she’s certainly fun to watch. Then there’s Lydia – I could spend
hours discussing everything that is amazing about Lydia but it’s best if you
discover it for yourself. All I will say is don’t judge a book by its cover.
There are also some really cool (as much as I hate them) female villains. While
these female characters are far from perfect they are certainly a step up from
what we’re used to, especially on this kind of show.
2: Jeff Davis is a gift
Really I should know better than to buy into the whole showrunner is
god phenomenon and I try really hard not to but it’s impossible not to love Jeff
Davis. He seems to get fandom and not in an ascended fanboy kind of way because
I don’t think he’s a fan himself, but he respects and acknowledges our opinions
without caving to them. There is a fine line between a showrunner that
understands what the fans want but knows that its not always what the show
needs, and one that just caters to whim of whatever fandom is the loudest (I’m
looking at you Ryan Murphy). It seems strange but it’s Jeff Davis that makes
the Teen Wolf fandom such a fun group.
Because while the fans might want different things, they all respect that Jeff
Davis will make the right decision for the show… and that is a rare gift.
1: Stiles
I know I’ve gone on and on about the characters on this show, but
trust me there is a reason Stiles get’s his own heading. When you first start
watching Teen Wolf, and it dawns on
you that you’re actually watching an MTV show about teenage werewolves, there
is one thing that will keep you watching and it’s Stiles. Stiles is the best
friend, the human sidekick, the comic relief, which is not uncommon on these
type of shows, but there is something about Stiles that makes him so much more.
A lot of it has to do with Dylan O-Brien’s performance, seriously remember that
name because you are going to hear so much more from him. But he’s also just so
well written, he’s sarcastic and funny but there is so much depth to the
character, even from the first episode. All you need to do is watch one episode
and you too will fall under Stiles spell, only then will you understand what
I’m talking about.
That’s it, that’s all I can do short of coming to your house,
strapping you to a chair, taping your eyes open and forcing you to watch this
awesome show… and I really don’t want to have to do that, so I think it’s best
you just watch it.
If you do decide to watch it I would love to hear from you – come
back and tell me of your Teen Wolf
adventures. And those of you that have already joined the Teen Wolf cult, why not share your stories in the comments below.
Why did you start watching Teen Wolf?
What makes you keep watching?
