Eight Celebrities I Fell For in 2013

This year, like all that have come before it, had its ups and downs. But there is one that remains constant… my uncontrollable hormones. Every year I add to the ever-increasing list of people I am a little bit in love with, despite the fact that we have never met. While I don’t completely buy into the myth of celebrity, I am quite happy to play the game and I’m always willing to indulge a fantasy. So before we reach 2014, I thought I would take a look back at all the people that have captured my heart over the last 12 months (it’s not ten because I only have so much love to give).

Fangirl Confessions: Teen Wolf Saved My Life

That might sound a tad dramatic but if you’ve got a moment hear me out. Anyone that knows me, or reads my blog regularly, probably knows the story of how my love affair with Teen Wolf began. I was hungover after my dad’s birthday party and in a moment of weakness I decided to give that stupid MTV show about teenage werewolves a chance. What you don’t know is that at the time I was planning to commit suicide.

Trigger Warning: Suicide, Depression

Talking Teen Wolf: Cause of Death - Tyler Hoechlin in a Bathtub

Okay so here’s the thing, I had this week’s Talking Teen Wolf all written up and ready to be posted, then someone decided it would be a good idea to post a picture of Tyler Hoechlin in a Bathtub and I ceased to function for about 48hrs. I realized I have a tendency to exaggerate my emotional responses to Teen Wolf related things but seriously, I’m pretty sure my heart stopped. Now that I am somewhat functioning again, I am ready to talk about Teen Wolf, so let’s do that.

Talking Teen Wolf: Everything is Werewolf Brothers and Everything Hurts

Why is it always drama, drama, drama in the Teen Wolf fandom? Oh right because we are a bunch of people that all care way too much about fictional characters. Drama comes from passion, when you get that many passionate people in the same place talking about the same thing, tempers are bound to flair. Anyway there is a lot to chat about this week, mainly all the questions people have been asking me over my hiatus that I have been too lazy to answer. But I am lazy no more, so let’s talk about Teen Wolf.

Talking Teen Wolf: Preparing to Lose My Mind

Hi guys, it’s been a while but as promotions are back in full swing I thought it was time to start talking about Teen Wolf again. Now I know 3A was a little lackluster but when I love something I tend to latch on and never let go, so I’m still uber excited about 3B! Plus one of the main issues with 3A was that there was a disconnect between the main characters and the villains - 3B seems to be all about the darkness, which we know is directly connected to the big three (Scott, Stiles and Allison). So that’s a step in the right direction at least! Anyway let’s get ready to Teen Wolf!

WARNING: Spoilers run rampant!

Something Resembling a Review of Thor: The Dark World

Thor was actually my favourite of the first wave of Marvel movies – and not just because of it’s blatant objectification of Chris Hemsworth’s beautiful body (although that helped). So I was super excited to see The Dark World and I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed. While the sequel is not quite as good as the original, it was still incredibly enjoyable. In fact I would go so far as to say that I enjoyed it more than Iron Man 3.

Fangirl Confessions: I believe in Rose Tyler

While Star Trek always had a strong female following, and the rise of the Internet in the 1990s had created an increasing number of female dominated fandom spaces, Doctor Who was definitely a boys club. But that all changed in 2005, because of an ordinary shop girl called Rose Tyler.  

A Shipping News Special: The Destiel Dilemma and Other Communication Problems

So it seems it finally happened - the good ship Destiel was sunk for good (or not depending on who you talk to) and a number of you asked me to talk about it. But I’m not going to, not really. Let’s face it everything that could possibly be said about this has already been said and I will link you to what I think are the best discussions at the end of this blog but first I want to talk about the problematic assumptions that played an important role in this and many other events like it.

Let's talk about Glee, baby: Goodbye Finn, Goodbye Glee

Those of you that have been with me since I started blogging a couple of years ago will know that I was once a full on Gleek. I loved Glee - well when I say I loved Glee I mean I liked Season 1, fell in love with the characters and then had my heartbroken repeatedly as it went down the toilet. It was never really my primary fandom but there was a time when Glee was a big part of my existence. I might have stopped watching, but I don't think you ever really leave a fandom (it's for life), so I put my prejudices aside and watched this weeks episode because like all the other Glee fans out there I needed to say goodbye.

Talking Teen Wolf: Hi From Hiatus and Other Stories

Okay, I know I’m supposed to be on a Teen Wolf hiatus because of the Teen Wolf hiatus (you might call is the howl-atus or you might not, that’s pretty lame) but there are awesome things happening and I just have to share them with you guys. Plus I wouldn’t want you to think that I have lost interest in Teen Wolf… because that is not likely to happen (true love lasts forever).

Recapturing Sleepy Hollow: Sympathy for the Silly

Hudson Valley, New York 1781 – we are dropped into the midst of battle in the America Revolutionary War. I’ve never studied America history so I’m not 100% on what’s happening but I gather the ones in the red coats are the bad guys (in this story anyway). People are shooting things, it’s very epic and rather grander than I would have expected from a show like Sleepy Hollow. The colours are slightly muted just to make it super obvious that we are in fact in the past.

Something resembling a review of Vampire Academy

As I said in my last post I have been reading all those books that I always meant to read but never got around to. One such book is Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead and I have to say that everyone that has ever read this book has let me down. A number of people suggested that I read it but none of them informed me that it was about two awesome female best friends with a soul bond. Had someone told me I probably would have given Vampire Academy a chance long ago.

Something Resembling a Review of The Fault in Our Stars

You know that pile of books that you keep telling yourself you are going to read but never actually do. They just sit on your bedside table or bookshelf waiting to be read but you never read them. Because as much as you know that you will enjoy them, there is something that’s stopping you from picking them up. Well John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars had been on top of to-read pile for so long that was almost part of the furniture. But considering the movie is currently in production I figure it was about time I stopped making excuses and actually read it.

Fangirl 101: The Fourth Wall

Fandom’s fourth wall is a term that has been thrown around a lot lately, and everyone seems confused about what is it and how and why it gets broken. In theatre the fourth wall is the imaginary wall at the front of the stage. It is the window through which the audience is allowed to glimpse the character’s lives. The fandom fourth wall is a little bit different but follows the same principles. It is the imaginary barrier that divides (and protects) fandom from everyone else.  The key word in both these concepts is imaginary, because boys and girls and everything in between, the fourth wall does not exist.

Top Ten Warrior Women on TV

Some of you are probably already upset by my use of the term ‘warrior women’ but I just really love alliteration. This list could probably more accurately be called top ten female soldiers, but warrior women is so much more fun don’t you think? Anyway this list is about women who are also soldiers, and heroes. Known for their physical abilities and often associated with their incredibly cool weapons these fantastic women are just like their male counterparts only female. It doesn’t matter what else you say about them, in the event of any combat situation, these are the girls you want on your side.

UndieGirl on Tropes: Damsel in Distress

Hello lonely readers, I want to talk to you to day about a very serious problem plaguing our favourite fictional universes: the damsel in distress. You know the girl she’s beautiful and nice and small animals flock to her when she sings. She’s generally a joy to be around. The problem is that she’s constantly getting herself kidnapped and locked in a tower and/or tied to a train track. This results in an extreme level of manpain and the overpopulation of white male heroes. While manpain driven hero narratives are okay in moderation, in abundance they can be really fricken annoying, not to mention problematic but we’ll get to that first let’s talk about the damsel in distress.

UndieGirl’s Teen Wolf Hiatus Survival Guide

It was fun while it lasted but now that another block of Teen Wolf eps has ended we have to find someway to pass the time. This isn’t a definitive guide. It’s just a little something to get you started. Please be aware that I am very hungover tired so this is possible long-winded and not very informative but I tried okay - the whole Teen Wolf thing was very stressful. 

Talking Teen Wolf: In Which I am Far too Genuine in my Adoration of This Show

Boys and girls something truly astonishing has happened! I have been accused of not loving Teen Wolf! I know what you’re thinking, “there’s no way any one could possibly love this show more than you do Undie”. But alas I have received some complaints about the critical nature of my analysis (mainly as a result of this blog). Instead of spending this week’s Talking Teen Wolf (the last one for at least a couple of months) defending myself I am just going to use this opportunity to talk about how much I genuinely do love this show!

WARNING: unapologetic adoration of problematic things under the cut.

The Best and Worst of Teen Wolf Season 3a

Before this season started I was planning on writing a top ten list of the best moments. But now we have come to the end of 3a I feel like just writing about the seasons best moments would not be an accurate representation of the season as a whole. These 12 episodes gave us some of the best Teen Wolf moments ever, but the thing is, it also gave us some of the worst. This season is difficult because when it was good it was brilliant but when it was bad it was terrible. For that reason I have decided that instead of the top ten best moments I would give you the best and worst of the most polarizing season (or half season) of Teen Wolf yet.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: McCall Pack Triumphant... Sort of.

Previously on Teen Wolf… The lunar eclipse is coming and all the wolves will be powerless including Derek who is now a beta. Jennifer has the pack parents and they have to find the Nemeton. Scott, Stiles and Allison are using an ice bath to stop their hearts.

Talking Teen Wolf: Let’s Ignore the Thing Because It’s the Right Thing To Do

In case you were wondering – no we are not talking about the thing because Posey and Dylan asked us not to do the thing and I can’t deny those two adorable dorks anything. I know everyone did the thing anyway but we’re going to pretend we didn’t do the thing because everyone worked very hard to make the thing and they want us to wait. If you don’t know what I’m talking about then please stay in whatever wonderfully simple part of the Internet you are in and ignore everything I just said. Anyway, Let’s talk about Teen Wolf shall we.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Lighting the Beacon!

Previously on Teen Wolf… Jennifer is the Darach and she’s apparently the only one that can save Cora who is dying for an unknown reason. Also Jennifer took the Sheriff and Melissa and Scott went with Deucalion leaving Stiles alone at the hospital with an unconscious Derek.

Talking Teen Wolf: And the Fandom Rejoiced Because that Episode Didn't Suck!

I am so happy because I absolutely loved that episode! Sure we’re still suffering from the missing emotional beats (Cora’s potential death would have been so much more emotionally gripping if we actually knew something about her, particularly her relationship with Derek). But all in all this was an excellent 40 minutes of television, a gripping emotional journey, which is good because I really want to love Teen Wolf. NGL, I still haven’t stopped squeeing about everyone communicating (this is big deal for me okay). It just was really good.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Everything is Derek’s Fault… Again

Previously on Teen Wolf… Derek killed his first love under the very special druid sacrifice tree. Also Cora is dying and Jennifer is the Darach, basically Derek’s life sucks. Also Jennifer took the Sheriff and tried to kill Lydia.

Talking Teen Wolf: The Darachifer is revealed!

Big week Teen Wolf fans! We finally got some answers (yay Darahifer) and 3B has started shooting! Now I have a lot to say about storytelling this week but before I do I just want to say that despite the fact that sometimes I like to pick things apart I am actually enjoying this season over all (especially questions and speculation – this is great watercooler TV even if it isn’t hitting all the right emotional beats). Plus our cast are knocking it out of the park this season (I’m especially impressed with Hoechlin), and it’s nice to see them grow as performers. So bare that in mind because this week’s Talking Teen Wolf get’s a little ranty.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Killer Ladies and Screaming Girls

Previously on Teen Wolf… There’s something called a darach, it’s sacrificing virgins, healers and warriors. Chris Argent has been tracking it and Lydia is something we just don’t know what.

Talking Teen Wolf: Lazy Writer’s Exposition

I know, I know I’m late and I’m lazy but I only just got One Direction’s “Best Song Ever” out of my head… and damn now it’s back again. Not to mention I have been working through a whole new set of fantasies since we heard that Tyler Hoechlin could be up for the role of Batman. I’m using that image to help deal with the fact that I didn’t really love this week’s episode (flashbacks dude). Okay so it wasn’t the worst episode, in fact I enjoyed it enough while I was watching it, just it wasn’t really emotionally satisfying. But it’s still Teen Wolf so let’s talk about it.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Exposition and Angst

Previously on Teen Wolf… Jennifer doesn’t know anything about Derek (or does she?). Young Peter Hale is a hottie that occasionally possesses people. There are hunters; they’ve been around for a while. The spiral means revenge and Boyd died for Derek’s manpain.

Talking Teen Wolf: It's Comic Con and I'll Cry if I Want To

(Source)

OMG you guys there is just too much to talk about this week, which I am so late… well that and the fact that I have spent the last 4 days crying over Comic Con (it’s the best and worst week of the year). It’s a good time for Comic Con though because it gives me something else to talk about besides the last episode, which let’s face it wasn’t great. It was the worst offering of the season – that title still goes to “Fireflies” (303) – but it still didn’t really give me what I needed. Good news is that it’s almost time for the much anticipated flashback episode, which means we finally get to meet the Hale’s. Even if it sucks it’s going to be awesome.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Last Beta Standing

Previously on Teen Wolf… Jennifer Blake got laid. MOUNTAAAIIIINNNN AAASSSHHHH is still a thing. Deucalion is not a nice person, electricity is bad for werewolves and Kali is going after Derek, vengeance style.

Talking Teen Wolf: Forever Crying About Teenage Werewolves and Their Friends

Okay I’m a little bit late this week but I was distracted by Hoechlin’s abs – you know how it is – so I’m sure you can forgive me. Or not, it doesn’t really matter because I am in the computer and you can’t get me. Anyway Teen Wolf happened and that might be another reason I have been having trouble writing this week because every time I think about that episode I think about the yellow crayon moment between Scott and Stiles and then I start leaking out of eyes (is there like a cream for that?). Right that episode was amaze-balls (I have watched it 3 times already) so let’s talk about it shall we.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Team (mostly) Human Saves The Day

Previously on Teen Wolf… Scott thinks Derek is dead. Chris wants to stay out of it but Allison is not going to let her friends die. Isaac’s dad was an asshole and Lydia is losing time again. Meanwhile Derek’s hanging out with the hot new teacher in town.

Talking Teen Wolf: Haley Webb will be the death of me

So that was… the BEST EPISODE EVER! I know people are wanking about all kinds of nonsense but I don’t care because I am a passionate advocate against flashbacks and I still loved this episode. Seriously, they are lazy and very rarely done well… boy am I glad that Teen Wolf is the exception (lets hope it continues in 308). This week’s Talking Teen Wolf is an exercise in avoidance and denial because I am not ready to deal with what is happening next week. It’s super fun.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Allison to the Rescue!

Previously on Teen Wolf… Derek both freaked out and aroused the new English teacher, Jennifer Blake. Allison and Scott need to have that talk. Deucalion wants Derek to kill Scott and Isaac wants to kill the Alpha twins.

Talking Teen Wolf: Ignore the Emotional Trauma and Focus on Isaac's WetT-Shirt

After last week’s disappointment I am happy to say that Teen Wolf is back on form with “Unleashed” so there is no need to abandon ship just yet. Speaking of ships – apparently Teen Wolf ships Isaac with everyone? Or maybe it’s just that Daniel Sharman constantly looks like he’s in heat? IDK but it’s a thing. Isaac is possibly the most shippable character ever. Okay so maybe I am talking about Isaac’s sexual prospects because I want to ignore all of the pain he went through this week. But as far as I’m concerned repression is a healthy way of dealing with unwanted emotions so let’s talk about Isaac’s wet t-shirt.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Three’s Company

Previously on Teen Wolf… Derek rescued Ms Blake. There’s an alpha pack in town and they’re probably not here to make friends. Also Derek has a sister Cora. Allison’s mom was kind of crazy (but also kind of magnificent). Isaac’s dad was definitely crazy and someone’s killing virgins.

Talking Teen Wolf: Who put the stationary supplies in the frickin boiler room?

It pains me to say it but I didn’t love this episode. Maybe it was just that “Chaos Rising” raised the bar too high but this week just didn’t satisfy. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate it and there were some amazing moments but most of it felt drawn out and unnecessary. I know I am usually unashamedly positive about this show (and I will continue to do that don’t worry) but I know that they can do better than this and it makes me sad when Teen Wolf doesn’t reach it’s full potential.  I only say these things because I care.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Someone PLEASE help Derek

Previously on Teen Wolf… Stiles almost got laid until Heather went missing. Derek wants Scott to tell Allison what really happened with her mother (he wants a lot really). Erica is dead and the girl with Boyd is Cora, Derek’s younger sister. Boyd and Cora are rabid and free, thanks to Allison. Also Lydia screamed.

A Shipping News Special: Why is Sterek so Popular?

I have been asked, on several occasions, to explain why so many people like Sterek. There are a lot of other slash ships out there, most of which have more canonical evidence to back them up but there is something about Sterek that has taken it above and beyond. The problem is there are too many factors that contribute to Sterek’s popularity and I could probably go on about it for weeks but no one would read it so instead I have compiled a list of 10 things (and one more for luck) that I believe helped Sterek become such a phenomenal success.  

Side note: this is not why I personally ship Sterek, if you want to know that you can read it here.

Talking Teen Wolf: Don’t try to have sex or you will get attacked by evil wine bottles and DIE!

Now I don’t want to exaggerate but this week’s episode was so good I want to melt it down and inject it directly into my veins. I’ll admit, the premiere wasn’t as good as I wanted it to be but after “Chaos Rising” I am no longer worried about Season 3. In fact I am so on board with it that I am throwing away the lifeboat. THIS SHIP IS UNSINKABLE! Okay I think I might have finally broken but until the men in white coats turn up let’s talk about Teen Wolf.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Fist and Reward

Previously on Teen Wolf… Allison wants to talk to Scott but they haven’t spoken all summer. There’s pack of Alpha’s in town and they have Boyd and Erica. Also there was a mysterious girl who saved Isaac and left a mark on Allison and Lydia’s skin.

UndieGirl Talks Tropes: The Love Triangle

A lot of people have been hating on the love triangle recently (for good reason) but the thing is when they’re done well there is nothing better. Conversations and arguments get heated where love triangles are concerned and people have to pick a team (even going to the extreme of wearing t-shirts declaring their side). Families and friendships have been ripped apart and that kind of passion should not just be dismissed because we’ve been oversaturated… that said we have reached the point where I want to grab people and scream: it is possible to have a dramatic romance without a love triangle.

Talking Teen Wolf: Derek Hale’s jeans and other notes from the premiere

Well guys there isn’t really much to talk about this week, it’s not like anything happened… oh right there was that one thing where Teen Wolf Season 3 premiered and I died. Okay so maybe I didn’t die but I feel like this is kind of situation that requires exaggeration for dramatic effect because TEEN WOLF IS BACK! But just because the show has returned doesn’t mean the Internet fandom has stopped so let’s talk about what happened this week in the world of Teen Wolf.

Adventures in Fandom: Doctor New, The Red Wedding and Teen Wolf Season 3

Another week down and what a week it was. First was the announcement that Matt Smith would retire from his role as the Doctor after this years Christmas special. This is terribly sad news of course, it’s never nice to watch the Doctor die and it’s shame to lose Matt Smith but it also means that serious speculation about who will taker over the role can begin… it’s exciting. Then Game of Thrones invited us to the wedding of the season and it was a celebration to die for. Also, there’s this little MTV show that you may or may not have heard of, called Teen Wolf that is finally back in our lives after the Season 3 premiere on Monday night.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Who's That Girl?

Previously on Teen Wolf… Scott doesn’t think Derek should be able to just turn people into werewolf’s and Derek thinks he can do what he wants because he’s the alpha. Allison broke up with Scott but Scott knows they’ll be together eventually. Also the Alpha Pack is here and they have Boyd and Erica.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Scott Had a Plan

Previously on Teen Wolf… Jackson wants the key to his house back and Allison is taking her revenge trip to the extreme. Lydia is the one person that can save Jackson but is there still time to save him. Also Stiles is missing.

Recap coming soon.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: Stiles is On the Field!

Previously on Teen Wolf… Matt’s the murderer and he held up the sheriff’s department. Allison is after revenge and what Peter did comes at a price. Mama McCall saw Scott wolf out and Scott is working with Gerard. Also Gerard is now the master of the Kanima.

Recap coming soon.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: They Make a Pretty Good Pair

Previously onTeen Wolf… Peter Hale came back from the dead with a little help from Lydia and Derek. Mama Argent fell on her sword rather than becoming a werewolf. Allison’s the new leader now (or is she). Also Stiles was right, Matt is the Kanima’s master.

Recap coming soon.

Recapturing Teen Wolf: The Party Of The Year

Previously on Teen Wolf… The Kanima is not the Kanima when it’s Jackson, someone it controlling him. Something that affects the Kanima affects its master. Scott doesn’t trust Allison, Mama Argent tried to kill Scott and she got bit. Peter had a plan and that plan was Lydia.

Recap coming soon. 

Recapturing Teen Wolf: You just have to believe.

Previously onTeen Wolf… It’s called and Kanima and it’s Jackson. A Kanima seeks a master and Scott’s pencil is going to be sharpened if he doesn’t stop violating Allison. Also Scott’s joining Derek’s pack but they’re doing it his way and Allison has a date but it’s not Scott.