In this episode, we step back into the moment we started shipping #Caryl . Then we peek into the marketing nitty-gritty surrounding Caryl, & finally share our thoughts about their future.
source: (x)
I literally scream a little bit whenever one of them interacts with a comment i made on one of their posts like they are literally famous in my mind
thank you fanfiction writers you are literally sometimes the only thing keeping me alive
(via shimmershae)
(via english-idylls)
I can’t believe we’re still having this discussion. But here we go again. This is where I stand.
Many Carylers have shown over and over again how much we value Melissa McBride’s input on the show. We’ve shown how much we want compelling stories and a strong explicit canon. We want strong story arcs that honour Daryl and Carol as characters.
If they’re even considering going for something that doesn’t guarantee any of the above then I hope they understand the seriousness of gambling with their core audience that is hanging on by a thread. Many people are a single instance of shipbaiting away from leaving forever.
If they don’t follow through with what fans have been anticipating from the show, then they risk losing a huge chunk of the audience (who won’t be persuaded to come back). I say this because in my short time here, I’ve seen people leave the fandom because they got tired. Many have taken mental health breaks (including myself) because of how taxing it can be here. A TV show with your beloved characters should bring you joy, thrill, and excitement – not endless anxiety. It’s not sustainable for many and I don’t blame people for choosing their mental health over a show that doesn’t guarantee solidarity and expected payoff.
Giving the audience what they have been anticipating (for years) inspires them to stick around because we get a story that’s worth the wait. Viewerships skyrocket, the longevity of the show is preserved, and their ride-or-die audience is retained.
As a reminder, this is the audience that will continue to invest in the franchise (through conventions, merchandise, subscriptions etc). An audience that will continue to create content (edits, fan art, podcasts, articles) not to show their criticism for the show but to praise it and provide free promo to influence more audiences to tune in.
I say that as a Caryl podcast host. The only reason @kryptoniancape and I co-started the podcast was to bring hope because we thought we were headed towards greener pastures. We wanted to share our perspectives on the ship that deserved a story that honoured them. We wanted to promote a show that was finally showing up for their audience. We’ve been explicitly vocal about our hopes for this show’s future, just like many Carylers.
So this sounds like a no brainer to me.
This is where @kryptoniancape and I stand – every show should be about creating a compelling narrative. It’s not about who gets the most control, it’s about equal contribution and autonomy of everyone who is involved. Most of all it’s about respecting the talent, the stories and the audience. The fact that it also guarantees audience retention is just the cherry on the top.
There is no moving forward without that (for me personally anyway).
Creating a show that is solely focusing on the “vision” of a few people is going to create a show that they want. But it won’t guarantee a strong run. Prioritizing the audience they can count on, however, will keep the show running for years.
Do the right thing.
Like I’ve said time and time again: I’m not watching anything released by AMC unless I see significant changes. I stopped watching S11 of TWD once I saw Carol was pushed to the back burner, effectively sabotaging the entire final arc. If AMC wants to repeat the same mistakes, they can expect the same results. They aren’t going to catapult their numbers and get the hit they want by continuing to prioritize the men behind the scenes over the audience. If they aren’t willing to make some big changes, the viewers they lost will stay gone, like me.
Melissa McBride has given some of the greatest contributions to TWD. The fans sing her praises, along with everyone who has had the pleasure of collaborating with her. Her humility speaks volumes. It’s clear her intentions are sincere and most importantly grounded in the heart of what makes the narrative compelling. She connects with the audience because she gets us and understands what we love about the characters. She gives a damn and if that’s not the way to go, then a logical line of thinking has been dismissed in the interest of something far less sensible. All signs point to Melissa McBride’s input being the one fans trust the most. See the backlash online when we get news of her significance being underestimated. See the celebration whenever her involvement is advertised. Why are the opinions of men who are actively alienating the fans being prioritized?
Melissa McBride’s voice is an important one. She is empathetic, she’s intelligent and she loves Carol and Daryl as much as we do.
She’s the one I trust.
Anonymous asked:
That's very cryptic, MT. Is AMC trying to get rid of MMB again??? There's no show without Carol! Why can't they get that thru their thick skulls?
my-mt-heart Answer:
Caryl fans are very close to getting what they want, but Norman, Nicotero, and Gimple are trying to ruin everything for us. Again. And AMC is letting them. Again.
I can’t believe we’re still discussing this.
The show is not worth the watch without Carol.
The show only works with Caryl.
I will not pay to watch Daryl alone, because if Daryl was in character in his own show, he wouldn’t be without Carol in the first place.
I am not watching nor paying for another season of whatever France trip season one was. And while we’re at it, it should be The Walking Dead: Daryl and Carol. Because they have been a team for over a decade, and that’s what most of us want to watch and pay for, not some sudden Eastwoodian trip.
Daryl needs Carol.
