Stiles Stilinski & Dylan O'Brien - A Look Back at the Heart and Soul of Teen Wolf 6 Years Later
Stiles Stilinski
"Be a man. Be a werewolf. Not a teen wolf. Be a werewolf." - Season 1 Episode 6, Heart Monitor
"I know it feels bad. I know it hurts. I know. Well, I don't know. Bu, I know this. I know that as much as being broken up hurts, being alone is way worse." - Season 1 Episode 8, Lunatic
"What? Scott, come on! I'm 147 pounds of pale skin and fragile bone. Sarcasm is my only defense." - Season 2 Episode 6, Frenemy
"I'm not a hero, Dad." - Season 2 Episode 12, Master Plan
"Scott, just listen to me, okay. You're not no one. Okay. You're someone. Scott, you're my best friend. And I need you. Scott, you're my brother. Alright, so... so if you're going to do this, you're just going to have to take me with you." Season 3 Episode 6, Motel California
"We're not really scared of your little fireflies." - Void Stiles, Season 3 Episode 18, Riddled
"If you can't, you have to do something for me. Okay? Make sure I never get out." - Season 3 Episode 20, Echo House
"Oh, I hope he gets there in time. I LIKE the twins. Short tempers, homicidal compulsions - they're a lot more fun than you bakemono trying to save the world, every day." - Void Stiles, Season 3 Episode 22, De-Void
"Oh god. I fainted, didn't I?" - Season 3 Episode 24, Divine Move
"Just give us Derek. You don't want him, anyway. Haven't you noticed what a downer he is? No sense of humor, poor conversationalist." - Season 4 Episode 1, The Dark Moon
"It's okay to want something for yourself once in awhile - team captain, alpha werewolf. You're still only human." - Season 4 Episode 3, Muted
"Okay, Liam. Now you've seen a lot of confusing things tonight. And more confusing things are going to happen because of the confusing things that happened tonight. Do you understand?" - Season 4 Episode 4, The Benefactor
"What? Dad! Dad, it's one date, okay? The town of Beacon Hills won't implode while you're out with one woman. Or man." - Season 5 Episode 3, Dreamcatchers
"Because you trust everyone!" - Season 5 Episode 9, Lies of Omission
"Personally, I don't think we utilize torture nearly enough." - Episode 5 Season 20, Apotheosis
"Lydia, you will. Just try to find some way to remember me, okay? Remember how you were the first girl I ever danced with. Or how I had a crush on you freshman year. Sophomore year. Junior year. Remember how you saved my life. Just remember. Remember I love you." - Season 6 Episode 1, Memory Lost
Dylan O'Brien
"I really would be proud if I could look back and genuinely feel like I played a lot of different assortments of characters and learned a lot of different mediums in terms of genre. Or in terms of challenging yourself. I wanna do stage work, at some point. They're all such different versions of each other." - Interview with Christina Radish for Collider, August 1, 2022
https://collider.com/dylan-obrien-not-okay-interview-tattoos/
"Tyler... it cannot be accurately stated like what we mean to each other and what that show was for us. It was our school, it was our home, it was like so much for us. It'll forever be incredibly meaningful to me. And it was tough to come to the decision that I came to, but I do think I came to the one that was true to myself, right now. And I can't wait to watch it." - Interview with Anna Menta for Decider, July 29, 2022 when asked about his decision to not be in the Teen Wolf Movie
https://decider.com/2022/07/29/dylan-obrien-interview-not-okay-teen-wolf-movie/
"It's so funny, my palms are sweating. It's overwhelming and it's wonderful. It's just gnarly to think about little me having this really special thing happen." - Interview with Samantha Leach for Bustle, March 16, 2022 when asked about being called The Internet's Boyfriend
https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/dylan-obrien-teen-wolf-the-maze-runner-taylor-swift-the-outfit
"They always say 'TV is for the writers, film is for the directors, the stage is for the actors' and there is something very true to that. There's something very special about being able to breathe out a story all in one without any interruptions for an audience that is there to receive the story. While this is still a film medium, at the end of the day, this could exist on Broadway. I have to do Broadway before I call it a career, for sure." - Interview with Ilana Kaplan for GQ, March 16, 2022 when asked about filming the movie The Outfit and how it is similar to Broadway
https://www.gq.com/story/dylan-obrien-the-outfit-all-too-well-interview
The above quotes are from Dylan's run as the character Stiles Stilinski during the 6 seasons of the Teen Wolf series that ran on MTV from 2011-2017. They are some of my favorites and consist of both funny and heartfelt quotes. I chose these to show just what a range Dylan brought to this one character. The last 4 are quotes from Dylan during interviews he did in 2022. I chose these because they show what a diverse guy Dylan is in his interests and goals for his career.
I know I am 6 years behind on writing about the Teen Wolf series, at it ended in 2017. But the recently released movie has brought the world of Beacon Hills back into the spotlight. The drama and controversy around it has reignited some fires in the fandom. So we are going to talk about it. Because I can. And we are going to focus on my favorite character, Stiles Stilinski - and my favorite actor, Dylan O'Brien. Also, both character and actor are at the center of some of said drama and fandom fires. That bugs the hell out of me.
I did watch the first 4 seasons of the show when it originally aired. But then life intervened. I did keep tabs on what was happening with my favorites - Stiles and Derek and Liam - as much as the reliable sources could give me, and as much as my complicated life would allow me too. Unfortunately, actually watching those last 2 seasons was pretty much out of the question.
So, I am just now getting caught up.
Let me clarify, I am NOT trying to take anything away from Scott or Tyler. I like the character alright - though a lot less from Season 4 on. I do love Tyler, though. And I have become a huge fan of his music.
But Dylan - and Stiles - just hit me in a way that Tyler/Scott does not. And I have posted a blog discussing this phenomenon.
So back on topic, now...
From the minute I saw him on screen in 2011, and through the next four seasons - and now rewatching/watching all 6 seasons - it's clear that Stiles and Dylan are the true heroes of the show.
While Scott and Tyler Posey are the main protagonist of the show, and its conscience - Stiles and Dylan O'Brien are the heart and soul.
Watching Dylan is like watching magic. Here was this 18 year old kid - brand new to the world of acting - coming off like a life long professional. From his first, scene it was clear that this kid was special. And was definitely going places. *Spoiler Alert* I was right!
As for Stiles...
Here is this sarcastic, witty, loyal HUMAN guy that has stuck by his best friend through all the weird Supernatural stuff. Even when Scott was a new werewolf and trying to kill Stiles, he stayed and was able to talk Scott down and snap him back. So you can forget that whole 'Alison is Scott's anchor' stuff. For that matter, there were several times that Scott acted as an anchor for Stiles.
Like in Season 3b, Stiles has an attack in front of the class. Scott takes him to the locker room and calms him down by making Stiles count his fingers, therefor proving that Stiles was not dreaming. And, though he is the only human in the McCall pack, he is - quite literally - the brains of the entire group.
Yes, I know that Lydia is smart, also. And later, as she got more involved in the Pack, she does help. But it is almost always Stiles, first.
Stiles has a quiet intelligence that everyone - even Scott - overlooks and takes for granted. Don't believe me? Think I am just a typical "Stiles Girl"? Go back and watch the show. Most of the good ideas and the figuring out all the pieces of the puzzles come from Stiles.
If my word isn't good enough, check out one of my all time favorite articles from the 2013 HuffPost on this very topic.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dylan-obrien-teen-wolf_n_3379585
Now - as a sarcastic, witty, loyal human gal - maybe I am a bit biased in this assessment. But that doesn't mean that everything I am saying isn't true.
Again, let me say that I am not taking away from Tyler Posey and Scott McCall. Tyler does a great job. I mean, he managed to make me almost hate the main character of the show, at times. That's some good acting, if we are being honest. And Scott is not a bad guy. Weak in many ways, especially for an Alpha, but not unlikable.
But I was a Stiles/Dylan girl in those first 4 seasons. Now, in 2023, as I am rewatching/watching for the first time - that has not changed. It may be even more true than it was back in the 2010's. So, yes, I AM a Dylan/Stiles girl. Definitely not typical, though.
For a true Stiles fan, it is about so many things. It is about Dylan and his heart and talent, which are both phenomenal. It is about Stiles and who he is and the choices that he makes.
The guy is the only Human member of Scott's pack, yet he ALWAYS shows up with just his wit, intelligence, sarcasm, and Mama McCall's bat. He does not hesitate to jump into the fight and kick ass, mostly with his sharp tongue because we all know that a baseball bat is not much good against the Supernatural (unless you're the Winchesters). Not to mention all the times that Stiles defended and protected the Pack, that they never knew about - not even the Alpha. And Stiles is always intelligent enough to figure out what is going on. He comes up with the plan - well before anyone else.
All those Supernatural beings in the Pack, yet it's the Human that gets there first!
And don't come at me with that 'Alison was human' copout. She was, but she also came from a long line of Hunters. She was trained, from a young age, in self defense, tracking, hunting, and the bow and arrow. She was raised and trained by her psycho - but undeniably tough as nails - Aunt and her talented Father. And she still only managed to last 3 years.
Stiles had no training and had only his intelligence and sarcasm. Not only did he last all 6 years, but saved the day over and over, stuck by Scott's side - no matter what - and survived being possessed by the Nogitsune - a void Kitsune that feeds on chaos, pain, and strife - for months.
Let's talk about that possession. For 12 episodes, Stiles slowly turns into a different character - becoming more confused and then evil with each episode. It is truly sensational and magical to watch happen.
And Dylan... OMG!!!! The transformation is truly genius. When they were filming Season 3b, this guy was 21-22 years old. What he does, what he pulls off, is nothing short of pure magic. I cannot even find the right words to explain what this guy does in the second half of that third season. I feel like what I have already said is seriously inadequate.
It's almost like watching a different actor playing the role. The authenticness (maybe not a real word before now...) and realness of Dylan's transformation into this evil being is just so epic. At the tender age of 21-22, Dylan showed that he has mastered this craft at a level that most actors never will - not even ones much older and who have been in the business longer.
Check out this article from ScreenRant published in June of last year that does a great job of explaining why we all feared Void Stiles and cheered Dylan's performance.
With that, let me move on. Otherwise, I will write a whole book just on this character.
I know there is quite a bit of division among the Teen Wolf Fandom - even all these years later.
One of the big things, among hardcore Stiles fans, anyway, is who Stiles should have ended up with. *Spoiler Alert* It's Lydia - sort of. I am okay with this. As far as cannon relationships, I did like this one. Even though it was an extremely long burn with a very weak pay off that has some of us asking us if it even counts. But Stiles crush and unrequited love for the smart strawberry blonde was adorable and so fun to watch.
As their friendship formed and grew over the first few seasons - and giving us their first kiss in Season 3A Episode 11 - it was clear that there was a connection between the two. We always knew that Stiles would do anything for Lydia - including die for her. But, as the relationship evolved, , it became clear that Lydia would do the same for Stiles, even when she couldn't admit it.
The other big ship for Stiles was he and Derek, called 'Sterek' in the fandom. Many fans wanted to see this happen. The chemistry was there. And watching their relationship go from total untrust of each other, and even borderline enemies, to complete trust and friends - with more than a hint of more - was just hypnotizing. I'm not usually a fan of the whole enemies to lovers trope, but O'Brien and Hoechlin made me love this one.
Dylan does such a great job of playing subtle bisexual vibes that - as I rewatch the show - I am making lists of interesting things and one of them is 'All the times we questioned Stiles sexuality.' The other lists include 'All the times Stiles was smarter than everyone else' and 'All the times Scott didn't deserve Stiles as a friend' and 'All the time Dylan breaks the 4th wall' and 'All the times Sterek make eyes at each other.'
I was a huge fan of Sterek. Actually, I am an OG Sterek supporter. Back when the show was running, the web site IMDB.com had message boards. I spent a lot of time on the Teen Wolf board. As the first season ran, we had a blast discussing the show, where we thought it would go, the characters, and possible relationships that could emerge should the show get several seasons. Stiles and Lydia were definitely one that was popular. But there was a small group of us that immediately latched onto the chemistry between Stiles and Derek and began to dream. I was a part of this group.
As we got more seasons and the chemistry continued to be there between the two, our little group of Stiles/Derek shippers grew. Somewhere along the way, Dylan and Tyler Hoechlin heard about it and voiced their support - even playing into it during Cons and interviews. They gave us permission to run with our little dream. And we did. And, I'm not going to lie, I am damn proud of how large the Sterek fandom has grown. Even if Jeff Davis and Tyler Posey denied us of our dream becoming cannon.
I consider myself a member of many fandoms. But the Teen Wolf fandom has become one of the most toxic fandoms out there. Just visit the Teen Wolf subreddit to see what I'm talking about if you want to know.
There is so much vitrol between the different factions. It is worse than the Supernatural fandom, and that is saying quite a bit. I am sure that I will get backlash from the Scott/Posey fans because it is blasphemy to consider anyone else the heart of the show, according to them. But when have I ever cared what anyone thinks?
They accuse the Stiles/Dylan fans of some crazy stuff. It was there when the show was originally on. We had our trolls on the message board. But it is so much worse now.
Not to say that it is this way with the entire fandom. I have made some really great friends in the fandom - some of them Stiles/Dylan fans, some Scott/Tyler fans. Some very much Sterek fans and some of them very much not Sterek fans. But we are very respectful of each others thoughts and opinions. I have had some excellent conversations and debates - a few that inspired this blog topic. And that is how it should be.
Just like anything else in this world, different sides of a fandom should not be at war. We all love the same thing. Yes, some of us love different things about it and love it for different reasons. Ultimately, though, we love the same show. We love the same actors and characters and stories. We should be able to co-exist and have spirited, yet fun, conversations and debates about this shared love.
As far as the controversy around Dylan choosing not to be in the movie - it's really ridiculous and proof of just how toxic this fandom can be. I have seen enough interviews and interactions between Dylan and Posey over the years to believe that there is nothing but friendship there. The crazy fans need to back off and leave Dylan and Tyler alone. It's like they are trying to create drama where there doesn't need to be any.
And interviewers need to quit asking them about it. They are beating a dead horse. Both guys have spoken on it too many times. One of the quotes I share at the beginning of this blog is one from Dylan as to why he chose not to be in the move. That should be a good enough answer. Leave them alone and move on.
And, on that note...
It Teen Wolf is not your thing - well, you're missing out and you're crazy - but check out Dylan's other movies to see how amazing he is. Hell even if Teen Wolf is your thing, check out all his other movies.
My man shines in everything he has done.
Whether it is Thomas - the reluctant leader and hero trying to save what is left of the world in the dystopian The Maze Runner trilogy.
Or Mitch Rapp - the self trained and vengeance seeking CIA agent in American Assassin.
Or Joel Dawson - the brave and determined survivor in the post apocalyptic world of Love and Monsters.
Or Richie Boyle - the son and heir to Irish Mob Boss, Roy Boyle in The Outfit
Or Colin - the sexy and narcissistic social media influencer of Not Okay
- Just to name a few.
Whichever you pick, you will not be disappointed. Because Dylan is magic and shines in every single one.
Originally posted on March 24, 2023
UPDATE - Not much to post as an update on this one. I continue to feel even stronger about the character of Stiles and about Dylan as an actor. Dylan continues to impress me with every role he chooses. I now own every movie he is in on Blu-Ray, except for the latest two that are still only available on streaming. And I watch them every few months. Except the Maze Runner movies. Those I watch once a month - because they are just that good.
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