#tbf tumblr makes me feel the same way at times but here i feel 'safer' if that makes sense. i'm not 'perceived' too much

[sealrock]

hate how I got a full night's rest for the first time in weeks and ever since this morning I've been on edge. my jaw has been clenched all day

[aurelion-cerulean]

To add on to this:

I think there is a very real threat here of homophobia dropping the general audience's viewership rate. On the flip side, however, there is a real risk of Netflix interference. The Duffers say they will not be pressured, but Netflix might make a scene behind-the-scenes. Making byler canon is a risk for the studio.

AKA if they want it to be a plot twist (high viewership), there is a chance the backlash and canceling subscriptions. (Same group of people here are the issue: homophobes.)

And while I think it would be terrible, the studio might press them to push any confirmation of the ship to the ending (no 05x05 confession, no establishment, endgame but almost an afterthought). I want to make it clear that there is no guarantee of this, but I think there is a high chance that the studio will scrutinize the ending (and the reaction to said ending) of their top show.

It's a catch-22 on all sides, tbf.

However, there is a way to make byler a safer option for the studio and that is through exposure. Which leads me to two thoughts.

If they push Mil*ven AND push byler at the same time (through images, marketing, posts). Then it is on purpose and they probably want us to keep going and to help with exposure.

We have the potential to change the minds of casual viewers.

Two years is a long time, and most people aren't going to remember what we said when the marketing ramps up for the release. I doubt they'll change the plot twist even if we expose it. BUT, we should not. Instead we can cushion the blow of said plot twist from "wow that came out of nowhere" to "I heard about that online, but I didn't believe it."

Negative reactionaries are going to react regardless. But there are those who will be pissed, simply because they didn't pick up what was being placed down. There are casual viewers who will be caught off guard and confused. Their opinions can be changed.

My suggestion is this:

Keep posting, but don't act entitled. We may 99% sure byler is canon but we need to keep acting as if it's a theory. As long as we don't claim that we are right and prove it, the homophobes will disregard us as delusional fans. They'll hate us, but they won't drop the show.

All videos, are theories. No. "This proves it." Lead the conversation with a "now what could this mean. I think it means this." Allow for discussion and debate.

Don't try to change minds, if you can help it. Act more about establishment that this ship exists and there are a lot of theories backing it.

I don't think we should try to trend again, but I do think that we should keep posting as normal -- if not with more vigor. What I mean by that is more fan edits, more videos on youtube being like "top ten byler theories," etc. The more we expose more people to the concept, the more likely that they'll be amicable to the change. But don't try to force the content on anyone. Let it grow organically (and if worse comes to worse, only share it with other bylers).

Feel free to disagree with me, but IMO we should keep the intensive theories to ourselves (here on tumblr for instance) and act like business as normal to the public.

@will80sbyers expressed a very interesting idea, which I had for some time too.

So I wanted to discuss it, actually. How do y'all think, should we spread Byler theories and proof in the media or should we be more quiet about it since that's probably what the showrunners would want?

I don't think that they would change their plans because of the fans. Quite the opposite, the Duffers said they are going to end the show in a way which seems right, despite what the fans want. But if Byler is canon (and we are sure it is), then it seems like they want to make a plot twist. That's why Mike's POV in the script is hidden. Also they don't want to lose the audience (never overestimate the homophobic people - they will stop watching the show in case they are triggered with spoilers and the ratings will fall, that's why it's needed to take them by surprise).

And we still want out favourite gay monster show to be #1 at Netflix, right?

I think we should pay attention to the actors - if they shut up about Byler, we probably should do the same. If they don't and Noah keeps sailing with us - maybe we are fine?

Anyway I expect Netflix to post tons of melvin promo to distract the audience from Byler since we are growing strong.

Prepare yourself!