It Seems Unfair For M&W Shippers To Claim They Were Queerbaited When The Show Has Done Nothing Narratively

It seems unfair for M&W shippers to claim they were queerbaited when the show has done nothing narratively substantial to make viewers believe M&W would be canon? We can talk about ‘looks’ and ‘hidden meaning’ but these are things which are completely subjective and liable to personal bias (we all do it). As far as a narrative standpoint goes, M&E have always been presented as a canon ship where feelings are mutually reciprocated on both ends. Mike clearly loves them both and I suppose that in itself was enough to give M&W shippers reason to believe it was open to interpretation (understandable.) However there’s a difference between our own interpretation and what the show has presented. Reading into the subtext of ‘looks’ has always been a thing in fandom but due to it’s inherent bias has always been more of a headcanon phenomenon rather than actually indicative of canon. That being said, Mike being in love with El has never been contrived or forced but rather a natural narrative progression from what was already an established focal point of the show (whether or not people like or hate it). The show has been pretty straightforward in establishing Mike and El as a love story and Mike caring for Will as his best friend. Again, people are free to ship them and believe they are in love but to act as if the show has queerbaited them is a reach; if anything what they did with W not explicitly coming out is queerbaiting, M not reciprocating his feelings is not. I didn’t use any ship names so hopefully this doesn’t bring you hate!

anon, i couldn’t have said it better myself! b*ylers can ship their ship all they want but when they choose to ignore 4 seasons worth of development between mileven and how their relationship was always part of the story right from the very start and how mike even mentioned all these memories of when they met and how she came into his life (during his monologue). i said it before that b*ylers needed to manage their expectations and stop ignoring things that actually happened on the show because they’re only gonna be majorly disappointed and here we are. mike has always been head over heels in love with el and terrified of losing her. it’s always been el for him and always will be.

it was only ever really from will’s point where we saw feelings (that were never specifically said, however). i understand being upset by this because hey even my heart broke for will. i also do think it was a HUGELY missed opportunity (and it does feel like queerbating) that will didn’t come out to jonathan or mike but hopefully that will happen in the last season.