We’re running a tournament to find the show that’s doing fast-paced storytelling the best. But we also want your opinion, so make sure to vote below! And keep up with all rounds of the tournament with the Fast-Paced Tourney tag.
Vampires and shifters take control of this round where MTV’s Teen Wolf and The CW’s The Vampire Diaries go head-to-head. Both notorious for their breakneck pacing, these supernatural series at times offer much more than audiences ever bargained for. So, yes, they move faster than the speed of sound, converging stories and zooming along before you can even blink. But which show does it best?
It’s impossible to discuss the obvious here: Teen Wolf has produced much fewer episodes than The Vampire Diaries has thus far. And once Teen Wolf returns for the second half of this season, The Vampire Diaries‘ episode count will spring even higher. With such fast-paced storytelling, it’s almost a hazard to have to churn out so many installments in a year, lest you risk the chance of burnout. But alas, these arguments are on the merit of quality, not quantity.
The first season of The Vampire Diaries started out as slow as a teen horror could. But in a sense, it wasn’t truly must-see TV until a few episodes in when (SPOILER ALERT) Vicki bit the dust, just a few moments after being turned into a vampire, anyhow. That’s the definitive moment for me, and plenty of Vampire Diaries aficionados, that marked its territory in TV land. The showrunners knew it, too. Vicki’s death was a message to all watching, and those who would, that this wasn’t just a show about dangerous teen romances and gothic soap operas.
And that was true — for a time. Eventually Vampire Diaries lost itself in a triangle from which it could never be untangled. Plot lines were kept at a minimum to service the give-and-take between Elena and her two beaus. And soon, shocking twists had audiences groaning that they should have happened seasons prior. Elena becoming a vampire was met with a vocal minority claiming they were two years too late. Though I never ascribed to that particular camp, it was clear that fever-pitch twists had sizzled out in plenty of audience members’ eyes. The burden of being too fast-paced, perhaps?
Season four decided to go full-speed ahead, but eventually threw too many elements. Still, there were absolute standout episodes throughout that run: “Stand by Me” and “A View to Kill” come to mind. Then again, there were some that confused everyone’s motivations or lulled, like “Into the Wild.” But even throughout all four seasons, there really has not been a storyline that’s been repeated (not including the triangle), which is a tremendous feat for a show that burns through so much story, especially in earlier seasons.
In many ways, Teen Wolf began the same way, as slow as a supernatural teen series could. However, there was no pivotal episode I would define that drove the series. In many respects, Teen Wolf knew what kind of show it wanted to be from day one, slowly transitioning into the non-stop supernatural thriller that it is today.
Though I will be the first one to tell you that these days, it could be doing a bit more harm than good. Not much harm, mind you. There are just times I wish Teen Wolf would take a breath and let us know where the characters are emotionally. And at points, it almost goes out of its way to not introduce any kind of emotional arc. For example, recently it completely jumped over any payoff for Scott finding out Derek was alive, even though that thought was one of the causes of Scott’s guilt and for almost killing himself.
Still, Teen Wolf‘s fast pacing lets it weave in and out of genres almost effortlessly, sometimes episode-wide. It can go from an experimental, flashback-heavy installment to a true horror episode from one week to the next. And while things are not always what they seem, no one’s motivations are ever questioned.
Sure, it’s fast, it can throw you at times, and perhaps there’s some whiplash, but for the most part: nothing is truly muddled, which is a particular achievement for a show that moves so quickly. Plenty of people could consider that dumbing down, but what it really is, is clear. Plenty of the series’ aspects are clearly defined. It allows for the roller coaster ride to leave you just slightly dismayed, but never lost.
Winner: Teen Wolf
This poll closes Thursday, Aug 15, at noon ET. You can vote as many times as you’d like.
ABC's detective hit Moonlighting was one of the best TV show's of all time —…
Previously Published on Fan Fest News... For six seasons on The 100, actress Marie Avgeropoulos…
Previously Published on Fan Fest News... It seems The 100 fans have gotten their own…
I was browsing Reddit after the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve (or what…
It's a little late, but I wanted to share a few shows I liked this…
Mark Hildreth is a jack of all trades, with an undeniable passion for entertaining. Viewers…
View Comments
I always said and will always say that Teen Wolf does RIGHT what TVD did wrong.
Even in current mess, Teen Wolf STILL triumphs over TVD in terms of quality of content.
I agree with this so much,especially the female lead,remember when Elena was supposedly a "warrior" that time Alaric trained her but she was still whiny and annoying,while Allison is one of the most badass ladies on TV atm without even trying,at least in my opinion.
I say Teen Wolf. It always keep me wondering what will happen next.
I say tvd, because teen wolf is cheasy as crap. Soory to say it that way but it's the cold truth!
Up until a year ago, I would have said without a doubt TVD. However, both of these shows have gone in complete opposite directions over the past year. Teen Wolf has greatly improved during its current third season. It pretty much blows its first two seasons completely out of the water. TVD has continually declined since season 3, and now it is barely a shadow of its former self. So currently I really have to give Teen Wolf the nod as the best of the two.
Without a doubt TVD. It is a major production with all of the grand sets and flashbacks. It is really awesome to watch. And I think up until this current season the storylines were pretty consistent; Elena/Stefan/Damon, Doppelganger stuff, Stefan can't control it/Damon can but he's just bad. That being said, I was somehow always surprised at what happened by the end of each episode (Katherine cutting off John's fingers anyone??) And I much prefer this cast to Teen Wolf's....
i would pick teen wolf the vampire diaries had a really good season 1,2, and 3 but season 4 and 5 are so boring elena annoys the shit out of me cause she always has to cry or get captured by some weak ass vampire i don't like her and the story lines and plots are getting boring and everytime a character dies idc cuz I'm 99 percent sure there gonna come back alive they are dragging the vampire diaries. but in teen wolf season 1 was good but right now season 4 is great! such a better plot and btw teen wolf has way better supernatural makeup affects than the vampire diaries. the main character is really likable the show has such good humor and romance - but not to much to bore and disgust u so i choose teen wolf THE MID SEASON TRAILOR WAS AWESOME BTW.
and its pretty much similar to twilight girl gets turned by a vampire both boys are in love with the same girl really tvd?
Actually, TVD was based upon the novel series. And the first book was published BEFORE Twilight was and the show, of course, had to go with the book that was published before twilight. So how did TVD copy twilight?
Okay, first of all, the vampire diaries has one of the best acting performances I have ver seen. But, teen wolf's villains are more unexpected. The vampire diaries has gone downhill since the end of season 6 but teen wolf is still staying strong, even though it has less seasons. Though, before season 7, tvd's plots were so unexpected, but it's the same with teen wolf, they have unexpected plot twists. Tbh, I'm going with TVD because of its top-notch acting performance and its amazing plot.
let's be honest, season 4 & 6 were amazing. Maybe season 5 wasn't good but seasons 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6 are awesome in tvd