501 Pre-Premiere Screening Teasers (All Sites)

2) I think they are doing it for the wrong reasons. I don’t think they are doing it because “reflective of the world we live in.” We’ve been living in this world for a long time and they didn’t even make Mulan declarative bisexual/lesbian. They just alluded to. They are doing this because there has been such outrage over not having a proper LGBT storyline. Which leads me to…

No doubt about that. If people hadn’t been begging for it, it wouldn’t have even entered their minds to do it.

3) I think this is another indication that the show is ending. They want to appease as many humans as possible.

I’m not convinced it’s ending just yet, (though I’d be fine if it did). I think the show is a big enough deal that the network would give the writers and the audience the forewarning that the final season will be the final season. I suspect A&E have probably been put on notice though, and told that if numbers don’t improve this season, then next season is definitely their last, and they may not get a full episode order. I reckon that’s why we’re getting the LGBT storyline this season, because they hope (*twitch*) it will bring in more viewers, because it’s something the viewers have been begging for. It’s why Mulan has already been confirmed to be in both halves of the season, because they need to not have that ratings drop off for the end of 5A and the start of 5B.

Copying and pasting the numbers RG posted in the ratings thread…

Season Four-A Premiere Ratings: 3.5 (“A Tale Of Two Sisters”)

Season Four-A Finale Ratings: 1.7 (“Heroes and Villains”)

Season Four-B Premiere Ratings: 2.2 (“Darkness On The Edge Of Town”)

Season Four-B Finale Ratings: 1.8 (“Operation Mongoose Part 1 and Part 2”)

…3.5 down to 1.7 by mid-season finale is a bit woeful, and only coming back to a 2.2 after that still isn’t great. But if their big drawcard LGBT story line is just starting to pick up with Mulan’s reappearance towards the end of 5A, and people know she’s still gonna be there at the start of 5B, that could go some way to rectifying those numbers a bit. And if that pays off, then the network will have more confidence in the show again and will commit to that full episode order for S6 and possibly beyond, (and Mulan and whoever her girlfriend ends up being could end up as a more regular fixture next season if they prove to be popular enough).

Despite the falling ratings, I think ABC would consider the show a big enough deal that they’ll give it all the “FINAL SEASON” promo bells and whistles. They’re invested enough in the show that there are attractions for it at Disney parks, it’s not just some show, it’s become a part of the Disney brand, and they know that there’s still a sizeable fandom even if the ratings don’t reflect it. Those things considered, I think they’ll respect it enough to give it a proper sendoff with a final season that’s promoted as such, rather than a, “Nope sorry, it’s getting cancelled,” in the articles that come out when shows are getting renewed or not.

I can’t believe that CS fan suggested that she use Savior Queen. Oh bother.

Here’s hoping that someone replied to her tweet where she asks if it’s widely known, and let her know that if she values her sanity and peace in her @ replies, that she won’t start adopting that phrase. *HEADDESK*