Why is it called Teacup instead of Stinger? and 2 Other Questions

My anticipation for Peacock’s new sci-fi horror thriller series, Teacup, was high even before I learned about the Overnightmare event at the Stanley Hotel. Which in part was to promote upcoming Peacock shows like Teacup (as well as Hysteria!) and Blumhouse’s new video game “Fear the Spotlight.”

In fact, Hysteria!-inspired FOMO-induced curiosity led to the discovery of Teacup. Everyone went mad for Hysteria!‘s teaser trailer. As soon as I saw it, I understood why. Between Bruce Campbell, its throwback 1980s vibe, demons, and humor, it looks promising.

But then I discovered Teacup, which looked terrifying. October 10 (a.k.a. its premiere date) was burned on my brain the moment I watched the trailer.

Did it disappoint? Not really. I sadly didn’t watch right on October 10 as I’d planned, but I binged both episodes as soon as I could. (Which turned out to be Saturday, October 12.)

Immediately, I had questions. Partly because I didn’t know much about it. I knew that it came from horror master James Wan’s company, Atomic Monster, and that it starred Scot Speedman. Otherwise, I just had the basic “about” details, which were:

TEACUP follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive. Inspired by the New York Times bestselling novel Stinger by Robert McCammon.

As I watched, I wondered about the title. That seems like a good place to start with the questions the first two episodes sparked.

Does the title change make more sense if you read the book that Teacup is based on?

Let’s face it. Without the creepy gas mask guy accompanying the show’s title, Teacup alone isn’t a very provocative title. Its source material is, though, which is the 1988 book Stinger by Robert McCammon. (Consequently, Stinger is currently free with a Kindle Unlimited membership if you have one. If not, you know Amazon. It’s easy to set up.)

In one of the opening scenes, Maggie Chenoweth (Yvonne Strahovski) traps a bug under a teacup against a window while her son, Arlo (Caleb Dolden), watches. She says something about catching a “tempest in a teacup,” an obvious foreshadowing of the chaos about to come, which doesn’t take long to ensue.

But before it got there, I was already wondering, “Why did they call it Teacup? Couldn’t they have come up with something more sinister sounding? Or did a teacup play a factor in the book? Still, wouldn’t something like The Tempest be better?”

NBC Insider had a similar question. When showrunner Ian McCulloch was asked about it, he simply teased that the title “is a big fat spoiler.”

However, Popverse provided a little more insight from McCulloch:

“Of course, during production the series changed and evolved. Just as it should. Even the title’s different. Stinger is now Teacup. The reasons for this are too spoilery to share but watch the first few episodes and all will be revealed,” says McCulloch. “Point being, the series is now very much its own thing: a puzzle-box mystery, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a can’t-but-must look horror story, a family drama, a science fiction epic—of the keyhole variety, of course.”

Okay, noted. Basically, reading the book doesn’t put the show’s title in any more context. But now I’m firmly convinced the “tempest in a teacup” scene does.

What’s up with the gas mask guy?

Among the most unnerving mayhem that unfolds is when a stranger in a gas mask shows up and paints a blue line on the Chenoweth family’s property. When James Chenoweth (Scott Speedman) and his neighbors see him —and that he has a working vehicle— they run out to ask for his help. He gives it, but not in the way they hope.

Instead, he cautions them not to cross the line. In short order, it becomes clear why. No spoilers here. However, I will warn animal lovers that some scenes are difficult to watch.

I have a lot of questions about that mask, but let’s get to the most obvious: why is he wearing it?

At first, I thought there must be something in the air. But after he draws the line, he gets back in his car and takes it off. He only puts it back on when he sees James and crew running towards him, and he gets out of the car to deliver his warning, which he does using a whiteboard.

Is he contagious? Or is he worried about getting something from them? Or does he simply wear the mask to conceal his identity? (And to spark fear? No matter how old and beat up it looks, that mask is creepy AF! Maybe more so because of how well-used it looks.)

But clearly he didn’t need to wear it, as evidenced by him removing it while in the car. I’ll be curious to see if that question is answered in future episodes.

Oh no. Is Teacup ultimately going to be disappointing?

I couldn’t help but wonder this as I watched the first two episodes, which were pretty good. Like I said, I binged them and would’ve kept watching if there’d been more. There’s a good balance of mystery and horror…so far. But will it stay that way?

I unintentionally discovered a possible revelation on that front during my search for answers to my other two questions.

I stumbled across a Variety article that didn’t really contain any spoilers, per se, but it was clear the author had screened all eight episodes and wasn’t impressed with the show’s ending.

Apparently, the first five episodes were great, but “the series unravels quickly” thereafter.

These two quotes in particular gave me pause:

1. “Since the puzzle at the center of ‘Teacup’ shifts away from horror and toward sci-fi elements, it suppresses the show’s fear and suspense, making for an unremarkable final three episodes.”
2. “…because the science-fiction element is so haphazardly thrown into the show, it loses much of the shock value it created. Instead of the rip-roaring and terrifying thrills the plot promised to deliver, it ends with a pitiful whimper.”

Hopefully, I haven’t tainted my viewing experience having been exposed to that assessment. I’ll be curious to see if I agree with it or not come episode 8.

For More Info

The first two episodes of Teacup premiered on Peacock on October 10. Two more will release every Thursday until October 31.

Check-In

Did you have any questions after watching the first two episodes of Teacup? Or have you read Stinger and are pretty much tuning in to see what they do with the adaptation?