User blog comment:Bigwolfonbase/Affirmative Action apparently it even applies to the pack/@comment-11707875-20130715224059

This was an interesting read. I took a course a few years back where we looked at the 'magical negro' concept and I found it really enlightening. I think your observations about TW are on the money. I was taught that ethnic minorities, more often than their caucasion counterparts, were generally used to fill roles that typically made them little more than a mystical, though helpful, figure to the main protagonists, and that there was very little character development for them beyond of that role. I can see it represented in TW with Dr. Deaton (from the beginning you always got the impression that he was more than what he seemed, plus he has extensive knowledge of the supernatural and we know almost nothing about him), Ms. Morell (has knowledge of the supernatural and seemingly knowledge of future events, such as when she questioned Deaton about letting Scott and Co. handle what was to come on their own. We also know very little about her), the woman who saved Isaac in Season 3 (again, we know nothing about her but she is aware of the supernatural and drops in to lend a brief but helpful hand) and Boyd.

I do agree with you about Boyd's character. I mean, whether it was intentional or not, Season 2 Boyd got noticeably less screen time than Isaac and Erica. I can understand what Paul is saying about Boyd's actor's schedule, but honestly they could have given him more lines in the scenes he did have. Five minutes in the show exploring his character would have been enough. Because we're now in Season 3 and we still know very little about him. I think that has also led to fans not being able to identify with him as much. I know that Isaac and Erica (even though she's now presumed dead) are very popular characters, but I hear very little about Boyd. Which is a shame. I'm glad that he at least got some fleshing out last episode, though. I'm really hoping they follow that storyline (with all that wonderful guilt and angst) and keep him on the show.

Anyway, thanks for sharing. I honestly haven't thought about this for a while. I'm grateful for the reminder.