Teen Wolf Season One
Overall Rating: 3 / 5
If you're a child of the 80s or early 90s, you may have grown up with Teen Wolf starring Michael J Fox. Based on the hit movie, Teen Wolf the TV show has stepped in to fill the void. First the country went crazy for vampires, now for werewolves. The show follows Scott McCall, a shy teenager, as he copes with life as a lycanthrope. He is joined by his best friend, love interest, and rivals in high school. While it's not a cinematic masterpiece and certainly doesn't have the maturity of many popular shows (in writing, acting, or characters), it's still an overall enjoyable show. Don't go in with your expectations too high so you can appreciate what the show does well, which is mixing the supernatural with comedy in a trendy way that is easy to swallow and enjoy. It's also the only supernatural based show (or anything really) that doesn't have the lead characters sexualizing dangerous relationships or behavior and using love to justify it. THANK YOU.
Scott & Allison: While the show is generally about the supernatural, it is specifically focused on the budding romantic relationship between Scott and Allison. Teenage romance always seems to be based on massive drama and hurdles. This is no exception. Complications grow as we become aware of the adversarial nature of werewolves and hunters - very awkward when Scott is a wolf and Allison's family is basically trying to kill him.
The Alpha: Who the hell is it, really? Well, that's what we're trying to find out. When Scott was bitten, he assumed it was by Derek Hale. Now that we know that's not true, the search for the true Alpha ensues but it's a bloody race to find them before even more bodies pile up. Then we find the alpha bouncing out of his wheelchair to wreck havoc at the school dance, bite a few people, the norm. And then we burn him. A lot. Again. Before Derek makes another poor choice and becomes the new alpha by killing his uncle. Derek, seriously. You make very poor decisions.
It is easy to see exactly the demographic they're going for here. It's almost painful actually. The show lacks any and all subtlety, painfully spelling out details the audience should have already understood. The dialogue feels like it's trying too hard sometimes, but is overall not too bad.
What feels forced in character scenes is less about the dialogue and more about the characters. I feel like there is a fine line here that spins around in a vicious cycle. I get the writers needed to have character tropes in here, archetypes. But they are not just obvious, they are more dramatic than necessary. Actors generally have a hard time playing characters like this with any finesse. Also, most of the actors are just average. Now, average is not awful, but it does have its moments that are pretty clunky. This makes it hard to write in more subtle character scenes, and we spin on into the sunset.
On the upside, the places that the show takes us are more interesting than the Teen Wolf movie for sure. It adds elements that leave a lot of room for exploration in the future. As it's produced by MTV, you can expect a polished and modern feel to the show along with some great music. It definitely has both of those things in spades. There are also a few standout actors that elevate the general acting and character narration, namely Dylan O'Brien, Linden Ashby, Jill Wagner, JR Bourne, and Melissa Ponzio. So basically the adults and Stiles. Plus, what the show lacks in general grace and complexity, it generally makes up for with a fun, poppy tone. It's not Gone With The Wind, but as long as you don't expect that going in you can enjoy what the show is.
Also the show is notable for having gay characters where them being gay is both not essential to them actually being in the show and also a non-issue for everyone else. Granted, this is MTV so it's much easier, but I think it's important to have gay characters who can be gay without it having to "mean something" in the show or be a big deal.
I'd also like to give the show props for the choice in writing their male lead. We've got lots of spunky female leads and loves, but what we don't seem to have a lot of is actual good guys. Scott doesn't want to kill. He doesn't want to be a bad son or friend. He doesn't want to keep secrets. He doesn't brood unnecessarily or cheat on his friends or girlfriend or have any kind of bad boy bone in his body. He's just a very sweet, gentle, responsible and respectable kid who is going to grow into the same kind of man. It's very refreshing to see. For the record, I'm completely dismissing the episode where he makes out with Lydia as a) he wasn't dating Allison and b) it's completely incongruous with everything else we see him do for the last three seasons.
Also double points for a female lead who protects herself. I'm not talking about the fact that Allison wants to be strong and is great with a bow. She sees that Scott's life is dangerous and breaks up with him. She walks away anytime she's with a guy who ends up becoming too possessive, scary, or disrespectful. She's not attracted to it and is willing to distance herself from it. Thank you Allison for not being a moron and over-sexualizing the bad boy thing. Love it.
You can purchase Teen Wolf: Season 1
from Amazon. If you are an Amazon Prime member, the first two seasons are free on Prime as well as the first half of Season 3. All seasons are also theoretically on MTV.com, but it seems like half the episode are "not available" at any given time. I don't understand why as it's their TV show, but I don't get paid to ask questions.
Here is also a link to a website that lists the songs played in the Season One episodes.
If you're a child of the 80s or early 90s, you may have grown up with Teen Wolf starring Michael J Fox. Based on the hit movie, Teen Wolf the TV show has stepped in to fill the void. First the country went crazy for vampires, now for werewolves. The show follows Scott McCall, a shy teenager, as he copes with life as a lycanthrope. He is joined by his best friend, love interest, and rivals in high school. While it's not a cinematic masterpiece and certainly doesn't have the maturity of many popular shows (in writing, acting, or characters), it's still an overall enjoyable show. Don't go in with your expectations too high so you can appreciate what the show does well, which is mixing the supernatural with comedy in a trendy way that is easy to swallow and enjoy. It's also the only supernatural based show (or anything really) that doesn't have the lead characters sexualizing dangerous relationships or behavior and using love to justify it. THANK YOU.
Big Bad of the Season:
- Peter Hale - the Alpha. Is he the kindly uncle looking for revenge for his family's death or is he just a creeper who likes to kill?
- Kate Argent - While the whole Argent family is a threat to the wolves, Kate in particular is the bad guy. She burnt the Hale house to the ground, killing wolves and innocent people. She's a smooth-talking, confident bad guy and she plays her role well.
Top 8 Favorite Moments of Teen Wolf Season One
- S1.E4: Derek and Stiles' hostility
- S1.E5: Stiles visiting a drugged Lydia
- S1.E6: Stiles "Okay this whole 'women make you weak thing' is a little too Spartan warrior for me." + Scott's incredibly failed first attempt at howling.
- S1.E8: Biles
- S1.E9: Everything about Derek in Stile's room.
- S1.E11: Kate torturing Derek. Mostly for Kate being a hot bad girl, but big ups to shirtless Derek.
- S1.E11: "Yes..." Scott snuggles into Danny "Coach?"
- S1.E12: Peter "His username is Allison? His password is also Allison?" Stiles "Still want him in your pack?"
Major Story Arcs
Scott & Allison: While the show is generally about the supernatural, it is specifically focused on the budding romantic relationship between Scott and Allison. Teenage romance always seems to be based on massive drama and hurdles. This is no exception. Complications grow as we become aware of the adversarial nature of werewolves and hunters - very awkward when Scott is a wolf and Allison's family is basically trying to kill him.
The Alpha: Who the hell is it, really? Well, that's what we're trying to find out. When Scott was bitten, he assumed it was by Derek Hale. Now that we know that's not true, the search for the true Alpha ensues but it's a bloody race to find them before even more bodies pile up. Then we find the alpha bouncing out of his wheelchair to wreck havoc at the school dance, bite a few people, the norm. And then we burn him. A lot. Again. Before Derek makes another poor choice and becomes the new alpha by killing his uncle. Derek, seriously. You make very poor decisions.
 |
| Season 1 Main Cast |
Pros and Cons
It is easy to see exactly the demographic they're going for here. It's almost painful actually. The show lacks any and all subtlety, painfully spelling out details the audience should have already understood. The dialogue feels like it's trying too hard sometimes, but is overall not too bad.
What feels forced in character scenes is less about the dialogue and more about the characters. I feel like there is a fine line here that spins around in a vicious cycle. I get the writers needed to have character tropes in here, archetypes. But they are not just obvious, they are more dramatic than necessary. Actors generally have a hard time playing characters like this with any finesse. Also, most of the actors are just average. Now, average is not awful, but it does have its moments that are pretty clunky. This makes it hard to write in more subtle character scenes, and we spin on into the sunset.
On the upside, the places that the show takes us are more interesting than the Teen Wolf movie for sure. It adds elements that leave a lot of room for exploration in the future. As it's produced by MTV, you can expect a polished and modern feel to the show along with some great music. It definitely has both of those things in spades. There are also a few standout actors that elevate the general acting and character narration, namely Dylan O'Brien, Linden Ashby, Jill Wagner, JR Bourne, and Melissa Ponzio. So basically the adults and Stiles. Plus, what the show lacks in general grace and complexity, it generally makes up for with a fun, poppy tone. It's not Gone With The Wind, but as long as you don't expect that going in you can enjoy what the show is.
Also the show is notable for having gay characters where them being gay is both not essential to them actually being in the show and also a non-issue for everyone else. Granted, this is MTV so it's much easier, but I think it's important to have gay characters who can be gay without it having to "mean something" in the show or be a big deal.
I'd also like to give the show props for the choice in writing their male lead. We've got lots of spunky female leads and loves, but what we don't seem to have a lot of is actual good guys. Scott doesn't want to kill. He doesn't want to be a bad son or friend. He doesn't want to keep secrets. He doesn't brood unnecessarily or cheat on his friends or girlfriend or have any kind of bad boy bone in his body. He's just a very sweet, gentle, responsible and respectable kid who is going to grow into the same kind of man. It's very refreshing to see. For the record, I'm completely dismissing the episode where he makes out with Lydia as a) he wasn't dating Allison and b) it's completely incongruous with everything else we see him do for the last three seasons.
Also double points for a female lead who protects herself. I'm not talking about the fact that Allison wants to be strong and is great with a bow. She sees that Scott's life is dangerous and breaks up with him. She walks away anytime she's with a guy who ends up becoming too possessive, scary, or disrespectful. She's not attracted to it and is willing to distance herself from it. Thank you Allison for not being a moron and over-sexualizing the bad boy thing. Love it.
Where to Watch
You can purchase Teen Wolf: Season 1
from Amazon. If you are an Amazon Prime member, the first two seasons are free on Prime as well as the first half of Season 3. All seasons are also theoretically on MTV.com, but it seems like half the episode are "not available" at any given time. I don't understand why as it's their TV show, but I don't get paid to ask questions.Here is also a link to a website that lists the songs played in the Season One episodes.