Teen Wolf Season Three B
Overall Rating: 4 / 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.
Season 3 is hella long compared to the last two seasons and split into two parts called A and B. For the 3A review, click here. Otherwise, 3B starts off technically with episode 13 which picks up after the "finale" of 3A in the same way the next season normally would. We've got a whole new big bad as well, so let's get started.
New characters! And this season I like them. The Yukimura family was proof. I can go either way with the mom, but the dad and Kira are my new favorite things. They're adorable and sweet and can still kick ass or make a mean plate of sushi. Also, is anyone else suspicious of Deputy Parish? Really good at his last station, but drawn to Beacon Hills? Yep. Suspicious. Also also, Chris's surprise over the wolfsbane bullets that hit Ethan and Aiden. Totally his dad. I'm calling it now.
Everyone stepped up this season - the characters are more nuanced, the acting is stepping up because of it, but no one stepped up like Dylan O'Brien. I've been impressed with him since Season One, but he pulled double duty this time acting as two distinct characters and wowing us with both.
Okay, let's talk Echo House. I know you want to. I think life on social media blew up when this episode aired. It had the normal excitement with a side of Stiles finally getting a hookup that didn't start because of a panic attack or end with him running out to prove he's aiding and abetting a murderer. People have very strong opinions about this episode, but what they really mean is this one tiny scene. I thought it was strange at the time for a kiss in the middle of such craziness, but in a way it makes sense. Malia is very unhappily adjusting to human life and here's someone who not only knows what she really is, but is willing to help her and be nice. It helps that he's hot and puppy-dog sweet. As for Stiles, he's in an institution trying to stay awake to save his life and keeps hitting dead ends for information. But here's a pretty girl who is actually interested in him. Win-win. The scene itself was really well done, but with a killer song to back it up. Now a lot of people also think Stiles got laid and there's all kinds of teenage hormones or possessed by nogitsune explanations for that, but I'm not one of them. I really think they just had Malia's first make-out session and cuddle-fest instead of having crazy unprotected teen sex in a institution's basement.
Now to Malia herself. There is so much butthurt in the fandom over her. Lots of Malia hate and I think most of it is focused on her deal with Stiles as opposed to Malia herself. I really want and believe that Stiles and Lydia would and should end up together, but whether that will happen is one thing. Whether he ends up with Malia is another, one that I don't think is actually that likely and that will probably not change much about the endgame. I don't think Stiles and Lydia are ready yet, nor do I think Stiles will be "right" for a while. First the sacrifice, then the nogitsune, and potentially dementia. Dude's had a rough year. Malia is just a very disturbed girl who has a lot of issues she needs to work out: whether she wants to be a coyote or not, how to control herself, how to interact with her father, and now she has to wade through the hell that is high school. Plus, she might have to deal with PETER HALE as a father. Give the girl a break.
Also, I'm really glad they at least addressed the Japanese internment camps in episode 21. It's not something we like to think about a lot in the United States, but having it appear was a nice nod in a teen show.
Crystal Reed's decision to permanently leave the show led to her death scene. Some people think the writer's did it justice, others are vehemently opposed. I'm sort of in between, but I do believe that her going out trying to save her friends is the only acceptable way for her to die unless old and happy was an option. While I have had issues with the way Allison has handled her problems over the seasons, I do like her character and think Crystal did a great job. I would have liked to see her alongside Kira in the future, because I think an Allison/Lydia/Kira team could have kicked some very serious ass. Maybe Malia will fill in for that in the future. However, I am always sort of shocked when people say things along the lines of "but the death was so unexpected which is why I don't like it". That's how death works. You don't get a neon sign. She was lucky she got a chance to tell someone that she loved them before she was gone.
It's also been confirmed that Daniel Sharman who plays Isaac will also not be returning, though he's asked to not have his character killed off just in case he wants to return. I think Isaac will be a loss. He was probably the most sensitive character on the show who wasn't afraid to cry or show emotion, where most of them would rather hide it. Right now, it looks like the only people who can fill that role are probably Scott and Lydia. And now we're down the twins! After Aiden's death, I could see Ethan maybe trying even harder to get into Scott's pack, but I doubt the actors would appear without the other in this show.
In season four, I'm ready for Sheriff Stilinski and Melissa McCall to get together already! Stiles needs a new mommy. The Sheriff needs a new mommy. And how would that not be the greatest family unit ever? I want Scott and Kira to get together too. I like it, I ship it, I want it to happen. And can we make her dad a regular? And maybe him and Deaton can be friends and they have adventures? And maybe Derek won't be retarded and start some stupid crap with Kate again? She was crazy the first time, but it's worse now. Derek, don't do that thing. I would also love to have a creeper Peter incompetently stalking Malia and trying awkwardly to make nice. Just a few months now folks and we'll have our answers. For now, I'm officially elevating the rating to a 4 out of 5.
You can purchase individual episodes from part two of the season like The Divine Move from Amazon though the full season is not yet available on DVD. 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 Three 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.Season 3 is hella long compared to the last two seasons and split into two parts called A and B. For the 3A review, click here. Otherwise, 3B starts off technically with episode 13 which picks up after the "finale" of 3A in the same way the next season normally would. We've got a whole new big bad as well, so let's get started.
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| Nogitsune holding Lydia captive. |
Big Bad of the Season:
- The Oni - Masked ninjas are always fun. Here they come out of dark smoke and follow the wolves, marking them with symbols and leaving them freezing. They were good fun for a few episodes when we thought they were evil. Turns out they're good guys, so they got less cool but whatever. It paved the way for the real (awesome) bad guy.
- Nogitsune - Everyone loves a trickster god. Really how many times have they popped up lately and when have you not loved them. Loki in the Avengers movies. Loki in Supernatural (who really was just a tricky Angel). And this is no exception. Half the time he's a mummy-wrapped monster with pointed teeth, the other half he's a hot powerful Stiles. It's a win-win here.
Top 8 Favorite Moments of Teen Wolf Season Two
- S3.E14: The Lydia/Stiles teamwork moment when Lydia gets caught in the coyote trap.
- S3.E15: Scott is the hot girl. And if you don't think the moment between Stiles and Lydia in his room wasn't adorable, you're wrong. Okay and yeah, Peter yelling at Allison about Isaac.
- S3.E16: I just have a yen for Isaac crying. It does something to my feels. Also, Stiles coming back with a bottle of water for Caitlin at the blacklight party is a cute touch.
- S3.E17: Stiles set the girls on fire with his evil side in this episode. Everyone loves void!Stiles.
- S3.E18: Stiles was amazing in this whole episode, but the hug between him and Scott as he goes in for tests made me want to cry.
- S3.E19: "I just poisoned you and your wolf. Sorrynotsorry. Hey, Stiles! Have some too, lolz," said Deaton BAMFly.
- S3.E22: Isaac "I guess this is the part when I say something witty. I'm not witty." Closely followed by Allison and Kira kicking ass and trading weapons.
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| Coach stands up to bullies. |
Pros and Cons
Um. Did the theme song change in episode 16 for no reason?New characters! And this season I like them. The Yukimura family was proof. I can go either way with the mom, but the dad and Kira are my new favorite things. They're adorable and sweet and can still kick ass or make a mean plate of sushi. Also, is anyone else suspicious of Deputy Parish? Really good at his last station, but drawn to Beacon Hills? Yep. Suspicious. Also also, Chris's surprise over the wolfsbane bullets that hit Ethan and Aiden. Totally his dad. I'm calling it now.
Everyone stepped up this season - the characters are more nuanced, the acting is stepping up because of it, but no one stepped up like Dylan O'Brien. I've been impressed with him since Season One, but he pulled double duty this time acting as two distinct characters and wowing us with both.
Okay, let's talk Echo House. I know you want to. I think life on social media blew up when this episode aired. It had the normal excitement with a side of Stiles finally getting a hookup that didn't start because of a panic attack or end with him running out to prove he's aiding and abetting a murderer. People have very strong opinions about this episode, but what they really mean is this one tiny scene. I thought it was strange at the time for a kiss in the middle of such craziness, but in a way it makes sense. Malia is very unhappily adjusting to human life and here's someone who not only knows what she really is, but is willing to help her and be nice. It helps that he's hot and puppy-dog sweet. As for Stiles, he's in an institution trying to stay awake to save his life and keeps hitting dead ends for information. But here's a pretty girl who is actually interested in him. Win-win. The scene itself was really well done, but with a killer song to back it up. Now a lot of people also think Stiles got laid and there's all kinds of teenage hormones or possessed by nogitsune explanations for that, but I'm not one of them. I really think they just had Malia's first make-out session and cuddle-fest instead of having crazy unprotected teen sex in a institution's basement.
Now to Malia herself. There is so much butthurt in the fandom over her. Lots of Malia hate and I think most of it is focused on her deal with Stiles as opposed to Malia herself. I really want and believe that Stiles and Lydia would and should end up together, but whether that will happen is one thing. Whether he ends up with Malia is another, one that I don't think is actually that likely and that will probably not change much about the endgame. I don't think Stiles and Lydia are ready yet, nor do I think Stiles will be "right" for a while. First the sacrifice, then the nogitsune, and potentially dementia. Dude's had a rough year. Malia is just a very disturbed girl who has a lot of issues she needs to work out: whether she wants to be a coyote or not, how to control herself, how to interact with her father, and now she has to wade through the hell that is high school. Plus, she might have to deal with PETER HALE as a father. Give the girl a break.
Also, I'm really glad they at least addressed the Japanese internment camps in episode 21. It's not something we like to think about a lot in the United States, but having it appear was a nice nod in a teen show.
 |
| Allison's killing blow to the Oni right before her death. |
Crystal Reed's decision to permanently leave the show led to her death scene. Some people think the writer's did it justice, others are vehemently opposed. I'm sort of in between, but I do believe that her going out trying to save her friends is the only acceptable way for her to die unless old and happy was an option. While I have had issues with the way Allison has handled her problems over the seasons, I do like her character and think Crystal did a great job. I would have liked to see her alongside Kira in the future, because I think an Allison/Lydia/Kira team could have kicked some very serious ass. Maybe Malia will fill in for that in the future. However, I am always sort of shocked when people say things along the lines of "but the death was so unexpected which is why I don't like it". That's how death works. You don't get a neon sign. She was lucky she got a chance to tell someone that she loved them before she was gone.
It's also been confirmed that Daniel Sharman who plays Isaac will also not be returning, though he's asked to not have his character killed off just in case he wants to return. I think Isaac will be a loss. He was probably the most sensitive character on the show who wasn't afraid to cry or show emotion, where most of them would rather hide it. Right now, it looks like the only people who can fill that role are probably Scott and Lydia. And now we're down the twins! After Aiden's death, I could see Ethan maybe trying even harder to get into Scott's pack, but I doubt the actors would appear without the other in this show.
In season four, I'm ready for Sheriff Stilinski and Melissa McCall to get together already! Stiles needs a new mommy. The Sheriff needs a new mommy. And how would that not be the greatest family unit ever? I want Scott and Kira to get together too. I like it, I ship it, I want it to happen. And can we make her dad a regular? And maybe him and Deaton can be friends and they have adventures? And maybe Derek won't be retarded and start some stupid crap with Kate again? She was crazy the first time, but it's worse now. Derek, don't do that thing. I would also love to have a creeper Peter incompetently stalking Malia and trying awkwardly to make nice. Just a few months now folks and we'll have our answers. For now, I'm officially elevating the rating to a 4 out of 5.
Where to Watch
You can purchase individual episodes from part two of the season like The Divine Move
from Amazon though the full season is not yet available on DVD. 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 Three episodes.