'Teen Wolf' Review: “Ouroboros”
Courtney Accocella ‘17/ Emertainment Monthly Assistant Web Editor
So in true Teen Wolf fashion, the storyline continues into season five, in which it probably should have just been the main storyline of the season. Instead, it seems like it would be a true background story this time, something we wouldn’t even talk about after Stiles said Derek (Tyler Hoechlin) looked for the Desert Wolf in Mexico. One would think this would be a convenient way to keep Derek “occupied” and out of the season, and at the same time put the Desert Wolf story to bed for a while. For whatever reason, though, the writers can’t seem to hold back a storyline, and they are fast approaching Twin Peaks levels on side stories and characters.
Because why not let Malia have weird PTSD flashbacks of the Desert Wolf? Have Hayden (Victoria Moroles) and Liam (Dylan Sprayberry) have a romance that’s clearly rushed without Hayden even having proper character development. Have Stiles (Dylan O’Brien) continue to act uncharacteristically without enough motivation for him to do so. Write Kira (Arden Cho) off the show, rather unceremoniously following giving her one of the worst storylines a female character has seen on this show. Focus on Parrish (Ryan Kelley) stealing bodies with no explanation as to why or what he even is. Create Theo (Cody Christian), a complete mess of a character who is a continued question, coupled with the most complicated villains who have no basis in any sort of preexisting mythology at all. Making it the absolute perfect time to have Deaton (Seth Gilliam) travel to Russia to encounter the infamous Desert Wolf. Season five has more issues to tackle in twenty episodes than some shows encounter in twenty seasons. No episode has even begun to answer a single question. Instead, we continue to get more mysteries as the episodes maintain a cyclical element. You know—Scott (Tyler Posey) doesn’t trust Kira, Stiles doesn’t trust Theo and fears losing his friends, Malia sees something insane, there is a weird romantic-ish/creepy moment between Parrish and Lydia (Holland Roden), an inevitable dead body is discovered (then is stolen), Parrish burns the body at the nemeton, and characters and audience like have no idea what is happening.
Speaking of underdeveloped female characters on the show, look no further than newbie chimera Hayden. Sure, Hayden was only introduced a mere few episodes ago. As an audience, we’ve only had one real moment to learn anything about her. Yet here we are, just halfway into the season, and Liam and Hayden are now “Layden.” It’s not that the relationship shouldn’t have happened. It definitely should have, it was one of the inevitable relationships of this show. The issue taken is the ruined potential of this relationship. The start of the ‘flirtationship’ was the essence of why people want Stiles and Lydia to date. It’s a certain playfulness between the characters, the sarcasm and teasing dynamic between them, one of the few teen-like things on a show ironically called Teen Wolf. They were a relief from the intense storylines. Even just looking at Liam’s development from season four, the hot-tempered boy, to season five, a floundering dorky awkward guy, Liam began to embody early Stiles. Stiles now is untrusting—he’s seen too many friends die and experienced too much to be that class clown from season one. Liam hasn’t really seen much yet. He still has some ability to laugh, to make jokes, to fall in holes!
Of course, the other major issue of this episode occurs with another female character—Kira and her rather abrupt exit from the show. It’s only a one-episode break, according to IMDB. However, it’s a glaring example of how poor of a story Kira has. We finally have a development in this low-grade story they have given her, and just when we might be able to see something worthwhile out of Kira, they send her away so we can once again ignore her as a character. At this point, Kira is a background character who gets a few lines. Though she has been a character for three seasons, she has had as much character development (outside of her relationship with Scott) as Hayden has had in half a season. One could go as far as saying that Tracy (Kelsey Asbille) had more character development in four episodes than Kira has had in her entire time on the show.
For all of the issues, one of the greatest things to come from the episode is the actual arc that Melissa McCall (Melissa Ponzioo) and Sheriff Stilinski (Linden Ashby) are getting. It seems that finally, Teen Wolf will battle with the question of Supernatural vs. Humanity. It’s a storyline that definitely should have happened a good three seasons ago, but Sheriff is finally saying enough is enough. To see these two frequent scene-stealing actors finally get to show their chops on their own is so great. The writing for their scenes and their acting abilities made this serious discussion of whether or not to start involving the law in the supernatural affairs funny and entertaining. Teen Wolf used to do that frequently, adding humor into what would be, for any other show, intense moments. It was what made it great, a quirky dramedy with action and eye candy and simple one-issue storylines that were complex, but not overtly complicated. Teen Wolf needs to find its base again before we ramble off into a plot line that looks like Stiles’ unsolved wall of mysteries.
On a side note, let’s keep giving Scott a storyline that test what he believes and knows, because Tyler Posey did phenomenally this episode, and we need to see more of that!
Overall Rating: C
While you’re debating what name could start with ‘M’ and end with ‘ienim’ (we’re looking at you, Stiles) take a second and let us know what you thought of “Ouroboros” below!
I wonder if I saw the same episode that you did. First, and most importantly, I have to ask have you never read a mystery? Much of what is going on is similar to Sherlock Holmes and/or the Agatha Christie plays/novels.
There needs to be several plot lines open to keep interest strong for 5B. One cliff-hanger would not be sufficient for the Teen Wolf fan base.
It was STRONLY implied that the relationship between Liam and Hayden in grade school was puppy love. They are continuing where they left off.
Scott is so overwhelmed with his situation he is not thinking clearly. “I’m doing something wrong that is destroying my pack and my friends.” He can’t see the little clues the would help him understand. If he was not been so obsessed with his own faults, with the horrible situation, He would NEVER have mistrusted Stiles or Kira.
The revelation that the Chimeras (sp?) are naturally born is of huge importance. (This was during Melissa and the Stilinski’s conversation about skin grafts) The Dread Doctors are trying to alter the Chimaras for some specific purpose.
Theo is a dark horse. However, I have noticed that all his reactions to his “evil” deeds could have been motivated by something other than an evil intent. His lies to Scott and Stilinski will be revealed to have specific reasons, not necessarily bad.
The Dread Doctors have a previous history in Russia that will soon be revealed By Dr. Deaton.
Both Malia’s and Kira’s plotlines are currently being developed. Both characters will prove to be important. It is not Kera that Scott doubts. It is the fox controlling her that scares him.
I hate to have to say this in public, but it seems that T-Poe and Arden don’t seem to have a natural chemistry. I’m sure they get along fine, but that magic that can be between two people just isn’t there. (You can’t blame either actor.) That is one reason Kera’s character seems undefined.
Stile’s character has been diminished somewhat. I see two reason’s. 1) The “old” Stiles would have been right at Scott’s side to help him. Together they could probably handle everything. 2) Stiles fear about killing (What’ his name) has kept him from Scott. Their mutual misunderstanding is quite believable.
Also, the writers are making room for Liam and Mason’s characters. I believe this will all work itself out. (Also, Dylan may have movie commitments that limit his time – Just a guess.)
Long-winded, but I wanted to get most of my opinions on record.