Teen Wolf Review: "Memory Lost"

Sabrina Petrafesa ‘18 / Emertainment Monthly Executive Publisher
In its final season, Teen Wolf gives viewers a big bad that literally erases people from existence. The whole episode, viewers see Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien) freaking out over leaving Beacon Hills for college. He vehemently denies that Beacon Hills might not need the pack anymore, which makes him the obvious choice for “the Hunt.”
Teen Wolf has a history of making absolutely no sense, given its crazy plot lines that are impossible to follow, while keeping viewers watching by pulling on their heartstrings. The Wild Hunt is a ridiculous villain, taking characters out of existence the same way Teen Wolf’s existence slowly comes to an end in this final season. However, viewers still care about this trash show, because it has taken fan-favorite Stilinski out of the picture. Right before he is taken, he tells long-time love interest Lydia Martin to “remember that I love you,” in an effort to get her to remember him against all odds.

The only thing worth talking about in this episode is O’Brien’s performance. His quirky character consistently breaks the viewers’ hearts in his portrayal of Stilinski, whose panic rises slowly and consistently through the episode. His original panic stems from his paranoia to leave home for college, and realizing that he may not be as important to the people around him as he thought. This small, relatable panic becomes a reality in how everyone, even his own father, begins to forget who he is.
Viewers are in store for a crazy amount of angst this season. The biggest question on everyone’s mind: was it Martin’s (Holland Roden) banshee powers that made her remember Stilinski to the last second, or her bond with him? Or a little bit of both? This reviewer hopes that it’s a little bit of both, because this fangirl will never not freak out over the little #Stydia moments.

Between the angst and awkwardness of Teen Wolf, the shining scenes will always be the small comedic moments that Malia Tate (Shelley Hennig) brings to the table. She brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to remind viewers this is one of the most absurd and laughable shows on television. Highlights include her blunt personality and total comfort with being naked in front of the pack, not to mention the fact that she just doesn’t care that the pack is investigating something, because who cares if the object of mystery is dead? Hennig is a fantastic actor who will likely take over the role of comedic relief while Stilinski is wherever people who are erased from existence go.
The season premiere gave viewers exactly what one would expect from Teen Wolf—a simple plot with simple rules introducing the singular issue the pack will revolve around for the first half of, or possibly the whole of, the season. If the plot becomes any more intricate, it will fall into the pattern of confusing plotlines that have burdened the show since season three. Hopefully, in the final season of Teen Wolf, the writers will get back to its basics and stay focused on Scott McCall and other characters the fans love. The new young kids are fun, but should never be the stars of the show. It is only this reviewer’s hope that Teen Wolf will end on a much-needed high note to say goodbye to fans in the best possible way.