Building on last week's excellent episode, Silverfinger is perhaps Teen Wolf's finest offering to date. Between moody, atmospheric direction, interweaving plot threads and a delightfully shocking reveal, everyone gets plenty to sink their teeth into. Except for Lydia, who bizarrely doesn't show up.
Now Scott's werewolf secret has been revealed, Kira shares her own: she's a kitsune, although she doesn't yet know what kind. Just as Silverfinger is telling the Argents that the Oni are searching for a Kristine, the Oni begin terrorising the McCall house, with Scott and Kira, Derek, the twins, and Scott's parents inside. These scenes are tense, atmospheric, and great for building character.
Another revelation, finally, concerns Derek Hale. Not only do we discover that Derek has a special ability, his conversation with the twins reveals a great deal about the three of them. Derek knows the twins would kill for Scott, being so desperate for a pack, but would they die for him?
At the episode's close, the Oni catch up with Stiles, and it is here where O'Brien truly shines. The Oni attack him, but in the midst subtle of facial expression shifts, he turns from the Stiles we know and love, to something utterly terrifying, destroying an Oni and reducing it to a mere firefly. The scene is excellent: dark, horrifying, and shocking. What this all means is anybody's guess. What is the connection to Claudia Stilinski? Is Stiles actually evil or possessed by some other force? Is the lack of interaction between usual scene partners Stiles and Derek because Derek could read his aura? The mystery grows ever deeper, and it is all-consuming to watch.
In terms of direction, everything continues to be gorgeously filmed, particularly Stiles' reveal scene and the flashback to a young Chris. The lighting choices are accurately representing the atmosphere of the various storylines, with the amusing Allison and Isaac scenes in broad daylight, while Stiles' every moment is filled with shadow. The actors, while none reaching O'Brien's level, continue to improve and amaze. Season 3B, provided it continues on its current trajectory, looks set to be Teen Wolf's finest moment, and may bring this MTV supernatural drama critical acclaim to add to its huge fan following.