by Hayley Charlesworth
Given last week’s poor offering, the lead in to the season four finale was at miniscule excitement levels. To cover up for an underdeveloped storyline, Teen Wolf sets the pace of action impossibly high to make for an enjoyable watch, culminating in a piece of character development that’s been a long time coming, and is the most satisfactory twist in the show for a long time.
Given last week’s poor offering, the lead in to the season four finale was at miniscule excitement levels. To cover up for an underdeveloped storyline, Teen Wolf sets the pace of action impossibly high to make for an enjoyable watch, culminating in a piece of character development that’s been a long time coming, and is the most satisfactory twist in the show for a long time.
With Kira at the mercy of Kate, and Scott transformed into a Berserker, the group of Stiles, Derek, Malia, Braeden, Liam and Peter travel to Mexico on a rescue mission, whilst Lydia and Mason trapped in the school by another Berserker. With Derek and Braeden left behind to fight off the Berserkers, Stiles finds Kira, and the group realises what has happened to Scott, but then Peter’s master plan is revealed, leading to a showdown between the two. Outside, Chris Argent, Deputy Parrish and the Calaveras arrive as cavalry in the fight against Kate, but it is a previously believed dead Derek, along with a wolfsbane bullet, that takes her down. Lydia promises to help find Parrish his answers. And Peter finds himself locked in Eichen House with the man with the third eye, screaming in terror as he realises his fate.
Let’s talk about Derek Hale, a wonderful, complex character completely ill-treated by the writers, until now. Derek is a hero, born from a tragic past, with a goal only to help others. He took on power he did not ask for (becoming an Alpha) to stop his psychotic uncle’s reign of terror, and gave up that power in order to save his sister’s life. He has frequently risked his life to save the people he loves, and yet this show seems to believe that Derek is not worthy of being a hero. Meanwhile, Scott is frequently touted as the True Alpha, the greatest of all heroes, without being give enough on-screen evidence of this, while it is Derek we see doing heroic things and being ignored for it. This episode changes that.
Let’s talk about Derek Hale, a wonderful, complex character completely ill-treated by the writers, until now. Derek is a hero, born from a tragic past, with a goal only to help others. He took on power he did not ask for (becoming an Alpha) to stop his psychotic uncle’s reign of terror, and gave up that power in order to save his sister’s life. He has frequently risked his life to save the people he loves, and yet this show seems to believe that Derek is not worthy of being a hero. Meanwhile, Scott is frequently touted as the True Alpha, the greatest of all heroes, without being give enough on-screen evidence of this, while it is Derek we see doing heroic things and being ignored for it. This episode changes that.
First, Derek works with Stiles to help Liam learn control on a full moon (a heroic act in itself, considering both Derek and Stiles were currently mortal and Liam could have torn them apart. Then we see Derek sacrificing himself in the fight to save Scott and Kira, and we see him rewarded with his evolution into shifting into full wolf form, a skill only ever demonstrated by his mother Talia, and by Peter. Unlike Derek, both of these characters were the Alpha at the time, and like Scott becoming an Alpha without killing people, Derek earns this power through the strength of his character, and as such, this is Teen Wolf’s most character-loyal twist in years. Significant also is Derek’s “death” scene. Insisting that he be left behind while the others save Scott and Kira, the two characters most affected by this are the humans Braeden and Stiles, connecting the scene to Derek’s humanity. Braeden remains behind to protect the wounded Derek, and fights fiercely in his name when she believes he is dead. Stiles, while eventually leaving, is the only one to look back, and to display some turmoil in abandoning Derek. It’s a subtle but brilliant moment.
Away from Derek, it’s safe to say that the Kate storyline is better handled than Peter’s. Kate’s return corresponded with Allison’s death, and her whole plot is nicely tied into Allison and the legacy of the Argents in a scene between Kate and Chris, in which the difference between the Argent mission and the one Allison created is clearly evident. Peter, meanwhile, has had two seasons since his return, with only about 10 minutes dedicated to his villainy and master plan. Peter is a far too important villain for this to have been rushed, but the two upsides are that: One) Peter isn’t dead and his storyline can continue, and Two) Peter and Scott’s showdown fight is incredibly well choreographed.
Away from Derek, it’s safe to say that the Kate storyline is better handled than Peter’s. Kate’s return corresponded with Allison’s death, and her whole plot is nicely tied into Allison and the legacy of the Argents in a scene between Kate and Chris, in which the difference between the Argent mission and the one Allison created is clearly evident. Peter, meanwhile, has had two seasons since his return, with only about 10 minutes dedicated to his villainy and master plan. Peter is a far too important villain for this to have been rushed, but the two upsides are that: One) Peter isn’t dead and his storyline can continue, and Two) Peter and Scott’s showdown fight is incredibly well choreographed.
But looking at the season as a whole, the biggest disappointment is with Kira. While wonderfully portrayed by Arden Cho, with a strong character foundation in season three-B, Kira’s development has been lacking compared to the other newer characters like Malia, Liam, Braeden or even Parrish. The finale sees her earn her first tail, and yet we rarely, if ever, saw her explore and utilise her powers. With three-B being so focused on the Kitsune myth, this just seems like a waste, and makes Kira unjustly little more than Allison’s replacement rather than a character in her own right.
Still, Teen Wolf is in a strong position going into season five. It has at least three mysteries to explore: Peter’s cellmate and why he is such a threat, the Desert Wolf’s identity (tying in Malia’s storyline to Braeden’s, who has been hunting her), and the mystery of Parrish. Plus, Kate is still out there. With a longer season, there’s no excuse for all these stories to be fully realised.
Still, Teen Wolf is in a strong position going into season five. It has at least three mysteries to explore: Peter’s cellmate and why he is such a threat, the Desert Wolf’s identity (tying in Malia’s storyline to Braeden’s, who has been hunting her), and the mystery of Parrish. Plus, Kate is still out there. With a longer season, there’s no excuse for all these stories to be fully realised.
What did you think of the Teen Wolf finale?
Are you excited for the next season?
Let us know in the comments!
Are you excited for the next season?
Let us know in the comments!
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