TV Review: “Teen Wolf” (4×01) The Dark Moon

And we’re back!

So. Here is by first, gut reaction to the season four premier of Teen Wolf:

I can already tell I’m going to miss nogitsune Stiles.

Now, as I’m sure you’re thinking, this isn’t a particularly logical or fair response to a television show. However, considering the show reached untouched heights by allowing the villain to be in the hands of one of their own, allow an actor to grow to new lengths and giving us truly emotional moments, it’s hard to watch Monday’s premier and not be a little disappointed.

Considering the effort that Jeff Davis and co. went through to make the show seem as if it had grown in scope and giving the characters BIG introduction moments complete with slow turn to camera with accompanying hair flips with the Indiana Jones inspired score it’s even more of an obvious dud. The show works best self-contained. Bringing the characters to Mexico didn’t elicit the same big adventure feeling that the writers were obviously going for-it only exacerbated how much we were ready for our characters to return home.

The gang is on a mission to find Derek and on the way find more than they bargained for, which is fine, since this episode is simply setting the tone for the upcoming season. We are introduced to new characters, reacquainted with old, given the new prominent baddie and saddled with some possible annoying plot points.

However-before it sounds like I hated the episode (because I really did not) let’s highlight some definite positives of “The Dark Moon”.

Our characters haven’t forgotten Allison which is something I was worrying about. Sure we aren’t privy to the grief Scott and Lydia would have gone to nor did we see what Stiles would’ve been going through after having a parasite in his mind for months but the stain of her death is there. The characters may be moving forward but they aren’t forgetting and it’s moments as such that promise character growth.

The ladies! There were so many great female characters in just this one episode which isn’t something we should be celebrating but it’s something to enjoy at the very least in this day of entertainment. The friendship that we can see beginning between Kira and Malia is fantastic and playful. Braeden’s character is back as a hired hand to help Scott find Derek and her and her ass kicking tendencies are welcomed especially if she brings the same feisty energy to the rest of the season. And, as much Jill Wagner chews her scenes it’s nice to see that not all female villains have been killed off. Sure, she’s obnoxious and kind of a total creep but she’s also an equal adversary for Scott and his pack.

The old relationships are still the key that holds even the more ridiculous episodes together. Lydia and Stiles were giving heavy Seth and Summer (The O.C) vibes at the start of the episode and allowed them to have moments of antagonistic comfort that jumpstarts the season with some appreciated humor. I can already tell I’ll like Malia and Stiles-Shelling Henning is naturally charming and she and Dylan O’Brien share a sweet and innocent chemistry which juxtaposes nicely with his animal instincts.

I would have enjoyed seeing Scott share the screen with either Stiles or Lydia more considering he has more chemistry with them than Kira (Arden Cho had more chemistry with Henning that Tyler Posey) but otherwise getting to see Scott embrace his Alpha status is a welcome change to him doubting his skills.

So yeah, there were moments that I thoroughly enjoyed and if the season continued to allow the actors to act together and play off of each other I’ll be fully on board. However, if the show believes that they need to prove themselves by going cartoonishly over the top it could be a repeat of season three part A which tried and failed at the same thing.

Give me humor, friendship and some campy wolf makeup and you’ve got me hooked. Let’s see what season four delivers.

6/10