TV Review: Teen Wolf 3×02 – “Chaos Rising”

In this week’s episode of Teen Wolf, Derek has feelings, Scott learns more life lessons and then over indulges in them without a shred of subtlety throughout the rest of the episode, Issac takes an exorcism bath and Stiles almost gets laid.

In this week’s Teen Wolf, we remember why so many of us fans watch it without a shred of irony: Jeff Davis knows how to tell a story, he knows not to let loose ends go unattended to, and he knows when and how to use Stiles to his greatest comic effect.

The intro begins with Stiles and Scott heading to a party of an old friend of Stiles, Heather, who’s essentially having Stiles gift wrapped and delivered to take her virginity.

However just as they’re about to get something going Stiles has to run in search for a condom and Heather is abducted by a Pyscho theme playing phantom as Stiles runs back with his XXL condom in hand.

Peter is back and with him and Issac’s memories they learn that Boyd and Erica are being held by the Alpha pack but they don’t where and need to find out. If only Derek had actually listened to Allison maybe he would have found it was the bank quicker…One of the many times I muttered “god dammit Derek” throughout the episode.

With some ice, the return of the friendly neighborhood veterinarian and some shirtless boys writhing in a tub of water in the type of gratuity only Teen Wolf can do, they discover through Issac’s trance like state that he was held prisoner at the Beacon Hills Bank that was shut down months before, that Boyd is locked up with some other mystery woman, and that Erica is seemingly dead.

Derek cannot accept this and he and Scott recklessly go searching for them despite the countless reasons it could be life threatening. (God dammit Derek). It isn’t until Peter and Stiles call to tell them that Boyd has been kept in solitude, away from the moonlight and unable to shift for three months, making him all the more deranged and dangerous do they get the hint.

The brawl is about to start when Derek recognizes the second figure, not Erica who we’ve now seen is dead, but Cora.

Cora who? Cora, Derek’s younger sister who he had believed had died in the fire.

They’re about to have their butts handed to them after their guidance counselor turns out to be double agent and locks them in with mountain ash when Allison appears to save the day because she’s a badass like that.

The problem? That allows Boyd and Cora, rapid and uncontrolled, to run wild against the defenseless inhabitants of Beacon Hills.

Angrily Derek points this out to Allison who in return points out that he’s in no position to throw stones considering it was his idea to turn teenagers, hormonal already, into killers.

This was a very strong episode, especially for only the second one out of the gate, for a number of reasons.

1. Again it wrapped things up. I never expected them to mention the technicalities of Allison’s mother’s death again. I figured the showrunners would simply want to move on to the new and exciting rather than dwell on the past. The fact that they chose to shows the commitment these showrunners have to the story they’re telling (something that many shows don’t have) as well as shows that the audience who simply passes it over as pure fluff is being a bit presumptuous.

2. They’re managing to surprise us. You know what, I really didn’t think the girl was going to be Derek’s sister despite being a glutton for spoilers. I thought it would be Heather, I thought it would be a past love interest, I though (hoped) that it would be Erica magically alive and not just fodder for man pain.

3. They are learning how to write around their actors (many) weaknesses. Listen, this isn’t exactly the show where TV’s finest ends up but that’s okay as long as the writers write to their strengths. So Tyler Hoechlin, as pretty as he looks brooding, he’s much better when he’s allowed a moment of humor or to always look exasperated. Tyler Posey, well he’s loveable but not really leading man material so they up the charm. Holland Roden has a wonderful spunk and energy to her performance but is a TERRIBLE, and I mean terrible, scream queen. SO that last nightmare inducing shot aside, having her play the flirt to Allison’s somber works and enhances the twos friendship chemistry.

4. They use their strongest assets well. Let’s lay it all out there. Dylan O’Brien and Crystal Reed are the best two things (acting wise) about this show. They can tackle all ends of the spectrum and shine when they’re paired along with lesser talents. They use them enough so that Posey’s inability to emote and Hoechlin’s monotone don’t drive us to tears.

5. They’re effectively building their world. Werewolf lore, secrets, hidden powers, this is how you build a universe in which these characters live and they’re doing so expertly-again, surprising for a show that’s on MTV.

It was a very well-written episode for a show that touts camp and abundant silliness and may prove to gather even more fans than before.

Who else cannot wait until next week?

Who else thinks that Erica is really dead?

8/10

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