TV Review: Teen Wolf (4×06) “Orphaned”

I cannot for the life of me take these baby assassins seriously.

I cannot for the life of me take a lot of this episode seriously, which is such a bummer after the last few which, despite my lack of reviews, have been very entertaining. This week’s episode was simply a structural mess. There’s a lot going on with very little explanation.

What happens this week you ask?

We find out who the other pack of werewolves are, but before meeting any of them – aside from maybe Braeden -they’re all poisoned. Kate is back and meaner and bluer than ever with her two Berserkers as her lackeys on a destructive rampage to be in control. Liam has his hero moment, which would be better if Dylan Sprayberry had any sort of screen presence. Lydia and Stiles have some cute friendship moments that are intercut with Meredith’s imminent breakdown (and then sadly her death) and chopped to such tatters that it’s difficult to get any emotion from it. Jordan Parrish continues to be the best newbie in the cast despite not knowing what mythological creature he is yet. Kira was absent, people we didn’t care for got a lot of screen time and, apparently, everyone is having money troubles in Beacon Hills.

It’s a tough time to be a werewolf, were-coyote, Kitsune, Banshee or gangly teen.

The main problem with this week’s episode was how reminiscent it was to the early half of season three, which focused on scale over substance. This show works best when they’re focusing on their goofball characters who don’t always know what they’re doing or if it’s the right thing to do, but boy is it fun to watch them try to figure it out. This week with the way it was shot, to how it was written to even how it was acted, all screamed of a desperate need to be taken seriously.

And seriously, Ian Bohen as Peter gives William Shatner a run for his money when it comes to hammy overacting. Bohen if anything knows how to chew a scene like a pro.

This show thrives when it allows itself its silliness. That’s where all of the charm is found and it’s why I found myself sucked in to this campy, ridiculous show. For all of its absurdity, bad CGI, abundance of product placement and some truly cringe-inducing acting (but in fairness, not as much now) it’s always had a huge amount of heart on its side.

So ditch the slow motion, the gun-touting badasses, the prove-yourself-to-be-a-leader moments and dial it all back, Jeff Davis. Give us more moments such as Malia learning from Derek, Stiles comforting Lydia with more tenderness we thought he possessed, Scott’s protective nature, and he and Stiles sitting cross-legged on the floor of his bedroom wondering how they’re going to get out of their newest mess.

Not a great episode, and I could have used a little more levity, but at the very least it sets everything in motion. The dead-pool is now out in full and all of the names are known, Peter and Kate are working together now that the baby assassins are dead, and Derek could be the newest casualty. We’ll just have to wait and see if Teen Wolf  finally masters tonal consistency.

6/10