‘Teen Wolf’ Review: Frenemy

Wow, talk about an intense episode! From the first few minutes of Teen Wolf, it had me clinging to my seat! Let’s just say, I’m not a big fan of the seemingly possessed cringing movements. After the huge reveal of Jackson (Colton Haynes) being the Kanima last week, we get a little more information on this mysterious creature. Let’s just say, it’s a good thing Lydia (Holland Roden) felt the need to learn Archaic Latin.

During this episode we get a teensy inside look of Jackson’s thought process. Why is his nature as the Kanima so violent? Yes, he’s a ‘snake,’ and yes, he is extremely rude and mean… But why? This episode takes place directly after last week’s cliffhanger. We find Jackson in Kanima form fighting off Derek (Tyler Hoechlin), the Argent’s, and Scott. Though, a few gunshots won’t take him down! He ends up in a gay bar searching for Danny (Keahu Kahuanui), and its result inevitably turns deadly. As Scott (Tyler Posey) and Stiles (Dylan O’brien) try to contain Jackson before he can harm anyone else, the plot thickens as it involves the police.

Let me just say, one reason why I’m loving this season is because it’s finally showing us a deeper look into its secondary character’s lives. Lydia is my favorite character, and my love for her has only grown stronger with the ongoing season. She’s so misunderstood, and so disturbed. She’s been through hell, but she still stands strong. My favorite scene in Frenemy was when she was talking to Allison (Crystal Reed). Allison begs Lydia to not say a word about her and Scott, further explaining the love they have for eachother. She later asks if Lydia understands, but she doesn’t. She doesn’t because no guy has ever treated her with the respect she deserves. (Except Stiles) Cue attractive mystery boy. I’m almost certain that there’s a catch, because attractive-dog-saving-boys don’t just fall out of the sky, but I have high hopes for Holland Roden’s character… And her character’s love life.

Now back to Jackson! He doesn’t know/believe that he’s the Kanima, and the Scooby Gang/Derek/the Argent’s barely know anything about the creature. All they have are a few pages in Archaic Latin: Enter Lydia, the secret genius. The counselor translated a lot of it wrong, the biggest detail? The Kanima doesn’t seek a friend, it seeks a master… So someone is protecting/controlling Jackson. Now, a lot of our questions are answered. We now know how Jackson’s tape got looped, but there’s still an important detail… Who is controlling Jackson? And what does he/she want?

I know, I know. This review was massively scrambled. I can’t help it! This show is all over the place, yet so organized. Teen Wolf keeps a steady pace, but also manages to throw the audience off. This might have been my favorite episode, only because it showed a deeper side of Lydia. My one hope is for Holland Roden to get the recognition she deserves, because she is the definition of flawless. That’s all I can say.

Rating:
A-

Questions:

• Favorite Moment?
• Thoughts on the mysterious, dog-saving, stranger?
• Who is Jackson’s master, and what does he/she want?
• What’s going to happen to Stiles and Scott?