Teen Wolf – “Second Chance” – review

My opinion of the Teen Wolf pilot hasn’t changed; I am still offended by the way it molested my childhood memories of the original Teen Wolf. But that was that review, and it only needs to be said for that first episode. Moving forward I am now aware that show will be extremely different, and watching the second episode, appropriately titled “Second Chance,” I looked at it for what it was and not what I wanted it to be.

That being said, this show still isn’t that good. I find myself distracted by Tyler Posey’s performance as Scott. When I watch someone act, I don’t want to get the feeling that they’re acting, which exactly what Posey does. He occasionally gives the right look during awkward situations, but his handle on showing emotions comes off very forced. At the beginning of the episode Scott is discussing being shot by Amanda’s father with Stiles, and Scott becomes angry. I burst out laughing at how absurd Scott sounded when he shouted “Yes, her father!”

Derek is another character who comes off as someone sounding like he’s acting. It pulls you out of the show when all you want to do is get sucked in. I’m actually very intrigued by the story and where things are going. Derek seems to have a pretty complicated past that I want to see explored, and I want to know more about the werewolf mythology, specifically the different kinds of werewolves. I’m even vaguely interested in knowing more about the hunters. Jackson’s quest to discover why Scott behaves so oddly is less than thrilling, mostly because it’s an obvious path for him to take. It would be nice if they did something different with his character, like maybe he’s impressed by Scott’s abilities rather than suspicious and jealous? Just something to think about.

I’m still not sold on the werewolf effects. I cringe every time I see Scott’s eyes glow amber, and the “wolf vision” just makes me think a Predator is going to jump out and shoot everyone with his plasma gun.

The biggest positive the show has is the Stiles character, and to a lesser extent the lacrosse coach, Finstock. Stiles is funny in every scene he’s in. Dylan O’Brien has great comic timing, and I’m grateful he shares so many scenes with Posey. Finstock is a huge douchebag, and I can’t imagine a guy like him ever being put in charge of a real sports team, yet he still sometimes manages to be amusing despite his terrible coaching skills.

This show does a few things well, but a lot not so well. With only a couple exceptions, the acting is below what it should be. Right now, I’m more amused by how funny some of the serious parts are than what’s happening in the story. I shouldn’t be laughing when I’m not supposed to, but at least it gives me a reason to watch it, even if it’s not what was intended.