‘Tattoo’ was the equivalent of a broken elevator that never takes a straight trip to the top. Instead it makes all the pit-stops in random order, without any regard for who’s waiting on each floor. It’s only when it reaches the penthouse that you finally see the light. I’m really glad I stayed on board until it got there.
Maybe it was nine months away from the show, but I think I was a little throttled by everything that went down here. Straight away we were thrown into the thick of it with the new Alpha pack chasing Isaac down, and immediately establishing their bit bad status. That poor guy didn’t stand a chance against them; who knows if Scott’s gang will fare any better.
This mystery girl certainly didn’t after they made quick work of her. As brash as they were, I think I like the idea of a pack infiltrating Beacon Hills. They’ve all got personality, and enough brawn to put half of the guys we already have to shame, so they fit right in. I wonder why Scott is so important to them. What potential does he have? Is he just incredibly powerful, or does he have some purpose we don’t know yet?
His priorities seem a lot more focused since we last saw him. He seems to be on top of his studying, and he’s made a hard choice to leave Allison out of his life. I don’t think it’s going to be that easy any more, now that she’s back in town, and being forced back into the fold after Mystery Girl grilled her about Scott. I don’t think she’ll be following her father’s orders of staying out of wolf business, especially if it keeps pulling her back in like this.
That last scene made it seem like Erica and Boyd are still alive somewhere, being held captive by who we can only assume are this Alpha pack. But does their arrival explain why those birds went all suicidal on the high school? Or why that deer charged down Lydia’s car? If last season is any indication, then there’s bound to be a lot more than meets the eye about everything we’ve seen here, and I’m incredibly excited to what it’s all about. This episode may have been a little over the top, but I think that’s to be expected with Teen Wolf, and is a little craziness ever really a bad thing?
4 out of 5 Wolf Tattoos
Plus
Colton Haynes’ absence was explained in twenty seconds. Apparently Jackson was moved to London by his father. Obviously Colton is busy with Arrow right now, but I’m glad the door's been left open for his return some day.
Did that new English teacher really go to the trouble of getting the entire class’ numbers just to send them a weird quote? She made a point, but it was a lot more work that it was worth. Just saying.
I liked Scott’s explanation of why he wanted a tattoo. Don’t know if his Mom will be too impressed by it, though. Don’t you need parental permission if you’re under age?
I think we all knew that blind guy was more than just a passer-by. I like the idea of the leader working with a disability like that. It makes him seem a tiny bit more sinister, doesn't it?
He Said, She Said
Lydia: “An American werewolf in London, like that’s not gonna be a disaster.”
Lydia: “Prada bit me.”
Stiles: “Your dog?!”
Lydia: “No, my designer handbag... yes, my dog.”
Also posted at PandaTV.
I thought it was a hoot. Very much over the top, but that's one of the reasons I like this series. The opener with the shapeshifter twins left me cold, but the scene right after with our four lead characters and the two cars just made me laugh. It certainly looks like they're on their game.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for turning me on to this series, Panda. :)
The mass text may not have been too much work. My university's software allows me to send a mass email to all the students in one of my classes with a single click. I would imagine sending a mass text could be just as easy if the school collects and stores student's cell phone numbers.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it too, Billie!
ReplyDeleteI agree about that opening scene. I just couldn't get into to it, then the rest of the episode happened and I was happy again :)
Huh...I thought the opening was the best part! I hope Scott and Allison stay broken up for a while. I found that whole "romance" very tedious. Plus, I think Allison is the least interesting character (or just played by the weakest actress?), and maybe that would leave more time for Derek, Stiles, and especially Lydia.
ReplyDeleteTeen Wolf would not be Teen Wolf without semi-cheap looking CGI and in the opener that happens in under 5 minutes. I found the twins somewhat creepy with that mesh-transformation.
ReplyDeleteI really like the mystery girl and hopefully we get to see more of her. Clearly, she some type of witch or psychic which makes me believe she may be connected to Dr.Deaton.
The production has moved to L.A, I believe and this is evident in the change of camera quality and computer graphics.Even the hospital scenes seemed higher budget than previous seasons.
The Twins slow-motion walk was so cheesy, and 90s but hey, this is MTV we're talking about.
Also, I hear one of the twins is gay and will have a tango with Danny. My guess, is that it's the twin described as the "bronze".
As a 20 episode season I felt the introduction of the Alphas very messy. It was like every 10 minutes a new character would come in.
Last season Erica/Isaac/Boyd etc were slowly meshed in perfectly.
Overall I was disappointed in this opener and I felt the saving graces were the Erica ( whose been confirmed as returning according to MTV) Boyd scene, the bird scene and everything with Lydia.
I've finally started watching this season!
ReplyDeleteI thought this beggining was a bit too frantic for my taste. Too many introductions, and everything seemed to happen so fast! Since they're getting more episodes this season, I hope they don't have pacing problems.
There was still a lot to love, though. The concept of the alpha pack is interesting, and I, like Panda, like the idea of the leader being blind. Creepy.
Some of the scenes were cheesy, not only the indtroductions of the twins, but even the reveal of the evil blind pack leader at the end (was there anyone who didn't see that one coming?), but I find this show's cheesiness very Buffy-esque, and kind of charming, actually.
Like M, I hope there's not too much focus on the Allison/Scott romance. I just can't connect with Allison at all, and I don't know why. She's the strong archer chick, and I should like her, but I find her sort of weak as a character. As female characters go, I think Lydia and Erica are far more interesting.
Whatever the case, I think the cast works fantastically together, and I think the show excells at scenes like the one with the car, so I'm confident it's going to be an enjoyable season.
I understand the complaints about the introductions coming a little too fast & furious, but I think it actually works. It gives you the sense of being overwhelmed by this new pack and not having time to think, just react. And that's very similar to what our heroes are probably feeling at this point.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious to see what's up with the blind Alpha leader, especially what makes him still enough of a bad-ass that he hasn't been overthrown. It also helps that he's played by Gideon Emery, owner of one of the coolest, most sinister voices around(he's also not a bad singer).
I like the idea of them having a go-to person at the ER now that Scott's mom is in the know. Is it just me, or is Melissa McCall the coolest mom of a supernatural hero since Joyce Summers?