'Teen Wolf' 3.13 'Anchors' Review

MTV

Season three of 'Teen Wolf' has been very divisive among fans so far with its over reliance on slow-mo fight scenes of no consequence, too many underdeveloped characters, and questionable character directions for our faves. So it's wise for Jeff Davis to mark this second half as its own chapter entirely with this first part of Season 3B, an instant return to what worked well in the past while introducing new challenges that won't easily be fought off.

MTV

There were a lot of fight scenes in the first half of season three, so many that it became entirely frustrating whenever that techno music would start to blare and drone in the background. It was fun to see Derek gnash his teeth and slash his claws the first time but it became nothing more than unwanted filler as the season progressed no matter how sweaty Hoechlin's attractive torso became in the process. Fans were not at all quiet about this flash over substance approach and it seems as though Davis listened as "Anchors" gave the core trio of Allison, Stiles, and Scott something far more interesting to fight against: themselves. Specifically, their own demons are taking physical form in a series of terrifying waking nightmares--each a different way to debilitate its chosen character's strengths. Allison the fierce hunter can barely use her bow and when she does it's to fire away at hallucinations of her dead aunt Kate (the returning Jill Wagner rocking it at playing a seriously pissed off vision). Stiles's ability to gain knowledge is useless when words around him begin to scramble up or are nonexistent entirely in the case of the unnerving classroom of signers. While Scott can't seem to control his transformations anymore; either it happens without his say-so or doesn't happen when needed the most. Welcome to the side effects of screwing with druidic rituals, guys.

MTV

Not being able to trust what you see, feel, or think is the ultimate in horror and already it's been a ride to watch the trio go through this new challenge. Director Russell Mulcahey had a challenge in front of him to put us inside the minds of Allison and Stiles both and he met the challenge with technical aplomb as one of the best recurring directors of the series. That never ending nightmare scene with Stiles in the cold open was something to behold in particular, and I'm still shaking off the goosebumps from how well they captured that  situation. Unfortunately, we've yet to have been given assurance that Isaac and Lydia will get to do much this year other than remain vulnerable to the dangers posed by their damaged friends. It's nice to see Isaac be able to joke about his past as a way of coming to terms with it, but I swear no amount of shirtless Daniel Sharman scenes will make up for it if Isaac remains the punching bag/eternal victim of 3B as well. Lydia is in the position to really take over as the heart of the group with Stiles headed down such a dark path but I worry that she'll get to do little else other than support the other characters through this trauma. Holland Rhoden has such a spark onscreen I hope this season they finally learn how to use it without her needing to be screaming or soothing.

MTV

Even though Scott and Stiles aren't quite at full strength, they still find time to get their Scooby on whenbardo (between life and death). It might just be me but I felt something of a spark between she and Scott as well and I echo his mother's sentiments in that he has to get over Allison.
assisting a newly invigorated Sheriff Stilinski with an old case. It's both terrifying and exhilirating to see Sheriff Stilinski so involved in matters of the supernatural, if only because we've seen what happens to those that get too deeply caught up in them (RIP forever Mr. Harris). I'm interested to see what the show does with the mystery of Malia now that she seems to be a wolf herself. We could always use more lady wolves on this show, or at least one that sticks around. Another new character is Kira Yukimura, daughter of new history teacher Mr. Yukimura, and she's already got me wanting to see more of her. I loved her interaction with the gang as though it was the most normal thing in the world for a pack of teenagers to discuss the ramifications of being in the state of

MTV

I also love Melissa telling Scott to be his own anchor because the first part of season three felt like Scott coming into his own while 3B feels like it's going to teach all the characters how to exist on their own. No one can really help you with what's happening in your own mind except for you. So they all have to find a way to close their own door without relying on an eleventh hour save from their friends. It's a great way to relate to how these characters are growing up and soon will be out of high school where you're naturally learning how to be your own anchor in life itself.

MTV

Oh, and if you're wondering where Derek has been this whole episode you'll find him chained up alongside his snarky uncle Peter in someone's torture chamber. We're not given a reveal as to who is juicing the wolves with all that voltage or bloodying their hardware either, but we could probably guess. Maybe it's Chris Argent, or Gerard Argent, or hallucination Kate somehow found her way back into the corporeal realm and she's indulging in her favorite past-time. It's a mystery for now but I just hope that Derek too gets to do more for the story than bleed this time.