The MTV hit “Teen Wolf” premiered in June 2011 and, since then, it has tried to be more than just a television show about teenage werewolves. With international reach, this spunky series has notably become one with a dedicated fandom, award nominations, undeniably talented cast members and incredible fan-organized conventions.
The show started off as a lighthearted, comedic supernatural drama when an asthmatic 16-year-old named Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) was bitten by a werewolf the night he and his best friend, Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien), ventured into the woods to find a dead body. Scott became aware of a whole different world, and eventually finds himself stuck in the middle as a vital piece to its ever-revealing design.
Since season one with its irresponsible antics, dangerous plans and first loves, the show has evolved over seven seasons into one of more irresponsible antics, even more dangerous plans, falling in love and surviving senior year of high school. In darker seasons, like part two of season three when Stiles became possessed by a vengeful Nogitsune spirit, the writers depicted their ability to bring viewers even deeper into the bestiary and story of Beacon Hills. Along with O’Brien, who has begun to make his mark in the movie industry as the lead in the dystopian-series The Maze Runner, and Posey, who you may recognize as the son from “Maid In Manhattan,” the rest of the ever-changing cast members constantly bring a new dynamic to their characters.
Looking back at past episodes, it isn’t hard to see that the cast has dramatically changed from the bright-eyed wolf-pack circa seasons one and two. Posey, O’Brien and Holland Roden — the strawberry blonde banshee, Lydia Martin — are the only original main cast members. Since the departure of fan-favorites like Jackson Whittemore (Colton Haynes) and Isaac Lahey (Daniel Sharman), the show has fallen short of recreating strong relationships that everyone admires. There have been additions of love interests, younger teenage werewolves and ingenious villains, yet this original trio and their undeniable chemistry on- and off-screen keeps the show connected to its roots.
The common misconception that this show is like every other that has a supernatural storyline is simply wrong. There is a side to this series that puts the supernatural on the back-burner and speaks to everyday life. With high school drama, lacrosse practice, single-family homes, same-sex relationships and the grief of losing a friend, viewers aren’t just focused on the characters’ powers, but are invested in their well-being.
Although the first few seasons seem a little cheesy, catching up on this unpredictable yet enticing series is an easy feat. If you aren’t already one of the viewers who never misses an episode, once you begin watching “Teen Wolf,” you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner.
