TEEN WOLF: The Question Marks

Have you ever watched any of your favourite shows and asked questions about what happened, only to never get the answers you were looking for in return? Have you ever had those moments whilst watching your shows when you felt the need to apply logic and wanted to know how something was the case? Were there ever times during the show, when you simply thought 'Huh?'. If you are a huge fan of Teen Wolf, than you would've been somewhat familiar with such ideas. A series that ran for 100 episodes over the course of six seasons and built one of the biggest fan bases going around in recent years. But despite the success, it still fell far from perfection. Teen Wolf doesn't seem to have as many plot holes as Once Upon A Time ( a series which is also discussed on this blog: Once Upon A Time: The Question Marks), and executive producer Jeff Davis has come around to try and close off a few of these plot holes himself. But when watching the series on its own, it is still easy to become aware of some confusing details. Things that happen without much of an explanation. It could be characters having left or stories that were shelved. Here are at least ten question marks that the show itself never really answered properly. Ten that were able to be scraped out.

Here they are:

1. What More Can A 'Kitsune' Do?

The show obviously focuses on werewolves for most part which makes sense. But they weren't the only supernatural creatures or beings to look clear and feel complete. We saw Kanimas as scaled weapons of terror. Druids as connections to humanity. Wendigos as cannibalistic monsters. Chimeras as scientific experiments with altered abilities. But one mythical creature didn't quite meet this level of clarity. They would arguably be the most interesting things touched on in the show; 'Kitsunes'. It was shared to us that they were foxes and there were different types of them (e.g Thunder, Earth, Celesital, and so on). What was also mentioned was how they were tricksters and they never tended to get along with wolves. The spirits can survive for centuries (as proven by Noshiko (Tamlyn Tomita) and becoming one with the spirit would see great control and presumably incredible powers. But the sad thing was the fact that we never got to see both a strong and well-matured kitsune. What else could they do other than what a werewolf did? Kira (Arden Cho) was shown to absorb and transfer electricity, but if she were to have to connect better with her fox spirit, what more could she have been capable of? Would she be able to generate electricity? Who Knows? Guess this will forever stay undisclosed.

2. Did You Really Leave To France?

We all remember Isaac Lahey (Daniel Sharman), and we all loved Isaac Lahey. But the thing that may bug a small percentage of us is how his exit was explained. Fact is it wasn't. At least not in the series itself. Sharman like a few of the other actors around the time of 3B, would inform to the crew of his interest in other projects (one of them being The Originals). Executive Producer Jeff Davis would too confirm of the character's exit in an interview prior to the fourth season, stating that both he and Chris Argent (J.R. Bourne) had left for France to recover from the loss of Allison (Crystal Reed). However, it still feels as if Isaac's sudden disappearance between seasons three and four was not handled as well as we probably would've liked. After all, he was deemed to be a pretty significant character around the time. Outside confirmation is good and all, but sometimes we prefer all the answers in one place. Based off what's been shown in Teen Wolf and only that, Isaac's whereabouts remain unknown. All we know is that he left Beacon Hills.


3. Where Did You Run Off To Morrell?

Despite what was revealed about this character during the course of her time on the show, she still felt so mysterious and incomplete. What's worse is that it was left this way. Marin Morrell (Bianca Lawson) was first seen as the new school counselor in season two, helping Lydia (Holland Roden) with therapy sessions. We then get given the fact that she knows more than what she tells people. The stern woman was revealed as the emissary of Deucalion (Gideon Emery), with an impartial attitude to the fight between Scott (Tyler Posey) and the Alpha Pack. The last we saw of her was when she played some sort of rehabilitator/psychiatrist at Eichen House for one episode ('Echo House') in the back half of season three. Suddenly after that, she disappeared off the face of the Earth. No further connections with the supernatural. No further interactions with Scott, big brother Deaton (Seth Gilliam) or any of the other residents of Beacon Hills. We saw nothing more. The actress must have certainly been busy. Or maybe her character was shelved. It just doesn't make much sense that someone who seems to know so much, is left having done so little.

4. So The Hunt Failed, Right?

Back in the season four finale ('Smoke and Mirrors') after the big battle between the Hunters and Berserkers, Chris confronts his wounded sister Kate (Jill Wagner) down within the ruins. They share an exchange of words, most of which were about Chris' deceased daughter Allison and how she bowed out. Then and there Chris would let Kate get away, only to inform Scott and his pack in morning light of a deal he struck with Araya (Ivonne Coll) and the Calaveras. A deal that would see the Calaveras out of Scott's way, but also Chris having to join them to capture the very thing he let escape. Come on, you have to admit that wasn't a very smart decision by everybody's favourite hunter. Kate could have easily been caught during this battle. Not having done so made the cavalry look inept. I'm guessing it was all about making it easier for Davis and the writers to fit her back into the story whenever they wanted. But it still seems a little ridiculous.

Anyway, it was what it was. From that moment on, we were left to wonder throughout the fifth season (and much of the sixth as well) how much progress was being made. Especially when Chris would make numerous unrelated appearances in Beacon Hills, with no mention whatsoever of the hunt for his sister. Then comes 6B, the time when some of the answers started rolling in. Kate was shown to be well and truly alive, on the loose and unswayed in her determination to bring down Scott. It was like nothing had changed, except the fact that she was made to look like a bigger pain in the neck with her role as a fake FBI agent. So what happened to the whole alliance with the family of Mexican hunters? Did the Calaveras give up or something? Doesn't sound like them, because they were portrayed to be somewhat menacing and persistent at their jobs. It all but says that the Nagual hunt must have failed. Either that, or the writing team completely shelved that idea. Perhaps they forgot about it.


5. The Name.

Probably something not to worry too much about, as it most likely was intended to throw people off (a common strategy in storytelling, and used regardless of inconsistencies). But that didn't stop many viewers from picking up this moment when the name was in question. I am talking of course about Stiles' actual first name. In the eighth episode of season six (titled 'Blitzkrieg'), Sheriff Stilinski (Linden Ashby) would reveal to Scott and his friends that he remembers his son. It's this moment when he drops the name 'Mieczysław'. The same name of his father-in-law. Pretty outlandish name for many of us, but a nice touch nonetheless. However, if we were to go back all the way to the very first season. In episode five ('The Tell') during a discussion between Sheriff Stilinski and Coach Finstock (Orny Adams), we are shown a very small clip of Stilinski's finger pointing to Stiles' paperwork revealing what was meant to be some of the letters of his first name. What can be discerned are the last few letters being 'e', 'n', 'i' and 'm', with the letter before being either a captial 'g' or another lower case 'i'. This has gone on to cause some confusion amongst people. But as previously stated, this was likely to be intended. They might not have had an idea for the name back then (unless it's been confirmed otherwise somewhere on the internet). Let's just be satisfied. The show has finished and we now know the name.


6. You Could Have At Least Left A Note Danny.

Yet another local that disappeared without a trace. Our favourite gay student of Beacon Hills said goodbye with a mutual break-up and nothing else but the words 'Dude, it's Beacon Hills'. After that, it would be like he had never existed. Like the Ghost Riders had got to him long before they got to Stiles. No reappearance. Not even a single mention. His ex-boyfriend Ethan (Charlie Carver), would return from London with his former best friend Jackson (Colton Haynes), both in a relationship that made the Teen Wolf universe seem so incredibly small. That and the fact that neither would even touch on the one thing they shared in common other than their sexuality. Danny (Keahu Kahuanui) was treated as 'dust in the wind'. True, the actor had chosen to depart the series. True, the character may also have not had as big of an involvement in each of the storylines. But Danny's face was one we enjoyed seeing every time he was on screen. He made school scenes all the more enjoyable as well. 


7. So Kira, How Did Your Battle To Control The Spirit Go?

Here is arguably the show's biggest blunder. Much like another series abruptly ending on a cliffhanger after cancellation. Only difference being that this was much worse, as it all came from somebody's choice while a sixth season was planned. Throughout the entirety of season five, Kira would sense something is off with herself. She'd search for answers with help from her parents, later learning she was a victim of the Dread Doctors. As time progressed, Kira got worse and lost control more often as the fox spirit became stronger. It got to the point where nothing else could be done other than Kira agreeing to join the Skinwalkers. A battle to gain back control and become one with the fox. A battle that according to her mother Noshiko, could take many years. Kira was written off the show from here, having left on a depressing note. All that was left behind in the sixth season was her mother, her sword and two mentions of her name in the same episode. Nothing more and nothing less.

The character and her storyline were only meant for half a season, but Jeff Davis and his crew made it too good to leave behind. It even became something worthy of its own spin-off (which was an idea raised by Davis once, but it unfortunately never came into plan). However, Kira and her kitsune instead of being embraced and developed along the way, would be pushed aside regularly and later removed from the entire picture. Something with so much potential was wasted. And the important thing to remember here is that her status had been left unknown. What Davis said about her having mastered her abilities and going off on her own adventures should really not be believed. That was most likely said to satisfy Kira fans and leave them unworried. The truth is Kira left with the Skinwalkers, with her story cut short at the moment she was at her lowest point with little to no support from anybody. Understandably the storyline could've been a lot to focus on with very limited time. It however doesn't change the fact that the shelving of it serves as injustice not only to the actress, but to many of the fans as well.


8. You're Back, But You're Different.

If one can recall, this man (who by the way is Scott's biological father) left Beacon Hills for business reasons. He would promise to his son that he would return, and in the end he did. But it wasn't just a promise he'd make before leaving. Agent Rafael McCall (Matthew Del Negro) would hope to continue rebuilding his relationship with Scott by requesting him to share the whole truth when he returned. The truth about Scott, his friends and the supernatural occurrences in Beacon Hills. Sounds reasonable. And it was to be expected that he'd return at some time. Within the last ten episodes, it happens. Only now, that something appears a little off. It seems that he no longer needs Scott to share information. He somehow in some way, knew enough. How he came about gathering this newfound info, we'll never know. But he did during his time away and then became another ally in the battle against Gerard's growing army of hunters. The relationship with Scott, also took a back seat. And Melissa (Melissa Ponzio) the ex-wife would continue her out-of-nowhere relationship with the widower and father of Scott's deceased ex-girlfriend. Hmmmm?


9. What On Earth Were You Josh?

Undoubtedly one of the more frustrating mysteries throughout season five. We were well aware he was a chimera, experimented on by the Dread Doctors. But after seeing the shapes of his fangs, the violet eyes and his abilities surrounding the absorption and transference of electricity, we were left all the more eager to know what supernatural creature he was supposed to represent. In the end, he'd get killed before an answer was given. But somewhere at some time, Davis had gone on to try and close this mystery off too, saying that Josh (Henry Zaga) was supposed to be part werewolf and get this, part 'eel'. Uh, okay! So we've been moving on from mythical creatures and sticking with regular animals. Like Corey (Michael Johnston) being a chameleon and that (this wasn't confirmed via the show either, but seemed more accurate given the ability to blend in with surroundings). Perhaps it was a tad less imaginative than most of what Teen Wolf had previously explored, which is a shame given how intriguing Josh's abilities looked. Also, Davis shouldn't have to answer these questions. It's best if they were revealed during the season, as it would save everyone the trouble of having to search for it. This was yet another thing the show alone, left open to interpretation.


10. Now, About The Twins...

We know how the story of these two went on the show. Biological and Identical twins. Ethan the sensible one with a liking for guys and the other being short-tempered and somewhat power-hungry Aiden (Max Carver). Omegas turned Betas by an abusive pack leader. Then turned Alphas by the lessons from Deucalion. They shared the awesome ability to merge into one super-sized werewolf (though it took many years practice). They arrive in Beacon Hills to cause trouble, help Deucalion push Scott towards the swords edge and find the Darach. Their Alpha form would be killed by Jennifer Blake/Julia Baccari (Haley Webb) and they'd just manage to survive and drop back to being omegas. The back half of season three would be them fighting to earn the trust of Scott and his pack. It would end with Aiden dying for that trust in battle and Ethan leaving town to escape much of the pain (though he would later return with Jackson by his side in 6B).

That's just about it. The two still managed to become well-received characters on the show given their tough surface and the awesome merging ability they had. But one can still say what their story still wasn't detailed enough. No word about their actual family. Was it a werewolf one, or were the tins simply bitten? Did they run away at first? Was their family killed? Any siblings or other relatives? None of that. Well what about their surname. And I don't mean one shared by a writer of the fourth or fifth seasons. I'm talking about confirmation in the series. Couldn't get that either. Sure, not every character in the show had to be super well-detailed. It's just that these two were considered to be fairly significant additions in the show during the third season. It would've been nice to get a little more of their backstory rather than have them just being werewolves that came from a couple of packs. If I couldn't have that, very well. What about how Ethan 'coincidentally' crossed paths with Jackson (neither having known each other based on the earlier events) prior to both of their returns? Can they have shared that? No? Damn, these writers are stubborn!

Travis "TJ" James