Teen Wolf Review: A Novel Approach (Season 5 Episode 5)

Holy crap, Teen Wolf!

This week’s episode of Teen Wolf, entitled “A Novel Approach”, is probably the best episode from Season 5 so far.

It brings the plot forward, brings all our favorite couples together, and has some truly terrifying scenes. Am I still confused? Yes. But I don’t think that’s going to change any time soon.

This episode starts off with Stiles being…bitten by Donovan, and gosh, Dylan O’Brien is absolutely magnificent. The scene extends as Stiles runs into the school, and ends up killing — yes, killing Donovan.

What I like about this scene is that I can see Stiles freak out. I can see him fear for his life as he thinks of anything, to get Donovan off his back for even a second. And of course, that leads to his death. Dylan O’Brien deserves an award. His thought process is almost written across his forehead, and I can really say that not many actors could have shown that kind of emotion. When Stiles later tries to justify his actions with a hypothetical and is shot down by Scott’s “victim” theory, all I wanted to do was hug him. Because nothing about Donovan screams victim. If Scott had been there, I think he would have seen it was all self-defense too.

We believe you Stiles. We all believe you.

And, the real story started. Someone was stealing the bodies. The bodies of the genetically modified were-somethings. They need answers! Malia has one, in the form of a novel. I see what you did there, writers. I see what you did there. And says something really horrifying. “I think we’re living volume two.” Anyways, the book leads them to Eichan House — because, of course it does. And only Stiles and Lydia can go in due to the mountain ash. Because, of course there’s mountain ash.

Question: Isn’t Lydia supernatural as well? As a banshee? Why can she walk over mountain ash?

Anywho, they walk in, and we see the first real Stydia moment since the season began. Everyone’s excited; twitter’s blowing up, and even Scott and Kira talk about it. It’s even acknowledged that Stiles still likes her. They didn’t put that in for no reason, right?

In Eichan House, Doctor Valeck tells Stiles and Lydia that he wrote the book to help those who have been affected by the doctors, remember, and I can’t help but wonder why both of them didn’t read it before they confronted him. And suddenly, the lights start to flicker, and Kira becomes unconscious, and starts volting out electricity. The Doctors walk in slow motion, and Scott burns himself, a lot, to carry Kira out so that the house can stay safe.

I’m over watching the Doctors walk in in slow motion. It doesn’t really fit with the pace of every other scene, and is it really necessary for Kira to hound Scott about saying I love you when he burnt to a crisp and they had just left their friends to basically die? Like, really?

This season of Teen Wolf hasn’t really found its footing yet. The Doctors are a little creepy sure, but I think the true villain is Theo. His psychotic behavior makes him terrifying- even while he caresses Malia’s hand as he teaches her to drive. I liked the emphasis on the main characters this episode, but I’ve missed Derek. I was under the impression he was recurring. Not completely out!

I just hope the season really picks up, and I have full faith that it will. Until then, all we can do is wait for a week and write some more Stydia fan fiction.

What did you think of tonight’s Teen Wolf? Let us know in the comments below!

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Teen Wolf airs on Mondays at 9/8c on MTV.

Smriti Jasra

Smriti (a.k.a Sim) is a TV and comic book enthusiast, and has been since the days of Angel and Alias. She watches over 20 shows a week, and her perfect idea of a date is sitting on a couch with some pizza, while having the ultimate debate of Marvel vs. DC. When she’s not live-tweeting her favorite shows or working at her day job, she’s usually writing fan-fiction. Her favorite shows include: Arrow, The 100, Suits, The Flash and Kingdom. Follow her on Twitter: @simjasra