TV Review: TEEN WOLF: Season 4, Episode 8: Time of Death [MTV]

MTV‘s Teen Wolf Time of Death TV Show Review. Teen Wolf: Season 4, Episode 8: Time of Death opening is reminiscent of “Anchors” (season 3, episode 13), playing on the recurring themes thus far in season 4. Stiles Stilinski (Dylan O’Brien) dreaming about sharing his bed with Malia Tate (Shelly Hennig), shows his inability to cope with her loss.

The spectacular scene between Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) and his dad points to some interesting developments. Scott grills his father on how he can kill, and how he can cope with it. Agent Rafael McCall (Matthew Del Negro) knows Scott is hiding something, and gives him time to think about telling the truth. I hope we’ll see more father/son interactions here, as those scenes will continue to break our heart. Baby boy Scott, you now have a dad you can count on.

The plan to “kill” Scott is a bit shady. Especially as the planning part is cut out, and we only find out some things later, like that Melissa McCall (Melissa Ponzio) knows most of the plan (though not all of it). Such a gut-wrenching scene when she’s screaming is the only reason it’s okay. Reminds me of when Scott hallucinates that Deucalion (Gideon Emery) kills his mom. We then have a flashback of the plan, Kira Yukimura (Arden Cho) electrocuting Scott to “almost death.” Liam Dunbar (Dylan Sprayberry)shows intense loyalty to Scott by participating. The scene between Mama McCall and Mrs. Noshiko Yukimura (Tamlyn Tomita) is interesting, especially as Mama Yukimura is all for the kiddos to be badass fighters.

Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin) and Braeden (Megan Tandy) seem a bit cozy, especially when she’s hitching up his shirt to take a peek (at the bullet hole). Based on the thumping in the scene with them arm wrestling, I think he can still hear heartbeats. Braeden patches Derek up and teaches him to use guns. Bless your adaptable, shirtless heart Derek, you know how to “bend” the rules and distract a girl enough to pull a gun on her. This is why we all love you! But, darling, you should know better, you have a horrible track record with women. First Kate Argent (Jill Wagner), then Jennifer Blake (Haley Webb). Thankfully we already know Braedan is a hired killer. Maybe her different crazy will break the curse.

Chris Argent (JR Bourne) is back in the game, with new tech toys. Everything is set up to catch the Benefactor. Papa Argent, now acting alone, doesn’t seem to have the same force of will and power in his planning. Except the power goes out—Melissa has a great line: “Power only goes out when under supernatural attack.”

Scott has three “dreams” that repeat: he’s in a vent (much like Allison Argent [Crystal Reed] saw in “Anchors”), falls out a locker, catches something, and sees the Mute (Joseph Gatt). Each time, Scott is confronted with violence against the newest member of his pack: Liam. Can Scott live up to the trust bestowed upon him? These three scenes were beaten to death: Scott thinks his becoming a monster. I would have loved to see less time on Scott’s fears repeating and more time on the Martin Family Mystery.

Peter Hale (Ian Bohen) probably planted the adoption documents for Malia to find in the vault. Manipulative Uncle Peter is being very shady; he seems to have gained a lot of strength while poor Derek is barely a werewolf at all. Coincidence? Malia later states there is nothing of interest in the documents. But not to worry, Peter has an ace up his sleeve—tempting her base desire to know her mother.

At the lake house again, we get some of the promised Lydia Martin (Holland Roden) backstory, (but not enough!). To help her friends, she’s got to distance herself. She accepts Natalie Martin (Susan Walters) assistance and Mama knows Meredith. Irksome that we don’t get to find out how. Mama Martin later talks about Lydia’s grandma dying at Eichen House, and her being “crazy” and “hearing voices.” She tells Lydia that after her eighteenth birthday she is supposed to spread grandma’s ashes on the lake: but that’s MOUNTAIN ASH! Grandma was a banshee! This also poses the question of Lydia staying in Beacon Hills to be a banshee, or go off and win the Fields Medal.

The flashback with Kira and Scott about their “no real dates” is one of the softest moments in the episode, later reflected at the end, when they both have to leave each other. The movement is very different than between Scott and Allison. Their relationship feels the most “real” out of any on the show, because they are given time to react to the chaos around them, and voice their desires in a safe place (aka Scott’s bed).

Back at the vault we have perhaps the best scene with Malia the Blunt: “You murder people.” Finally, Peter admits he’s an asshole and has done some shady shit in the past (obviously). Thank you Malia, for calling him out. Even if you are going to go along with him for “information.” Ugh, you’d think they’d know by now.

There’s an interesting moment where Liam leaps from the electrical cage and slashes at a berserker—and we don’t see if it did any good. I seem to recall Dr. Alan Deaton (Seth Gilliam) mentioning something about the headpiece. And if the berserkers aren’t taken care of, Kate will continue to dominate Beacon Hills. Liam being able to tackle these monsters would elevate him and, be hilariously ironic—Kate might learn teen boys aren’t just for manipulating.

The last few scenes flicker back and forth quite rapidly. Scott’s alive, and perhaps the plan worked. If someone can tell when the dead are actually dead (aka a banshee—Lydia’s Grandma, not sure if it fits at all, but there is that pesky code). Kate and Peter meet up again, Kate confirming Scott lives (so Peter can presumably take the alpha powers). What plot they are hatching? Though we don’t know the Benefactor, the options have narrowed (someone at the hospital or a banshee), and if Teen Wolf follows its own patterns, we should know next Monday.

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