2.11 Battlefield Still, that’s a big game, and when Jackson shows up for practice (at the behest of his new master Gerard), it’s a sign for Scott and Stiles to show back up, too, if only to keep an eye on Jackson. Turns out, Gerard’s got quite the potent weapon in Jackson the kanima, and if you thought Scott was in his pocket before, it’s even worse now that Gerard’s got real leverage. All he has to do is speak and the kanima will kill whoever: Scott’s mom, Stiles, Stiles’ dad, Lydia, Danny… you name it, Jackson Lizard can kill them. You see, the kanima is a creature of vengeance, and with Matt’s task incomplete, that leaves Gerard as the most vengeful person in Beacon Hills. Gerard wants Derek Hale dead, and if Scott won’t help voluntarily, Gerard will make him help. Speaking of Derek, his first few months as alpha of his own pack have been, to put it mildly, a disaster. The kanima on the loose, his pack’s training neglected, is it any wonder that Boyd and Erica are looking for a new place to call home, or that Isaac is turning to Scott and Dr. Deaton for help. He’s totally failing at the leadership thing, but there’s an unlikely ally on his side: Peter Hale. That’s right, he’s back from the dead and suspiciously looking to help his nephew with his growing pains. Honestly, it’s a great performance from Adams, and one of several great performances this week. Dylan O’Brien got to be serious this week, rather than being the goofy Stiles we all know and love. It’s surprising at first, because you keep waiting for a punchline that never comes, then it starts sinking in. He’s a helpless kid surrounded by monsters, his father has been distant, and his best friend has bigger problems. Stiles has nobody and, as he says, Lydia the poisoner is the most normal one of the bunch. I also have to comment on the performances of Michael Hogan as Gerard and Ian Bohen as the returning Peter Hale. I’ve been really enjoying Michael Hogan’s work on the show, because he seems to have fully invested himself in playing the arch villain. He’s a leering, teasing, glinting-eyed maniac and he digs in on every great villain speech. There’s absolutely nothing subtle about what he’s going for, and that’s why I’m loving it. He’s the bad guy, and he’s relishing the chance to chew all the scenery he can in the process. Ian Bohen’s take on Peter Hale is the other sort of villain. If Gerard is Sauron, then Peter Hale is Grima Wormtongue, very subtly twisting his way back into nephew Derek’s good graces and manipulating him from behind the scenes. It’s a great contrast to Gerard and adds a bit of texture to the role. We’ve only got one episode of Teen Wolf remaining for the season, and it promises to be crazy (and apparently full of the violence we didn’t get a ton of this week). I’m really looking forward to the blow-off, if only because I’m fairly sure Jeff Davis and company have promised us some more deaths of characters, as if Matt and (possibly) Victoria Argent weren’t enough. Judging from the ending previews for next week, there’s going to be some crazy stuff next week, and while it’s a shame to say goodbye to the best series of the summer, it’ll only lead to a bigger, better season 3. Read Ron’s review of last week’s episode, Fury, here. US Correspondent Ron Hogan was impressed by the body count in this week’s Teen Wolf. Rest in peace, desk officer girl that Hale flirted with. Find more by Ron daily at Shaktronics and PopFi. Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.
