The "Restoration" of Team ARROW

Article originally published as ARROW Review "Restoration" on Seat42F.

Arrow -- "Restoration" Pictured: Steven Amell as Oliver Queen -- Photo: Diyah Pera /The CW

Team ARROW is in need of a “Restoration,” and they get one in this week’s installment on the CW. Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) tries to bring Oliver (Stephen Amell) and Diggle (David Ramsey) back together. A new villain might just help her along, though also exposes her secret to yet another person. Meanwhile, Thea’s (Willa Holland) quest for help and Laurel’s (Katie Cassidy) mission to bring her sister back to life don’t go as either of them expected.

Team Arrow expands rapidly over the years. While it starts as just three people, several others are let in on the secrets as time goes on. It’s gotten to the point where it seems like just about anyone can find the lair and figure out who is on the team.

Take Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum). Just introduced as an employee of Felicity’s, he already gets into the headquarters and learns that Felicity is connected to Star City’s costumed vigilante. Now, Curtis’ discovery is due to mistakes that Felicity makes, so he can’t really be blamed. But it still seems like everyone important finds out sooner or later, usually sooner. I suppose this means Curtis will be sticking around, at least for a little while, which in his case is welcome news.

I like the separate life “Restoration” shows us for Felicity. As ARROW has gone on, her character has gotten more and more development. Seeing her as a CEO with her own activities apart from the others is gratifying. I was beginning to wonder how she balances everything, but with a base just downstairs from her job, a busy boyfriend, and being more than capable of herself, any lingering doubts are laid to rest as we see her in action this week. Though, it might get harder, depending on where the new command center will be.

Felicity even manages to survive an encounter with the metahuman villain Double Down (JR Bourne, Teen Wolf)! Now, it’s only by accident that she makes it out alive, but still, her life has become colorful, indeed!

Oliver and Diggle have a rather tame time by comparison. It does feel a little too easy, the way they come back together when Oliver almost literally takes a bullet for Diggle, but it’s needed. The tension between them has gone on long enough, and ARROW needs to move on. “Restoration” gets a little hokey in doing so; connecting Diggle’s query, Mina Fayad (Carmen Moore, Blackstone), to Oliver’s foe, Damien Darhk (Neal McDonough), seems way too convenient. But at least “Restoration” dispels with the drama and gets the show back to where it needs to be.

One thing ARROW is doing better and better these days is balancing characters. In the Laurel / Thea plot, the two travel to Nanda Parbat in order to seek a cure for Thea’s bloodlust and bring Sara (Caity Lotz) back to life. In Nanda Parbat, the two girls have their own very personal motivations, which somewhat clash with Ra’s (John Barrowman) and Nyssa (Katrina Law). Yet, all four intermingle their through lines nicely, combining events where they need be, but still making all feel authentic to who they are. It’s a delicate dance that is handled more deftly than some of ARROW’s other interweaving threads, such as Diggle and Oliver’s part of “Restoration.”

Ra’s brings Sara back to life not for Sara nor Laurel’s sake, but for Thea’s. He genuinely is trying to be a good dad and help her. Giving her prey to kill doesn’t work, so maybe bringing a friend back will. I don’t admire Ra’s method of assistance, but one has to admit that he is definitely devoted to his daughter and past the point of just using her.

Now that Sara’s back, all sorts of possibilities are on the table for the former Black Canary. Obviously, Thea’s bloodlust is just a taste of what Sara will go through. But we know Sara is destined for the mid-season spin-off, so her recovery time is finite. I’m not sure where ARROW will take her over the next couple of months, but I’m anxious to see and happy to have her back.

ARROW isn’t a perfect show, and some parts of “Restoration” don’t quite make sense (not to mention the nearly useless flashbacks). Yet, overall it’s fun to watch, and it does a good job keeping the audience engaged. The longer it goes on, the smarter the writing seems to get, and I greatly appreciate that.

ARROW airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on the CW.

Teen Wolf The Complete Season One on DVD

If one drew up a list of films that should get a remake for the television screen, the campy Teen Wolf would likely not be near the top. Yet, last year MTV aired a series loosely based on the movie of the same name, and received pretty positive reviews. With season two airing this summer, those who missed it the first go-round may want to catch up with The Complete Season One DVD, on sale now.

MTV's Teen Wolf differs from the movie in many ways. For one, the television series is much darker, building suspense, mystery, and mythology into the story. Goofy humor will only take you so far, and Teen Wolf is mainly a drama, not a sitcom. As such, many of the film's conventions had to go.

But that doesn't mean that the message has changed. Teen Wolf still features a teenage werewolf, struggling not only with normal adolescence and hormones, but supercharged by the strange change that has come over him. One might draw parallels between the curse and puberty. After all, both find young men not sure how to deal with new emotions, aggression, and body hair. But Teen Wolf takes itself completely seriously, and viewers who tune in will likely do the same.

Season one sets a lot of things up. In the first episode, Scott McCall (Tyler Posey, Lincoln Heights, Doc) is bitten. The only person he can trust with his secret is best friend, Stiles (Dylan O'Brien, The First Time), who is quite impressed with the changes in Scott, once he gets over the initial shock. However, neither of these boys know what is going on, exactly, or what to do about it.

Enter Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin, 7th Heaven), a local man, who also happens to be a werewolf. Derek's entire family dealt with this issue, and the end result was most of them being burnt alive. Derek skulks the woods, and while his motivations remain unclear initially, he becomes a sort of mentor to Scott. Too bad Derek's not the only wolf around.

Scott has other worries besides wolves. Not everyone is in the dark about the werewolf race. There are a group of hunters who have long sought to rid the world of the beasts. Very unlucky for Scott, the girl he likes, Allison (Crystal Reed, Crazy, Stupid, Love), just happens to be the daughter of one such enemy (JR Bourne, The Secret Circle, The Exorcism of Emily Rose). Talk about a scary dad!

The cast is mostly young and good looking, as one would expect from a series such as this. Thankfully, most of them are also decent performers. Posey struggles a little, but has enough charm that many fans, especially the female ones, will forgive him, much like Tom Welling in early episodes of Smallville. It's likely he will grow better as the series progresses, especially when he is surrounded by even better talent.

There are a number of special features on The Complete Season One DVD, for fans who would like to go a little deeper into the show. "Meet the Cast of Teen Wolf" is probably the most interesting and informative of the extras. There is also some commentary on select episodes.

For the teen girls who love the show, there's "Teen Wolf: Working the Red Carpet," "Love Bites!" and "Shirtless Montage." A gag reel is included, too.

There are also bonuses for those who favor substance over presentation. An extended version of the season finale, "Code Breaker," is included. There are deleted, alternate, and extended scenes, which give even more glimpses into what has been filmed, and how it all comes together, and is edited down for broadcast.

Teen Wolf The Complete Season One is a worthwhile release, with enough to keep viewers engaged for many an hour. It is a pretty enjoyable series, that only gets a little too hokey and melodramatic occasionally. One could categorize this show as being part of the better programming MTV is putting out this past year or so, and worth setting a DVR for. Pick up your copy today.

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"Wake" The Secret Circle

     The CW's The Secret Circle meets its newest member this week in "Wake." The town mourns the death of Nick (Louis Hunter), especially Melissa (Jessica Parker Kennedy), who is in love with him. Nick's older brother Jake (Chris Zylka, 10 Things I Hate About You) arrives, and Faye (Phoebe Tonkin), whose heart Jake broke, and Adam (Thomas Dekker), whose family Jake stole from, are not happy to see him. But Cassie (Britt Robertson) sure is when an evil witch hunter shows up, and Jake saves her. The circle knows that Jake can take Nick's place in their group, but they are unaware that he has come to town for a darker reason.

      It's a bold move for a freshman series to kill off a central member of the cast in episode five, completely unexpected, even if he is quickly replaced. This alone buys The Secret Circle some respect. Too bad the actor coming in to replace the offed one seems stiff, more a pretty face than a good addition, acting-wise. Looks can be deceiving, and Jake has a fine story set up, having to choose between his destiny and the witch hunters he is working for. It will remain to be seen if Zylka is up to the challenge.

      Jake's arrival serves an important purpose in that it will remind Cassie, who is already beginning to act like a leader, that she doesn't know everything. The other characters have history in the town, and much happens prior to Cassie's arrival that they have trouble forgiving and forgetting. Even Jane (Ashley Crow) isn't all that happy to see Jake. Cassie is exuding the confidence that she's well-informed enough to make major decisions, but without being clued in on a lot of back story, she is in the dark more than the others, and more than she seems aware of being. Cassie doesn't realize this in "Wake," but her quick ability to trust Jake, whom the others are wary of, and whom they have good reason to be so, will likely come back to bite her.

     But will Jake ultimately prove to be an enemy? Despite Faye and Adam's reservations, it's clear that Jake is already growing a bit fond of Cassie. He comes to town with a purpose, but after seeing everyone, including his new neighbor, it may be that his purpose will change. After all, he kills the woman that attacks Cassie. This isn't presented as an accident, and while it may help him maintain cover, that probably isn't all that it does. How soon before Jake lets the others in on the threat that they face? The quicker, the better, as there is a whole group of baddies lurking nearby, led by Isaac (JR Bourne, Teen Wolf).

     Given that The Secret Circle is a CW series, Jake's presence in and after "Wake" will also serve to shake up the romantic chemistry, as that is as much a focus of shows on the network as the action plots. Obviously, Faye still harbors something for Jake, even if it has turned to hate. Also, as mentioned before, Jake is taking a shine to Cassie. This complicates matters, in that Diana (Shelley Hennig) breaks up with Adam so that he can fulfill his destiny and be with Cassie. So all of a sudden, the central character will have two guys who want to be with her, and are available to do so.

     The whole "destiny" thing between Cassie and Adam is weird. It's odd that Diana steps aside so readily, when Adam stays loyal, despite simmering feelings. Perhaps she is trying to be noble, but that isn't how it comes across. Also, considering that Adam's father, Ethan (Adam Harrington), harbors similar feelings for Cassie's departed mother, how is that right? Cassie and Adam would be siblings if the older pair worked out! Or is the blood fate just transferred to the next generation if the previous one doesn't fulfill it? How does one determine which generation the fate is supposed to happen in? Do different age groups have different attractions to different families? If this continues among the circle, wouldn't this lead to much inbreeding? After all, it's only six families involved. Luckily, they all seem to always have kids about the same age. How has this chain not been broken over time?

     It's great that The Secret Circle brings Cassie's grandma, Jane, in on the main action so soon, instead of leaving her in the dark for years, as so many similar series would do, and have done before. Jane is a great asset to the group, providing wisdom and power far beyond what the kids can muster at this time. Even though she doesn't have a circle to back her up, at least not one that seems to be around, she is a valuable asset. But she's also a protection for them, so it wouldn't be surprising if she doesn't live past the first season or two. They need to stand on their own, and can't always have grandma fighting their battles for them.

     What's the deal with the crystals? Apparently, they allow a witch to have power individually, instead of needing another member of their circle to be with them. Who created them, and how do they work? It's a convenience that pops up without a lot of explanation. So if each family has one, and Jake likely is holding onto his, given his knowledge of his power and how to use it, as well as the fact that he's been alone, where are the others? When the elders break up the previous circle, they must have confiscated some of them. Whose does Dawn (Natasha Henstridge) possess? Where did she get it? Does it need a circle to recharge, and that's why hers runs down? Lots of questions about this, that hopefully will get answered instead of glossed over.

     Does Dawn really have Jane fooled? Jane is pretty darn wise, and Dawn has been acting suspiciously, a fact that has not gone unnoticed. Dawn's plans to use the kids to get her own power back sort of her make her a villain, even if she does do things to protect them. Dawn's alliance with Jane is barely that, as the two women don't have any particularly warm connection with each other, and it's doubtful there is much trust between them. Jane may feel like she has no one else to ask for help, since the magic needs to stay a secret as much as possible. But Dawn won't be much help in any regard, unless their priorities happen to align in that moment. Or maybe she is just testing Dawn to see how Dawn reacts when she brings up the kids' magic.

     Nick's death affects the kids in different ways, but it really does a number on Charles (Gale Harold). Having to live with the guilt of murdering a teenager, even if it is done to kill a demon dwelling inside, haunts Charles. Unlike Dawn, who is able to bounce back just fine, keeping her focus on their mission, whatever it may be, Charles seems distant and out of it. He did not sign up for hurting anyone, especially not someone in town, and so young. Taking out Nick, no matter how good the reason, changes the way he thinks about the magic. He is probably a lot less likely to pursue getting his powers back now that he remembers what those powers can cost, a fact forgotten over the years since the last disaster. Jane may want to start looking for a new sidekick.


     The Secret Circle is just getting started. Watch it Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on the CW.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Secret Circle - "Wake" on Blogcritics.

Teen Wolf two night premiere

     MTV's new Teen Wolf opened with a two-night premiere this week on Sunday and Monday. Very loosely based on the 1985 movie of the same name, Teen Wolf finds Scott McCall (Tyler Posey, Lincoln Heights, Doc) experiencing heightened senses after being bitten by a wolf in the forest, even though wolves have not been seen in the area in over half a century. His best friend, Stiles (Dylan O'Brien), realizes that signs point to Scott being a werewolf, but Scott is skeptical. Then he begins to change when angry or excited. It isn't a full change, but he gets some fur, claws, and his eyes glow yellow. Mysterious local Derek Hale (Tyler Hoechlin, 7th Heaven), whose family was burned in a fire years ago, may have answers, but before he can give them, the duo are attacked by hunters.

     MTV's Teen Wolf, despite looking a lot like Michael J. Fox's, as the change is only partial, and Scott can still walk upright, is a heck of a lot darker. There is no fun basketball game, but instead, Scott's skills cause serious damage and injuries on the lacrosse field, while his gear keeps the spectators unaware of the beast. Opposing team members see the glowing yellow eyes, and are rightfully freaked out, passing Scott the ball and getting out of his way.

     Honestly, the lacrosse stuff is a bit tired. Do most students really care that much about a sport? Any sport? Sure, Scott is invested because he has always sucked until now, and is enjoying being good for once. Popular jock and team captain Jackson (Colton Haynes, The Gates) also takes it seriously, because it affects his social status. But it's just a game. And dreams of becoming a "professional lacrosse player" ring a little hollow in a football-obsessed nation. When was the last time a lacrosse game aired on network television?

     The divide between the popular kids and the geeks is stereotypical and thin, at best. Jackson should welcome Scott among the winners as Scott helps the team do well, not be determined to knock Scott back down to loser status. The need to keep students segregated and not allow anyone to move up the ladder is worse than trite. It feels like Glee or High School Musical, both of which tell the tale in a much better developed way.

     But the plot isn't entirely uninteresting. Derek provides some back story and mystique, giving Scott more to deal with than just controlling his powers on the field and around the pretty girl he has a crush on, Allison (Crystal Reed). Speaking of Allison, she, too, is tied into deeper motives, as her father (JR Bourne, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) is the lead hunter who has come to town to kill the wolves. Not to mention, Derek's sister is found ripped in half. So there's a lot going on besides the teenage angst, thankfully.

     The cast is capable enough, but no one really stands out, so time will tell if any of them can handle anything special, or if this will be another show that only teens watch.

     Which makes Teen Wolf hard to judge. Elements of it are stupid and inane, but others are neat and could be deep. The series feels more like it should be on SyFy or the CW than MTV, which might be a point in its favor. At this time, the only thing to do is keep watching and see if it gets better or worse. If it stays the same, it will continue to be hard to know whether it's a good series or not, as it straddles the line.

     Teen Wolf airs Monday nights at 10 p.m. ET on MTV.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To buy Teen Wolf streaming episodes, please click here.

Article first published as TV Review: Teen Wolf - "Wolf Moon; Second Chance at First Line" on Blogcritics.