Teen Wolf the show ended last night. I’m still in a bubble of feelings, and critical thinking about the finale is kind of bouncing off of it like a force field. Could it have been a longer episode, or more fleshed out, less rushed? Maybe. But don’t finales of Teen Wolf seasons always feel like they go a little too fast? Aren’t we always wishing there was more space or time to unspool some of the mysteries and plot lines? In that way I think it felt fitting on multiple levels to have bits glossed over in favor of giving us a little extra pack celebration.
That’s what I mainly took away from it. PACK. It’s forever. Whether it’s the pack Scott has created on the show, or the pack we’ve created together around our love for the show, I don’t think it’s going to end. Fandoms change when canon ends, that’s for sure, but the community we’ve built isn’t going away. The fact that the cast is so close, and has continued to be close despite people leaving the show for other projects, is going to keep the energy of the fandom alive for a long time. That’s why I put the asterisk in the title of this post. I don’t really think this is the final goodbye.
Part of what I loved about the ending of the show is how open it feels. To interpretation, for one, but also for new stories to be created afterwards. Not that I think they’re legitimately planning a spin-off (though who knows, honestly), but I think the fandom has so much to work with now! Nothing was tied up too neatly, and that’s so great for fic and meta writers. I know my head is already spinning with ways to make my headcanons come true, even with the relationship twists we were thrown this season. I feel more hopeful about my ideal Teen Wolf stories than I have about any other show I’ve ever watched end.
The battle against the hunters was won, but the war isn’t over. It was a great compromise between making things a little too HEA to fit in the show, but HEA enough to make the fans happy with the end. No one we love died! Talk about a plot twist! We still haven’t seen Gerard or Kate’s bodies, so they can be resurrected for fic if you really want to (although I’m choosing to believe that they are both deader than doornails, tbh). Monroe is at large, so there are myriad possibilities for plotlines there. You can explore the chemistry between Liam and Theo (because HELLOOOOO how many times did I think they were going to kiss, especially in the #HELLEVATOR?!) or figure out how to amiably break up Mama McCall and Papa Argent so she can marry John Stilinski like she’s supposed to DAMMIT or even work out the best way for Scott and Malia to figure out their relationship only works if Lydia joins them. *blinks innocently*
In the end, the most important part of the episode, and the series, is the pack. Their love for each other, their willingness to fight for each other. Their commitment to stick together even if physical distance or time separates them. It’s such a lovely parallel to our fandom, our chosen and found family.
It’s been a blast, Teen Wolf. We look forward to the new projects of the cast and crew, and all the fanworks to come.