Is this season as good as the first? No, but it's still enjoyable.
Our characters from season one are still present and strong. Stiles especially grows and we get to see how strong his character is. Scott does his best, but often comes off as judgmental and not a very good friend. Derek struggles to be a good alpha but doesn't seem to be leader material. Jackson seems almost like a frightened child who needs help. Allison tries to become stronger but ultimately goes too far. The only character's arc I would object to is Lydia: she is far to forgiving to Jackson and her continual dismissal of Stiles is simply annoying, although she does go through some trama this season. (Was I the only one who thought her nightmare was like a rape scene?)
The show's attempt to introduce new characters is... spotty. The three new werewolves that Derek turns are good characters, but they don't get enough development. We can sympathize at first with them because they're all in bad situations, but then they become first class douchebags, and then they're nice again. What?
A lot of problems come with the plot. The main mystery of this season is the kanima, which I found to be handled well, although it could've used more clarification. But the new threat of Gerard Argent is not handled well at all.
At first we think he wants to kill all the werewolves in revenge for his daughter's death. He was genuinely threatening and it worked. However, in the finale, he reveals that he has cancer and wants the bite. Wouldn't faster healing make cancer worse? Also, it renders his characterization pointless. And Scott apparently had this whole plan about how to stop him. Scott's not that smart. And his plan is ridiculous. When did he have enough time to switch the pills? How did he know what color/shape they were?
There's a lot of little plot holes in this season. Lydia and Jackson's relationship never seemed strong enough to warrant the attention it got. Also, I swear that she had given him that key back. Stiles got beat up, and as much as the angst made me happy, it was kinda pointless and the whole plot line was out of focus.
I don't actually mind plot holes too much - as a writer I understand how hard it is to avoid them - but this many wreaks of laziness. Still, this season is worth watching - just prepare to suspend your disbelief.
Season two
Is this season as good as the first? No, but it's still enjoyable.
Our characters from season one are still present and strong. Stiles especially grows and we get to see how strong his character is. Scott does his best, but often comes off as judgmental and not a very good friend. Derek struggles to be a good alpha but doesn't seem to be leader material. Jackson seems almost like a frightened child who needs help. Allison tries to become stronger but ultimately goes too far. The only character's arc I would object to is Lydia: she is far to forgiving to Jackson and her continual dismissal of Stiles is simply annoying, although she does go through some trama this season. (Was I the only one who thought her nightmare was like a rape scene?)
The show's attempt to introduce new characters is... spotty. The three new werewolves that Derek turns are good characters, but they don't get enough development. We can sympathize at first with them because they're all in bad situations, but then they become first class douchebags, and then they're nice again. What?
A lot of problems come with the plot. The main mystery of this season is the kanima, which I found to be handled well, although it could've used more clarification. But the new threat of Gerard Argent is not handled well at all.
At first we think he wants to kill all the werewolves in revenge for his daughter's death. He was genuinely threatening and it worked. However, in the finale, he reveals that he has cancer and wants the bite. Wouldn't faster healing make cancer worse? Also, it renders his characterization pointless. And Scott apparently had this whole plan about how to stop him. Scott's not that smart. And his plan is ridiculous. When did he have enough time to switch the pills? How did he know what color/shape they were?
There's a lot of little plot holes in this season. Lydia and Jackson's relationship never seemed strong enough to warrant the attention it got. Also, I swear that she had given him that key back. Stiles got beat up, and as much as the angst made me happy, it was kinda pointless and the whole plot line was out of focus.
I don't actually mind plot holes too much - as a writer I understand how hard it is to avoid them - but this many wreaks of laziness. Still, this season is worth watching - just prepare to suspend your disbelief.