‘Wolf Pack’ 1×05 review: “Incendiary” is werewolves on shrooms

Wolf Pack is applying the same strategy that most supernatural shows follow—the guru tasks teenagers with their dirty work. After the chaos of Episode 4, the pack comes together to figure out what the big, bad wolf wants, but they’re bombarded again with anonymous calls. The man who helped Everett Lang (Armani Jackson) and Blake Navarro (Bella Shepard) before is now giving the four of them coordinates to follow and stop the beast scavenging their town. For the first time, this anonymous caller is directly communicating with Luna Briggs (Chloe Rose Robertson) and Harlan Briggs (Tyler Lawrence Gray) as well, and his tone is sassy as hell with them.

I’m almost at my limit with this guy already, and I know there won’t be a face reveal any time soon. He sounds so much like Ian Bohen, who played Peter Hale on Teen Wolf. It’s hard for me to take this character’s involvement seriously because I keep seeing his face. Putting that aside, it has become clear that the anonymous caller and the giant wolf are not the same people. I have a theory the caller is the twins’ biological father, and the giant wolf is Kristin Ramsy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) son.

I know what you’re thinking but I’m not insane. Kristin states that she lost her son in the wildfire that Zaddy Briggs found the twins in. There has to be some kind of connection between Kristin’s lost son and the twins and a reason the anonymous caller knows so much about the giant wolf. Plus, at the end of Episode 5, we see Kristin adding to the wolf’s body count at that construction site. She seemed much too chill with the idea of a werewolf killing off members of the community, and what mother doesn’t constantly forgive her only son after he murders a bunch of people? Like, be for real.

The sole reason the anonymous caller is the twins’ dad is because of how sassy he was with Harlan on the phone in that one scene. That was pure “I’ve had enough of you, boy,” dad-energy. There’s also the element that the twins’ bio-dad has been absent their whole lives and clearly isn’t seeking a relationship with them, so when push came to shove, he needed to intervene with the wolfy chaos going on in this town after the wildfire got Everett and Blake bit. He still continued to ignore the two teenage wolves who exist. It feels too pointed not to mean something.

And then there was that brief moment at the kickback before the giant wolf tried to eat Austin (Rio Mangini), where Everett made solid eye contact with a kid I didn’t recognize. It seemed from the expression on the boy’s face that they were intently watching Austin, and then suddenly, he’s not seen later when the wolf begins his rampage out of the pool.

Speaking of the kickback, I can’t get over how high school parties went from being about sneaking a keg bought by your older brother to getting hookups for psychedelic drugs like shrooms. Of all the drugs for partying, I don’t think shrooms are the most adaptable to high schoolers’ idea of a crazy night; despite their psychedelic features, they tend to be more introspective than most. I’d think MDMA would be more up these characters’ alley, but who’s to say?

Do Revenge also involved a soup being laced with shrooms; maybe it’s the stuff kids are jonesing for these days. Or it’s the drug adults think kids are jonesing for. The other thing about how shrooms are portrayed in Wolf Pack is odd because these characters barely act differently, and no one is hiding under a blanket, acting like an embryo in a womb. Also, shrooms’ taste and texture are tough to swallow; why was no one reacting to that?

Aside from my issues with how shrooms were represented, watching our Wolf Pack in a more fun setting with the other students was a treat. Blake and Everett finally get closer and stop pretending they’re not drawn together. I keep saying it; I cannot wait until these two bite the bullet and hump out their chemistry. Luna and Blake becoming more like friends are also lovely to see. I want this show to have active romantic interests and strong friendships. Luna and Blake are a perfect opportunity for a united girl bond.

Again with Jeff Davies pushing the Austin Luna narrative. He can play the piano beautifully. Cool. She’s a fantastic sketch artist. Great. So, they’re both artists. Does that make them compatible? Not necessarily, and Austin, so far, is an absolute asshole. In fact, I think most of the characters in this show are exceptionally rude to each other; even the people who are supposed to be friends are mean to one another. Euphoria really messed with the portrayal of teenagers. Teens can be mean, but they can also be incredibly compassionate and empathetic. The younger members of Gen-Z are the reason for the forward momentum against climate change, and they’re allying with LGBTQ+ legislation or campaigning for stricter gun control.

I think, for the most part, I like the characterization of the many other students. So far, some of the portrayals of these kids is a little harsh and superficial compared to what could be. Still, there could be more to them that makes the world of Wolf Pack feel more extensive than a community in California surrounded by wildfires.

Featured image courtesy of Curtis Bonds Baker/Paramount+