Supernatural occurrences in a high school are popular fodder for television. The horrors of high school are easily translatable into tangible horror. This is the case for Teen Wolf. Creator of the reboot Jeff Davis itted that this is not by coincidence.
Buffy is one of the definitive teen horror shows, and many elements translate to Teen Wolf. The werewolf show made its mark when it aired on MTV, but there are striking similarities nonetheless.
Mystical Convergence
A mystical convergence is a clever device used in supernatural shows. This is a way to explain why a certain town or high school is plagued by different happenings. Buffy explains the constant vampire and monster attacks due to the existence of the Hellmouth. This is a certain place that evil is drawn to. And its opening comes up in the school library – and eventually what becomes Principal Wood’s office.
Teen Wolf’s version is similar. More mystical than a mouth to hell, Teen Wolf utilizes the Nemeton. Once it was a mystical tree but was later cut down. Like a Hellmouth, there are many around the world and it draws in supernatural occurrences. It laid dormant as far as the characters knew until season three when Scott, Stiles, and Allison activate it with personal sacrifices.
High School Is Hell
Buffy was infamous for using high school as a metaphor for horror. Many monster of the week episodes revolve around these metaphors. In the first season, a girl turns invisible simply because no one notices her. Another intriguing aspect is just how terrible high school is without those horrors.
Buffy must constantly explain her actions to an unimpressed Principal Snyder who hates her just for being different. Scott - and at times Stiles - are likewise terrorized by sadistic teacher Adrian Harris. He hates teenagers and makes a point to embarrass Scott whenever he gets the chance.
Secret Identities
Keeping up appearances is a common necessity in high school, whether you have superpowers or not. Going to class is hard enough when you’re also trying to save the world. Giles impresses on Buffy how important it was to keep her slaying a secret. Even Buffy’s mother doesn't know about her daughter’s double life until she slays a vampire in front of her.
Scott’s true identity has higher stakes. He struggles to keep a relationship with Allison going while knowing her family are werewolf hunters. If she finds out what he is, it is easier for them to track him down. Secret identities are imperative to keep those around the characters safe.
Band Of Misfits
Every superhero needs a team to back them for emotional and solving mysterious occurrences. One of the reasons Buffy is the longest-living slayer is because she's never alone. She has friends to help her along the way. Each person in her group has their uses and special skillsets.
Scott is never alone. Stiles realizes that Scott was bit by a werewolf before he does. Scott leans on Stiles for as well as some of the thinking. As time goes on more mystical creatures crop up in Beacon Hills, Scott also has a group that s him and helps him through his trials.
Forbidden Love
High school dramas are nothing without romance. It is a fact of life in high school and as a result, makes these relationships more turbulent and exciting. Buffy is heartbroken to learn that her aid in slaying vampires is a vampire himself. Buffy and Angel agree to stay away from each other, but it never seems to take. At the time, Angel is the only vampire with a soul which makes him that much more alluring. It seems that they are destined to be together.
On the reverse, Scott finds his slayer of sorts. When he starts dating Allison he doesn’t realize that her family kills his kind. But once he does understand the situation, he still can’t stay away from her. There is a separation between them once Allison accepts her duty as a hunter. Allison's decision is made more devastating by her death. Scott can never truly be over her after such tragic circumstances.
Unique Humor
Quips and quick wit are expected when watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her puns are a character trait and throws those she is fighting off guard. Levity is important for high-intensity horror. It brings balance to these shows, and humor is used in both to great effect.
Teen Wolf takes this concept as well. Scott is humorous due to his naivety. Teen Wolf still gets its wit. Stiles uses sarcasm, making him one of the most relatable characters on the show.
The Unpowerful Friend
In most supernatural team-ups, there is a friend that doesn’t have any powers. Xander finds out who Buffy is by happenstance. Giles is her Watcher while Willow has skills in computers and eventually witchcraft. Xander never seems to fit into the group but is kept with them nonetheless.
While Stiles has no powers himself, he contributes far more to Scott’s makeshift pack. Stiles uses his intellect to solve problems instead of brute force. Scott would be lost without Stiles who not only discovered what Scott was but is always the one to solve the mysteries in Beacon Hills. He is so good at it that he eventually s the FBI.
The Big Bad
A time-honored tradition in these shows is the full season arc devoted to one villain. This trend continues to this day, as Legend of Korra was a recent heroic show that had a different villain each season, much like these two. Buffy is formulaic, and the viewer can expect a new evil entity each season that she will eventually have to defeat.
Teen Wolf uses this formula to great success. Peter Hale is infamously the villain of season one. Each season leaves a cliffhanger for the next villain to pick up. While Peter continues to return, there is always something eviler to face off against.
Friend Turning Into Foe
Angel infamously turns evil in the second season of Buffy. While consummating their relationship, Angel experiences a moment of true happiness which causes him to lose his soul. He spends the rest of the season terrorizing and torturing Buffy and her friends. This is an immense betrayal and is difficult to watch, making the drama even more captivating.
While Scott’s great love is Allison, the person he cares most about is Stiles. It is heartbreaking as Stiles falls victim to the Nogitsune. The Nogitsune feeds on pain and chaos. Once it possesses Stiles, it is essentially the same thing as losing his soul. Stiles is one of the most frightening villains because he is Scott’s best friend. These decisions to turn friends into villains make for the best seasons of the series.
Foe Turning Into Friend
In the reverse, characters introduced as villains do not always stay that way. Spike arrives in season two of Buffy and was supposed to be killed. The writers liked him so much that he keeps coming back and eventually s Buffy’s crew. He brings another super-powered element to the team. While problematic, he still contributes to the common goal.
Peter Hale is never fully accepted, but he does return in a friendly capacity. His motivation in season one is revenge for those who killed his family and adopting Scott into his pack. Peter is self-aware enough to know he lacks morality. He brings humor when he comes around and accomplishes the best feats on the show - saving Stiles from the Nogitsune.