Teen Wolf: How Scott Got His Eyes Back (& Why They Turn Red)
Teen Wolf's Scott healed his red eyes after gouging them out himself, but why do they turn this color and how did he manage to get them back?
In MTV’s popular cult hit Teen Wolf, the show’s hero Scott manages to heal his red eyes after gouging them out himself, but why do they turn this color and how did he manage to save them? Beginning in 2011 and running until 2017, Teen Wolf was a campy, fast-paced slice of fantasy mystery that combined horror-inflected thrills with interesting mythology and tons of soapy melodrama.
Many have wondered in the years since why Teen Wolf was really cancelled, but most fans were happy with the conclusion of the series which aired in September 2017. After all, the final episode saw the hero win a battle with a Native American Boggart by ripping out his own eyes, then re-growing them through the power of love. The show’s sixth season provided some answers to several long-running questions, but there are still some confusing mysteries come the end of the series. Chief among these is the question of why Scott’s eyes turn red, rather than yellow unlike most of his fellow werewolves, and how he got his eyes back after tearing them out.
Scott’s eyes turn red because he is a “True Alpha” instead of a standard Alpha (who have yellow eyes on the show). As early as Teen Wolf season 1, Scott struggled to control the beast within him. But as the seasons passed, he grew accustomed to his powers and earned himself the title of True Alpha by managing the impressive feat of ascending to Alpha status without killing his predecessor. Meanwhile, it is a kiss from his love interest Malia that eventually allows Scott to get his eyes back after clawing them out with his bare hands.
By the time the final season rolls around, Scott is strong enough to take down the Anuk-Ite, although this victory comes at a grave personal cost to the young hero. The supernatural being, based on a Native American myth, overpowers most of Scott’s pack. Scott could have done with the help of fan-favorite Kira in taking it on but unfortunately, Arden Cho left Teen Wolf before season 6 began. Thus, Scott is forced to outsmart the Anuk-Ite by removing his own eyes. This canny move ensures he won’t be able to see whatever it conjures up to scare him into submission when the pair face off against each other. However, when Scott’s normal healing powers fail to come into effect, there’s a tense moment when it seems as if he will be blind for good.
Fortunately, Malia uses the same trick that Lydia pulled off in an earlier episode to stop Stiles’ panic attack. When she kisses Scott, this pulls his focus away from his fear and allows his natural healing powers to kick in, no longer encumbered by panic. Explaining the series finale of Teen Wolf is no small task, as the final season’s action features far more than just Scott’s battle with the Anuk-Ite. But the answer to why Scott’s eyes turn red can be found in the difference between the show’s Alphas and true Alphas, whilst the trick to his regenerating eyes comes from Malia’s ability to grab his focus and overpower his fear.