Bitten – Season 3 Premiere “Family, of Sorts” Review. Collateral Damage.

Elena realizes she has more problems to worry about than her visions

Episode: Season 3, Episode 1

Airdate: Monday, February 15, 2016, 11/10c on Syfy

Rating: ★★★★★

The aftermath of preventing the apocalypse, while losing some loved ones along the way, takes a physical and mental toll on everyone in “Family, of Sorts.” The premiere focuses on the way the North American Werewolf Pack, led by Jeremy Davers (Greg Bryk) and his family, rallies to secure their futures while some unseen enemies work on destroying them. There are not many drastic changes to the TV series’ mythology but it does offer up a few surprises. I’m more shocked at how subdued “Family, Of Sorts” comes across in certain points, but then I remember the many losses Jeremy’s pack has suffered to protect their kind from annihilation.

Do What You Have to Do

The importance of family remains a focal point throughout the episode but it’s the lengths to which the pack goes to protect their “family” that remain a blurred line. Moral ambiguity isn’t new ground for the Danvers pack, let alone the TV series. After all, within the Bitten universe, witches must kill any male born infants to prevent the end times. That said, it’s fascinating to observe Jeremy dealing with his role as alpha since the recent attacks to his territory, as well as his authority. I appreciate how most of the changes to Jeremy’s demeanor are shown

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instead of explained in dialogue. He is the alpha of the pack, and his word is essentially law. Bryk’s portrayal of Jeremy is menacing and aggressive in a way that is unnerving. There are pockets of moments where it’s visible how much of Jeremy’s anxiety comes from the trauma of watching not one, but several people he loved die before his eyes. I don’t blame him for being paranoid but the silence among the pack from Elena (Laura Vandervoort), Clayton (Greyston Holt), and Nick regarding his domineering behavior isn’t helping matters. I understand they can’t question his authority but maybe someone could suggest he talk about it, at the very least. The Jeremy I recall from seasons past is more diplomatic and aggressive when need be. I have often wanted to see Jeremy grow as a character much like Nick did in season two. Seeing the current turmoil brewing in Stonehaven, home of the Danvers pack, I have a feeling Jeremy will evolve as a character, for better or worse. The major plotline that will run its course is the expansion of the Danvers pack’s territory. It makes me wonder if Jeremy is turning into his father, which will cause irrevocable damage for everyone.

What’s Love Got to Do with It?

There’s no way “Family, of Sorts” could dodge the importance of Elena’s visions, which, in the season two finale, “Fine Temporum,” showed her drenched in blood. The opening scene of “Family, of Sorts” addresses Elena’s concerns and leaves enough unanswered questions to keep you in suspense. Elena’s story line will undoubtedly parallel Jeremy’s in the way each works towards keeping their supernatural existence a secret, as well as protecting their pack. As much as I know how greatly the whole Danvers clan loves one another, there is always going to be danger, and there is no guarantee they’ll always be safe. So it pains me to see the inner turmoil among the Danvers pack over Jeremy’s methods, despite their working as a team.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there’s a lot of suspense, and some gore showcased in classic Bitten style, but the pacing of “Family, Of Sorts” is a little slower than I’d like for a season premiere. There are great new story lines, and the continuity of the details concerning the current story lines remains solid. Elena and Jeremy are the best parts of the premiere. When Elena’s past comes back to haunt her, it changes her life forever. I particularly like how carefully she takes care of her private affairs without letting Jeremy know. His hostile nature isn’t a surprise but it feels too abrupt, making me question how far apart “Family, of Sorts” is from the events in “Fine Temporum.” The adrenaline rush has dissipated since the Danvers pack suffered near death experiences from The Undoing, and it feels like all the major characters are scrambling to make sense of where to go in their lives.

My hope is that season three of Bitten will incorporate more story lines involving witches, but without compromising any character development. Despite the slow pacing in some parts of “Family, Of Sorts,” the cast’s performances are wonderful. There’s still a lot of interesting plot developments to make me want to watch more episodes of season three.

What are you looking forward to in season three? Post your comments below or on Twitter @conallen.

Follow the series on its official site on Syfy, http://www.syfy.com/bitten, where you can also watch videos and clips of the episodes.

Follow Bitten on its official twitter @bittentv, and the cast: Laura Vandervoort (@Vandiekins22), Greyston Holt (@greystonh), Greg Bryk (@gregbryk), Steve Lund (@leven_stund).

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