Throughout Wolf Pack the werewolf has murdered many victims during his killing spree. However most of the victims so far have been minor characters like members of the medical staff at the hospital or characters that have been openly antagonistic like Officer Miller. The main exception previously was Connor Ryan Everett Lang's best friend, but he also died in the second episode before the audience could really get a chance to know him.
Episode 6 After Party changes the game because for the first time in the series the werewolf's victim is someone the audience has grown invested in Phoebe Caldwell. Phoebe's death is the series most heartbreaking in part because it occurs almost immediately after her reconciliation with Blake Navarro. The aftermath of Phoebe's death also could reshape the main team's pack dynamics and their current plan to try to stop the werewolf.
Wolf Pack's Phoebe and Blake Reach a Devastating End
From the beginning of Wolf Pack Phoebe and Blake's former friendship has turned antagonistic. Throughout the series Phoebe has been lashing out at Blake because she ghosted her. In the Wolf Pack UNPACKED episode for After Party Bailey Stender explains I made the character choice that Phoebe is actually in love with Blake and that is why she's so upset. Stender also explains that Jeff Davis confirmed that motivation as well. While Phoebe never explicitly reveals her love for Blake Stender's performance shows that Phoebe's rage is fueled by the deep hurt that she feels over Blake's rejection.
In contrast Blake never truly shows any animosity toward Phoebe. In the series premier she still views Phoebe as someone she could possibly ask for help when she needs a phone to contact her brother though Phoebe refuses. Later at Tia's kickback in Episode 5 Incendiary Blake defends Phoebe against bullying even though the impetus for the bullying is Phoebe lashing out once again at Blake. In After Party after the werewolf leaves and the party guests are safely inside Phoebe catches Blake alone.
Instead of approaching Blake with anger Phoebe is more vulnerable asking Blake why she hates her. Blake confirms that she does not hate Phoebe and explains her real reasons for giving up her cell phone and social media. Blake's father made Blake unlock her mother's cell phone for him and he learned that Blake's mother was cheating on him through her social media messages. The ensuing fight led to social services being called and Blake and Danny were separated into foster care and a home traumatizing them both.
While her parents actions were the true cause of their messy divorce Blake also blames social media and cell phones for the traumatic dissolution of her family. Thus Blake's stance against social media had nothing to do with Phoebe or her other former friends. Blake's willingness to open up to Phoebe before she confides in anyone else shows that Phoebe was someone she felt like she could rely on in the past. In response to this revelation Phoebe is supportive mending their friendship and proving that Phoebe is more than the mean girl archetype.
In her final scene Phoebe tucks Tia in showing her softer side. Believing the threat of the supposed black bear to be past Phoebe goes for a late night or early morning swim seemingly more at peace. However the werewolf still lurks in the shadows and seals Phoebe's doom unaware of her quiet reconciliation with Blake. This makes the werewolf's murder of Phoebe hours later even more heartbreaking because the audience has had more time to grow invested in her and her personal growth only to have her story cut short.
Why Wolf Pack Will Never Top Phoebe's Murder
Phoebe's death is devastating because it shows the consequences of the pack's decisions. Earlier in After Party Everett chooses to claim that the werewolf was a black bear to protect the pack. This decision is completely understandable given that the other teens might lump Everett Blake Harlan and Luna in with the werewolf currently rampaging placing them in even more danger. However if Phoebe had been warned that the killer was actually a werewolf who seems to be targeting people who have wronged his pack Phoebe might have shown more caution and not gone outside alone.
Phoebe's death also could lead to Blake isolating herself again. Phoebe and Blake's reconciliation is the first step to Blake both acknowledging her pain and opening up to her friends for comfort and support. Afterward when talking with Everett Blake even offers to possibly get a cell phone if necessary and to tell him the reasons behind her choosing not to have one. However Everett accepts her as she is no cell phone required. Blake's healing progress could be seriously set back by the loss of Phoebe especially so soon after their reconciliation.
Going into the seasons final episodes the pack seems to be trying to save the werewolf especially since they now know that he is a teen who might not be in control of his actions and that he may be related to the Briggs twins. Since the series is moving into a possible redemption arc the werewolf's murders are more likely to be more forgivable in the future since the series is trying to show that he is someone who should be saved. Therefore Phoebe will be his most sympathetic victim. Overall Phoebe's death is the series most heartbreaking because she shows that all the series teen characters cannot be limited to an archetype and her growth and redemption ended far too soon.
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