There are many ways that Scott McCall is unrealistically perfect in Teen Wolf. He sacrifices himself for strangers without hesitation and puts his friends and family before himself. Scott never asks for help and will suffer in silence rather than share the burden with his pack.
No matter how mature Scott is, he's still a high school student at the end of the day. His heart is always in the right place, but recognizing that no one is invincible is an important part of growing up. Scott is wise beyond his years in most episodes of the series, but he has immature moments meant to remind viewers of his age.
Typical Teenager: Not Knowing What Jackson Meant By "Juice"
One of Scott McCall's best quotes in Teen Wolf is said during the pilot episode. After Jackson witnesses Scott's professional-level lacrosse skills, he demands to know where he's getting his juice. Scott replies with, "My mom does all the grocery shopping," unaware that Jackson was referring to steroids.
Alternatively, Scott's confusion could make this a time he wasn't a typical teen as most kids his age would understand the accusation. But the fact that he was genuinely oblivious showcased Scott's innocence and emphasizes how he is a "teen" wolf.
Wise Beyond His Years: Taking Liam Under His Wing
While it was the right thing to do, Scott had no obligation to help Liam after he turned. Derek wasn't the mentor he needed him to be when Scott first became a werewolf, and Scott could have done the same to Liam. He does give one of Derek's tactics a shot but realizes that he needs to do things his own way.
Scott treated Liam like a little brother, rather than an annoyance, and he considered Liam his responsibility. He was there for him every step of the way, and a strong familial bond formed between them.
Typical Teenager: Letting His World Revolve Around Allison
In Teen Wolf Season 1, Scott's entire world revolved around Allison Argent. All he wanted was to earn her affection, and he was often more concerned about their dates than he was about time-sensitive supernatural-related issues.
Scott's livelihood depending on whether or not Allison liked him was when he acted most like the average teenager. He didn't understand how to properly prioritize certain aspects of his life, and the hoops he jumped through to win Allison over made him a bit excessive at times.
Wise Beyond His Years: Protecting Those Who Can't Protect Themselves
This may have originated with Allison, but it's a code Scott follows every day. As proven with all the supernatural creatures that pop in and out of Beacon Hills, the town truly is a beacon for danger. It's not a safe place for anyone to reside, let alone humans who are living in blissful ignorance.
Scott feels like it's his duty to protect those around him, and he even uses his werewolf abilities to take away others' pain. He allows others to help him carry the burden as he matures, and Scott's leadership skills help keep the McCall Pack united.
Typical Teenager: Admitting He Never Has Any Idea What He's Doing
Although they mean no ill-will, everyone goes to Scott expecting him to have a plan when things go south. The characters often forget that he's a sixteen-year-old boy as much as he is a werewolf. Scott has the same issues as everyone else, and being an alpha doesn't mean he always has a solution.
Because he never wants to worry his friends, Scott does his best to make them believe he'll take care of everything. When he admitted to Isaac that he never has any idea what he's doing, he finally sounded his age.
Wise Beyond His Years: Recognizing The Development Between Stiles And Lydia
As the most popular ship, Stiles and Lydia have the best quotes in Teen Wolf. But in the early seasons of the series, Stiles' school-boy crush on Lydia delayed their romance. Scott is much more observant than he seems, and he recognizes that Stiles's obsession didn't translate to real affinity.
However, he's watched Stiles and Lydia evolve over the years and is able to make the distinction between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. What started out as a dynamic full of idolization and condescension turned into adult love between two equals. Scott's take on the situation said a lot about Stydia, but even more about Scott's emotional maturity.
Typical Teenager: Using His Abilities To Make The Lacrosse Team
Typical teenagers don't have werewolf abilities to cheat with, but it's still something they would do if the opportunity arose. After turning into a werewolf, Scott's athletic skills increased overnight and he made everyone at lacrosse tryouts look like amateurs.
Doing whatever he can to secure himself a spot on the team and fit in with the popular kids is straight out of a "teenage stereotypes" handbook. However, Scott decides against using his powers later in the show because he wants his successes to be based on his own merit.
Wise Beyond His Years: Refusing To Kill His Enemies
"Revenge," is a word that isn't in Scott McCall's vocabulary. He doesn't need to hurt others to make himself feel good, and this even applies to people who are out to kill him. Scott shows mercy and compassion to everyone and is a strong believer in second chances.
If it comes down to taking a life to protect the innocent, Scott is willing to accept that burden upon himself. However, he will always look for a way to save his enemies, no matter how irredeemable they appear. In all six seasons of Teen Wolf, Scott never took a life and still came out on top.
Typical Teenager: Making Out With Lydia
They had a bit of a rocky start, but Stiles and Lydia's relationship is explored throughout Teen Wolf. Because they're such a beloved ship, most fans do their best to forget what happened between Scott and Lydia during the first season. Scott would never hurt Stiles on purpose, but he was under the influence of the full moon when Lydia propositioned him.
Making out with the school's "popular girl" in the coach's office is an extremely stereotypical thing for a teenager to do. Their brief interaction is especially awkward after witnessing the entire series, as Scott and Lydia form a sibling-like bond.
Wise Beyond His Years: Becoming A True Alpha
There were several memorable moments, but each main character's most iconic scene in Teen Wolf combined doesn't even begin to compare to Scott's. It almost feels as though the genre peaked during this transformation. Scott becoming a true alpha is irrefutable proof that he is just as extraordinary as he appears.
He earned his new status based on the strength of his character, virtue, and sheer power of will, rather than through violence. None of the other werewolves, including the adults, had ever experienced this due to true alphas appearing only once every one hundred years.