Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
Teen Wolf boasts some amazing characters, all with their own roles to play, but Stiles Stilinski has always fit seamlessly into the sidekick archetype. Teen Wolf ran for six seasons and followed normal teenager-turned-werewolf Scott McCall as he and his friends fought against evil supernatural forces in their town of Beacon Hills. Scott had many relationships throughout the series, both romantic and platonic, but his most serious and long-lasting relationship was with his best friend, Stiles Stilinski.
Stiles remained a fan favorite because of his unique personality and iconic dialogue. When Scott and the gang got into serious danger, Stiles could always be counted on for a witty one-liner or hilarious reaction. But beyond just being funny, Stiles also showed a lot of heart and always remained loyal to his friends. Overall, Stiles portrayed various traits that not only made him a beloved character but also the perfect sidekick for Scott from Teen Wolf's beginning to end.
6 Stiles Is Loyal To Scott In Teen Wolf
Throughout Teen Wolf, Stiles accomplishes the first task of any good sidekick by remaining loyal to Scott through anything and everything, and vice versa. When Scott first becomes a werewolf, Stiles is his first confidante and remains his right-hand man as they continue to uncover mysteries and defeat evil entities in Beacon Hills. Even when their enemies try to keep them apart, such as Theo Raeken creating a rift between them and the Ghost Riders erasing Stiles from his friends' memories, Stiles and Scott always managed to settle their differences and reunite.
One moment that shows Stiles' unending loyalty is when Scott is dosed with wolfsbane, causing him to suffer from intense hallucinations. Struggling against the effects of the wolfsbane in Teen Wolf season 3, Scott is convinced he must take his own life so his friends will no longer get hurt because of him. However, Stiles steps into the danger zone and reminds Scott that they are brothers, and he will always want Scott in his life. This touching speech saves Scott's life at the last moment but also shows the genuine love Stiles has for Scott and his willingness to express it.
5 Stiles Is The Brains Of Teen Wolf
An important characteristic of a good sidekick character is helping the hero gather vital information for any situation and Stiles definitely checks this box. In Teen Wolf season 1, Stiles figures out that Scott is a werewolf before Scott even realizes it. After, he learns all he can about werewolves to help Scott understand his powers. This type of information gathering shows Stiles' helpfulness and his role as the brains of Teen Wolf.
Along with his impeccable research skills, Stiles' father, Teen Wolf's fan favorite Sheriff Stilinski, creates a connection to law enforcement that makes him the perfect brains of the McCall Pack. His knowledge of the law and skills with following clues consistently help him figure out the secrets of the supernatural in Beacon Hills. Stiles' iconic boards with red string in each season emphasize his role as knowledge keeper and sidekick throughout Teen Wolf.
4 Stiles Brings Comedic Relief To Teen Wolf
Stiles' ability to bring comedic relief to any situation is one of the most obvious qualities about his character and is a main reason why he makes such a good sidekick on Teen Wolf. Even in the worst of situations, Stiles can come up with a quip that decreases any tension and balances out the seriousness of Scott as the hero. Being the comedic relief is an unmistakable characteristic of a sidekick character and in this sense, Stiles fits in perfectly. He truly carries the comedy side of Teen Wolf's many seasons and creates some of the most iconic moments in the series with his funny, under-his-breath comments.
3 Stiles Risks His Life For Others On Teen Wolf
Although Stiles doesn't have supernatural powers like many of his friends, he certainly doesn't run away when danger strikes. Throughout Teen Wolf, Stiles puts his life on the line just like any other werewolf in the McCall Pack. He often risks his life for Scott, such as following him to Mexico when Scott was captured by the Beserkers, but has also done so for other members of the pack. Despite falling into more of a sidekick role, Stiles shows how sidekicks can be heroes as well not only through figuring out mysteries but also through physical action.
An unforgettable moment where Stiles risks his life against a Teen Wolf villain occurs in season 3 when he took part in a ritual that killed him for several seconds in order to rescue his father. Earlier in the season, a dark druid, Jennifer Blake, kidnaps Sheriff Stilinski among other parental figures to sacrifice them and gain more power. Stiles, along with Scott and Allison, allow themselves to die for a few moments in order to find their parents. This act is the ultimate sacrifice because it concerns actual death and shows that no matter the consequences, Stiles is willing to do what it takes to save those he loves.
2 Stiles Has A Big Heart Throughout Teen Wolf
Of the many positive qualities Stiles has, the majority of them stem from his capacity to love. As Teen Wolf's sidekick, Stiles obviously has a significant love for Scott, however his affections don't end there. Stiles cares deeply for all the characters in the McCall Pack, even if he distrusts them at first. For example, Stiles and Teen Wolf's Derek Hale couldn't be more different, yet Stiles grows to love Derek, and they form a tight bond. Stiles also maintains intense love for his father and Lydia Martin. All of these relationships and connections show Stiles' good intentions and his ability to care, even when terrible things are happening all around.
1 Stiles Becomes His Own Type Of Hero On Teen Wolf
The best aspect of Stiles as Teen Wolf's ultimate sidekick is that he doesn't stick in this archetype, but bursts out of it to create an entirely new kind of character. Although Stiles achieves the typical sidekick characteristics of loyalty, comedic personality, and research skills, he goes beyond that by jumping straight into the action and giving his love and dedication to everyone, not just Scott. Stiles embodies a different kind of sidekick that becomes his own hero. He is not tied down by Scott but doesn't feel the need to overpower him either; both worked in selfless harmony through Teen Wolf season 6.
It's no surprise that Stiles Stilinski is a fan favorite among Teen Wolf viewers. He stands out as an interesting character that always seems to do the right thing, no matter the cost. His role as a sidekick may seem like it takes away from his importance, but it actually does the opposite. Stiles thrives as the perfect sidekick of Teen Wolf because the archetype emphasizes his areas of talent while also allowing him to grow into the true hero he was always meant to be.