you know, we talk a lot about how Scott is able to win people over and how his trust in people's inherent potential for good pays off with regards to characters like Derek, Chris, and Peter, but I almost never see Alan Deaton included in this list and I think he should be.
Not because he was ever an enemy of Scott's. Just to be safe let me reiterate: with the knowledge of the later seasons, it's very clear that Deaton was always on Scott's side and had his best interests at heart. Don't come on my blog with your "deaton is a bad guy" takes i don't want to hear it, i'm talking strictly about characters' canonical perceptions of him.
With that being said, his actions are framed as suspicious at times (especially in season 1, which is part of the air of mystery and fear that permeates that season with Scott not knowing who his real enemies are yet). Derek accuses him of being the Alpha, and instead of revealing his true associations with the supernatural, he lies, which only makes Derek more suspicious (1x06/07). He deflects when Scott tries to ask him about the werewolf thing (2x03, i think). Even as late as season 3, Stiles includes him on the list of people that might be the Darach (3x06). Deaton plays his cards close to his chest, sometimes to his own detriment, and because of that mysteriousness, our main characters are naturally suspicious of him at first.
Except for Scott. I don't think we know for how long Scott worked for Deaton pre-canon, but it's obviously long enough that they have a rapport–although on the other hand, Scott's world has just been turned upside down, and he has absolutely no idea who he can and can't trust. I would argue that the moment Scott stops Derek from beating Deaton up in Heart Monitor and refuses to accept that he's the Alpha without further proof is the first of many times we see Scott choose to extend to someone the benefit of the doubt, despite it seeming ill-advised.
And he continues to extend that benefit to Deaton, and his trust is rewarded. Deaton comes out of his self-imposed exile from the supernatural world to help Scott. It's not for Derek, the son of one of his late closest friends, who accuses and demands answers. It's for Scott, who is patient and trusts that his boss/mentor has his reasons for holding his distance, and that he will do what's right when the time comes.
It's not as dramatic as winning Derek and Chris over, or as getting Peter, Theo, and Deucalion to switch sides. But in my opinion, Scott's arc with Deaton is just as important in strengthening his resolve to believe in people. He trusts his instincts, he trusts their history, he doesn't let Derek or Stiles's mistrust sway him, and it pays off in the form of gaining a mentor and ally who ends up being instrumental in many of Scott's victories.
I just think we should talk about Deaton's role in Scott's growth more often, not just as a mentor but as someone who validated Scott's trust in him even when no one else thought he could be trusted. And also the way Scott's belief is able to break through the walls Deaton has built up around himself! they are so important to me your honor
