In The Wolf Among Us, Bigby Wolf walks a razor’s edge between two identities. Once the infamous “Big Bad Wolf” who terrorized storybook lands, he’s now the sheriff of Fabletown, a gritty, noir-inspired community of fairy tale refugees living in the human world. His job is to keep the peace, but his reputation for violence precedes him.
Part of Bigby’s journey is about solving crimes, but more than anything, it’s about proving to himself and others that he can be more than his past. It’s the story of a predator learning to live among prey without losing himself in the process, and of a man (wolf or otherwise, in this case) trying to reconcile who he was with who he wants to be.
Before We Begin: A Quick Heads-Up
Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers for Telltale Games’ The Wolf Among Us, including major plot points, character arcs, and the ending of Episode 5. If you don’t want spoilers, it might be a good idea to bookmark this article and then come back later!
Why We’re Talking About This Character: Bigby is a case study in self-control, moral decision-making, and identity reconstruction. His struggle to balance instinct and conscience lets us explore psychological concepts like impulse regulation, stigma, and the tension between reputation and reality. His story also gives us a chance to examine how much of change is about internal growth and how much depends on the willingness of others to see you differently.
Meet the Character
Bigby Wolf is a Fable, a magical being from the Homelands, forced to live in exile alongside other Fables in the real world.
In his old life, he was the terror of countless fairy tales, known for devouring pigs, grandmothers, and anyone else unlucky enough to cross him. His name alone was enough to send shivers down spines.
Now, in Fabletown, he’s been given a second chance as sheriff, tasked with enforcing the laws that keep the fragile community hidden from human eyes. It’s a job that demands diplomacy, restraint, and trust. But, as it just so happens, these are the three things Bigby has never been exactly known for.
Physically imposing, with a gravelly voice and predator’s instincts, Bigby is both respected and feared. Many Fables distrust him, believing the wolf can never truly change.
This mistrust shapes how others interact with him: some (like Mr. Toad) keep their distance, some (like Grendel or, to a degree, Bluebeard) provoke him to test his control, and a few (like Snow White) see the man beneath the fur.
Despite his gruff demeanor, Bigby operates by a personal code. He bends rules when necessary to protect the vulnerable, and he’s capable of surprising compassion, whether it’s letting Colin (of the Three Little Pigs) crash on his couch or giving a down-on-their-luck Fable a break.
But his wolf nature is always there, under the surface, and the game constantly tests whether he’ll restrain it or let it out.
Spotlight Scenes: The Wolf at the Door
From the very first episode, Bigby’s dual nature is on display. In the opening confrontation with the Woodsman, players can decide whether Bigby keeps the fight contained or lets it spiral into a brutal beatdown. The choice affects not only the scene but also how other characters perceive him later.
In “Smoke and Mirrors,” Bigby’s interrogation style becomes yet another moral fork in the road. He can use intimidation and physical force to get answers, or rely on patience and persuasion. Each approach has consequences, both in the case itself and in Bigby’s ongoing effort to prove he’s more than a monster.
But it’s the climax of “Cry Wolf” that proves to be the ultimate test.
After being overwhelmed by Bloody Mary and her army of clones, Bigby is forced into his massive, original wolf form to survive. The transformation isn’t a choice—it’s survival. But once Bloody Mary is defeated, Bigby’s final moral decision comes into focus: how to deal with the ever-elusive Crooked Man.
Here, the player chooses between two paths:
- End it now: Kill the Crooked Man outright, showing that Bigby is still willing to take justice into his own hands, even if it reinforces the image of him as the Big Bad Wolf.
- Take him to trial: Bring the Crooked Man before the residents of Fabletown and trust the community to deliver justice, even if it risks him escaping punishment entirely.
It’s made pretty clear that this decision isn’t just about the Crooked Man’s fate. Even more importantly, it’s about who Bigby is becoming, and whether he believes redemption comes from personal restraint or from trusting the system.
The Psychology Behind the Big Bad Wolf
Bigby’s constant battle with his violent impulses is a textbook example of self-regulation, the ability to control one’s behavior, emotions, and desires in pursuit of long-term goals. His long-term goal is to be trusted and respected as Fabletown’s sheriff, but achieving that means resisting the short-term satisfaction of intimidation or retaliation.
His reputation as the Big Bad Wolf ties into labeling theory, which suggests that being labeled as “deviant” can influence both how others treat you and how you see yourself.
Many Fables see Bigby as irredeemable, and this stigma can make it harder for him to act against type, especially when provoked. It’s kind of like the temptation of saying, “You want to call me a monster? I’ll show you a monster.”
Keeping his eyes on the greater good for both himself and Fabletown, Bigby has to make a point of refusing to give in to that temptation every time it happens or else he risks losing control and proving his doubters correct.
It’s on that exact note that Bigby’s arc also reflects identity reconstruction, which is the process of redefining who you are after a major life change. This often involves both internal change (adopting new values and behaviors) and external negotiation (convincing others to see you differently). For Bigby, every case is a chance to rewrite his story and prove that the Big Bad Wolf is gone, even though the past is never far behind.
Finally, in moments like the Crooked Man decision, we see the tension between retributive justice (punishment fitting the crime) and procedural justice (fairness of the process). The research of psychologist Tom R. Tyler shows that people are more likely to accept outcomes (even unfavorable ones) if they believe the process was fair (Tyler, 2006).
Choosing the trial path (i.e., the “good” option) signals Bigby’s willingness to put faith in that process.
But it’s that exact tension that is where the main drama in The Wolf Among Us comes from.
Why It Matters (and Clearing Up Misconceptions)
So you probably aren’t the wolf-sheriff of a community of exiled fairytale characters, but that doesn’t mean this doesn’t matter!
Bigby’s arc challenges the idea that people with violent pasts (or any kind of troubled history, for that matter) are incapable of real change. His journey shows that transformation is possible, but that it’s very rarely clean or linear. Old habits and reputations linger, and slip-ups can quickly undo hard-earned trust.
This directly ties in with the second reason Bigby’s journey is so important: change isn’t just about willpower. Social perception also plays a huge role.
Even when Bigby makes the right choices, others may still see him through the lens of his past. This can create a self-fulfilling prophecy if the person starts believing they can’t change, so community support is as important as personal effort.
It’s hard work and, for many people, that change is one of the hardest things they’ll ever do in life.
But when someone is putting real effort into growing and becoming a better person, we find ourselves having to find the right mix of compassion and awareness. We don’t want to be naive, but should we also reject every attempt they make to redeem themselves (which could very well push them the other direction towards just embracing that “Big Bad Wolf” within them)?
For players, Bigby’s story is a mirror: it asks whether we believe redemption comes from decisive personal action or from trusting in collective systems and whether those systems are worthy of that trust.
Tomato Takeaway
Bigby Wolf’s story is a gritty, fairy tale–noir reminder that change is a fight that’s fought every single day. It means resisting old instincts, confronting the way others see you, and choosing again and again what kind of person you want to be.
Now it’s your turn: Have you ever had to prove to others, or yourself, that you’re not who you used to be?
Share your story in the comments and let’s chat!
Fueled by coffee and curiosity, Jeff is a veteran blogger with an MBA and a lifelong passion for psychology. Currently finishing an MS in Industrial-Organizational Psychology (and eyeing that PhD), he’s on a mission to make science-backed psychology fun, clear, and accessible for everyone. When he’s not busting myths or brewing up new articles, you’ll probably find him at the D&D table or hunting for his next great cup of coffee.