I don't remember that about the skin shedding. And I blocked the memory of that backdoor pilot from my mind. LOL... But seriously, I guess it's easier and less messy to write shapeshifters who don't leave evidence around.

Ya I remember from the monster ep the one that was done in black and white to look like an old movie..well they were fighting the shapeshifter and his ear came off..I think that's how they realized they were dealing with a shapeshifter.

I liked the skin coming off, it made them different. Now the shapshifters are like most you see on tv.

Ya I understand it's prolly cheaper but they did like 8 or 9 seasons with the skin coming off..what's the point in changing it now? I believe that backdoor pilot ep was the first we seen the change..apart from an earlier season when we met the alpha shapeshifter. And i believe they explained that his skin didn't come off cuz he was the first shaleshifter..so they completely changed the rules now.