As a lifelong fan of all things macabre and supernatural, I’ve found myself utterly captivated by the latest season of “What We Do in the Shadows.” Having spent countless nights poring over dusty tomes of ancient lore and unearthing forgotten relics, I can confidently say that this show is a rare gem that manages to blend humor with horror in a way that only a true connoisseur of the occult could appreciate.
In the premier of “What We Do in the Shadows,” we meet a new character, Baron Afanas, who helps us understand the dynamics among the show’s vampire roommates. Similarly, the first episode of the final season revisits an old vampire acquaintance from their past. By this stage, the relationships within the group are deeply ingrained, so when an old roommate, Jerry (Mike O’Brien), a power-hungry vampire, returns, it creates discomfort rather than altering much of their established dynamics. Consequently, Jerry is asked to leave.
Jerry has been in a slumber since the time of the Ford presidency, and the early episodes of the show’s final season on FX seem to be heavily influenced by the ’70s and ’80s. This is fitting given that the vampires are shown to be significantly detached from modern pop culture. The nostalgic atmosphere is also prominent in the workplace subplot introduced in episode two, “Headhunting,” where Nadja, embodying an empowered ’80s woman (essentially draining finance professionals in conference rooms and reading “Lean In”), is seen wearing shimmery eyeshadow, a voluminous perm, and a pussy bow.
Additionally, Nadja’s path progresses towards her attempting to aid others, driven by self-serving motives. Over time, she’s grown attached to Guillermo, though she refuses to acknowledge this; much like a cat leaving a dead mouse as a gift, she believes she’s helping Guillermo by eliminating his coworkers, allowing him to advance in the corporate world. Her affection is expressed through threats. Nandor, on the other hand, is largely incapable without Guillermo and craves his presence — reminiscent of a clingy puppy. The animal analogy continues. They both lack typical human functionality, as humorously depicted in a scene at the Cannon Capital Strategies break room where Nadja pours coffee through a glass wall, and Nandor employs an entire roll of paper towels to lightly dab up a spill. It’s unlikely that Guillermo would admit it, but I suspect he enjoys being needed, explaining why he remains so close.
To put it differently, let’s revisit Jerry. The group was intended to rouse him on New Year’s Eve of 1996, but they slipped up – thus, he’s been slumbering in the basement during their supposed half-century of revelry and literary pursuits near the fireplace. Some attribute his absence as the reason for their dwindling aspirations in the season premiere, but I find that hard to believe. Granted, these vampires aren’t particularly intelligent and are easily swayed – this is evident in the third episode titled “Sleep Hypnosis.” However, it’s worth noting that a recurring theme in What We Do in the Shadows is the monotony of eternal life. Considering this, it seems more peculiar for Jerry to maintain ambitions rather than for the group to lose theirs.
Despite some dips in inspiration compared to the show’s peak (roughly seasons two through four), the recent episodes still possess a refreshing energy due to Laszlo’s return, which isn’t as polished but is less clunky than last season’s low points. For instance, his latest mad-scientist scheme, initially presented as a humorous aside, evolves into a substantial storyline in “Headhunting.” Interestingly, Laszlo finds himself overshadowed by his own reanimation project, which both aligns and contradicts his character. On one hand, he’s known for being a scholar who can spend years studying the works of Guccione and Flynt (founders of pornographic magazines like Penthouse and Hustler). On the other, he demonstrates bursts of industriousness when motivated, even combining his passions, such as creating a Victorian-era “jackoff machine” that runs on a real, living raccoon.
Frankenstein elements add an exciting spark (pun intended) to the show as it approaches its final season, offering Laszlo a unique chance to put Colin to sleep instead of the usual reverse. The humor derived from the decomposing bodies littering the house is surprisingly refreshing in this first group of episodes. Moreover, the self-referential aspect in “Sleep Hypnosis” was quite amusing, serving as a commentary on writing sitcoms. Sitcoms are built around establishing and reestablishing their status quo, taking characters on new journeys in each episode while consistently returning to the familiar foundation.
In a playful, self-referential manner, the show What We Do in the Shadows revisits a familiar trope: Guillermo’s transformation and de-transformation into a vampire throughout the series. This time around, it’s presented humorously and with a touch of sentimentality. The latest reset finds Guillermo sleep hypnotizing himself, causing him to forget his past experiences spanning over two decades. He returns to the mansion, seeking employment as Nandor’s familiar. However, due to their extensive history, fully rewinding their relationship would compromise Guillermo’s character development. Consequently, this reset is not permanent. Instead, the show takes a moment to appreciate the nostalgia, acknowledging that it’s impossible to return to simpler times, be it in comedy writing or real life.
Craven Mirth
As a movie enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the world of comedy, and it seems that experience shines through for Mike O’Brien, who graces our screens in the season opener “The Return of Jerry.” You might remember him from his YouTube series “7 Minutes in Heaven,” where he conducted hilarious interviews with fellow comedians – all crammed into closets! It was quite the spectacle throughout the 2010s.
Is Dr. Victor Frankenstein a character within the universe of “What We Do in the Shadows”? Does he share any animosity with Laszlo, and could we expect his arrival at the vampires’ abode before the series finale? (Given the show’s history, even if he were deceased, it wouldn’t be a surprise.) If he does appear, who might portray him? I’m curious to know.
In simpler terms, “Nandor advocated for the respect due to janitors, acknowledging that their work includes not just cleaning up messes, but also dealing with other unsavory tasks like mopping up spills and urine.
• Poor Colin. He just wants a friend. (I’m not volunteering or anything, just saying.)
• So Jordan (Tim Heidecker) is a vampire, right? Calling that one now.
A week ago, I organized a showing of the 2009 horror documentary, Cropsey. In this film, various individuals discuss Staten Island as a place where New York City’s waste, both physical and human, is discarded. To put it another way, from what I know about Staten Island, finding trash bags filled with body parts in someone’s living room is not entirely unexpected.
Regardless of their squabbles, the pair that is Laszlo and Nadja is adorably matched – observe their identical chartreuse highlights in “Sleep Hypnosis.
As a devoted admirer, I’m thrilled to announce that this week’s Matt Berry Line Reading Award goes to… a slope more treacherous than a saddler’s seat. *Savoring the moment*
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2024-10-22 08:54