You Want Closure? What We Do in the Shadows Will Give You Closure.

As a long-time fan of quirky comedies with heart, I must say that the finale of What We Do In The Shadows left me utterly captivated and emotionally satisfied. Having followed this show since its inception, I have witnessed the evolution of these characters from hilarious, bizarre creatures to complex beings who display an unexpected depth of emotion and camaraderie.

Spoilers ahead for “The Finale” of What We Do In the Shadows.

Drawing inspiration from the epic conclusion of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” one might contend that the final episode of “What We Do in the Shadows” seems to have an overabundance of conclusions. However, this abundance is intentional, serving as a commentary on the very essence of endings, the conflicting desires of fans, and the challenge of fulfilling audience expectations while staying true to the story’s core. Contrary to fan expectations, Guillermo and Nandor do not share a romantic moment, but this is for the best, as it allows the series to conclude in a manner that is both deeply emotional and, in classic vampire fashion, a complete rejection of sentimentality. While fans who ship ‘Nandermo’ may be left feeling disappointed, the finale ending “What We Do in the Shadows” on a note that embraces its unique tonal duality is a more profound expression of its creative spirit than any kiss could have been.

It seems that this sixth season of What We Do in the Shadows has had more of a fun, bonus feel to it, compared to the previous seasons which focused more on character development and growth. The fifth season concluded with Guillermo becoming a vampire but realizing his true nature wasn’t for him, followed by Nandor restoring Guillermo to his human form, emphasizing their bond and providing closure to their master-familiar relationship.

It was a bit unexpected that What We Do in the Shadows, known for its daring approach to reshaping character relationships and their fascination with the human world, seemed to return to familiar patterns in its closing episodes. However, upon reflection after watching “The Finale,” this choice appears to be remarkably self-aware, suggesting that the show was intentionally leading up to an ending that recognizes the challenge of finding a concluding moment for immortal beings who can sleep for extended periods and spend weeks contemplating how to rearrange their library. This rationale seems fitting as “The Finale” and its multiple endings appear less about the vampires and their ongoing existence, and more about Guillermo, who throughout the series has served as our guide into the What We Do in the Shadows universe. With his complex emotions towards the vampires whom he both adores and despises, Guillermo has long been the most identifiable inhabitant of the Staten Island mansion.

The final episode, titled “The Finale,” sheds light on the documentary crew’s six-year journey with the vampires and Guillermo, revealing that they have been filming a nonfiction feature about the vampires. Having gathered sufficient footage, they declare their work is complete. During interviews with Laszlo and Colin regarding creating a wife for the Monster, and Nadja and Nandor discussing the Monster’s feelings for the Guide, the crew announces “We’re done… We have what we need,” prompting the vampires to remove their microphones and carry on with their daily lives. Guillermo, however, is perplexed: “Isn’t it strange that we’ve been doing this, and suddenly… it’s just over?” In this episode, Guillermo serves a dual purpose: as a friend of the vampires who sees the conclusion of the documentary as another chapter in his mortal life ending, and as a surrogate for the audience, curious about how things will conclude. The concluding scenes address both Guillermo’s character arc and the audience’s experience, with some moments breaking the fourth wall to reflect on What We Do in the Shadows’ impact on its viewers and others hinting at potential future events within the WWDITS universe after we stop watching it.

In reference to season five, the Guide proposes an ideal conclusion for the documentary: Guillermo transforming into a vampire. Unfortunately, as Nandor laments, “we’ve already done that last year.” Nadja, with her characteristic snarky style, hypnotizes everyone to present “the most flawless ending imaginable for your limited human minds,” which turns out to be a conclusion reminiscent of The Usual Suspects, complete with a series-spanning montage of notable scenes and Colin Robinson portraying Keyser Söze. The mockumentary format is lightly mocked as the vampires reveal to Guillermo that in the 1950s, the legendary Maysles Brothers filmed them for years but never released the footage – which, unsurprisingly, shows the vampires engaging in their earlier antics, from Colin getting excited about warfare to Laszlo, with a toothpick in his mouth, tricking Nandor and Nadja with his “Jackie Daytona” disguise. Despite changes over time, things remain consistent, especially when immortality is involved.

As a passionate cinephile, I must confess that the finale of What We Do in the Shadows left me quite emotional. It’s fascinating how the writers subtly remind us that the vampires’ misadventures are nothing new – echoing the predictable plotlines of classic sitcoms. However, this meta-narrative is not what one would typically anticipate from a series finale.

Despite Guillermo often putting others before himself, except for that one time he took Nadja’s nightclub money, he finds greater fulfillment from everyone in the house accepting him. Compared to Nandor, who is known for his flaky and inconsistent romantic behavior, Guillermo and Nandor have a unique bond. Even if their plans as the Phantom Menace and Kid Cowboy don’t succeed, the series finale suggests they will always ensure each other never feels lonely again. Has Nandor ever allowed someone else into his coffin? Does the vampire coven ever consider Guillermo’s feelings as deeply as they do in this final episode? The emotional depth of these moments is astounding! Though “The Finale” may seem disjointed due to its intellectual and sincere tones, it ultimately delivers a satisfying ending that caters to both Guillermo’s personal desires and the series’ overall narrative. By providing multiple options for the finale, the creators of What We Do In The Shadows managed to honor both Guillermo as an individual character and the series as a whole.

2024-12-17 07:54

You Want Closure? What We Do in the Shadows Will Give You Closure.

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