What We Do in the Shadows Recap: Wall Street Vampires

As a movie enthusiast with over two decades of immersion in the world of cinema, I must say that “What We Do in the Shadows” is a rare gem that skillfully intertwines humor and social commentary like no other. This week’s episode, “Nandor’s Army,” took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, from heartbreak to laughter, and left me pondering the complexities of human nature and its monstrous counterparts.

In a twist of irony, Guillermo, who spent 15 years yearning to be a vampire, has now transformed into a bloodthirsty, parasitic creature himself. This change occurred after he started working at Cannon Capital. The series, ‘What We Do in the Shadows’, subtly highlights this parallel between Guillermo and venture capitalists without being too heavy-handed about it. The show is pointing out that even for supernatural beings like vampires, human greed and relentlessness can be overwhelming. Vampires are known for their refined manners, decorum, and a sense of honor, which might seem quaint in today’s world. They also value loyalty, as shown when Guillermo fired Nandor from his job at Cannon, causing the once powerful warrior to lose control. This action strips him of any authority he had over Guillermo, his former familiar.

Indeed, when Nandor decides to emulate Colonel Kurtz and plan his revenge at the wreckage of Hancock & Sons factory, reminiscent of “Apocalypse Now”, it brings a touch of melancholy (with the haunting cover tune echoing The Doors’ tunes). Yet, this event proves beneficial, not just for the iconic Alexa joke it hosts, which is quite challenging to perfect in comedies, but also for the characters to have some much-needed heartfelt conversations with each other.

It’s clear that Nandor and Guillermo must have a heart-to-heart conversation soon. Their tension has been escalating since Guillermo parted ways from Nandor’s service during season two, and by the end of season five, he took a more decisive step – though calling urinating in a shed behind the mansion a “step” might be generous. Despite his efforts to convince himself that leveraged buyouts are beneficial, Guillermo still clings to denial as one of his unique abilities. He insists he didn’t leave Nandor for Jordan, but that’s just part of the intricate dance they’ve been performing. However, with only six episodes remaining before the series concludes, their game of cat and mouse is nearing its end.

Considering what was mentioned earlier, I’m delighted that “Nandor’s Army” also made space for a heartfelt scene featuring my favorite couple from this show (a TV duo I hold dear). As Nadja and Laszlo meander through a small New England town ravaged by the Hancock & Sons takeover, serving as a grim reminder of corporate greed, they’ve found themselves short on private moments lately. Over the course of several seasons, they’ve been preoccupied with different matters: embezzlement, curses, blood addiction issues, father-son conflicts, defying divinity… in essence, keeping busy with their pastimes.

As a movie buff reminiscing, I recall the last time Laszlo and Nadja embarked on an adventurous escapade was during season two, when they rekindled their nightclub act in the same episode (“Collaboration”), just before Guillermo took off. Despite this minor mishap, they continue to be the epitome of goth romance. Their heartfelt declarations of love towards each other in “Nandor’s Army” were endearing, in a uniquely Nadja-and-Laszlo manner. The “10/10 pussy” remark might not have resonated as positively without his initial praises about her being funny, sweet, and beautiful. However, Laszlo, being the seasoned pro that he is, made a rookie mistake by asking a woman if she was on her period. This blunder certainly earned him an airborne exit courtesy of Nadja’s sonic scream, with her young son sending him flying across the street.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve kept relatively quiet about Colin, but the tension and pain swirling around seems to be just the kind of atmosphere he feeds off. Last week, he was fully on board with the railroad plan, and this week, he’s embracing his role as a soldier under Nandor’s leadership in his quasi-righteous fight against Cannon Capital. (The ‘quasi’ is because it’s driven by self-interest. I can’t stand Cannon Capital.) Unsurprisingly, Nadja and Laszlo aren’t fond of being told what to do any more than they enjoy doing push-ups. I understand their reluctance, as I share the same sentiments.

Amidst all the chaos, it seems that Jerry’s strategy for dominating the New World through ancient supernatural means has been largely overlooked by most (with the notable exception of the persistent Guide who takes a liking to underdogs). This plot point serves as another instance in season six where we can draw parallels to Matt Taibbi’s description of Goldman Sachs as a “vampire squid,” highlighting Jerry’s blunt, forceful approach in contrast.

A more subtle approach to dominating populations, as demonstrated by the bloodsuckers in season six, involves not appearing too overt. The method of a thousand small, incremental steps is the secret to effectively draining resources from the New World.

Craven Mirth

• Eyyyyyyyyyy, finger foods. Get it?

• Raising the reward for information on Nandor from $3 to $5 — they must really miss him!

• “Shutter Island rules. Got it.”

Could it be that Nandor is making a nod to the TV series “Twin Peaks” by naming his right-hand man Major Briggs? Given Briggs’ significant role as a focal point for supernatural occurrences in the show created by Lynch and Frost, such a connection could indeed be intriguing.

To put it another way, I wanted to express an idea with the same essence, but without causing any upset or displeasure!” (Expressed by one who has been wedded for many ages.)

Note: “Lore fact”: The group known as “Nandor’s Army” suggests that vampires do not experience menstruation, thus hinting at the impossibility of vampire pregnancies.

This week, I admired the anarchist sentiments among the vampires, as their chests kept bouncing about due to being quite expansive and damp.

2024-11-05 09:54

What We Do in the Shadows Recap: Wall Street Vampires

Craven Mirth

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