Not Being a GRIMM Can Be Grim
Episode 4:01 “Thanks for the Memories”
[photos: Scott Green/NBC]
Many things about the season premiere were very satisfying. But there were some things that either bothered me or left me wanting more. Not in a good way, like I can’t wait for the next week. Like, wow, they just missed an opportunity to explore that part of the story. In the first season and much of the second season, the go-to story element was, “Monroe will have the answer. He’ll be able to solve this”. Now I fear the similar device will be, “let’s give them some Trubel”.
The nice thing about starting the fourth season is that the story, characters, style and tone of the show are all set. All of those elements no longer need to be an issue. Remember the first season? So many of the show’s elements changed from episode to episode. Now, I look at other more interesting issues. How is the story working? Are the characters being served by the story and their own character arcs? Are there gaps in logic? Have the writers turned a blind eye to what police procedure actually involves? And, no I don’t work in law enforcement. Some of what happens or doesn’t is just common sense.
This season picks up right where the last season left off. Captain Renard has been shot. He’s now at the hospital. Hank, Nick, Juliette and Trubel are all riding in the Captain’s SUV following a disastrous departure from Monroe and Rosalee’s wedding. Nick’s Grimm powers are gone. They are all headed back to Nick and Juliette’s house to face the police and crime scene.
A new storyline is the introduction of a new Wesen. I affectionately called him Octo Head Guy, while live tweeting during the show. But Grimm calls him a Gedachtnis Esser. He attacks with his head tentacles, making holes in the back of the victim’s head and somehow taking memories. This leaves the victim a pudding head. It’s really a nasty thing to do. This guy is working for unknown clients stealing the thoughts of high ranking defense workers. It’s too soon to tell if this story is connected to one or more existing storylines or not. But I think it’s a good sign that this didn’t get wrapped up in one episode. I hope that Grimm does more of these multiple-episode storylines that are not a part of the Royal storyline.
Octo Head Guy’s name is Anderson. He’s about to leave Slocombe’s house after attacking him and stealing his memories when Slocombe’s girlfriend Alexandra comes home. Anderson kills Alexandra and leaves the house in Slocombe’s car. With the information he got from Slocombe, Anderson transfers all the files that Slocombe had access to at work. The transfer attracts attention from the company’s security. Except the correct password was used, and Slocombe completes the transfer before security can do anything about it.
This episode strongly featured Trubel. She was the one under scrutiny from the investigators for both the shooting and beheading at Nick’s house. She raises curiosity from Sgt. Wu. She’s a third wheel in Nick and Juliette’s house. Although at this point, Juliette treats her differently than she did at first. She’s the only one who can tell who’s Wesen. She’s working with Nick on police work that involves Wesen.
It goes against Trubel’s better judgment, but she stays to face questioning, first by the detectives and then two FBI agents who arrive and take over the case. Then she goes to police headquarters to give her statement. While the female FBI agent is inspecting Trubel’s room, which is part of the crime scene, she goes through the Grimm book that Trubel had in her room. The audience sees the agent woge. Does that mean that she will be a danger to Trubel? Does she know that it’s Trubel who is a Grimm?
Trubel seems to be thriving under Nick and Juliette’s care. As the only Grimm in town, she needs to watch her back. She’s acting as Nick’s Grimm eyes. I fear that this is going to be used a lot until either Nick gets his Grimm back on or something else changes. I used to complain that Nick constantly put Monroe in danger. Now it’s Trubel’s turn to be in mortal danger each week.
Viktor of the Royal family learns that Sean Renard has been shot by his man Steward. He will try to pin this on Nick to keep himself out of it. I wonder if he realizes what sort of trouble he is bringing on himself by deceiving Adalind that he has her baby.
Interestingly there was much talk about Adalind in this episode without her being seen at all. We heard what she did last season, where she is headed and theories about why she’s acted the way she has. Even the other characters know there will be hell to pay when she learns the Royals don’t have her baby. As an actor, it’s like a dream come true. All the other characters are talking about your character without your having to do anything. It’s a great way to have your character set up before you make an entrance.
Does it seem realistic that Monroe and Rosalee would cancel their honeymoon? I don’t know. I’m asking. In any case they have, and they are willing to pitch in and see if there’s a remedy at the spice shop. Rosalee is struck with a thought that it might be a Swillingsschwestern Verfluct. As she describes it, an entwining twin curse. At this point, there isn’t any confirmation that this is an entwining twin curse. I don’t know what an entwining twin curse is.
Some things I really enjoyed in this episode: the lighting in the shot of Slocombe at the bottom of the stairs and his girlfriend bent over him. How even a minor female character like Alexandra fights back and isn’t a willing victim. That for the most part our police officers actually acted like responsible police officers. Yes, that is unusual. The story this week was more complicated. There was more going on and they didn’t try to end the episode without fleshing out most of the story. They left the rest of the story for future episodes.
So, we’re off. The fourth season has begun. Here’s hoping it’s a fun and exciting journey.
