Preview: GRIMM Is Moody… But In a Good Way
This past Sunday, ABC debuted “Once Upon a Time” to smashing good numbers. (See what we thought here.) This Friday, NBC will premiere “Grimm”, the peacock network’s entry into the fairy tale fray.
It’s a more intriguing notion to think that the original Brothers Grimm – Jacob and Wilhelm – were actually profilers instead of storytellers, and Detective Nick Burckhardt is the latest in a line of “Grimms” – those with the special ability to see fairy tale creatures as they really are. He gets dropped into the middle of it without warning, thus setting up the “fish out of water” scenario that complicates the police procedural.
I’ve always found it interesting, that we keep coming back to this idea that the fairy tale characters are “real” – speaking from a fiction point of view. The impulse to incorporate these mythical creatures into a modern world is going to be the new trend, I think.
Fairy tale creatures – the new shiny vampire? Or the new zombie?
In any case, “Grimm” is that, but in a way that hearkens back to classic noir films. The story is solid, even though it’s simply another police procedural, but it’s the cinematography that has me wanting to see more. The way the pilot is lit (erg.. ahem) makes me want to watch it in black-and-white. I think it would still hold up.
I’m calling it now: “Grimm” needs a B&W episode.
David Giuntoli and Russell Hornsby have a good on-screen chemistry. It’s easy to accept that they’re friends, partners who have known each other for a while. Silas Weir Mitchell’s reformed “big bad wolf” character will be one to watch, as it looks like he’s going to be the Obi-Wan Miyagi for Detective Burckhardt, the new Grimm. He’s got the funny lines, so he’s definitely the comic relief.
Claire Coffee is going to be one of the villains, but she doesn’t have a lot of screen time in the pilot. According to our interview with her, however, she’s going to be showing up frequently (Probably has to balance being a lawyer on “Grimm” with being a lawyer on “Franklin and Bash”).
Personally, I’m glad that “Grimm” is such a different show from “Once Upon a Time” as far as fairy tale characters go. Yes, we’ll see Cinderella and Snow White and all of the classic characters, but in such completely different ways, you can’t compare the two. Which is good, because both shows are strong enough to stand on their own for a few seasons.
As long as they don’t eat the wrong apple…
Good review. We really loved the ‘Grimm’ premiere! Totally agree with you about the cinematography!! It was worlds away from the ‘Once Upon A Time’ premiere, which we found wildly disappointing.
We are 100% behind ‘Grimm’ in the battle of the fairy tale dramas!!
If you want to check out our review it’s here:
http://surlygurls.net/2011/10/22/grimm-what-big-potential-you-have
“Once Upon a Time” is a completely different animal, I think. More like “Lost” or “Haven” – lots of mystery wrapped up in ambiguity as far as characters and memory and alternate realities. “Grimm” is more of a cop drama with fairy tale creatures sprinkled in, so I think each of them will find an audience. Probably different audiences, to be sure, but I think both shows will do well.
And I found myself thinking about Brandon Routh as well, as I watched our good young Detective Burckhardt.