Contributor: John Keegan
Written by Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt
Directed by Norberto Barba
It’s clear from the very start of this season premiere that the producers are pushing to redefine the tone of the series. While there’s always been a darker edge to “Grimm”, this episode embraces it more than ever. Even the extended opening, which may or may not be a permanent fixture, plays up the established mythology.
During the first season, I had the distinct feeling that the writers were trying to figure out what the show needed to be. The second half of the first season seemed to find the sweet spot: making Nick more confident in his Grimm legacy, while establishing Monroe and Rosalee as a solid core of the growing “Scooby Gang”.
The biggest problem was the plodding pacing out of Hank and Juliet’s discovery of the truth about Nick. Hank, at least, got to see the world for what it really is, and he and Nick are working through it all as partners. Hank’s struggles to deal with the Wesen are getting a bit tiresome, but at least it’s a progressive development.
Juliet, on the other hand, is still in the coma, and it appears that the writers intend for her to work through it all in her unconscious, based on what Nick blurted out at her in the first season finale and the various other clues that she should have recognized at the time. It’s an ongoing reminder of that terrible finale and how it killed much of the positive momentum leading up to that point!
The big revelation of the finale, however, was that Nick’s mother Kelly is still alive, and the rest of the family (including Aunt Marie) knew about it, intentionally keeping Nick in the dark. As much as the series has needed a way to point Nick in a direction that can expand his understanding of the Grimms and their connection to the Wesen, it doesn’t look like Nick’s mother is going to be that mechanism. After all, she ends up just repeating elements of the mythology that were revealed in the first season, albeit in more piecemeal form.
Meanwhile, Monroe and Rosalee try to find a way to identify and cure the poison used against Juliet. This provides some of the more amusing moments of the episode, especially Monroe, who continues to be the best thing about the show. The other strong element, Captain Renard and his mysterious role in the city, also gets some exploration. I’m still trying to figure out where he falls in the world of the Grimms and Wesen, and I’m almost tempted to accept that offhand “joke” about Renard being a Grimm himself. Since we know some of the Grimms actually do work for the Ruling Families, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.
This season premiere didn’t completely repair the damage done by the first season finale, nor did it present the strongest case that the second season would take the show to the next level. But it did provide some basis for hope that the mythology will be taking center stage, which is really all the show has needed to do to give it more focus and direction.
Writing: 2/2
Acting: 2/2
Direction: 2/2
Style: 1/4
Final Score: 7/10