Considering it has five past seasons of relationships and mythology to draw on, “Grimm” has been more focused on chugging ahead, even when that has meant dropping old plotlines and awkwardly reworking the characters’ motivations (see: former villain Adalind miraculously transformed into Nick’s love interest, and Juliette coming back from the dead as Eve.)
Given that context, it was a total pleasure to watch Friday’s “Blind Love,” the seventh episode in this sixth and final season. It gave the characters (and the actors, and the viewers) a chance to revel in a few nostalgic memories, as well the fun of seeing character pairing up in wacky new ways.
Even better, it was all because of a Wesen spell, so there was no lasting harm done when Nick (David Giuntoli) became obsessed with Rosalee (Bree Turner), Adalind (Claire Coffee) smooched Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and so on.
“Blind Love” was also a welcome reminder of how good “Grimm” is when the show’s humor takes center stage. Add in a lovely location, the Columbia Gorge Hotel, with its dazzling views of the Columbia River, and you’ve got a pretty perfect “Grimm” episode.
Here are some highlights:
Monroe’s birthday getaway to the Columbia Gorge Hotel: Rosalee decides not only to get away with her beloved for his birthday, but to invite the whole gang to come along. But wouldn’t you know it, even out in Hood River, there’s a Wesen with a grudge — a hotel employee who vows revenge against Nick, not because he’s a Grimm, but because a Portland Police detective, he helped send the Wesen’s dad to “Multnomah State Prison.”
The plan: drop some icky potion into glasses of champagne and serve them to Monroe and Rosalee’s who party. Everyone drinks the bubbly, with the exception of Rosalee, who passes because she’s pregnant.
Which means Rosalee is the only one who isn’t affected by the bizarre love mix-ups that result. Wu (Reggie Lee) abruptly falls for a hotel employee; Monroe goes after Eve (Elizabeth Tulloch); Nick pursues Rosalee; Adalind wants Monroe; Eve kisses Nick telling him there’s never been anyone else for me (the love connection that seems related to how Eve really feels); and Hank (Russell Hornsby) is smitten with his own reflection in the mirror.
It all felt like a delightful tip of the hat to “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” complete with Shakespeare quotes, and characters who’ve been bewitched falling for unlikely objects of affection. Well, maybe Hank really does love himself that much. But anyway.
Nostalgia nods: How appropriate, as the series nears its end, for members of the gang to remember earlier days. The dinner scene featuring Monroe and Nick recalling how they first met (complete with flashback to Giuntoli’s first season haircut) and how Monroe and Rosalee first kissed was a treat, especially for those of us who have been watching since the beginning.
Diana is nobody’s kidnap victim: Before the weekend trip, Diana (Hannah R. Loyd) asks Eve — who is staying with Nick and Adalind and baby Kelly at the loft (talk about awkward)– if her tummy hurts because Nick’s not her boyfriend anymore. Obviously, Eve still has feelings for Nick — her yelling at Adalind during the farcical fight at the Columbia Gorge Hotel about Adalind having the baby that should have been Nick and Eve’s made that pretty clear. Diana also has memories of her “other mother,” Kelly, Nick’s late mom. We flash back to an image of Kelly dead, her head in a box. Yeah, that complicates the idea of Eve getting back together with Nick, considering Juliette’s role in all that when she was in her Hexenbiestly state.
Adalind drops Diana off at Renard’s (Sasha Roiz), where he’s a little too interested in Diana’s drawings of the symbols on the ancient cloth, and the fact that Diana says Adalind cautioned Diana against talking about them.
When Diana is kidnapped by that Wesen Portland Police officer who wanted to replace Renard when it looked like the Captain was going to be Portland’s n ext mayor, Renard seems remarkably unworried. Then we find out why, as it’s revealed that Diana is totally in charge, and has been “playing” with — i.e. tormenting — her would-be kidnapper.
Eve’s flashback: We haven’t heard the last of that “death grip” Eve went through. When she gets out of the shower at the loft, she touches the bathroom mirror, which then becomes some sort of hellish portal, with a skull-like creature glaring at her. Eve calls Nick in, and he sees the apparition, too. Then it disappears.
Lines of the Week
“Yeah, that’s Stumptown” — Monroe, giving a shout-out to the Portland-based coffee roaster, as he appreciatively takes in the aroma of the brew Rosalee has prepared;
“You are one damn fine-looking man” — Hank, to his reflection in the mirror
“The only one I ever loved is my cat!” — Wu, to the hotel employee he’s suddenly obsessed with;
“Why am I in my underwear?” — Hank, waking up from the spell.
— Kristi Turnquist
kturnquist@oregonian.com
503-221-8227
@Kristiturnquist
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