Grimm – “Trial by Fire” Recap. Old Feuds Resurface.

Season 4, Episode 13

Air Date: Friday, February 13, 2015, 9/8c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

“And glory like the Phoenix midst her fires,

Exhales her odours, blazes, and expires.” – Grimm

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Is it me or perhaps it’s a simple coincidence but I find it serendipitous that the 13^th episode of Grimm’s fourth season coincided with the ominious Friday the 13^th. And while the hot new Wesen, pun intended, is blazing a path of destruction in Portland, the most exciting tidbits lie in the last few minutes of “Trial by Fire.” Old feuds resurface for more than one of our main characters, and truths are finally revealed.

Old Feud #1

When Nick (David Giuntoli) first realized he was a Grimm, he befriended Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) to help him on a case involving a missing girl. As Nick was adjusting to his new life, Monroe continued to aid in strange cases, one involving the death of two Blutbaden brothers back in season one, episode six, “The Three Bad Wolves.” The ancient feud between Blutbaden (wolves) and Bauerschwein (pigs) is brought to light again when Nick and Hank (Russell Hornsby) need the help of the now imprisoned, former arson detective Lt. Peter Orson (guest star Daniel Roebuck), who happens to be a Bauerschwein.

Nick and Wu do a little research to try and find out how to stop the Excandesco

Two young teens working late are found dead after a deadly fire ravages the sports store where they work. The owner, John Harrison (John Murray), and his son Andy (Hank Harris) are called to deal with the insurance investigator and Portland PD. When it seems arson is the cause of the fire, Nick and Hank consult with Lt. Orson on the case. They suspect it is Wesen related and Orson is the only one who was close enough to the alleged perpetrator in a similar case from years ago.

Throughout “Trial by Fire,” we learn bits and pieces about the type of Wesen involved. It turns out to be similar to the fiery phoenix known as “Excandesco.” But as Nick and Sgt. Wu (Reggie Lee) read through the Grimm journals in the trailer, they learn previous Grimms were unable to destroy this particular brand of Wesen. Orson believes he knows a way to extinguish the creature so Nick enlists the help of Rosalee (Bree Turner) despite knowing things may take a nasty turn should Monroe find out. Needless to say, Monroe finds out and storms out when Rosalee decides to help Nick and Orson create a special ointment to stop Damien (Gideon Emery), the “Excandesco.”

Gideon Emery does a great job of amplifying the creep factor as Damien Barso who thinks he’s invincible as an Excandesco.

Monroe finally realizes Rosalee is right about the ancient feud after she reminds him of how she nearly lost him to the Wesenrein’s old ways of thinking in “Tribunal.” As Nick, Hank, and Orson go to the burned ruins of Harrison’s store to trap Damien, Monroe and Rosalee bring the ointment. But in order to distribute the flame retardant solution at the precise moment Damien woges, Monroe and Rosalee come come up with an ingenious method of distribution—giant water guns filled with the gooey sticky stuff. Talk about thinking outside the box. I’m not sure how this is going to be written in the Grimm journals but the water guns now have a place among the other ancient Grimm weapons in the trailer. As for Damien, let’s just say the term “spontaneous combustion” is an understatement.

Old Feud #2

Adalind is no match for Juliette’s fury.

Hexenbiest vs. Hexenbiest—I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’m ready for Michael Buffer to step into Juliette’s living room and say, “Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!” when Adalind (Claire Coffee) shows up on Juliette’s (Bitsie Tulloch) doorstep demanding information about baby Diana. Adalind has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. She doesn’t know Nick is a Grimm again and she most certainly isn’t aware that Juliette is an uber Hexenbiest who’s about to unleash a big can of whoop-ass on her. The showdown is epic. Adalind is good; she’s been a Hexenbiest a lot longer than Juliette, but she’s no match for the rage and frustration that’s been brewing inside Juliette for years. Adalind crosses a line when she comments on her one night stand with Nick in season three’s finale “Blonde Ambition” and that’s when Juliette releases her inner ‘biest,’ so to speak. When the knives fly out of the kitchen toward Adalind, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. The look on Adalind’s face is priceless as she runs out screaming.

Adalind’s not the only one who gets a shocking surprise. When Nick arrives home after dealing with Damien, he finds the house in shambles, blood on the wall, and Juliette sitting calmly on the couch with a bloodied scratch on her mouth and chin. When she finally reveals herself to Nick as a Hexenbiest, I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. What is Nick going to do now that his beloved girlfriend is a Hexenbiest?

Observations:

Remember Sam (Kenajuan Bently), the gentleman we met in “Wesenrein?” It turns out he’s doing double duty working for more than one royal family member. While Sam gathers intel for Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) regarding the whereabouts of Nick’s mother Kelly (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and his baby daughter Diana, Sam is also feeding the same information to Prince Viktor (Alexis Denisof), who arrives in Portland with Adalind. What is Sam’s end game? Is he pretending to help Renard but really working for Viktor? Or is he a spy and playing both royals for fools as he tries to find out where Kelly and the baby are for the resistance cause?

Overall

“Trial by Fire” is a very good episode as it showcases a unique and dangerous new Wesen. It also brings about the resolution of an ancient feud, at least for one Blutbad and Bauerschwein, and also sheds light on how desperate the royals are to find Diana. Of course, the truly exciting and heart-pounding aspect of “Trial by Fire” is the kick-ass cat fight between Juliette and Adalind. In the previews for next week’s episode, Henrietta (guest star Gabrielle Beauvais) congratulates Adalind on her pregnancy. You know that’s Nick’s baby; he’s the last man she slept with. A Hexenbiest-Grimm baby!? To the writers, I curtsy and borrow a line from Juliette, “Bring it on, bitch!”

What did you think of “Trial by Fire?” Leave me a comment below or tweet me at @judybopp. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Grimm is on a short break and will return Friday, March 20, 2015 at 9/8c, only on NBC.

For more on the show, go to the official site.

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Follow Grimm on Twitter @NBCGrimm, as well as these cast members: @russellhornsby, @mistergiuntoli, @BitsieTulloch, @sasharoiz, and @MrReggieLee.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.