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Still Feeling Cold. Review: Grimm – “Cold Blooded”

Season 3, Episode 7, (part 1 of the mid-season finale)

Air Date: Friday, December 13, 2013, 9/8c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

“But for the pit confounder, let them go, and find as little mercy as they show.”— Grimm

 

Is it just me or have television shows been sporting more of these so-called ‘two part mid-season finales as of late? Whatever the case may be, I am reviewing each episode based on its own merits.

You don’t want to meet a Gelumcaedus in a dark sewer…or anywhere else.

“Cold Blooded” deals with a type of reptilian Wesen known as “Gelumcaedus.” Sounds kind of harmless until you come across one of these fearsome creatures. With a grip like an alligator, you’re pretty much screwed if one of these things grabs ahold of your limbs. The sewers of Portland have more than twigs blocking them.

Sgt. Wu (Reggie Lee) isn’t too far off when he relays a tale from his youth about alligators living in the sewers. I was thrilled to see Wu in more scenes during “Cold Blooded” but I wish he hadn’t been made out to be such a wuss. His claustrophobic and jittery actions, however, made me empathize with him. Nick (David Giuntoli) says Wu doesn’t have to go but, Wu’s not backing down. “No problemo; I got this.” That’s tellin’em, Wu! Eventually, Wu is going to see something he can’t explain but as much as I want Wu to be part of the inner sanctum of Nick’s Grimm-verse, I’m having second thoughts. Hank (Russell Hornsby) and Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) both know about Nick being a Grimm and the daily battle he wages with various Wesen. I think Wu needs to be the suspicious human who knows something is going on but is purposefully staying one step behind.

“Cold Blooded” in no way, shape, or form remotely gives way to anything in “Twelve Days of Krampus.” The only story lines that carry over are Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) and Adalind (Claire Coffee) as they continue their journey in Vienna.

Being Portland PD isn’t going to cut it…Nick has to be a Grimm to save Hank

That said, with “Cold Blooded,” Grimm gives us an episode that is a notch above filler. It introduces us to a new type of Wesen to ‘ooh and aah’ at, and provides Grimm history lessons and a glimpse into the armory inside Nick’s trailer. What’s interesting about “Cold Blooded” is how Nick begins to relish his heritage. Donning the ancient arm cuff used to stave off the vicious bite of the Gelumcaedus seems to give Nick a boost of confidence, not that he needs it. I think Nick’s constant morphing Grimm abilities are also changing his personality a bit. Not that he has a swelled ego or anything but I think Nick is beginning to come into his own as a Grimm. I really enjoy the writers have Nick writing in the Grimm journals, chronicling his misadventures with various Wesen.

Over in Vienna, Adalind meets Prince Viktor (Alexis Denisof), cousin to Sean and his late brother Prince Eric (James Frain). Viktor is a man of distinguished regality. His posh manner incites the most proper manners; I even wanted to sit up straighter when he walks into a room. Denisof is a great addition to Grimm and provides more insight into the royal families who are vying for control over the Wesen community. Viktor’s spying on Adalind proves fruitful. Meanwhile, Sean’s “reunion” is proving treacherous. Sean’s presence in Vienna isn’t a good thing; he is the “royal bastard,” after all. I also have my suspicions about his man Meisner (Damien Puckler). I can’t pinpoint it just yet. I think he wants to help Sean but at the same time, it feels like he has one foot out the door at all times, wary of his close proximity to a mutinous cause.

So are Gelumcaedus the hoarders of the Wesen world? (Pictured: Matthew Willig as Gregorek)

“Cold Blooded” gives us insight into Nick’s psyche as he unleashes his Grimm-ness on the Gelumcaedus trio; however, it’s not as engaging as it could have been. The main Gelumcaedus, Gregorek (Matthew Willig), reminds of George from Of Mice and Men. He’s a big, tall, lumbering kind of guy who obviously isn’t a leader. He calls Nick “decapitare,” which is Latin for Grimm. If I didn’t know what he was, I would have felt sorry for him. But, turns out he’s a murderous, thieving creature and Nick does what he has to in order to save Hank. I wish the writers would have had Nick experience more from putting on the arm brace; you know, maybe have it invoke some sense of what it was like to be a Grimm back in the Roman era.

Overall, “Cold Blooded” is an enjoyable episode but it doesn’t have the ‘WOW’ factor you look for in the first part of a mid-season finale. I thought “Cold Blooded” would lead into the second part of this mid-season finale, but it doesn’t. Stay tuned for my review of Part 2, “Twelve Days of Krampus,” of the mid-season finale of Grimm.

Stay tuned for part two of Grimm at 10/9c, only on NBC.

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

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Follow Grimm on Twitter @NBCGrimm.

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

Photos © 2013 NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

 


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.

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.