The Lying Game. Review: Grimm – “PTZD”

Season 3, Episode 2

Air Date: Friday, November 1, 2013 at 9/8c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

“It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection.” — Grimm

Opening “PTZD” with a perplexing and ominous quote by Voltaire sets the tone for a decidedly better episode than the less than enthralling season premiere. With “PTZD,” a play on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), extending the scenes from the ending of “Ungrateful Dead,” we see an uncontrollable Nick (David Giuntoli) go after an innocent family, making us wonder whether Rosalee’s (Bree Turner) cure can actually work on him. Meanwhile, just like the season premiere, the more interesting storyline involves Adalind (Claire Coffee) trying to regain her Hexenbiest powers with the help of Stefania (Shohreh Aghdashloo).

Cover-Up

Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) is a crafty S.O.B, isn’t he? This tall drink of the most sexy type of water has his devious hands in more than one pot at all times, yet he manages to be so elusive that no one is ever sure whether he’s being forthcoming or backstabbing. This is one aspect of Roiz’s character I truly love. The writers make it very difficult for us to distinguish whether Sean wants to help and protect Nick, or whether he’s up to something malicious. Sean is the bastard son of a king and with his dear half-brother Eric (guest star James Frain) out of the picture, Sean is heir apparent. He goes to extreme lengths, especially in his position as a police captain, to cover up Nick’s escapade at the Tippy Canoe Bar. Having a Grimm on his side makes Sean that much more appealing to his royal family but Nick is getting stronger by the day; it won’t be long before something gives.

Sean enlists the help of Rosalee, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch), and Hank (Russell Hornsby) in what I like to call ‘The Lying Game,’ after a guy from the bar fight succumbs to his injuries. Did they really think they could keep a secret like that from Nick for long? And did anyone notice how acutely heightened Nick’s senses are lately? He’s in the kitchen but is able to hear the conversation Juliette has with the two police detectives. Does the zombie goo help intensify Nick’s senses? He even catches the trophy Hank tries to throw at him without even looking.

A Royal Bun in the Oven

I’m not sure who Adalind’s baby daddy is but one thing is for sure—this baby will not be hers to wield against the royal family. The contract Stefania forced Adalind to sign (season 2, episode 21 “The Waking Dead”) is probably more ironclad than a steel safe. What is Stefania really after? Is she a Wesen or just a bewitching gypsy? I love the way Aghdashloo portrays Stefania as a ruthless and conniving witch you can’t help but admire. She knows what she’s doing and she’ll do what she has to in order to get it done. That twinkle in her eye after she reopens Frau Pech’s (Mary McDonald-Lewis) mid-section makes not only Adalind shudder, but me as well. I’m not saying I feel sorry for Adalind; she asked for this; but what she has to do is just plain disgusting. I even retched a little watching it. But the proverbial icing on the cake is what Adalind does with the goop. Can you say gross? And can you say scary? What does that symbol on her stomach mean for the baby?

Overall

“PTZD” gives us an exciting second episode leading us into uncharted territory. Juliette and Nick seem to be heading down the path to rediscovering their romance, despite it now being marred with an accidental murder and subsequent cover-up. Monroe and Rosalee seem to be stable but I can sense Rosalee pulling back. She appears to be assessing the situation with trepidation. I’m not sure what that will mean for her and Monroe’s romantic life but I hope the preview where Monroe asks about them moving in together doesn’t happen too soon. I mean, what happened to dating, courting, and wooing a girl? And Hank…well, I think if he has any regrets, it’s too late to turn back now. He’s in the thick of it. I’m ready to see him don the “long coat and long gun ” he mentioned at SDCC this summer. Finally, for the love of all that’s Wesen, will you all please stop treating Sgt. Wu (Reggie Lee) like he’s some sub-standard person? I really don’t like how Hank just dismisses what Wu has to say about the guy dying from the bar fight. I mean, Wu has a lot to offer so I hope the writers utilize him to his full potential.

Tune into Grimm, Fridays at 9/8c only on NBC.

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Follow these cast members on Twitter: @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.