The Unusual Suspects. Retrospective: Grimm – “One Night Stand”

Season 3, Episode 4

Air Date: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 9/8c on NBC

Rating: ★★★★★

“More and more she grew to love human beings, and wished that she could leave the sea and live among them.” — Grimm

“One Night Stand” will leave you feeling a bit parched and waterlogged all at the same time. “One Night Stand” is interesting in that it provides not only a new species of Wesen but also highlights Nick’s (David Giuntoli) newly enhanced Grimm powers. I feel, however, like it is a filler episode with a lackluster fight scene on the docks. I’m also getting an uneasy feeling about Nick’s Grimm prowess being heightened because something just isn’t right about it.

Mutant Mermaids?

Jake (Michael Welch) and his pal Dan (Pritesh Shah) meet two pretty sisters Sarah (Sara Fletcher) and Anna (Lauren Luiz). Fade in to the young couples having fun on a lakeside beach; one thing leads to another and then one of them is dragged underwater by a mysterious creature and drowned. Just another lovely afternoon in Portland, right? What intrigues me about “One Night Stand” are the water Wesen known as “Naiads”— a truly fascinating species with glowing eyes and luminescent gills but with a dire flaw. The quote at the beginning of the episode reminds me a lot of the movie The Little Mermaid. Ariel desperately wants to see what all the hubbub is about on land and ends up falling in love with a prince. Ariel was a mute on land just as Sarah and Anna’s younger sister Elly (Stephanie Nogueras) is, and it is Elly who saves Jake from drowning. Seems she’s found her prince but at what cost?

There is the obvious running joke on Grimm about how weird the city of Portland is. It even comes up when Jake tries to explain what he thinks about what he witnessed about Elly.

Jake: “…she came over when…and she just wasn’t…normal.”

Nick: “Nobody is, Jake; it’s Portland.”

I’m digging this quirky nuance about Grimm and it makes me want to visit Portland even more. I adore weird. I gravitate toward weird. And if mutants (as in X-Men mutants) do exist, why not in Portland, right? Giuntoli delivers this line with such conviction it’s as if it’s a fact of life. Welch also does an admirable job of looking completely shocked to see Elly with gills, and webbed fingers and toes.

Grimm Powers Activate

Nick is still exhibiting unusual characteristics that even Hank (Russell Hornsby) finds startling. Nick is a Grimm and ever since his ‘zombie’ experience, he’s been a bit…off kilter. Grimms obviously have more strength than a normal human because they battle some nasty Wesen at times; however, aside from Nick’s heightened senses, his being able to hold his breath underwater for a long time seems bizarre. And what is with Nick’s changing pallor? We still haven’t gotten a clear answer about his looking like the walking dead at times. Whether it has to with zombie goo and/or Rosalee’s (Bree Turner) cure, I’d like a clear answer. Maybe a hint as to a solution because this wonky side effect has taken its toll on Nick’s Grimm-ness. I’m very curious to see where the writers take this storyline. Again, Giuntoli does an amazing job of being so convincing with his portrayal, you’d actually expect him to be a Grimm in person. (He isn’t by the way…I’ve met him. He is just as good looking as he is on TV, though.)

Random Thoughts

The side stories aren’t as intriguing but hold some promise. First up is Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) intercepting an email from ‘M’ to Nick. Of course, we all know it’s Nick’s mom Kelly (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) whom we met in season two when Juliette was in a coma—this small fact still hasn’t been brought to Juliette’s attention. I hope she doesn’t sit on her discovery or try to circumvent the situation. I want her to be direct and ask Nick about the email face-to-face. He did, after all, tell her to check his emails to see whether the doctor sent the test results from his physical. Now, that tidbit of information is more important. The test results are impressive but alarming. Again, this goes back to my previous statement about Nick’s Grimm powers. Although, I am excited to see Mastrantonio return. I’ve had suspicions about her when she left in season two. She’s plotting something but I’m not sure whether Nick will be safe in her endgame.

Rosalee finally moves in with Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell). They are cute together but I’m ready for something exciting to happen between them. I’m not feeling the spark I once did back in season two when they were dancing around the issue of who likes whom. I adore them both but really want the writers to come up with an interesting storyline for them. Since they are two completely different kinds of Wesen, maybe they could have some historical family clashes that come to the forefront causing a rift. Not that I want them to split but they are already boring me.

Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) learns from his spy Sebastian (Christian Lagadec) that Adalind (Claire Coffee) was meeting with Frau Pech (Mary McDonald). The pieces of the puzzle are starting to fit into place for Sean, and he realizes perhaps it’s Adalind who set up the meeting to bargain for the baby. I’m ready for this whole baby thing to start picking up. Why does Stefania (Shohreh Aghdashloo) want the child so badly, she’s willing to help Adalind regain her Hexenbiest powers? When will Adalind be a full Hexenbiest again? You know she wants revenge on Nick for destroying her powers in the first place and I’m dying to see a good Wesen/Grimm fight.

While the “One Night Stand” title alludes to something illicit, sadly, it didn’t come to something so salacious. It does, however, open the door to more interesting story lines, and I’m still on board the Grimm train to see what lies ahead on this journey.

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

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

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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.