This Little Piggy... Retrospective: Grimm – “A Dish Best Served Cold”

Season 3, Episode 3

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

Rating: ★★★★★

“’Tis Death’s Park, where he breeds life to feed him. Cries of pain are music for his banquet.” — Grimm

An unappetizing quote leads us into a macabre episode of culinary frights. “A Dish Best Served Cold” is quite gruesome in its subject matter with tension slowly building from the opening scene to the end. I found myself unable to turn away from the screen because something major was going down and I didn’t want to miss a single second.

In Great Shape…But For How Long?

Nick (David Giuntoli) seems to be an endless bundle of energy. At Juliette’s (Bitsie Tulloch) urging he goes to the doctor for a physical. Nick doesn’t even break a sweat. Whatever chemical was in The Baron’s (Reg E. Cathey) ‘zombie goo’ has enhanced Nick’s senses and physical fitness. But there is a downside to this seemingly abundant vigor—have you noticed when Nick is completely still or sleeping that he begins to turn pale, almost as if he’s…dead? Weird side-effect or complication from the cure Rosalee (Bree Turner) cooked up? I’m not certain but it could be both. Nick got a double dose of ‘zombie goo’ spat in his face and in turn, a double dose of the cure. While it’s great for his Grimm abilities, it may have adverse long-term effects for Nick that may yet come to light. Giuntoli is so great as Nick. He’s incredibly convincing and believable—Giuntoli immerses himself into this role, leaving you scratching your head wondering…could he actually be a Grimm? Thanks to the writers or the powers that be for allowing us a shirtless scene of Giuntoli. Looks like ‘zombie goo’ does the body good.

An Age Old Feud

In “A Dish Best Served Cold,” the story centralizes on a variation of the story of the Three Little Pigs. As told, “Bauerschwein,” (piggish Wesen) and “Blutbaden” (wolf-like Wesen) have been feuding for centuries. Our favorite Blutbad, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), seeks vengeance for several of his furry friends who have become victims of a heinous crime. Of course, the leader of the Bauerschwein kill squad, is Chef Graden Ossler (Dan Bakkedahl) of a much talked about new restaurant “Raven & Rose.” Monroe is saved from an obviously painful death because he’s a vegetarian. I found this story so intriguing in its intricacies of using an animal related illness on Wesen. Blutbad are essentially canines, and the meat tartlets served as a complimentary appetizer are infused with poisonous mushrooms making the victims bloat and run up into trees to die. Disturbing and strange but the Bauerschwein are trying to exact their concerted efforts to fight back but against a formidable foe. They’re playing dirty but things get turned around on the ‘oink-oink’ gang when Nick gets involved.

That something major I mentioned…well, let’s just say, damn…that was good! I really thought Nick and Monroe were going to kill each other. The way they fought as Nick protested against Monroe using vigilante tactics to exact justice for his friends is so real and violent; I wasn’t sure who would make it out alive. Bravo to Mitchell and Giuntoli. You sold it and you sold it well.

A Royal Dilemma

Captain Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) employs his castle spy Sebastian (Christian Lagadec) to find out what happened to Frau Pech (Mary McDonald-Lewis). With the mysterious circumstances surrounding Eric’s (James Frain) death, the royal family is abuzz trying to find who assassinated the crowned prince. With Eric out of the way, does that mean Sean is next in line? He can’t be – he’s the bastard son of the king, right? Enter the sly and conniving Adalind (Claire Coffee) who carries a royal bun in the oven. Who the baby’s father is, I’m not sure yet, but either way, the child is of royal blood. Will Stefania (Shohreh Aghdashloo) allow Adalind to stay in Vienna as her pregnancy progresses? It wouldn’t be wise, especially since Sebastian has learned some secrets about Frau Pech and her liaisons with a certain person in “Sacher, Room 215.” As you see Sebastian lurking around a corner from Adalind’s door, you have to wonder – what’s in it for him? He’s working hard for Sean who isn’t wielding much royal power in Portland, so why does he risk his life finding out secrets for the bastard prince?

Highlights

I guess I was wrong about Rosalee. I thought she was pulling back a little from Monroe. I’m happy to be wrong. They’re cute together…but how does it work – a Fuchsbau and a Blutbad? What kind of Wesen would their kids be? Fuchs-Bad, Blut-Bau, Fuchs-Blut, Bau-Bads? I guess we’ll see how moving in together works out first before we can talk about more Wesen babies.

Needs Improvement

Sgt. Wu (Reggie Lee) needs to be integrated into the ‘Scooby Gang.’ The end.

While her veterinarian knowledge comes in quite handy in ”A Dish Best Served Cold,” I think the writers need to figure out what the plan is for Juliette. Yes, she and Nick are back together but it doesn’t feel natural anymore. I want Juliette to be more than just Nick’s girlfriend, meaning I think she either needs to visit the trailer and learn more about Nick and his heritage, or figure out how she can help without being hysterical or over analytical.

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.