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“Your mother scares the crap outta me, man!” Review: Grimm, S2, “Bad Teeth”

Recap/Review: Grimm, S2, Ep. 201—“Bad Teeth”

Air Date: Monday, August 13, 2012 10/9c on NBC.

Rating: ★★★★★

“The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned…”

With a quote like that, how can you not watch? Grimm is back with a powerful one-two punch. Starting the second season so soon has made fans, including me, very happy.

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio as Kelly Burkhardt

“Bad Teeth” picks up a little from the season one finale where Nick (David Giuntoli) comes face to face with his mother, Kelly (guest star Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), whom he thought perished along with his father in a fiery car accident over 18 years ago.

I’m not sold on Momma Grimm’s return. Something about Kelly rubs me the wrong way; the way she tries to cook breakfast after their intense battle with Kimura (Brian Tee) the night before or how she cleans Nick’s apartment in an effort to appear ‘normal.’ I disliked Nick taking Kelly to his late aunt’s trailer, which is filled with all the weapons and information he needs to be the Grimm he’s meant to be. Also in the trailer are the coins Kimura so coveted, which Nick graciously hands over to his long-lost mother. And of course, the coins must be taken to some remote island where they were forged to be destroyed. Can someone say Lord of the Rings? I’ll forgive this one because the entire episode is filled with exciting, blood-curdling action and drama.

Kelly shows Nick a secret drawer within a chest of drawers in the trailer, which contains a very old piece of parchment. Kelly claims the parchment is “a page from one of the first diaries ever kept by one of us. You see, legend has it there are seven keys…forged by the knights who fought for the Seven Royal Families in the Fourth Crusade…those knights are our ancestors.” Apparently, the maps from each key are to be combined to create one large map leading to the vast treasure taken from Constantinople. Again, I’ll let this seemingly benign but possible reference to the Knights Templar-esque Grimm knights slide because it’s very intriguing. We know the series is loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales so I’m curious to see how they weave real historical events into the episodes. Kelly also mentions there is one piece among the treasure that is so powerful it could control the world. Could it be Pandora’s Box?

Sasha Roiz as Captain Sean Renard

On the other hand, Cpt. Sean Renard (Sasha Roiz) is very powerful, and not because he’s the captain of the police department. His family has ties but it’s not clear yet who Sean really is. I don’t think he’s a creature but I think he may be part of one of the Royal Families of which Kelly speaks. As an aside, Roiz is one tall, delectable drink of water. I think I’m smitten. In an interview at Comic-Con, Roiz revealed that James Frain, who plays Eric, Sean’s estranged brother, would be guest starring this season; I had no idea it would be in the first episode. Frain is absolutely brilliant; the way he carries himself and exudes absolute regality in his dialogue.

When Sean learns there are “two Grimms,” a concerned look spreads across his face. The phone call he makes, in which he speaks French, is revealing: “Kimura did not get the coins, but he said there were two Grimms. Yes, you heard correctly; two. This has to be controlled. They cannot be allowed to get to Kimura and I do not want the family to know. (pause) I’ll take care of it.” Who could he be talking to? I highly doubt it’s his brother. I’m dying to know Sean’s secret; I love the suspense surrounding him. The writers have done such an excellent job of being flippant about Sean’s true identity. Roiz’s acting is also commendable as he fantastically portrays a man desperate to keep things in control despite chaotic circumstances.

A vicious Mauvais Dentes is loose in Portland

Eric is the one who sent the “Mauvais Dentes” (Mike Dopud) to Portland to get Kimura and the coins. The creature, a Wesen, is reminiscent of a saber tooth tiger hybrid. After the Mauvais Dentes desiccates a cargo container filled with immigrant stowaways, the Feds are called in. Nick, of course, sees signs of Reapers and tries in vain to assist on the case. Meanwhile, Hank (Russell Hornsby) is having some serious issues dealing with what he saw in the woods last season. Do you think Nick will confide his secret to Hank if he learns of Hank’s mental status?

Meeting Kelly wasn’t exactly civil for Rosalee (Bree Turner) and Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell). Kelly’s a Grimm; it’s her nature to attack those who aren’t quite human. I think Monroe put it best when he tells Nick, “Your mother scares the crap outta me, man!” I appreciate how Nick defends his friendships with Monroe and Rosalee to Kelly. The dynamic of the friendship between Nick and Monroe is really showcased well. Despite both their backgrounds, they are able to overlook their differences and help one another. I’m just wondering when Monroe is going to make his move on Rosalee…romantically, that is.

But while Nick and Kelly track down a vicious killer, Monroe assists Rosalee concoct an elixir to save Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch). But Rosalee isn’t the only one brewing up a potion. Were you surprised to see Sean visit Juliette and pull open her eyelid? He really wants Nick to stay in Portland, and seeks Catherine’s (Jessica Tuck) help to revive Juliette. Do you believe Catherine when she says she doesn’t know where her daughter Adalind (Claire Coffee) is?

“Bad Teeth” really set the bar high and I can only hope the rest of the season will continue to be as intriguing. The cliffhanger from this first installment of the second season already has me pining for next week’s episode.

Tune into Grimm, Mondays at 10/9c on NBC. (Note: the show will return to their previous Friday timeslot of 10/9c in three weeks.)

For more on the show, go to http://www.nbc.com/grimm/.

Like Grimm on Facebook.

Follow Grimm on Twitter @NBCGrimm.

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

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Photos © 2012 NBC Universal. 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.