A sneak peek at NBC’s Grimm

If you ever wondered what happened to Principal Wood before he joined up with the Scooby gang, then this is it. Executive produced by David Greenwalt (Buffy, Angel, In Plain Sight) and Sean Hayes (Will and Grace, Hot in Cleveland), Grimm follows Portland homicide Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli, Privileged) and his partner Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, Lincoln Heights). While they solve crimes, Burkhardt uncovers his family’s supernatural-affiliated secrets. Think of it as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Criminal Minds. In fact, I would almost call Grimm the male version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

After seeing Grimm, I understand why NBC passed on 17^th Precinct and Wonder Woman. Unlike its canceled siblings, Grimm is good because it doesn’t rely on the fantastic as a gimmick. Additionally, the fairytale references are covert and visual. Even without the fantasy, you get a good show. In fact, the show deliberately avoids inundating us with special effects and lets the audience’s imagination do the work. To give the feeling of creepiness, without heavily made-up actors, the director provides barren night time shots, empty green hallways, and a cat’s menacing yowl. It’s almost a throw back to the original Star Trek’s Halloween episodes like “Catspaw” or the one surrounding Jack the Ripper (aka Redjac).

The shots, directing, and writing are excellent. I love the show’s aesthetic which, although set in modern day, uses yet de-emphasized contemporary technology. A majority of the characters drive Volkswagon cars or vans. Additionally, both Nick and his partner seemingly wear covert versions of Member’s Only jackets. The 17^th Precinct’s biggest failing, as a pilot script draft, surrounded making the magical gadgets “cool.”

Grimm will appeal to sci-fi and non-sci-fi geeks alike because it relies on good writing. This is a mystery series, pure and simple. Casting Russell Hornsby, who played a cop in Lincoln Heights, helps emphasize the mystery focus. I won’t talk about the case of the week, save to say you don’t really figure it out until the producers let you.

I hope Grimm succeeds. In addition to investing in the writing, directing and production values, they gathered a strong cast including Silas Weir Mitchell (Prison Break, My Name is Earl), as one of Nick’s guides; Reggie Lee (No Ordinary Family, The Fast and the Furious), as a fellow cop; and the always awesome Kate Burton (Law & Order, Rescue Me).

Appropriately enough, Grimm premieres close to Halloween on Friday, October 28 9-10 PM, on NBC. If you love Buffy, you’ll love Grimm. Until the show airs, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Clacked by An Nicholson
on Sep 27, 2011 @ 11:00 EST5EDT