Grimm – Who knew fairy tales could be so gripping?

Right out of the gate, Grimm hooks you with its no-use-sitting-down-’cause-you-aren’t-going-to-get-comfortable antics.

A jogger out for a bit of exercise on some back-wood Oregon path is horrifically ripped to shreds (off screen) by “something” that darts into and out of eye-shot. We hear her cries … and they ain’t pretty. She’s wearing a hooded sweatshirt — red, of course … an immediate reference to Red Riding Hood.

But … you knew that already, didn’t you? Because I know you’ve heard so much about this spiffy series there was no possible way you missed the opening words which flashed on the screen:

The wolf thought to himself,
What a tender young creature.
What a nice plump mouthful …
The Brothers Grimm
1812

Or … maybe you did. And, if you did, that’ll teach you to come late to the party from now on … won’t it?

The action — while edge-of-your-seat and spiffy — is just as exciting off screen as it is on screen. Proof there doesn’t need to be bloody scenes to frighten the pants off you. (I watched the episode with my headphones on and the volume turned up probably a bit too high, so the initial sideswiping of Sylvia Oster at the beginning was gloriously jarring.)

David Giuntoli (Privileged) as Portland homicide detective Nick Burckhardt (who knows nothing of his Grimm lineage until his Aunt Marie comes for a visit, ready to supply him with knowledge aplenty) and his partner (and unintentional comic sidekick) Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby, Lincoln Heights) are both neatly cast in their roles. Personally, I thought our first witness to the pair’s case was not only a nice little set up for the series and a tight, knowledgeable and engaging pilot, but the rest of the players in the game got my attention right away. And of those, I’m most excited about “blutbot” (literal German translation “blood offered” … ???) Eddie Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell, Prison Break, My Name is Earl) who will continue to be featured prominently in the series, it appears. (I have a proclivity for slightly off-kilter characters and Mitchell is a favorite of mine.)

Among some of the many interesting little tidbits offered in this initial airing, there were tons of standard German items in The Postman’s house: Candy dishes, Hummel figurines, brass wall hangings, the Hank-mentioned quilted pillows, the old school furniture. I had an aunt who was German through and through. The Postman’s house? It could have been hers, hands down. Uncanny. And let’s not forget about all the Volkswagens so prominently displayed in the hour. I look forward to more of the same as the series ticks along. (Why all the German nods? Well … Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm‘s heritage, of course.)

And that strange green key Aunt Marie passed to Nick? Wish we could have found out what that unlocks. Soon enough, I venture.

Overall? A very nice intro. I’m excited for more tales as we move along. Thank you, NBC, for passing on Wonder Woman and giving us Grimm instead. *whew*

Side Notes:

• Terrific eerie theme for Grimm. I’m certain it will pervade my dreams for months to come.
• Speaking of music in the pilot, not only was Sylvia listening to Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” … not only was The Postman humming the song while Nick and Hank were turning his place upside down looking for Robin … the closing music was same as well, only the creepy version as realized by Marilyn Manson.
• Did anyone note the name of the street (“Hildebrandt Road”) mentioned early on in the episode? This was a nod to The Brothers Hildebrandt, classic illustrators who have realized Grimm’s Fairy Tales, tons of Lord Of The Rings illustrations, Star Wars promos and posters and a whole lot more. Take a gander at one of their Red Riding Hood pieces.
• And, since we’re noting names: I expected nothing less from the show than Hank discovering the kidnapped Robin’s backpack with her initials on it. (“RH” = “Robin Howell” = “Riding Hood”)
• Did you recognize The Postman who abducted Robin? I did … right away. It was the terrific Tim Bagley. Last time I saw him he was in fine comic form on Bleep My Dad Says with William Shatner.
• My biggest complaint? (It’s just a little one, really.) Nick’s entrance into Aunt Marie’s trailer. On the sink (?)/table top (?)/counter (?) there was a bevy of glass bottles, jars, etc. I’m certain they were adhered to whatever surface they were on by some of that earthquake gummy stuff so they didn’t fall while in transit. Yes … I’m certain of it.
• Seriously: What’s with all the Volkswagens? Really? Somebody fess up.

Quotation:

“This sounds like what happened a month ago at Munson Creek Falls …” — Nick
“Same deal. Hiker and a bobcat.” — Hank
“The bobcat wasn’t wearing a boot.” — Nick

Clacked by Michael Noble
on Oct 29, 2011 @ 10:57 EST5EDT