I just watched the latest Episode of GRIMM (Let Down Your Hair). For those of you that don’t know, it’s a show on NBC about a detective who is the descendant of the Brothers Grimm, and who can see supernatural creatures.
Now I like the show. I do. In fact, I love the premise where the Grimm Fairy Tales are re-imagined as murder mysteries involving creatures that the stories were based on. Now a days, it seems that fairy tales are extremely popular. But let me get to my subject at hand. After watching tonight’s episode I asked myself (again) ‘Who is supposed to be the Star of this show?’ Obviously, I know it’s David Giuntoli as Nick Burkhardt, the detective with an eye for the unnatural. Russell Hornsby plays his partner, Hank Griffen, who has no clue as to Grimm’s unique gifts.
I don’t have a problem with the actors, but to be the main characters in the show, these guys are really getting upstaged by Everybody else on the show. Especially Silas Weir Mitchell‘s character – Monroe, the werewolf that reluctantly helps Grimm with his supernatural cases. Mitchell’s character unfolds in a very dynamic way, with a balance of humor and moments of seriousness. He is easily my favorite person on the program. And Reggie Lee, who plays the quick witted Sgt. Wu, delivers plenty of great one liners from the show’s writers. And than there are the antagonist on each episode, some of which are shown to be tortured beings that are doing their best to live in a society that otherwise fears them (if they knew they existed).
Heroes need to actively be Heroes. I’ve been dabbling in screenwriting for the past couple years. One thing I’ve learned about storytelling and structure is that your main character’s destiny can’t be controlled by other characters. He or She needs to make decisions that move them forward in their OWN story. If they don’t, then audiences lose track of who the hero is. I don’t see strong enough examples of that happening in GRIMM. What I do see is one average detective/hero stumbling through cases, and his partner not having the slightest clue as to what’s going on. The Russell character has almost no use what so ever, being that Grimm gets all of his ‘real’ help from Wolfie (who would tear your arm off if you called him that).
Another thing that is missing is Grimm’s so-called ‘Mentor’. It’s suppose to be his ‘Blutbad’ friend, Monroe, but the werewolf is having his own spiritual growth by just helping Grimm with his cases. So what we are left with is Grimm without his expert Monster-hunter Aunt (watch ep. 1), not learning the ‘Ways of the Jedi’ so to speak.
It’s a shame, because the stories are good, and the underlying plots are enough to keep me watching. And I will keep watching. I’m sure the writers are taking their time, building up to Grimm ‘becoming’ an male ‘Buffy’ like expert monster hunter, though the irony is that he wants to help them when he can. Irony is always a good thing. GRIMM comes on Fridays at 9 p.m. e.s.t. (in the U.S.) on NBC.
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Eric Rivera ~mastermindyourdestiny~
December 17, 2011 at 1:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
GRIMM is a great show! It has amazing potential for growth. There is still a lot that the main character has to learn about himself. I believe as the show progresses, another Grimm-type character will bring out the main characters true potential.
Geek Soul Brother
December 17, 2011 at 3:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I agree with you Eric, Grimm as a character has time to grow. I would like to see a little of that growth happen now, but I guess the writers are saving it for future episodes. Like you said, another Grimm will probably enter the picture in the near future, but I think he will be a ‘bad’ influence on our hero, and they will ultimately oppose each other. That’s just a guess.
knudsens
December 17, 2011 at 6:29 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Grimm just started on norwegian tv. I like it!
Geek Soul Brother
December 17, 2011 at 2:26 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I’m glad you like it Knudsens. And I don’t mean to say that it’s a bad show at all, I just want to see more ‘punch’ in the main guys.
Shumara
December 17, 2011 at 10:27 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Monroe keeps me watching. I have a thing for werewolves so a wise-cracking somewhat silly one is perfection for me
Geek Soul Brother
December 17, 2011 at 3:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Shu, I certainly dig the werewolf. I get tired of vampires everywhere you turn.