Recap: What We Do in the Shadows: “The Trial”
- Major, fun spoilers ahead!
- We need to rename this episode “The Trial of the Century”. Why? Read on. Better yet, go watch this series!
We Sent a Raven
We sent a raven!!!
Photo credit: FX
After last week’s death, the vamps are burying Afanas(Doug Jones) in the topiary garden, as you do crispy with vampires. They’re still a wee bit drugged out, and can’t remember exactly how the Baron died.
Suddenly, a raven appears. Then another. Then an entire bloody unkindness of ravens appear, blotting out the night sky, their pooping sends everyone indoors.They are an ill omen, probably because they are sent by the Vampire Council. Nandor(Kayvan Novak) rightfully complains to the Summoner(Kristin Schaal) why didn’t they just call? The vampire roommates are to be tried. Well, maybe there is going to be a trial. It could be that Laszlo(Matt Berry) turned that baby into a vampire that one time. Boredom is it’s own hell, right Laszlo?
Is The Baron really dead? Maybe not yet…
Photo credit: FX
Guillermo(Harvey Guillén), meanwhile, is in the bushes, squeezing the Baron’s talisman. That sounded dirty, but the Baron had no talisman, except for the talisman Guillermo is squeezing.
Guilty Guillermo
Photo credit: FX
To The Trial
The vamps head to the Vampire Court, which seems like a place you would take a computer class while the library was being remodeled.
Deep in its bowels, through a very long hallway that gave me Spinal Tap flashbacks in the best way, they await their appointment. There are only two members? No, wait. This is only the waiting room. It is a purgatory for two vamps being punished. One vampire for general defiling(Alexandra Henrikson), the other for turning a baby(Dave Freaking Bautista!). He insists he is innocent, and swears a book’s worth of torture if he ever finds the real culprit.The two say they have been down in that basement for a thousand years. WHAT? ONLY NINETY? IT SEEMS LIKE A THOUSAND.
He will stab whoever turned that baby…
Photo credit: FX
To The Actual Trial and Actual Vampire Court
Dark Greetings to what is about to be the most epic guest appearances in the history of television.
Photo credit: FX
Guillermo is excused to the Familiar room, and the real trial begins. You will love the dance number. Weeks of practice went into the dance number. There actually are a lot of judges. They remove their hoods.
OH MY GOD IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS UNLIKE THOSE EVER SEEN BEFORE OF THE MOST NOTEWORTHY KIND STOP READING NOW AND GO WATCH THIS EPISODE!
The head judge is Tilda. Yes… That Tilda Swinton! I began geeking out, fangirling, screaming at the TV and laughing out loud at this point. The Council is comprised of, but not limited to:
Wesley(Wesley Snipes)
Evan(Evan Rachel Wood)
Paul(Paul Reubens)
Viago(Taika Waititi), Vladimir the Poker(Jemaine Clement), and Deacon(Jonny Brugh)
Danny(Danny Trejo)
The epic Danny Trejo!
Photo credit: FX
Rachel!
Photo credit: FX
Tilda.
Photo credit: FX
Paul!
Photo credit: FX
The original What We Do in the Shadows crew is in the house/dungeon!
Photo credit: FX
The Daywalker Skypes!
Photo credit: FX
Oh, and Colin Robinson(Mark Proksch).
What the eff, Colin? Also, Kiefer, Rob, and Tom couldn’t make it. Scheduling and wanting to leave it behind them are the reasons given. Probably a good thing, as I would have hyperventilated into Kingdom Come.
The roommates on trial.
Photo credit: FX
The Baron’s familiar(Gloria Laino) is called to testify. Nadja(Natasia Demetriou) notes that they’ll be fine, as she never speaks. Oh, she speaks, alright. She won’t shut up. But, still. The Baron was a jerk.
The Familiar Room
This familiar room is a step up from the Manhattan Night Club room, there are snacks and chairs. Guillermo sits on a large pipe and listens to the others. He begins to realize that familiars are really never turned. One had been with his master for over seventy years.
The Council’s Verdict
No one really liked the Baron, so the vamps are probably going to go free. Guillermo bursts in and delights the vamps. Not because he is interesting in any way, mind you. They think he is lunch. They also think he is cute, so there is that. He admits his guilt. He killed the Baron. The council isn’t having it. First of all, he is small and weak. Secondly, he is just too adorable. Really, all that can be done is to eat Guillermo and acquit the roommates. But Nandor intercedes, claiming that the three roommates are guilty! They killed the Baron! For some reason, this makes the Court change its mind, and as they raise their fangs in judgement, the roommates are finally, uh, judged.
Death By Well
All that remains of the vampires.
Not our vampires, but some vamps.
Photo credit: FX
The vamps burning!
Photo credit: FX
The trial ends. The roommates are taken to a well to be exposed to sunlight. They try escaping, but excellent welding mostly stops them. Guillermo must escape as well, and accidentally takes out yet another vampire, The Dreaded Fayard(Ejyp Johnson). Hopefully this will convince the Council that our immortal roommates are innocent. Guillermo escapes, and runs screaming down the road.
If it was an accident, Guillermo, why are you wearing a cross?
Photo credit: FX
As they wait for the sun to rise, the vamps apologize to one another or confess their sins. Laszlo was Jack the Ripper, for example. The sun comes, and the vamps cry out in pain. Then, a large black umbrella covers them from above. It is Colin Robinson and Guillermo. They are freed from the well, and carried in bat form back home. Sorry about the film crew in the well! Hope they get out soon!
Colin and Guillermo to the rescue!
Mostly Colin; he bought the umbrella.
Photo credit: FX
Thoughts on “The Trial”
- This is comedy at its best. Not just because of the guest stars, but because of the chemistry and overall camaraderie coupled with the writing. These are the best of the best excelling at their craft, and this episode proves it.
- This is one of the absolute best half hours of television in history. I may be biased, as I love vampire movies. See above for the majority of movies and TV shows referenced by the guest stars.
- From the minute I saw Dave Bautista, I knew this was going to be special. But I never thought it would be this special. I am probably leaving a few references out, but by the time they mentioned Kiefer, my The Lost Boys loving heart was just out of it in the best way.
- If I could thank Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement personally, I would bring my fried chicken and apple pie. I don’t do that for just everyone.
- This is an MCU fun time, with Tilda and Dave!
- The only missing vampire is Keanu Reeves, and that is because he is obviously a real vampire and doesn’t want his cover blown. Don’t @ me.
- I know it’s supposed to be Tom Cruise they are referencing, but it could also be Tom Hiddleston, Tilda’s costar in Only Lovers Left Alive, and possibly also a real life vampire too. He is also, of course, another MCU alum, playing Loki.
- Nandor wanting to be nicer to his horse and leadership skills just before he died, and Nadja screaming out for Gregor was a nice touch.
- Episodes like this are probably why the show was renewed.
- This is comedy at its absolute best. I had to say that again.
- I could go on forever about how fun and funny this episode was, but you’d be reading this instead of watching What We Do in the Shadows, and watching the episode “The Trial”.
What We Do in the Shadows airs at 10 pm on FX. It is rated MA for adult situations.
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