Grimm Season 3 Meme -- Nick's PTZD, Adalind's Baby, Wedding Bliss, Trubel, & Resistance vs. Royals!!
Once again I'm a minority because I simply loved season three!! The show really came onto its own by closing a lot of storylines, opening new storylines, and expanding the supporting cast a bit more. In the beginning of the season the show runs on all cylinders of Zombie!Nick on the loose in Portland. It then continues to run on all cylindars with the climax of Adalind's baby storyline. This storyline also has a huge payoff in a major way with other storylines on the show at the end of the season. The show also gets a fresh surge of energy with the introduction of a young Grimm that goes by the name of Trubel. Trubel is just freakin' awesome!! Granted I thoroughly loved season three there were only two misgivings I had, however; they didn't dampen my enjoyment of the season. Season three delivered a lot of payoffs, continuity galore, progression, and just plain fun entertainment!!
Favorite Episodes: "The Ungrateful Dead", "PTZD", "A Dish Best Served Cold", "One Night Stand", "El Cucuy", "Stories We Tell Our Young", "Twelve Days of Krampus", "The Wild Hunt", "Revelation", "Once We Were Gods", "The Show Must Go On", "Synchronicity", "The Law of Sacrifice", "The Inheritance", and "Blond Ambition"
So-So Decent Episodes: "Cold Blooded", "Red Menace", "Eyes of the Beholder", "The Good Soldier", "Mommy Dearest", and "My Fair Wesen"
Least Favorite Episodes: I don't have any truthfully for this season.
Favorite Storylines: There were several storylines I thoroughly enjoyed....
*I loved all of the mythology, anthropology, history, folklore, fairytales, and science of the Grimm universe. I've always loved how the show uses what we think we know, and tweaks enough to be respectful of the source material and world history events.
*Nick's Zombie & PTZD -- I thoroughly enjoyed Zombie!Nick story this season. It was interesting to see how the Zombie Wesen illness affected a Grimm. It pretty turned Nick into a Super Grimm, and it was so wickedly cool!! I loved the moment when Hank tries to knocked Nick out, but it stopped and Hank's reaction to Nick's new skills is so priceless and relatable! I also loved the aftermath of with Nick's PTZD from his physiology to not drowning in the water. I loved how concern Juliet was over Nick during this time. Since Nick is now powerless I wonder if Nick will get his zombie skills back whenever he gets his powers back.
*Adalind's Baby Storyline Finally Climaxes: Adalind & Meisner Goodness, Nick's Backstory, Mama Burkhardt's Love, & Adalind's Grief -- This storyline has been much gone on for a season and half, and I have to give it to the writers to sticking to their guns. They didn't wrap it up quickly in season three, but rather let Adalind's pregnancy run its course. In doing so I really love how the storyline climaxed. I loved how the Resistance worked with Mama Burkhardt and Sean Renard in saving Adalind and the baby. One of my favorite subplots in this storyline was seeing Adalind interact with Martin Meisner from escaping her hotel room to being on the run. After a while the baby was even protecting Martin from harm *fansqueels*. I wasn't a big fan of Adalind's relationship with Sean, but I simply loved her interaction with Meisner. The actors had great chemistry!!
I also really loved how Adalind's storyline connected to Nick's backstory. I've always wanted to see a young Nick and Aunt Marie, and my fanwish was granted this season. The flashbacks of Mama Burkhardt and young Nick really spoke lot about her character. She been where Adalind is at, but the difference is Adalind is in denial of letting her baby go sadly. A part of me knew Team Grimm was right in playing the baby somewhere else to save Sean, Adalind, and the rest of the group. However, a part of me also ached for Adalind's grief for losing her daughter. Adalind's baby storyline did a great job at showing other relatable, vulnerable layers to both Adalind and Mama Burkhardt. For me all of this was another payoff to a story that went on for over a season. Not many shows these days can have a lastly storyline, but I think this one really did a great job with it.
I was waiting to see how Adalind's grief would connect to the season finale this time. I didn't figure it out the Royals' game plan until Prince Viktor spoke about taking Nick's powers the phone. This is one trick I honestly don't blame Adalind for. She has been lied to by Team Grimm on numerous things, and I do feel their lie is karmic this time. They should've told Adalind what really happened after they knew the Royals left Portland. Alas, that wouldn't make for a fun finale, eh? I think having Nick powerless is a pivotal change up in a show going into its fourth season. Nick and Juliette are at a pivotal point in their relationship, and being how compassionate and empathy they have for Wesens and humans alike it will be an interesting fourth and (hopefully) fifth seasons. I thought it was quite smart in how the writers made Adalind's decisions have a strong validity. She's being lied to by both sides, and the Royals are taking an advantage of this. I'm curious to see how Adalind reacts when she figures out everyone is lying to her. What will she do next? Hmmm.....I can't wait!!
*Monroe & Rosalee's Nuptials Bliss -- Going into season three I knew Monroe and Rosalee were going to get married because it was part of the season's promotion. Alas, it surprisely didn't make Monroe's proposal any less romantic. I loved how the writers combined Monroe's love for clocks and Rosalee. It was really lovely to see. My favorite parts of this storyline was getting to know Monroe's parents, Nick becoming the best man, and the writers emphasizing Monroe still has his Blutbad backbone. I was really happy to see the return of badass Monroe once again this season!!
I simply loved the whole subplot of Nick becoming the best man and Juliette becoming maid of honor. It was so cute that Nick was willing not to go because he didn't want the wedding to be chaotic due to him being a Grimm. Btw, about time we knew how Wesens can tell who is a Grimm from their eyes!! I loved how Nick just says "I should've asked a long time ago" hehe. Nick was just too adorable in his sunglasses.
I'm still not quite sure about Rosalee's family, but I simply adore Monroe's parents now. I loved how at first the parents weren't exactly gun-ho about Rosalee, Nick, and the idea of them helping a Grimm to capture other Wesen. However, as time went on they come to realize they need to give Rosalee and Nick a chance. They love Monroe dearly, and I like how they admitted it won't happen overnight for them to overcome what they grew up with all of their lives in regards to other Wesens and Grimms.
Overall, what really made this storyline work is that it focused on the themes of acceptance and tolerance within races, nationalities, and genders. Don't get me wrong I love the relationship with Monroe and Rosalee, and I loved their whole wedding ceremony (before the chaos). However, I loved that there more to this storyline than the stereotypical wedding storyline arc that I have seen since I was child. I hope we continue to see Monroe's parents because they totally fit right in, and have great chemistry with the rest of the cast.
*Trubel the New Grimm in Town -- Trubel has to be hands down one of the best additions in the show's history!! At first I was concerned that Trubel would be like Buffy's Faith because afterall the show is made by former Buffyverse creative writers. So come to my happy surprise that the only similarities Faith and Trubel are how they dress and fight. Everything else is completely different, or there is another difference it doesn't count as a similarity. Man, I thought Rosalee and Nick had a rough past, but Trubel beats them hands down *sniff*. She has witnessed, experienced, and seen so much. Trubel is literally damaged who has trust and insecurity issues. Hopefully through the love of Team Grimm Trubel will realize what a great person she is especially when she can soften those jagged edges. 'Cause I would hate for her to go the same path of Faith only to have seasons for her to redeem herself.
I thought it was interesting to have Nick and Co. tell Trubel she wasn't nuts and that all of this makes sense because she is what is called a Grimm. She can see what many humans cannot. Trubel is pretty much a novice in this whole universe, and she is also quite unpredictable as a character. Thus far I really liked how Nick brought Trubel under his wing. It shows once again Nick's compassion for others especially for others that need it. He knows if Nick didn't have Aunt Marie, Monroe, and Rosalee he would have been sunk in the beginning of his journey. He knows what it is like and has seen what seeing this side of the world can do, such as Hank and Wu. It is always great to see this mentor side to Nick's character. Plus having Nick powerless Trubel will have to be his eyes now and then until he gets his powers back. Btw, I loved how concerned Trubel was over Nick's welfare knowing something was up with the Adalind!Juliette. I can't wait to see what the writers do next for Trubel's character, and how she will help Nick in his quest to get his powers back.
*Wu's Fragile State of Mind -- One of my favorite storylines this season dealt with the character of Officer Wu. Wu has been a part of the show since the first season, so it was awesome to finally seeing this character fleshed out. I really enjoyed learning about Wu's backstory, and how it relates to the Wesen world. Reggie Lee did an amazing job at showing Wu downspiraling out of control. It was so gutwrenching because we all know what Wu is seeing is real. Everyone knows, however; is it our right to confirm it to him. Furthermore, there is always a chance Wu can have a mental breakdown or get even in more harm's way. He's the only regular cast that doesn't know the truth which makes Wu's reaction to the homicides even more amusing.
I wonder what they are going to do with Wu considering he was having flashbacks to seeing the Grimm journals. Wu does represent the general society that is clueless to what really goes on in the world. So I wouldn't mind if Wu stays in the dark a bit longer just as long as he finds out in a big way that could come in handy for Team Grimm. Overall, I was really blown away with Wu's "real or not "real" storyline. They were able to make it different in comparison to Hank, Juliette, and Trubel's reveal discoveries. It wasn't easy to do because of the similarities, however: I felt the writers made Wu's storyline so unique that it made it different than the rest of the characters.
*The Resistance vs. The Royals -- Season three finally showed faces of the Resistance we've been hearing about for two seasons. I really loved how the introduction of the Resistance, and how close the Royals are in crushing them down. The Resistance and Royals scenes primarly took place in Europe, and I thought the crew did a great job in making Oregon look like Europe for the most part. I love how the writers are slowly developing the storyline of the keys. It reminds me a bit of how Stargate SG-1 took their time in dealing with the Replicators and Goa'uld threats and goals. There are some shows I love the fast pace, such as The Vampire Diaries or Arrow. However, I really love it when a show can just let storylines breath and slowly build to their climaxes. The three storylines of the keys, Resistance, and the Royals is one such great storyline I thoroughly enjoyed watching each week. I can't wait to see what happens next!!
*Team Grimm is One Big Happy Dysfunctional Family -- One of the best aspects to this show is the family atmosphere of Team Grimm in dealing with the Wesen world. Every member of the team have specific strengths that aids either in the cases, or the struggles one of the members is facing. This season was especially awesome when we, as an audience, can see their dinner parties. You don't see a lot of these moments on tv anymore, so when I see it everytime on Grimm I get the warm fuzzies. It's great to see for once the team relaxing and enjoying each other's company from talking about food to teasing each other. I hope these evenings continue as the group continues to grow and progress into this great Wesen-Grimm-Royal-Resistance-Human team. The family atmosphere of the show will always be one of the reasons I highly recommend this show to anyone I meet or talk to for a fairytale fix that Once Upon A Time just can't deliver.
Misc. Hated Aspects: The misgivings I had about this season were only two things. Firstly, Rosalee's never-ending horrible childhood and young adult life. I don't mind when it was a couple of things here and there, but when it occurred every other episode it was a bit much too swallow. Secondly, I was sadden to see the writers drop Nick's PTZD and the zombie effects so quickly. I was hoping to see more of a follow up to this great storyline, such as why did Nick's physiology adapted and turned him into a Super Grimm. So I'm hoping whenever Nick gets his powers back they will reference back to what happened to him in season three. Since there were a lot of callbacks and references to numerous episodes all seasons including flashbacks.
Favorite Couples & Potential Couples: Nick/Juliette, Monroe/Hank, and Adalind/Meisner
Favorite Friendships and/or Fremies: Team Grimm (includes Bud!), Nick/Hank, Nick/Monroe, Juliette/Rosalee, Wu/Nick/Hank, Meisner/Adalind, Trubel/Nick, Sebastien/Sean, Franco/Wu, and The Burkhardts
Favorite Characters: Nick, Hank, Juliette, Monroe, Sean, Wu, Rosalee, Adalind, Bud, Martin Meisner, Sebastien, Trubel, Sergeant Franco, Alice, Bart, Mama Burkhardt, and Gloria Calvert
Mixed Characters: Zuri Ellis, DeEtta Calvert, and Alicia
Can't Stand Characters: None
Favorite Villains: Prince Viktor, Weston Steward, Gregor Danilov, Woden, Alexander, Joe, Baron Samedi, male Naiad, El Cucuy, Krampus, Yaguaraté, and Hedig the Ringmaster
Least Favorite Villains: Stefania Vaduva Popescu
Most Tragic Deaths: Sebastien -- I knew the moment Sebastien and Sean had their secret meetings and sharing secret phone calls Sebastien was doomed to die. In fact, I'm surprised he lasted this long! Alas, it was still hard to see Sebastien die to protect Adalind, Meisner, and the baby for the Resistance cause. He was tortured, and yet he still blamed himself to remedy his past action. Even though Sebastien was doomed to die I still found it shocking and sad. Adalind's reaction really sad it all *sniff*.
Favorite Guest Stars: Damien Puckler, Christian Lagadec, Alexis Denisof, Robert Blanche, Jacqueline Toboni, C. Thomas Howell, Dee Wallace, Chris Mulkey, Danny Bruno, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Matt Lasky, Reg E. Cathey, Michael Welch, Carlo Rota, and Sam Witwer
What did you think of the season in general? As I already stated before I really loved this season, and it didn't suffer from the two misgivings I had. It is one of the best tv shows on tv today. It's creative, original, and yet respectful to the previous source material it derives from. It's a tall order, but boy does this show deliver. I can't wait to see how the show comes back in season four. There were so many cliffhangers I wonder how the writers will write them out of this jam! Will Sean survive? Will Wu finally know the truth? Will Monroe and Rosalee go on their honeymoon? Will Juliette find it in her heart to forgive Nick? How will Nick get back his powers? There are so many questions and I can't wait until October to find out the answers!!