A Grimm Tale Well Told

So, since staying at my brothers, I've been introduced to a series I've not seen before: Grimm. For those not in the know, this is a Supernatural/Procedural Hybrid about a detective in the Portland Police Department named Nick Burkhardt who is a descendant of the Grimm family. The Grimm family are humans with the special ability to see creatures called Wesen... mythological Human/Animal creatures that many of our fairy tales are based on. The Grimms can see these beings as they are when they are feeling emotional. Historically, the Grimms hunted and killed Wesen, but Nick, working as a Cop must find a different way; seeing that some Wesen are just really looking for quiet, uneventful lives, whilst some still revel in darkness. Nick protects the good Wesen and handles the bad ones as a Cop if he can, but a Grimm if he must.

I have to say, I probably wouldn't have given this show a try on my own, but I'm glad I've gotten into it, because it's a really entertaining show. Most episodes have the "Monster of the week" formula, but it's always well done, and there is an overarching political drama coming from the Wesen society hidden within our own, filled with intrigue, shifting loyalties, and hidden agendas. The intensity of these stories has been building steadily over the course of the season and a half that has aired already.

One particularly well executed element is that Nick is having to learn this Grimm stuff from the ground up. His only tutelage in the legacy of the Grimms came from his dying aunt in the first story. So, Nick has had to have all of this explained to him, learning it all along with the audience. As Nick becomes entrenched within the Wesen world and all the drama therein, we get pulled in with him.

A lot of this schooling comes from a character called Monroe. Monroe is a Wesen, a Blutbad... a type of creature that once inspired the legend of the Big Bad Wolf (BAD WOLF!). Whilst the Blutbad are generally violent and devious, some, like Monroe have put aside their baser urges and become productive parts of society. Monroe himself, for instance, repairs timepieces for a living, and generally seems no different than most people.

Monroe is, at least at first, a reluctant helper, but he gets really invested in helping Nick explore his heritage even as he explains what he knows about the various types of Wesen. By the time the first season comes to a close, Monroe is a close and valued friend to Nick, and a source of much of the show's wry sense of humor.

Despite Nick's partner Hank and girlfriend Juliette initially staying out of the Grimm side of things, they eventually get pulled into the Wesen scheming as well, as Nick's aunt cryptically warned that they would be.

If you haven't watched this show, give it a shot, whether you feel I've explained it well or not. It's a great addition to the TV landscape today, and if you give it a chance, it will become a high-point of your week.