Wellington Paranormal Review: The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo (Season 2 Episode 5)
Wellington Paranormal Season 2 Episode 5, “The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo,” introduces new personal stakes for Minogue and O’Leary, which serves as a unifier for our favorite paranormal pair.
While the show has imparted the occasional glimpse of O’Leary and Minogue’s dynamic as coworkers and friends, “The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo,” lengthy episode title aside, illustrates how much they mean to each other. It’s surprisingly touching.
O’LEARY: These stripper cops are actually creating unrealistic expectations for real cops.
Despite the incessant supernatural threats, it never feels like the leads are in substantial danger on Wellington Paranormal. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — this is a full-fledged comedy, after all. The paranormal aspects are secondary (and complementary) to all the funny stuff.
But the series breaches new territory with twofold stakes: Minogue/O’Leary’s demotion from the paranormal unit and a ghost car that almost drives them off a steep cliffside. As per usual, Wellington Paranormal finds innovative ways to keep the show fresh and entertaining.
MAAKA: Come closer … even closer than that. Actually, get physically uncomfortably closer.
Karen O’Leary and Mike Minogue’s on-screen chemistry kicks into overdrive in “The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo.” With their characters’ jobs precariously on the line, we see how strong their bond really is. It never dawns on them they could continue working in the paranormal unit separately — they’re a package deal.
This is a sweet detail that doesn’t smack of parasitic codependency but rather a healthy friendship.
In addition, the ghost car scene is genuinely rife with tension. Of course, it’s Wellington Paranormal, so you know the main characters will survive with ample humor and bumbling buffoonery.
The guest performances in “The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo” are some of the best in the series thus far. Notably, Kawakawa Fox-Reo as the too-cool-for-school Trent. Fox-Reo’s transitions from his “hip young people” lingo to a more “adult” speaking style are utterly seamless, natural, and hilarious.
MINOGUE: We don’t even know what Snapchat is. Is this Snapchat?
Camilo Leon shines as the little kid Minogue and O’Leary arrest for commandeering the haunted car. He brims with effortless, contagious energy. Renee Lyons holds her own as Sharon. Even Thomas Sainsbury’s one-minute scene is a masterclass in comedy.
“The Haunting of the ’85 Nissan 300ZX ZR Turbo” takes Wellington Paranormal to new heights, both story-wise and on the humor front. The JCTWCU (Jemaine Clement/Taika Waititi Cinematic Universe) is the gold standard of comedy right now, and we’re just lucky to bear witness to its growth.
Stray Observations:
- It seems Sergeant Maaka has reached total awareness. He knows that a dramatic score punctuates his every dramatic pause. It’s fantastic.
- O’Leary giving Minogue a “shout out” on camera is, without question, so sweet it’s vomit-inducing.
- Hopefully, we get to see Parker join the paranormal unit at some point. He complements the group dynamic so well.
- That kid teaching Minogue the floss dance is why you should always keep your eyes glued to the background. This show brilliantly makes use of everything and everyone on screen.
What did you think of this episode of Wellington Paranormal? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Wellington Paranormal airs Sundays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.