What We Do in the Shadows Review: Gail (Season 3 Episode 3)
What We Do in the Shadows Season 3 Episode 3, “Gail,” brings about a slew of firsts for the show with its quirky, effervescent charm, including a love interest for Nandor and the team-up of Laszlo and Colin Robinson.
“Gail” is evidence of this series’ staying power — the supernatural world boasts endless story possibilities and, unlike Laszlo’s ancient car, What We Do in the Shadows shows no signs of losing steam.
COLIN ROBINSON: I don’t want the others to think I’m not down to clown at the drop of a hat.
Firstly, the episode experiments with different group dynamics to cracking success. Laszlo and Colin Robinson are probably the most bewildering pairing of the main cast. Still, Matt Berry and Mark Proksch knock it out of The Odd Couple-style park with their amusing banter and electrifying chemistry.
Of course, What We Do in the Shadows‘ forte is brilliant performances across the board. You’d be hard-pressed to find a weak link in this chain. It’s rare when a series doesn’t have one obvious shining star or a blatant fan favorite. They’re all comedically adept, and they all bring something fresh to the undead table.
NANDOR: I simply cannot keep away. Her hair smells of tropical fruits; her scalp of medication.
That being said, the episodic MVP for this outing is Kayvan Novak. He imbues the already-sweet Nandor with nuance in “Gail,” inserting layers we haven’t seen before. It’s a testament to a show’s writing when we, as viewers, incessantly make new and interesting discoveries about the characters we love.
The return of old favorites really elevates this episode of What We Do in the Shadows.
From Kristen Schaal’s hysterical Guide to the endearing, car-chasing Staten Island werewolf pack, What We Do in the Shadows makes great use of its exceptional supporting players.
Besides the top-tier writing and equally fantastic performances, “Gail” expands the show’s lore, creating a more cohesive and intricate mythology for its supernatural characters. Notably Colin Robinson, the resident energy vampire.
GUILLERMO: There’s a better way to resolve your differences … Twilight style.
The show simultaneously shows us he’s impervious to dangers like fire while posing more questions regarding who he is and what he’s capable of. It’s a solid tactic to keep folks watching so they can unravel the enigma that is Colin Robinson.
“Gail” dives deeper into the lives of our favorite vampires, hilariously humanizing them and making them more lovable than ever (a feat that doesn’t seem possible). What We Do in the Shadows maintains its status as the sharpest comedy on TV, and long may it reign.
Stray Observations:
- The Twilight-inspired vampire versus werewolf kickball game, complemented by a song from the 2008 movie’s soundtrack, is one of the funniest bits to come out of TV this year. If you weren’t grinning from fang to fang while watching it, you might want to have your funny bone examined.
- Guillermo’s crush on Nandor is even more apparent here, and, hopefully, we’ll see that ship sail someday.
- The sets for the vampires’ Staten Island residence and the Vampire Council headquarters are some of the most ambitious, envy-inducing Gothic sets out there.
- Colin Robinson having a road trip playlist that’s “Hey There Delilah” 25 times and trail mix to wedge between the seat cushions is incredibly on-brand for him.
What did you think of this episode of What We Do in the Shadows? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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What We Do in the Shadows airs Thursdays at 10/9c on FX.
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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.