What We Do in the Shadows Review: The Portrait (Season 3 Episode 10)
What We Do in the Shadows Season 3 Episode 10, “The Portrait,” brilliantly sets a course for uncharted territory for our vampires, with twists and turns aplenty along the way. Undoubtedly, it’s the best season finale of the show thus far.
“The Portrait” chugs along, business as usual, peppered with consistently clever jokes, hilarious performances, and great guest appearances. Harvey Guillén pulls the strings as Guillermo, seamlessly placing the vampires in their optimal positions like undead chess pieces.
NADJA: You wouldn’t know a punchline if it ran over your scrotum with a penny farthing!
Of course, the episode touches on grief and the myriad ways the housemates handle Colin Robinson’s death. Not only is it jarring for the vampires, but even viewers feel the weight of that Colin Robinson-shaped hole. It makes you realize just how much Mark Proksch contributes to What We Do in the Shadows.
The show does a masterful job of convincing us of Colin Robinson’s permanent absence, that his death is irreversible. You’re left in limbo right until the end when Laszlo discovers baby Colin Robinson, rising like a phoenix from the energy vampire ashes.
THE BARON: When he says, “take five,” five of what? And where are we taking them?
A considerable amount of character growth culminates in an exciting finale for fans, and the writers methodically plant those seeds of development throughout the season. Laszlo’s change is pronounced here, as he sends Guillermo to watch over Nadja in England while he stays behind on Staten Island to mourn his fallen friend.
Well, now to raise an infant Colin Robinson. Matt Berry infuses the lazy, masturbation-obsessed vampire with nuance and beautiful layers, and his heartfelt speech to Nadja tenderly showcases his most vulnerable side. Nadja finds meaning in being a “working woman vampire.” The writers uniquely convey her journey to making something of her eternal life.
NANDOR: Well, how am I gonna eat if I don’t prey on people, dummy?
Nandor learns about self-care and takes time to discover what he wants out of his undead existence. It’s a far cry from the Nandor we meet in the first season. Guillermo’s feelings for Nandor fully blossom but whether he confesses them to Nandor remains to be seen.
Overall, “The Portrait” is What We Do in the Shadows‘ most extensive, boldly daring outing yet, pushing the boundaries of where these characters can go and leaving significant cliffhangers over which the audience will painstakingly ponder for the following year.
Stray Observations:
- Bringing back Taika Waititi, the Baron, the Sire, and Donal Logue is a masterstroke on the show’s part.
- Baby Colin Robinson might be more visually traumatizing than Smashed Melon Colin Robinson.
- As funny as “Gizmo” is, it felt oddly satisfying to hear Laszlo finally call Guillermo by his proper name.
- What We Do in the Shadows almost blesses us with a Nandor/Guillermo vacation (that could blossom into something more), but they promptly yank it away from us like that tantalizing carrot on a stick.
- The fallout from Laszlo’s actions will be spectacular, and Season 4 can’t come soon enough.
- Petition to have Matt Berry play piano in every episode? Petition granted!
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 is now available to stream on Hulu.
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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.