What We Do in the Shadows Review: Reunited / The Lamp (Season 4 Episodes 1 and 2)
What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episodes 1 and 2, “Reunited” and “The Lamp,” serve as a consistently hilarious two-part season opener, brimming with solid performances from the main cast and biting one-liners. If there’s anything that can provide side-splitting escapism from the perpetual terror of the world at large, it’s this show.
“Reunited” wastes no time reuniting our core quintet, and perhaps it’s for the best. What We Do in the Shadows is an unadulterated ensemble comedy through and through. Even the writers understand this series flourishes when Nandor, Nadja, Guillermo, Laszlo, and Colin Robinson are in the same room.
NANDOR: Guillermo, if you want to cry, that’s fine. We won’t judge you. But if you wish to poop your pants, I’d rather you go somewhere else to do it.
Of course, Mark Proksch’s role transforms significantly this season as Laszlo takes baby Not Colin Robinson (NCR) under his parental wing. The writers reduce Proksch’s dialogue drastically at this juncture; however, the actor still infuses NCR with a staggering presence via his surprisingly expressive face. Well, “surprisingly,” considering how dull Colin Robinson was.
Kristen Schaal slips seamlessly into a more prominent role in “The Lamp,” injecting What We Do in the Shadows with her brand of comedy that meshes well with the rest of the cast. It’s enjoyable watching her play with Matt Berry’s Laszlo as he becomes The Guide’s bona fide “psychologist.”
Each star steps to the plate with their respective signature comedic styles, managing to stand out individually while performing in concert as a collective body. It’s a fine line to walk, and there aren’t many comedies doing this as well as this show.
NADJA: Some of them were definitely saying that they think this branch of the Vampiric Council is very much stuck in time and that the real estate would probably be more valuable if they leased it out to a CVS Pharmacy.
What We Do in the Shadows continues expanding on Laszlo’s development, revealing unexpected yet delightful character nuances. While he started the series as somewhat standoffish and aloof, Laszlo has undoubtedly emerged as a fan favorite, charming audiences with his ardent love for Nadja and unwavering loyalty to his friends.
Additionally, Nadja and Laszlo’s deliciously dirty sex scenes in “Reunited” are hysterical, proving this series excels at physical comedy alongside other comedic formats. Who wouldn’t pine for a love like theirs?
Speaking of love, Nandor and Guillermo mend fences after their relationship takes on a new complexity: romantic feelings. Both parties harbor these feelings, but Nandor forges ahead, insisting he must marry one of his deceased 37 wives, while Guillermo serves as the Best Man for his upcoming nuptials.
LASZLO: Psychology is considered to be one of the newer sciences, but it isn’t really new to me at all. In fact, I was there at its conception.
Meanwhile, Guillermo claims he’s moving on, seemingly unaffected by Nandor’s desire to wed. So, what does this mean for their relationship? What We Do in the Shadows seems to brush it under the rug, at least for now. However, the show methodically leaves clues in the wake of this transition, making it abundantly clear this won’t be the last we see/hear of “Nandermo.”
“The Lamp” finally sheds light on Nandor’s enigmatic 37 wives from his homeland of Al Quolindar, and we meet some of them. Even as we enter the fourth season, What We Do in the Shadows still finds new ways to expand its mythos, planting narrative seeds that blossom in this immersive world.
The show leaves a few loose threads dangling for us as potential exploratory avenues, including Nandor’s trip to Al Quolindar and Nadja’s year-long stay in London. Guillermo’s understandable frustrations regarding not seeing his family might bring them into the fold this season.
Regardless, the long-awaited premiere refills that What We Do in the Shadows-shaped hole in our hearts and reminds us why it’s one of the best comedies on TV. “Reunited” and “The Lamp” are hysterical, zany, and sharp-as-a-tack installments in this exciting universe.
Stray Observations:
- As expected, baby Not Colin Robinson is creepy as all get-out. Perhaps even more so with the full head of blonde curls.
- Daddy Laszlo is, undoubtedly, the best thing Season 4 introduces to us thus far. May we all blossom under his watchful, “helicopter mom” eye.
- We need a spinoff chronicling Nandor’s “Eat, Prey, Love” journey while traveling with his Wisconsin family.
- Not only did we get Daddy Laszlo in “Reunited,” but “The Lamp” ushers Psychologist Laszlo into the vampiric fold. What can’t our Jackie Daytona do?
- In a way, Nadja overseeing the construction of her vampire nightclub provides catharsis. You know she’s the only one out of the vamps getting sh*t done.
- Nandor might find love with Marwa, but we know who’s the genuine keeper of his undead heart: one Guillermo de la Cruz.
What did you think of these episodes 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 Tuesdays 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.