What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 5 Review: Private School
What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 5, “Private School,” is laugh-out-loud hilarious, with nonstop vampiric hijinks from beginning to end. It’s not hyperbole to state that it’s the show’s funniest outing thus far.
A significant chunk of the episode’s charm lies with our top-tier ensemble. Undoubtedly, What We Do in the Shadows boasts one of the strongest casts in sitcom history. Every player gets a chance to shine in “Private School.”
NANDOR: First, we fix the house. Then, it’s like, “Oh, Nandor, can you wish for a new rug?” And before you know it, all of my wishes will be used up, and I will have no more wishes left to make a global impact.
Another point in its favor is the comedic fruit found when the vampires try to understand humans. We’ve seen glimpses of their ignorance regarding humanity in episodes past, but “Private School” blows the lid off completely, allowing the vamps space to stretch their “mortal” wings to hysterical results.
From Nandor, Nadja, and Laszlo’s ridiculous impressions of human fashion to their name choices and views of progressive ideals, we see our trio barrel headfirst into uncharted territory with hilarious unearned confidence, with each new faux pas more humorous than the last. The headmaster meeting is like watching a trainwreck in slow motion — you can’t look away.
A highlight of the episode is, hands down, Laszlo describing his purported explicit sexual activities with Nandor in great detail. We know they’ve had their fair share of dalliances, but Laszlo laying it on thick for the headmaster of a private school is the cherry on top.
NADJA: (American accent) Oh, I love pizza so much!
Even Mark Proksch gets to kick his portrayal of Not-Baby Colin Robinson up a notch. He’s the exact opposite of the late energy vampire from whom he emerged in the Season 3 finale. Proksch injects starkly different energy into Not-Baby CR, one brimming with vim and vigor.
Laszlo’s relationship with Not-Baby CR is endearing to watch onscreen. His evolution as a character is also the most gratifying. One wouldn’t expect a sometimes pompous, brash vampire to take a liking to a child. While his parental methods are a tad unorthodox, Laszlo’s love for CR is the pulsating heart of Season 4. He quietly became the best character in What We Do in the Shadows.
Of course, Guillermo’s role in raising CR, keeping the books for Nadja’s vampire nightclub, and tending to the house cannot be understated. We shouldn’t blame him for “scraping a bit off the top,” as it were. He’s spent over a decade working thanklessly and tirelessly for the vamps. However, this reveal will bear consequences in some fashion. Here’s hoping they aren’t too severe.
LASZLO: We need to be gay. Gay is in. Gay is hot. I want some gay. Gay it’s gonna be. Nandor?
Overall, “Private School” is a show-best for What We Do in the Shadows. Hats off to writers Ayo Edebiri and Shana Gohd for penning a brilliant script and Kyle Newacheck for the stellar direction. There’s so much heart intertwined with this episode’s sharp, biting wit, and the actors are a well-oiled machine in terms of performance. Everyone fires on all cylinders. It gets five BAAATS! from this reviewer.
Stray Observations:
- Adding a cameo for “Incomprehensible Jesters'” Sal Vulcano is a genius move on the show’s part. This reviewer felt they’d go that route when Laszlo brags about Staten Island’s veritable crop of creative talent, but that didn’t make the reveal any less hilarious.
- Whenever (insert Laszlo’s voice) “Seany” makes an appearance, you know it will be an uproarious outing of What We Do in the Shadows.
- Was Guillermo jealous when Nandor and Laszlo pretended to be a couple? Oh, you know he was. Let us hold onto a shred of hope for Nandermo, please, and thank you.
- Let’s be honest — Nadja rocked that Dolores Umbridge cosplay. Nadja’s remark about Lionel Barrymore’s potent star power in 2022 feels on brand for her.
- Laszlo’s “human outfit” seems inspired by the Mayor of Flavortown, Guy Fieri, and he should have worn it for the meeting with the headmaster. It’s *chef’s kiss*.
- Nandor’s face looking progressively more altered with each passing scene, is as uncomfortable as it is hysterical. Thankfully, the Djinn blesses us with the return of Nandor’s beautiful visage by the episode’s end.
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 Tuesdays at 10/9c on FX, with next-day streaming 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.
One thought on “What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 5 Review: Private School”
Please give credit to the brilliant editing in episode 5!
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