What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 7 Review: Pine Barrens
What We Do in the Shadows Season 4 Episode 7, “Pine Barrens,” bursts at the seams with love while experimenting with fun character dynamics and powerful reveals. It dives deeper into Guillermo’s family, his vampire hunter DNA, and produces an impactful coming-out moment that retains the show’s trademark flair and wit.
“Pine Barrens” might showcase more examples of our core leads’ love for one another than any installment in the What We Do in the Shadows universe. Nandor and Laszlo untangling their complex relationship, unraveling decades of entrenched, perhaps misplaced resentment, leads to beautiful moments for the pair.
LASZLO: It’s always sad when a Polish fellow gets cataracts.
While neither of them possesses a penchant for sharing their feelings, witnessing that scene in the woods wherein both claim they miss spending time with each other is surprisingly sweet. Kayvan Novak and Matt Berry infuse so much soul and heart into these undead characters that it’s difficult not to root for them whenever they’re onscreen.
At the vampire residence, we get another taste of affection in the form of Nadja and Guillermo’s bond. Nadja asserts she doesn’t care much about “Gizmo,” but she refrains from draining his vampire-slaying family and ensures they keep the memory of Guillermo coming out to them. If that’s not love, then what is?
“Pine Barrens” brilliantly explores different love languages and how they interplay among the group. Even though we’ve only had one episode with Guillermo’s family, What We Do in the Shadows makes sure we know they love him unconditionally, regardless of his sexuality.
NADJA: Mrs. Nandor the Relentless has joined us, and she fits right in. She looks very like a girl from my village called Celina, but she’s just wearing much less pig skin.
It’s so touching to see a coming-out story handled with good-natured humor, grace, and instant acceptance. Even the somber and poignant moments never lose the show’s overall tone and narrative edge.
Of course, that Jersey Devil scene where Nandor and Laszlo try to defend Seanie is hilarity personified. It’s kooky and out-of-the-box; however, it fits perfectly with What We Do in the Shadows‘ eccentric aura. Watching Laszlo charm the Jersey Devil with his magic flute (not a euphemism) is inexplicably appealing and an instant serotonin boost.
On that note, Matt Berry could read the yellow pages (look that one up, youngins) and somehow make it hysterical. Those line deliveries would fall flat in the hands of a lesser actor. He embellishes every syllable and squeezes every comedic drop out of a simple emphasis on a word. Even physical flourishes with an arm can induce a good ole laugh attack. Give him all the awards, please.
NADJA: I know what it is like to watch your entire family die in front of you, and it’s not great.
“Pine Barrens” boasts excellent beats and reveals featuring our fave cinnamon roll Guillermo, with Harvey Guillén injecting him with such softness and vulnerability, while Novak and Berry bless us with some of the funniest moments in the episode. It’s a solid outing in the What We Do in the Shadows canon.
Stray Observations:
- We need to see the outtakes from this episode. What if there’s a moment featuring Nandor and Laszlo belting out “Livin’ on a Prayer” with the Jersey Devil? We’ll never know!
- Nadja does love Gizmo, and “Pine Barrens” is evidence of that. No take-backs.
- If Guillermo coming out to his family doesn’t make you produce at least one single camera-worthy tear that trickles down your face, you might be a robot.
- This reviewer believes Nandor and Laszlo could’ve quickly resolved their issues with a trip to Sex Land. Remember Laszlo’s incredibly graphic account of his and Nandor’s purported sex life in “Private School”? Yeah, that.
- If What We Do in the Shadows doesn’t spawn a spinoff showcasing Guillermo’s family slaying vampires throughout history, what are we even doing here?
- Nadja’s girls’ night, a.k.a. the “female f*ck-about,” will give anyone intense FOMO.
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.