What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3 Review: Pride Parade
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, What We Do in the Shadows being covered here wouldn’t exist.
What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3, “Pride Parade,” is a hilariously inventive outing that pushes our characters into entertaining directions. Jake Bender and Zach Dunn deliver a tight script brimming with biting dialogue and hysterical physical gags. These gags allow our core cast to display their finely tuned slapstick skills.
On the directing front, What We Do in the Shadows‘ mainstay, Yana Gorskaya, guides the episode seamlessly with her steady directorial hand and knack for staging. Everything flows smoothly, thanks to her. This is especially important in a more action-heavy episode like “Pride Parade.”
NADJA: So, who wants to have a little bite of this fresh beef salad?
Additionally, we’re blessed with the return of Anthony Atamanuik and Marissa Jaret Winokur as Sean and Charmaine Rinaldi. Both actors gel well with our leading players. They fit right in, imbuing their characters with a particular ebullience in “Pride Parade” that’s contagious.
That’s a prevalent quality in this episode — a vibrant joyousness that makes you feel lighter just by watching it. What’s even better for the soul is watching Guillermo enjoy his first Pride Parade when he finally allows himself to have fun. It’s a precious moment conveyed beautifully by Harvey Guillén.
On another note, “Pride Parade” pushes the boundaries of vampire lore and the show’s own mythology. Laszlo, forever our man of science, discovers he can walk outside while wearing Guillermo’s sweat. His exhilaration from walking in the sun and not burning to a crisp is enough to cure depression (at least for a few hours).
GUILLERMO: Does that mean I’m a daywalker? Am I like Blade?
Meanwhile, Nadja Doll finds her joy when she pulls a Freaky Friday by switching bodies with Nadja. Natasia Demetriou is a consummate comedic performer. She wholly commits with no reservations. No overthinking. She’s not afraid of looking foolish. Because of this dedication to the craft, she knocks her scenes out of the park, especially the physical comedy.
Nandor jumps so high that he winds up in space, floating outside the Earth’s atmosphere. It’s another intriguing aspect to add to the vampire abilities list that’s unique to this show. Kayvan Novak, as usual, deftly portrays Nandor’s typical jealousy and toxically masculine qualities with a hilarious naturalness.
“Pride Parade” continues the previous episodes’ tradition of hinting at Nandor’s complicated feelings for Guillermo. Whether the show progresses this particular arc or refines Nandor’s feelings remain to be seen. What We Do in the Shadows seems keen on opting for the slow burn. That’s a-okay with this reviewer.
LASZLO: I need three gallons of your sweat for science.
Overall, “Pride Parade” is a solid episode in the What We Do in the Shadows canon. It’s unarguably one of the show’s strongest. The outing takes a hilarious bite into vampire lore and mythology while giving the cast a chance to shine comedically. It’s raunchy, irreverent, and bursting at the coffin with joy.
Stray Observations:
- Laszlo’s trip to the beach is a pure, unadulterated serotonin boost. His proud poses for the camera crew fed my soul. Not to mention, that beach outfit looks like something Matt Berry might legitimately own.
- I need an “I’m Bein’ Gay Ova Here” shirt STAT.
- Colin Robinson would think “Ants Marching” by Dave Matthews Band is a song you play to get in the mood. Well, he might actually use it to drain his potential sexual partners because energy vampires don’t have a day off, ya know?
- Laszlo’s fashion in “Pride Parade” is top-tier. That fuzzy red coat and rainbow hat? Iconic. No notes. He should be the grand marshal for every Pride Parade in NYC.
- Who wants to bet that Colin Robinson and Nadja Doll will inevitably date? He is attracted to her, after all. They’re the next It couple.
- I hope the show gives Kristen Schaal more to do soon. She’s such an underrated comedic performer.
- Guillermo would be like Blade because his sweat proves he can walk in the sun. I’m guessing his vampire hunter ancestry prevents him from exhibiting typical vampire traits.
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, 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.