What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 8 Review: The Roast
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 8, “The Roast,” finds Laszlo’s roast taking a turn for the terrifying, with a dark secret coming to the fore. Sarah Naftalis and Lauren Wells pen a propulsively humorous outing while Tig Fong returns at the helm with steady direction.
While “The Roast” could’ve felt unbalanced because of the lack of Matt Berry, recurring guest star Doug Jones swoops in for his best performance on the show thus far. Doug Jones has always been bitingly hilarious as Baron Afanas. This episode is a terrific showcase of his versatility as a performer — his ability to be funny and formidable.
COLIN ROBINSON: I keep having these dreams where I’m a small child, and Laszlo is … my daddy.
NADJA: Oh, that is actually because that did happen, Colin Robinson.
As usual, What We Do in the Shadows presents an ostensibly normal scenario that goes completely off the rails in minutes, with each new development sending the narrative slowly spiraling into chaos. Naftalis and Wells have a solid grasp of the show’s inherent style and throw in some fun comedic beats that enhance the bedlam. Of course, it helps when you have comedy pros like this cast at the steering wheel.
Such beats include Sean mentioning that “women can be funny,” followed quickly by Guillermo’s reaction to the camera and Colin Robinson tripping behind him while en route to the podium to roast Laszlo. It’s a seamless execution of hysterical moments only this show can pull off.
This episode is heavy on special effects and action sequences, which Fong handles well as a director. While we know Guillermo will inevitably survive, “The Roast” keeps you on the edge of your seat as the Baron attempts to kill him multiple times.
NANDOR: It’s hard to believe I’ll never see Guillermo again. I hope he is okay out there. Pretty sure I told him to dust in here.
Additionally, it brings Nandor one step closer to discovering Guillermo’s secret. This season has brilliantly planted “fakeout” beats where we think Nandor might find out Guillermo’s a vampire. However, at the last minute, Nandor lands on something entirely off base. It’s only a matter of time before he circles the truth.
“The Roast” also reveals the gang’s true feelings for Guillermo, as is typical when someone’s life hangs in the balance. We know how Laszlo feels; otherwise, he wouldn’t have spent countless hours trying to reverse Guillermo’s vampirism. While we have an idea of Nandor’s feelings for Guillermo, this outing beautifully plunges those depths.
It’s heartbreaking when Nandor believes Guillermo is dead. His description of his “friend” (he hasn’t arrived at the “boyfriend” label … yet) is touching. It tugs at the heartstrings. Not to mention, Nandor unexpectedly remembering what Guillermo’s card said proves he pays attention to everything. Nandor pretends he doesn’t care, but “The Roast” blows the lid off that to prove otherwise.
GUILLERMO: I made a fart in your coffin.
“The Roast” is a nice mix of high-stakes action and the show’s trademark quippy, dark humor. It lays the groundwork for the double-episode season finale, where all bets will undoubtedly be off as Nandor learns about Guillermo’s actual secret. It’ll be undead mayhem personified, as only What We Do in the Shadows can deliver (with a healthy dose of Gothic flair).
Stray Observations:
- I love the running gag that Nandor can’t spell, as evidenced in the scene earlier in the episode when he jots down notes regarding how to “chear up Lazslo.” Perfection.
- We need a spin-off featuring the Baron, the Sire, and their little fish vampire babies. Just a couple of legendary vampires and their adopted spawn living it up in the suburbs of New Jersey. It’s the American dream.
- We now know that Nadja and Laszlo bone more than 16 times a week, while Nandor and Laszlo do it more than three times a week. The stamina of Leslie “Laszlo” Cravensworth, folks.
- Hats off to this show for calling back a plot point from four seasons ago and finding a clever way to close the door on it.
- Nandermo fans were fed a scrumptious meal in “The Roast.” Our bellies are full … for now.
- I’d love to see Laszlo host an actual roast. Remember what he did for Colin Robinson’s 100th birthday party? Now, imagine him at the wheel for a comedy roast. It would be absolute gold.
- I wonder if every memory Colin Robinson has as a boy raised by Laszlo presents itself as a dream. “The Roast” certainly raises that question.
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.