What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 8 Review: P.I. Undercover: New York
What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 8, “P.I. Undercover: New York,” feels like a meta-infused love letter to fans as Laszlo and Nandor battle a film crew encroaching on their territory.
Meanwhile, Nadja tries out her human small talk at a dinner party that takes a turn for the horny. It’s an improvement from last week’s outing that offers something new: a Nadja/Colin Robinson side quest.
Bologna and Banana
Let’s be real—”P.I. Undercover: New York” belongs to Natasia Demetriou and Mark Proksch, especially the former. Demetriou is such an underrated comedic gem. (If you haven’t watched her in Stath Lets Flats, I highly recommend it.)
She injects a vibrancy and earnestness into Nadja, making the character’s dialogue all the funnier. Nadja’s genuine desire to keep the peace as tensions boil between Joel and Becky is a welcome change of pace for her. She’s no longer the anti-human vampire we met in Season 1.
In addition, Demetriou and Proksch are a dream team together. Their “Odd Couple” vibe really works. Nadja’s over-the-top zeal and Colin Robinson’s monotone energy vampire demeanor are pure comedy gold. Their sloppy kisses made me laugh and stare in abject horror.
The Fight for the Sweated Shirt
The Laszlo/Nandor/Guillermo storyline isn’t quite as strong as the Nadja/Colin Robinson plot, but that’s not to say it’s unfunny. Comedically, Kayvan Novak, Harvey Guillén, and Matt Berry fire on all cylinders. Nandor cranking his enthusiasm up to an 11 when interacting with humans will always garner a laugh. Sometimes, he goes overboard; however, that’s part of his charm.
This arc feels like the aforementioned meta-infused love letter to fans. Guillermo, in particular, is all of us as an avid lover of P.I. Undercover: New York. His meticulous affection for this fictional series (within a series) is infectious. One of Berry’s best moments on the show happens to be in “P.I. Undercover: New York” when Laszlo describes, in great detail, what a hoodie is.
It’s a simple bit a lesser comedian might have played for laughs. But Berry’s a pro — he knows comedy comes from honesty, and approaching it from a more somber angle is funnier.
Sexy City
While Nandor thinking everything he doesn’t understand is a declaration of war isn’t new territory for What We Do in the Shadows, what makes it work here is Laszlo’s involvement. Their tag-teaming is fun, but the inevitable heel turn from Nandor is even better. Not to mention, the vamps fighting over swag feels more human (and relatable) than trying to take down a film crew with scythes and swords.
“P.I. Undercover: New York” cheekily pays homage to writers by having Laszlo discover the set writer has all the power. The nod is more relevant than ever, given that writers are still not praised as much as actors and directors.
In keeping with that “writers have all the power” theme, Colin Robinson pulls a Carrie Bradshaw from “Sexy City” by narrating the episode’s final moments as the show’s version of the Sex and the City theme song plays. It’s a delightful touch.
Overall, “P.I. Undercover: New York” is a classic What We Do in the Shadows episode — as hilarious as it is heartwarming and wickedly entertaining. If Laszlo and Nandor giving Guillermo their swag doesn’t give you the warm fuzzies, you might have the brain scramblies. That’s my scientific opinion.
Stray Observations:
- C-Rob-69 would be Colin Robinson’s social media handle. The math checks out.
- Look, it’s Michaels from Shoresy! He’s the production assistant Nandor kills in the episode’s opening minutes. I guess he won’t be playing for the Sudbury Blueberry Bulldogs anymore…
- Harris Potter sounds like a middle-aged accountant or a posh, rich frat bro — there’s no in-between.
- “Nightmare in a Civil War ghost’s dress” is how I would like everyone to describe me from now on. It’s time to adopt Nadja’s wardrobe.
- Kyle Newacheck, who’s directed 20 episodes of What We Do in the Shadows, appears as the director for P.I. Undercover: New York.
- “Succulent Chinese Meal” might be this season’s “New York Citaaay.” This is also a deep-cut reference to “Democracy Manifest,” an Australian news segment from 1991 featuring a man getting arrested outside a Chinese restaurant. He asks the police if his charge is eating a “succulent Chinese meal.”
- Nadja’s inability to pronounce “J” names is one of the best long-running gags on this show.
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 Mondays 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.