Canadian Buffy The Vampire Buff Amanda Mac has made some acute observations about David Greenwalt’s GRIMM.
In my subjective ANGEL-loving opinion, I think Grimm has far more in common with Angel (1999), and in fact, both of the creators, including David Greenwalt were heavily involved with the show. More so than BtVS.
First, Nick’s partner Hank bring street smarts and a certain urban flair (okay, he’s black, has no superpowers, and will not have a fan base), ala Charles Gunn:
In addition, Nick’s lover, soon-to-be fiancee Juliette is both attractive and has a secret that I am going to come right out and give a SPOILER: I predict– she is a Grimm Reaper, which is why Marie warned Nick about her. Anyhow, much like Darla was for Angel, they are going to be star-crossed lovers destined to be enemies (my best guess).
Thirdly, Nick’s sidekick Eddie Monroe has a dark side he tries to hide from the public and he runs from fights. Wait, I have seen this before. I am so glad they decided to bring back Doyle.
Lastly, in the ways of evil and villainry, I think that just as Wolfram & Hart was the organized embodiment of evil, so will the organization that Captain Renard and Adalind Schade remind us of Angel’s greatness.
I thought it was pretty so-so, but much improved by the Wolfman sidekick. And Hank being the one to notice the villain humming the song was a nice touch. Still, I don’t think it’ll last long. Which makes a Fables series less likely
I think grimm will last longer than Once Upon a Time.
Maybe it’s the lack of Whedon dialogue, but my first reaction was also less than entirely enthusiastic. It’s got the elements, but lacks… something. I plan on giving it a fair shot at my affections, especially since my first reaction to the pilot ep of Buffy was “meh,” and it turned out to be one of my all-time favorites.
Sooner or later, the “urban flair” sidekick is going to have to be let in on the secret. Here’s my question: we know that only Nick can see the monsters’ true faces when they let their control slip. What about when they are in full-out monster mode (e.g., when the mailman-blutbad was eating the girl)? Would a total loss of control result in non-grimms being able to see their true selves? Otherwise, Hank is just going to be seeing a lot of crazy people snarling and jumping around, and have to take Nick’s word for it that they’re not just crazy people.
I’m not sure about your prediction about the girlfriend. It makes sense, and would be a classically-Whedonesque plot twist, but why do she and the aunt currently get along so well? Wouldn’t the aunt have tried to kill the monster who’s dating her sorta-son?
“Otherwise, Hank is just going to be seeing a lot of crazy people snarling and jumping around, and have to take Nick’s word for it that they’re not just crazy people.”
That’s exactly what Gunn had to do the entire series of Angel from S2 to S5, take Angel’s word for everything it was worth.
“why do she and the aunt currently get along so well? Wouldn’t the aunt have tried to kill the monster who’s dating her sorta-son?”
I went back and re-watched the episode, and the aunt did plead with Nick to break up with Darla, I mean, Juliette. She said he would not like what he found, and in two dreams Nick had, about Juliette, there is a Reaper of the Grimms lurking behind her. It could either mean a Reaper was coming to get her, or that the person he was laying next to was a Reaper herself.