by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer
If you’ve seen the prior seasons, then you know that What We Do in the Shadows is just excellent on all levels, with stellar comedic timing, fun lore exploration, and increasingly compelling characters. However, the successes of the past seldom leads to it in the future. Just because previous seasons had quality, doesn’t mean that the show runners would be able to continue to repeat this. So, with all that said, how does Season 3 measure up?
In a word, splendidly.
What We Do in the Shadows is a rare beast. Not only because it’s a spin-off from a previously successful property that has managed to somehow surpass it’s former’s success, but also because it’s an impressive exercise in comedy that continues to deliver episode after episode.
This season follows our main crew as they traverse the world of leadership, after Nandor (Kayvan Novak) and Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) are voted in as the leaders of Staten Island’s chapter of the Vampiric Council. This serves as the bulk of the story this time around. But there are still some side character plot threads, like Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) trying to uncover the mystery of Energy Vampires and Laszlo (Matt Berry) trying to read every pornographic book in the VC’s library,
Let’s spend some time on the performances. Again, the cast here is absolutely stellar, there’s no other word for it. Novak and Harvey Guillén as Guillermo continue to serve as the emotional and hysterical core for the show’s happenings. As beseeched master and long suffering familiar/vampire slayer/bodyguard, they always manage to effectively pull you into each episode. In fact, I would say that what this season continues to explore is Guillermo’s subtle journey from side character to leading man in a way that is becoming more apparent with every passing minute. Guillén is just excellent in the role, and I really think he’s finding his main character stride even more this season.
Our side couple of Nadja and Laszlo still manage to steal every single scene they’re in, no matter for how short of a time. Their crazed, fanatic, and absolutely fantastic character beats are highlights in each full episode they’re in. Honestly, they’re just so entertaining to watch. Plus, being a Matt Berry fan from British TV past (see The IT Crowd and Toast of London), it’s always such a joy seeing him go all out in a role like this.
Let’s also not forget the much maligned Colin Robinson, our resident Energy Vampire. Given a little more depth this season, something that was needed so as not to wear out the eternal energy sucking joke, Proksch really gets a chance to step further into the spotlight and show us a little more dimension to our favourite dullard.
This is a show that lives and dies by its cast of characters. If any of them don’t commit to the role, or if their character is not served properly by the writers, the entire enterprise would fall apart like a tower of very sad bricks. So to say that everyone here is at their best is no easy feat.
What’s more, it seems that the show runners decided to let loose this season and really go ape on how they progress the stories of our favorite sharehouse. From one episode to the next you’re taken on a wild journey or a sordid adventure that always manages to entertain. It’s pure, unabashed, unmitigated chaos, and I loved every minute of it. It perfectly serves what this show is, and how it’s developed from its inception. As the characters get larger, the story must get looser and rely less on standard plot devices that might otherwise drag the story down.
Having said that, each season always manages to tie off each of its plot threads by story’s end with enough bows to satisfy audiences, while introducing new surprises to keep the intrigue alive until next season. The real question is, what will happen when the show comes to its final end, and they have to tie everything off? I’ll certainly be staying tuned for that.
It might seem that I’m almost being too positive here. Surely, there must be something negative worth noting across its 10 new episodes. Well right now, I cannot think of any. If you love something, you should set it free right? Well hopefully I’ll be setting this season free amongst all you readers who haven’t yet checked it out.
If you want a show that legitimately makes you laugh out loud multiple times an episode, if you’re a fan of Australian/Kiwi/British humor, or if you love stories with fantastical themes, then this show is for you. Full stop, end of story, see you next time.
Grade: A+
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