Binge Watch --- Grimm

 

Grimm is one of those shows I stopped watching when I abruptly went cold turkey on all TV. Grimm and Supernatural aired around the same time, so before I said goodbye, my DVR was getting a workout. Of all the shows I was watching, those were the two that were the hardest to give up—though I think my DVR was grateful.

If you’ve ever wanted to live next door to your favorite fairytale monsters, Grimm is the show for you. If you’re not familiar with it, let’s recap the premise. Nick Burkhardt, played by the uber-hot David Giuntoli, is a Portland homicide detective whose life changes when his dying aunt shows up out of the blue. Nick discovers he’s a Grimm—part of a long line of guardians who maintain the balance between the human and Wesen worlds.

If you’re unsure what Wesen are, think: the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs, Anubis, naiads, wendigos, witches, and a myriad of other creatures from fairytales and myths. Wesen hide among us, appearing as normal humans until they woge, revealing their true selves.

Grimm lasted six seasons, from 2011 to 2017, and in my not-so-humble opinion, that was nowhere near long enough. It built an entire mythology that was not only fun to be immersed in but believable as well. That’s why I love fantasy, in all its forms—when done right, it submerges you, pulling you out of the real world for an hour or two, maybe even ten, at a time. The “reality” that Grimm creates is one of those instances.

They built a world that just feels real. While I’m watching it, I forget Wesen aren’t real. I believe the royal families are pulling the strings behind the scenes. I believe that Black Claw and Hadrian’s Wall are fighting a war that will force everyone to choose a side. I forget that Nick, Hank, Renard, Adalind, Wu, Monroe, Rosalee, and Juliette are characters being played by ridiculously talented actors. Whether I’m watching one episode or ten, I’m all in the entire time.

Before I leave you with just enough curiosity to check the show out for yourself, I have to touch upon the city it’s set and filmed in—Portland, Oregon. This isn’t the Portland of the 1980s, which was the last time I was there. This is a vibrant city full of life and beauty. I absolutely adore the Pacific Northwest, with its old-growth forests and ferns as big as golden retrievers. I love the weather and the way of life.

Grimm brings all of that to the forefront, and Portland is as much a character as Nick himself. I honestly don’t know if the show would have worked as well anywhere else. It rekindled my love for the region—and if I don’t end up moving back to the north shore of Lake Superior, it’ll be back to Oregon, on the western side of the Cascades.

And make no mistake: I’m Team Adalind all the way. After everything she and Nick go through separately, they both deserve any happiness they can find together.

I’ve heard they’re planning a movie set a decade or two after the show ended. I hope it’s a continuation of the story and the characters I love—but at this point, I’ll take whatever they’re willing to share with us. I can’t wait to be immersed in that world again.