When we wished for more episodes of What We Do in the Shadows, the FX genie delivered. They gave us not one, but two episodes for the season four premiere. Last episode, we saw the vampires get reunited with each other after being separated for a year. What We Do in the Shadows 4×02 gives us even more hilarity than before.
Nadja finds herself in a fight for the best location for her vampire nightclub. Nandor finds himself fighting his former wives. Who will win? Can Nandor remember which of his 37 wives was his favorite? Can Nadja convince The Guide to let her revamp Vampiric Council HQ into her nightclub? Like most What We Do in the Shadows episodes, “The Lamp” sets the stage for an even more complicated and better story arc.
NANDOR’S SEARCH FOR LOVE
Nandor’s been feeling lonely since the beginning. He has no partner, not like how Nadja and Laszlo have each other. His closest friend is his familiar, who loves him, if only he would just look. Now, since traveling the world, or really just across the states, Nandor needs companionship. Back in Al Quolindar, he had 37 wives and remembers loving at least one of them. So when Guillermo discovers a genie lamp in Nandor’s treasure, Nandor uses the genie for his benefit and brings his wives back from the dead.
The genie sequence in What We Do in the Shadows 4×02 gave us more of Nandor than I’d ever expected to see. We learned that he had female and male wives, but abandoned them when he became a vampire. He has a favorite — we just don’t know who it is. I would compare Nandor to Viago in that way. In 2014’s What We Do in the Shadows, Viago was the hopeless romantic who often talked about a woman he loved long ago. Nandor doesn’t have a long-lost love like that, so he uses the genie to eliminate the wives he can’t stand. He settles on one of them, but Guillermo still feels a way about it. Guillermo’s got a secret boyfriend but clearly still loves Nandor.
NADJA’S VAMPIRE NIGHTCLUB RUINED
Nadja left the Supreme Vampiric Council in London to start her own vampire nightclub. Considering the vampires don’t have money, it’s a great source of income. They can’t pay for a venue, so Nadja decides that the Vampiric Council headquarters is the perfect place to put her nightclub. So, she gets to work dismantling it. The only issue is The Guide can’t handle the changes. Nadja’s crewmen can’t survive The Guide’s wraith attacks. So instead of fighting with The Guide, Nadja learns to rely on Laszlo’s psychological knowledge.
Nadja’s always proven herself to be the headstrong, no-nonsense type of character. But, ever since she joined the Supreme Vampiric Council, it seems as though she’s becoming an authority more than before. It would be interesting to see Nadja and Laszlo separate a bit more in the series. This way, we can see how they really function as separate characters as opposed to just as a couple. I love them both, but now that we’re really seeing their separate personalities come to life, I’m loving it even more.
LASZLO’S PSYCHOLOGY SKILLS
Ever since season two’s “On the Run,” I’ve loved how What We Do in the Shadows continues to give Laszlo more screen time. Matt Berry commands the screen with his funny stories and dirty jokes that should only be shared past midnight.
Laszlo is sex-obsessed, but without Nadja around, he’s had time to learn some hobbies. Since the birth of baby Colin, Laszlo became a psychology expert to make sure Colin isn’t boring as an adult. Fortunately for Nadja, Laszlo thinks he can use his skills on The Guide. He talks her through her past shame, and they uncover her dark secret. She’s got a sex addiction and an attraction to vampire hunters. Therefore, having locked her secrets away, she realizes that her current job isn’t for her. So, like most people disillusioned with their jobs, she hits “fuck it.” She finally decides to let Nadja have her way with the club.
Giving The Guide a bigger role this season might be the smartest thing the show has done. Now they’re lacking Colin Robinson’s dry humor, and The Guide is the perfect replacement. She may spend this season fighting herself over what she needs to do versus what she wants to do. Colin always put himself first, so it would be fun to see The Guide take on that attitude as well.
OVERALL THOUGHTS ON WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS 4×02
- Nadja’s looks this season are amazing. Someone put me in touch with the costume designer ASAP. For now, I have to do a deep dive into her costume history
- I thought I would hate more screen time for The Guide, but she might become one of my favorite characters
- ^^^ Same for Laszlo
- Love that Nandor had male and female wives. Guillermo, get in there!
- Still want to know who Guillermo’s English boyfriend is.
- What We Do in the Shadows is definitely the best show to come back to after a vacation
Thoughts on What We Do in the Shadows 4×02? Send us a comment!
