Grimm review – 3×17: ‘Synchronicity’

Mama Grimm returns to Grimm to escort the Royal baby back to Portland and her son. Unsurprisingly the reception is a little less than friendly.

Let’s bitch it out…

‘Synchronicity’ isn’t a particularly fast moving episode, which makes the ending feel incredibly jarring. It feels like things are only just beginning to get started when Renard (Sasha Roiz) holds his baby in his arms for the first time and the screen suddenly cuts to black. The slow and steady approach works for the rest of the episode, however, since it’s clear how things will play out when Adalind (Claire Coffee) faces Nick (David Giuntoli) and Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) for the first time in nearly a season. This allows a certain amount of tension to build and the dramatic moment that Kelly (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) pulls the blanket off and everyone realizes what is going on is worth the price of admission alone (though it would have been even better if NBC hadn’t spoiled it in the previews).

What happens before Kelly and Adalind arrive back in Portland is significant, though. Not only do we get a reminder of Kelly’s formidable killing skills when she takes out several Verrat, she and Adalind spend time bonding over motherhood, even if Kelly is clearly reticent to engage (perhaps owing to the fact that she clearly feels guilty about abandoning Nick to her sister, which we see in flashback for the very first time). All of this precedes the dramatic scenes at the Burkhardt household and while it sometimes makes ‘Synchronicity’ feel a bit slow, this information is valuable because it how Nick and Kelly approach their responsibilities when things start to go wrong.

Having not seen Kelly in ages, it’s easy to forget how different she and Nick are. There’s a throwaway line about the importance of growing up as normally as possible and while we’re clearly meant to apply that to Adalind’s miracle baby, it applies just as easily to Nick. He’s a different kind of Grimm because he didn’t have the burden of knowing what he was growing up. This fact is highlighted when he – and we – finally learn how Wesen recognize a Grimm; there’s palpable shock on Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and Rosalee’s (Bree Turner) faces because it’s common knowledge to them. As a result Nick is tactful, agreeable and maybe even a little cautious. As we’ve seen time and time again on this series, these qualities make him less likely to resort to violence as a first option (like his ancestors from the grimoires often appear to do).

Kelly is a different story. She’s cold, uninterested in being personable and is willing to kill if there’s even a suggestion of violence. When Adalind understandably runs to Renard rather than stay with Nick and Juliette, Kelly’s first response is to fight and, if necessary, kill the bastard Prince. It never occurs to her that Nick’s relationship with his captain might be an asset. I love how Kelly expresses shock earlier in the episode when Nick inquires if she killed the stolen truck’s owner; for her there would be no strategic purpose in killing the man, but if we hadn’t seen it for ourselves, we would likely pose the same question as Nick. After all, random acts of violence are kind of her M.O.

I’m glad that we’ll get more of Kelly moving forward. There’s a noticeable increase in energy on the show now that Kelly and Adalind are back in Portland. Plus now that Prince Viktor (Alexis Denisof) has put two and two together, all hell appears to be on the verge of breaking out. Anyone wanna bet a Verrat attack at Monroe and Rosalee’s wedding is imminent?

Other Observations:

• The scene when Nick, Juliette and Adalind verbally attack one another is perfectly executed. In the matter of a few seconds all of the shared history between these people is dredged up and then (mostly) put aside as the baby is prioritized. I don’t know that the flashbacks to earlier episodes are entirely necessary, though. Had anyone really forgotten Nick stole Adalind’s powers or that Kelly killed Adalind’s mother?
• I’m glad that Meisner (Damien Puckler) survives to live another day. There was a moment of worry when he gets out of the car to investigate and gets jumped. It wouldn’t have surprised me to see him get killed off like Sebastien was.
• I can appreciate Kelly’s suggestion that Renard and the resistance shouldn’t have the baby because they’re interest is their own cause, but that doesn’t really explain why she’s suspicious of the people she’s been working with for months. There’s something off about her suspicions; it feels like the writers were unable to come up with another reason to drum up conflict between the family Grimm and Renard.
• How awesome is it to finally learn that Wesen know Nick is the Grimm because they see their true selves reflected back in his limitless black eyes? I can’t believe it’s taken 3 years to learn this piece of mythology!
• Finally, Rosalee’s wedding dress is hideous. I know it’s a popular choice to wear a family heirloom, but <barf>. She looks like a doily.

Best Lines:

• Adalind (seeing Nick and Juliette): “Oh my god”
• Kelly (when Nick reminds her that she killed Adalind’s mom): “Oh yeah right…I forgot about that”

What did you think of Kelly’s return? Were you glad that Meisner survived? Did the “conflict” with Renard feel artificial to you? Do you agree that the confrontation between Adalind, Nick and Juliette was fantastic? Were you surprised to learn it’s the eyes that identify the Grimm? Sound off below.

Grimm airs Fridays at 9pm EST on NBC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgdk1b5GegI