Emmy Catch-Up: What We Do in the Shadows

Every year, I watch the six submitted episodes of every series I don’t regularly watch that’s up for one of the Emmy series prizes. This year, I’m watching the entire season of every series nominated in the top category.

What We Do in the Shadows: Season 2, Episode 2 “Ghosts” (B)

This episode is one of the three installments of this show that’s up for an Emmy for writing. I understand that the concept is somewhat funny, particularly when Nandor insisted that Guillermo shouldn’t exaggerate because he’s only encountered one badabook, not multiple, making that an exception rather a frequent occurrence. I was pretty sure I recognized actor Jake McDorman from “Limitless” and “Manhattan Love Story” as the headless ghost Jeff, and it turns out I was right (he appeared in three season one episodes, apparently). The ensuing assumption that the vampires must also have ghosts who represented the things they didn’t do before they died was an intriguing one, and produced decently humorous relationships between each vampire and their ghost. Nadja and hers got along well, while Laszlo had an uncomfortable task to complete that he apparently did successfully, which was pretty gross. Nandor remembering only how to say “good morning” in his old language wasn’t too convenient, but their unproductive communication was endearing at least. Colin’s obsession with getting someone to ask what “updog” was kept him busy for most of the episode, and bringing back the ghost of his grandmother so that he could get her to do it and then dismiss her was much more to-the-point than most of what he does as an energy vampire. This show has a good sense of what it is and how it wants to incorporate vampire mythology, and I can understand that some find it to be a commendable feat. I’m hopeful that the other two nominated episodes will be more resounding.