What We Do In The Shadows, “Pilot”, Review!

What We Do In The Shadows airs on the FX network on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. The original film in 2014 was a documentary about vampire roomates, it is dry humor, and absolutely hilarious!  The pilot is directed by Taika Waititi and it is written by Jemaine Clement. Waititi is of course well known for Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and also directing Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016).  Clement is part of Flight of the Conchords and plays Oliver Bird in Legion also for FX.  We are introduced to the humble man with glasses, Guillermo (Harvey Guillen) who notes that it is nightfall.  Guillen was Benedict Pickwick in The Magicians (2017-2018). He notes that he is a vampire’s familiar and checks on his master.  Through his coffin, he has Guillermo give his dramatic introduction, but is unable to get out of the coffin.  Then, Nandor (Kayvan Novak) is able to raise from his coffin.  Novak was also in the comedy movie Four Lions (2010), a satire that also stars Riz Ahmed.  Then, we get the show’s opening which features the characters in Old World paintings, then a series of photos.  

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS -- “Pilot” -- KAYVAN NOVAK, HARVEY GUILLEN, MATT BERRY -- John P. Johnson/FX. 

Nandor calls for his other roommates, Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), dressed in black, and Laszlo (Matt Berry).  Demetriou was in the sitcom Stath Lets Flats.  Matt Berry is a legend of Ha! Ha!s in another horror comedy Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace (2004). Nandor tells them that he wants to read a letter and then explains to the documentary cameras that he was a soldier in the Ottoman Empire.  He was called Nandor the Relentless.  His roommates finally give in and go into the next room.  Nandor explains some hygiene rules of half-drunk victims.  Laszlo and Nandor bare their fangs and get into a struggle.  The next story is told of Laszlo with Nadja adding to his story of his village plagued by leprosy.  He was seduced by Nadja who took the form of a bat creature.  Nadja joins the roommate dispute hissing and showing her claws, Laszlo sits down, and Nandor is calmed. She suggests to identify victims with marker pens.  Nandor then explains that the letter comes from Baron Afanas.  He is announcing his visit.  Laszlo notes that the baron wants vampires to rule the world.  Nadja says that she had an affair with the baron.  The classic pictures paired with her explanation is very funny.  

Then, Laszlo talks about his affair with the baron.  The roommates plan for the baron’s arrival including a van, black, and Laszlo wonders about Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) who joins them.  Proksch was Daniel Wormald in Better Call Saul (2015-2017) and Nate in The Office (2010-2013).  He is a middle aged, humble man with glasses and a sweater.  Colin is a psychic or energy vampire who shows his office where he drains energy by talking to co-workers!  He can also drain vampires and Nadja nods off!  The house, Guillermo goes about his familiar duties and shows his photo modeling Antonio Banderas’ Latino vampire.  Then, we see him going out as a LARPer, dressing as a knight, and meeting his group including Jenelf played by Beanie Feldstein.  Night, Laszlo and Nadja are dressed up in their Old World outfits, and ambush one victim with his blood pouring on his friend!  Laszlo turns into a bat and bangs into a lamp!  Then, we get Nandor and Guillermo at the market, he wants glitter so he can sparkle like Twilight!  Nandor goes over his problems with Guillermo trying, but sometimes makes clumsy errors.  

Nadja notes that she follows a man (Jake McDorman) taking a photo of him in his apartment.  She thinks it’s her boyfriend reincarnated.  This is while Laszlo is busy with his familiar, June (Mary Gillis).  Nandor leads the other roommates to the ceremony downstairs and accidentally opens the door to Collin’s room.  They find a boat to hold the ceremony.  Guillermo is excited to become a vampire.  Nadja meets with what she thinks is her boyfriend Gregor, but he says his name is Jeff.  Nandor, Guillermo, and Laszlo meet the virgins, his LARPer group!  Nadja walks with Jeff and laughs her head off, then mentions that she was getting physical with Gregor until she took off his head!  Jeff wants to get her number, but she transforms into a bat to get to the apartment.  Nandor starts the ceremony with glitter on his cheeks.  The casket opens and the mummified form of Baron Afanas (Doug Jones), rips into the throat of June, very Bram Stoker’s Dracula!  The baron greets Laszlo and Nandor tells Guillermo to bring in the virgins.  Guillermo brings in the LARP group.  Baron begins to tell the roommates that they need to conquer the New World (including Staten Island) and notices the documentary cameras.  He goes to sleep and the roommates see themselves as failures.  Later, Guillermo leads his master to the victims, but Colin has drained them of energy!  Nandor says that he has not forgotten Guillermo.  He gives Guillermo a painting for their anniversary!  This show is the perfect addition to the countless vampire series.  It sends up the concept of vampires and has fun with it.  

Five Coffins out of Five!  

#WhatWeDoInTheShadows, #TaikaWaititi, #JermaineClement, #KayvanNovak