Vampires without teeth – review of the 3rd season of the series “What do we do in hiding”

Beasts in the big city… well, almost

We return to the vampire house on Staten Island when its inhabitants are still facing the consequences of the great discovery that crowns the previous season – here the vampires learn that the faithful helper of Nandora (Kayvan Novak), Guillermo (or Gizmo, as the vampires call him, unable to remember his name; played by Harvey Guillén), in fact comes from the Van Helsing dynasty. Moreover, he is also quite a skillful hunter. The shocking discovery is overlapped with staff turmoil at the local branch of the Vampire Council, joint journeys, unexpected visits from old friends, and … surprising goodbyes. One thing seems certain – eternal life has little to do with eternal rest. And the worse it is for our favorite bloodsuckers, the better for us!

Four hundred years have passed as one day

Let me throw in a little bit of privacy: I’m a huge fan of Taika Waititi’s crazy imagination, and the 2014 film prototype is still high on my personal favorites list. But I found it to be a finished, one-time story, and the potential of an absurd joke exhausted. So I approached the proposal to continue the concept, and in the form of a series, with a large dose of doubt and skepticism. Fortunately, I was wrong – even after making several dozen half-hour episodes, the creators still find ways to have fun. Fuels seem to have too much; After all, the vampire myth is bound by a multitude of rules, patterns and superstitions, and the pathos, idealization and erotic tension accompanying the most popular interpretations of the phantasm make it a very easy breeding ground for parody.

The main source of comedy is our cheerful group – pathologically even unadjusted to the reality that surrounds it, but functioning with admirable self-confidence and self-righteousness. Nandor, Nadja and Laszlo still tell tales of their greatness and past conquests, while they have difficulties with simple, for ordinary eaters of raw chickens (whoever has seen, so knows) even routine activities. The project wouldn’t have gone well (or at least not as well) had it not been for the perceptible chemistry between the cast members. Kayvan Novak, Natasia Demetriou and Matt Berry indulge in the grotesque convention fully, confidently playing out even the most extreme gags. This time, more attention was paid to Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) – an energy vampire celebrating his round jubilee,Bob’s Burgers , BoJack Horseman ), so far appearing as a “leader” of the Vampire Council (although the scope of duties suggests rather an assistant position – what does the labor inspection say?).

A monster with a human face

Behind the cloak of absurdity and playfulness there is also a softer and more mature face of the heroes. Both recent transitions and simple material fatigue (600 years of life could wear out even the most enduring individuals) open up the way for vampires to slightly more serious, introspective reflections. And although the bizarre convention is definitely not for everyone, although there are weaker episodes, and among the jokes there are also the less digestible, full commitment of the actors and the certainty with which they portray today’s safandules, it is impossible to pass by the eccentric cluster indifferently.

PS: Kingdom! A kingdom for more Nandor in leggings!