“There she paused for a while thinking …
… but the temptation was so great that she could not conquer it.”
– “Bluebeard” by Charles Perrault
Some observations about this episode of Grimm:
- The Ziegevolk (goat-like creatures also known as Bluebeards) proprietor of Bramble Haus Bed and Breakfast Nick and Hank encounter was named Billy Capra. Clever, “capra” being the genus for “goat.” Thus, his name: “Billy Goat”. Oh, those clever writers at NBC.
- “Barkeep? Double Dead Guy, please,” orders Monroe when he enters the Blue Moon tailing Billy for Nick. Nice little touch that, mentioning an iconic and well respected Oregon ale. (Matter of fact, that entire sequence was rather comical. See the video below.)
- Speaking of Oregon (and make no mistake about it, we are in Oregon — Portland, to be exact): Where’s the rain? I was under the impression there was a lot more of it than we’ve seen on the program, so it was a bit of a surprise to see Billy’s convertible — open topped — so prominently featured.
- Man, there certainly seems to be a lot of creatures out and about in the world who have it in for Nick and his kin for one reason or another. Such as the mysterious Reapers of the Grimms.
- Speaking of these odd, new characters, what kind of hold does Captain Renard have over them? And what’s up with speaking to them in French? One of the mistakes this particular Reaper made was not “kneeling before” Renard in subservience. Interesting. I’m looking forward to finding out more about them.
- Goats have a pretty keen sense of smell, so you’d naturally think a Ziegevolk would as well. Say … maybe … to sniff out a Blutbad who’s sitting at a bar less than 10′ away from you?
- Speaking of a keen sense of smell, Ziegevolk don’t have to worry about personal hygiene products to woo the fairer sex like the Axe line of male grooming products or Old Spice or anything similar. Kind of a given, no?
- So, here’s a question: Ziegevolk are “serial breeders” right? Where’s the harm in that? I mean … they seem affable enough. Just a little frisky and protective. Who’s not, after all? Well … there is the thing about holding people captive against their will. With gas. In metal cages. And Billy did suffocate Faith Collins at the beginning of the episode. I guess that could be construed as a bit of over protectiveness about one’s identity. (I’ll admit she doesn’t look too good above.) And Ziegevolk do eat frogs — raw — with nary a blink. That’s rather off-putting. But … they apparently put out a pretty good spread when it comes to chow time! They’re pleasant, good cooks, hospitable. Your kid lets go of that helium balloon or you need something off the top shelf and don’t have a step stool at your immediate disposal, Ziegevolk come in pretty handy. And they’re happy to do it. I’m kind of on the fence as to whether they’re really that bad … know what I mean?
- On a serious note: What was the reason for cutting open Faith for the autopsy? You can determine if a person has died of suffocation without opening them up. Additionally, you get hit by a car and die, you can pretty well tell that trauma without unzipping someone, too.
Photo Credit: NBC
Some posts that may be related to this:
Monroe is by far the best part of Grimm. Even when he accidentally takes off people’s arms!
to say he wasnt that bad a guy is ludicrous . you have clearly never been raped!
Please tell me you’re joking about the rapist. You can’t really be saying “meh” to serial roofie rape, forcible impregnation, and women in cages? Either way, not funny and in poor taste. This whole post left a bad taste in my mouth.
And yes, a full autopsy is always a good idea when it’s clear someone was murdered. You never know what anomalies/chemicals might be in there, and if the case goes to trial, the M.E. usually has to testify. She’d have to make it clear that she did everything possible to gather all the information to be had from the body. Besides, the surface of the body can be misleading. You can think you know what the cause of death was, but you can’t be sure until you get your hands dirty.
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
willow138 and Liz:
Wow. I’ve been hit by a double shot.
Please go back and read the text written. That second to last bullet point is filled to the brim with sarcasm. I’m not going to insult either of your intelligences by pointing out the specific points showing I was indeed joking.
And, if you can’t see them, I’m certain you can see the “On a serious note” that begins the final point.
Comedy and sarcasm are sometimes difficult to make out, especially in written form. But there are no shades of grey in what I wrote. willow138 said it best: “To say he wasn’t that bad a guy is ludicrous.” Precisely! And the “balloon” and “top shelf” scenarios were dead giveaways.
Was it in bad taste? According to the both of you, yes. And I am sure it probably is to others who might share your point of view. For this, I apologize. There was no ill will intended.
Regarding your explanation on an autopsy, there are a lot of things that can determine what the cause of death is. You can be sure – measurably so – without getting your hands dirty. That’s what a trained, practiced M.E. can do. An actual autopsy is not always conclusive. I’m not a doctor, but many an cause of death determination has been made without cutting into a body.
Sure it has, but when circustances are particularly suspicious, it’s probably a good idea to get tissue samples from all the organs just for the sake of being thorough. The inguires from the car and the marks from the suffocation were obvious, but at that point they didn’t know where she had come from or what she was doing barefoot in the middle of the road at night. A tox screen at the very least was a good idea here. Yes, cause of death has been determined without such measures, but there’s a reason second opinions and second autopsies happen all the time: sometimes the initial verdict is wrong, even when all the right signs are there. Was an autopsy 100% required here? Maybe not, but it’s not particularly comment worthy that one was done. The M.E. made the call that one was needed after the preliminary examination and there are any number of things that could lead her to that decision.
And, of course, you’re right. You write pitch-perfect satire and I’m a total moron and humorless ninny for not picking up on it. Nor is is baffling why you would chose to make this particular joke in the first place. I’m the a-hole here, my bad.
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
Liz:
While the autopsy may not be “… particularly comment worthy,” we certainly have jawed about it! … heheheh …
It’s “baffling” why I would choose to make jokes about this? No. Not at all. Because I can be a jerk just as well as the next guy or gal. That’s how I learn – from my mistakes. Nothing teaches like experience.
Stay tuned and see if I have indeed been taught anything.
P.S. I honestly do appreciate your comments.
As pointed out, sarcasm and irony are incredibly difficult to express in written form, which is why so often in blogs, comments, etc. people will put *sarcasm* or other emotions, explanations in asterisks. I don’t fault the readers for not being sure nor the writer for not hitting us over the head with it.
Um. You do realize that it doesn’t rain all the time in the Pacific Northwest … I think NYC gets more rain than we do. What we do have are gloomy winters but that is more the effect of our short daylight winter days
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
Gordon:
Remember I said I was “under the impression”.
I went back and did a little research. I’m of the understanding now that there’s not as much precipitation as I once thought.
Hehe, I enjoyed your observations. But then, I could see that bulge in your cheek from having your tongue stuck in there, so no issues there. ;-)
My only beef with this show, which I’ve enjoyed thoroughly so far, is how stupidly cheap the producers are when it comes to using actual German. I mean, COME ON, there ARE enough of us out there in LaLa-Land to do a little editing! In fact, I would do it for free!! Then I wouldn’t have to cringe every time I read grammatical nonsense like “Vernichtet DER Grimm” on an otherwise lovely piece of deadly hardware. Now, are 99.9% of the intended viewers even going to notice that “Ziegevolk” sounds like a child speaking because it’s just two random words stuck together inappropriately? No, of course not. Am I being a stickler? You’re darn tootin’! But hey, that’s me, and I hate people getting lazy about details like that.
Now, on to the next episode! I’m done meckering.
Well I _do_ agree with your opinion ’bout those weird German words and phrases. As a native German I sometimes have a really hard time not to cry out loud ’cause of this nonsense my mind has to tolerate coming through my ears.
On the other side this is a fictional series for English speakers, and for them those words seems to sound good. So what the fuck, just enjoy the party :)
And by the way: as I mentioned in the comments from episode one, some adjustments seem to be necessary.
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
Vee:
Nice catches. Though it sounds as if they were easy for you. Not catches at all … more things to make you cringe.
Knowing very little German, I didn’t catch the vagaries you speak of. “Ziegevolk” sounds rather impressive when you don’t know any better.
And welcome to the club. I prod at some of the dippiest, nit-pickiest things ever, so your in good company. (At least, I would like to think so.)
Send me your address. I’ll shoot a “Michael Noble Meckering Marching and Chowder Society” pin your way for you to display proudly as an official club member.
P.S. Thanks for noticing my tongue was planted firmly in cheek. *whew*. Can I stir stuff up … or what?
Is it Beat on Michael Day and no one told me??
I saw your sarcasm plainly, but of course I write with you. So that’s to be expected. It dripped and oozed out of my computer screen in fact.
You owe me a new desk.
I did read your sarcasm in your post on Grimm, however there are some topics where sarcasm just doesn’t work. Sorry, in this case serial rapist, kidnapping, drugged – it’s a tough sell for women especially women who have experienced assault on any level.
If they air a Hansel and Gretel episode – I don’t think people would take too lightly to sarcastic remarks about a town’s people visiting their local bakery buying pastries made from children, the baker turns out to be a witch living deep in the woods where her main ingredients accidentally find her…
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
I realize that, Jessica.
And – regarding the items you mentioned – That’s why I apologized.
I appreciate your comment.