DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Reginald the Vampire episode “Fools in Love” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril. 

Welcome back, baby vamps! We’ve reached the halfway point in Reginald the Vampire‘s freshman season. So far, so good. I’m glad this series takes its time to develop its characters. There’s no rush to cast them aside in favor of a plot-heavy narrative. “Fools in Love” introduces the formidable Nikki, bringing Reggie closer to danger without realizing it. Angela doesn’t want to wait until the Assessment, especially after learning about Reginald’s incredible abilities. 

It’s a fun outing that maintains a steady pace while keeping its finger on the pulse of what makes Reginald the Vampire special — its boundless heart and warmth. 

Ready to delve into “Fools in Love”? Let’s get to it. 

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We open on Nikki (Christin Park), Angela’s last resort in disposing of Reginald. Nikki gets her makeout on with a stranger in an elevator. When they arrive at his apartment, she nonchalantly snaps his neck. Nikki roams her new surroundings.

Reggie (Jacob Batalon) tries to focus while under Mike’s (Ryan Jinn) watchful eye. The Assessment is fast approaching, so Mike kicks their training session up a notch. He asks Reggie why he’s preparing for the Assessment instead of skipping town. Reginald has Sarah on the brain. Mike encourages his trainee to focus on her. Later, Reggie chats with Todd (Aren Buccholz) about Sarah. Todd imparts some kissing wisdom after Reginald reveals he has yet to smooch Sarah. 

Nikki poses with a set of blades while training in Reginald the Vampire Season 1 Episode 5, "Fools in Love."

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE — “Fools in Love” Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: Christin Park as Nikki — (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Before Todd departs, Reginald gives him some orange juice and doughnuts because, let’s face it, ole Toddy’s not looking so hot. We see Reggie has developed a canning habit — he has quite a few jars of Todd’s blood in his fridge. 

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Then, the following day, Claire (Thailey Roberge) visits Reggie at the Slushy Shack. She wants to hang out with Reginald, but our fave baby vamp claims he’s too swamped at work even though there are no customers. Instead, Reggie swoons over his lady love, Sarah (Em Haine). While leaning in to kiss her, Reginald inadvertently headbutts Sarah, resulting in her nose bleeding. Naturally, Reginald moseys on out of there before his fangs extend. 

Next, Maurice (Mandela Van Peebles) reunites with his progeny after his trip to Portland. Maurice doesn’t delve into the details of his impromptu excursion but apologizes to Reginald regarding how they left things. Reggie apologizes for breaking his promise to refrain from glamouring other vampires. It’s all water under the bridge. Maurice vows to help Reggie train for the Assessment. They talk about how they missed each other. Aw. It’s nice to have scenes where men express their feelings openly and without judgment. Down with toxic masculinity!

Reginald and Sarah sing to each other in a bar while Maurice and Angela look on in Reginald the Vampire Season 1 Episode 5, "Fools in Love."

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE — “Fools in Love” Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: Savannah Basley as Angela — (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Later, Reginald asks Sarah on another date, but she decides to pick the restaurant this time. Apparently, projectile vomiting isn’t a huge turn-on. Mike finds Maurice with a boatload of herb of the cross (also known as vervain — Vampire Diaries fans know what this does). Maurice plans vengeance against Angela, and he’s not messing around. Meanwhile, Sarah reunites with her brother Levi (Sean Depner), who claims he fled their family and the occultist church. 

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Sarah learns about Levi’s living arrangements in Akron and introduces him to Reginald. Meanwhile, Nikki gets the scoop from Angela (Savannah Basley) regarding Reginald, the intended target. Penelope (Georgia Waters) helps smooth out the wrinkles in the negotiation process as Nikki unveils her price packages (her pamphlets are hilarious). Angela reveals this kill is off the record, and she doesn’t want a drawn-out, torturous death — something quick and effective will do the trick. 

Then, Maurice makes a pitstop a the Slushy Shack to chat with Reggie. He spots the bite marks on Todd’s neck along with his pallid complexion and weakened state. Maurice orders Reggie to hunt. He can’t feed on Todd alone, nor can he treat humans like cattle. 

Nikki holds Ashley in her arms while they gaze at each other flirtatiously in Reginald the Vampire Season 1 Episode 5, "Fools in Love."

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE — “Fools in Love” Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Marguerite Hanna as Ashley, Christin Park as Nikki — (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Next, we see Levi sitting in his van, praying to his god. Clearly, he hasn’t left the church but was sent to retrieve Sarah from “the descendants of Cain.” Back inside the Shack, Claire asks Reginald to turn her into a vamp. He instantly refuses, reminding her about the dangers of losing the Assessment. Should he fail, he’ll die alongside Maurice and whoever he sires. Claire storms out. Who would want to be stuck in a 12-year-old body forever? 

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Later, Ashley (Marguerite Hanna) follows Todd in the park while recording their journey. Their look is giving older Scottish golfer, and I dig it. At the same time, Nikki gleefully tails Reginald. Nikki and Ashley collide, with the former swiftly catching the latter in her arms. Ashley looks utterly smitten with Nikki. Nikki asks them why they’re stalking Todd. These two flirt a bit.

Maurice finds Reginald feeding on Todd in a hotel room. He quickly gives the emaciated Todd some of his blood, which is restorative for humans. We see the bite marks on Todd’s neck disappear. Then, Maurice glamours Todd to scram and forget about Reggie feasting on his blood. Maurice gently urges his baby vamp to give hunting the ole college try. He vows to be by Reginald’s side through these growing pains. We love a supportive vampire daddy. 

Ashley sits at a bar while looking pensive in Reginald the Vampire Season 1 Episode 5, "Fools in Love."

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE — “Fools in Love” Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: Marguerite Hanna as Ashley — (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Then, Mike finally discloses his backstory to Maurice, including that he’s a spy for Angela. He explains how Angela found him in Louisiana, caged and tortured by humans. She set him free. Mike also reveals that Angela knows about Reggie’s gifts. After all this, Maurice orders Mike to leave his house and never return. Oof. RIP, their relationship. 

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Next, Maurice returns to the Slushy Shack, wherein Todd seems to recognize him and Ashley adds a new suspect to their list. Could Maurice be the reason behind Sarah and Todd’s erased memories? Sarah finds creepy occultist stuff in her brother’s van and a pair of handcuffs. You know, in case she puts up a fight. Levi returns to her apartment with Thai food to discover an irate Sarah beside the angel statue from his van. She confronts him regarding his true intentions for coming to Akron. Levi claims the family and church gave her a year, but now it’s time to go home. She doesn’t belong here. 

Sarah, Reginald and Nikki sing a karaoke version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" at a bar in Reginald the Vampire Season 1 Episode 5, "Fools in Love."

REGINALD THE VAMPIRE — “Fools in Love” Season 1 Episode 5 — Pictured: (l-r) Em Haine as Sarah, Jacob Batalon as Reginald, Christin Park as Nikki — (Photo by: James Dittiger/SYFY)

Reginald overhears some of the siblings’ heated argument while outside. Sarah breaks the angel statue, much to Levi’s dismay. Reggie glamours Levi to forget about the fight and leave Akron. He glamours Levi in front of Sarah, which is risky, but she doesn’t seem to connect the dots. 

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Then, our lovebirds meet up with Maurice at a karaoke bar in town. Reggie introduces Sarah to Maurice, noting he’s his best friend. Aw, look at them! Reggie and Sarah pick their song for karaoke. Ashley lurks in the background, scribbling “Maurice” in their notebook while observing the trio from afar. As Sarah and Reggie take the stage to belt out a rendition of “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” Maurice notes the arrival of Angela, who enjoys the performance from a few tables over. Uh-oh. That can’t be good.

Nikki overhears Reggie and Sarah singing and is instantly drawn to the stage. We see a single bloody tear trickling from her eye. Ashley is enthralled by her and watches her unexpectedly join Reginald and Sarah to form a musical trio. Angela and Maurice look bewildered by the sight — especially Angela. Nikki’s supposed to kill Reggie, not sing with him! After the performance, Maurice and Reggie exchange confused glances. 

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“Fools in Love” relishes the show’s signature snappy humor and whimsy. There’s a lot of love in this episode, notably between Maurice and Reggie and Reggie and Sarah. I love that the show doesn’t waste time engaging in a will-they-won’t-they situation for Sarah and Reginald. Just let them be in love, ya know? 

Christin Park is a wonderful addition as Nikki. Most of the vampires we’ve met thus far have shades of gray to them. Not even Angela’s genuinely evil. Nikki is undoubtedly an endearing character, but there’s a darkness to her that’s more definitive than moral ambiguity. Having her sing karaoke with Reginald is a delightfully unexpected choice. I can’t wait to watch her in action. 

What do you think will happen when Nikki tries to kill Reginald? Will Ashley figure out Maurice’s undead secret? When will we see the Assessment unfold? Thankfully, we have the remainder of the season to find out. 🩸

Reginald the Vampire airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on your Syfy affiliate. 

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