DISCLAIMER: This recap of What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 1, “The Return of Jerry,” contains spoilers. Proceed at your peril, humans.
BAT! Everyone’s favorite vampire comedy is back for more dark shenanigans; this time, it’s serious. “The Return of Jerry” introduces us to the gang’s fifth long-lost roommate, the titular Jerry, the more structured member of our crew. If he hadn’t been in a super slumber, the vampires would’ve taken over the world by now. What We Do in the Shadows kicks off the final season (sob) festivities with a hilarious bite. I can’t wait to see where this narrative takes us.
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What We Do in the Shadows, “The Return of Jerry”
We open with Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Nadja Doll (also Demetriou), Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) sitting in their living room. Guillermo has moved out despite becoming a human again in the Season 5 finale. He no longer lives in the rathole under the stairs. Laszlo proposes they repurpose said rathole now that Gizmo is on his own. Nadja reminds her husband that Nandor gets distraught when reminded of his “old little bouncing buddy.”
Nandor and Laszlo disagree regarding what they used that space for previously. Was it to store Laszlo’s precious pornos volumes? Or Nandor’s calisthenic stuff? They decide that their fifth roommate, Jerry, would know. Unfortunately, he’s been in a super slumber for almost 50 years.
Vlad the Whatever
We see the photos from the opening credits; however, now they include Jerry (Michael Patrick O’Brien). Laszlo remarks that he appreciates Jerry being simply called “Jerry the vampire.” No, “Vlad the whatever,” just Jerry. He’s also not relentless like some relentless vampires we know. Our crew realizes that Jerry is still slumbering. He commenced his sleep in 1976 and requested to be woken up in 1996—you know, 28 years ago. Uh-oh.
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Firstly, they open one coffin to find rotting human remains. Initially, they believe this is Jerry. He super slumbered too hard. Laszlo clarifies that these are leftover body parts from a science experiment he abandoned decades ago. As usual, Laszlo “couldn’t be f*cked” to dispose of them. We learn that Laszlo’s scientific ambitions include creating life, à la Dr. Frankestein.
Of course, Laszlo’s never heard of Frankenstein (or his monster). Not to worry, though — the world will soon know of Cravensworth’s New Man. The gang sets their sights on another coffin in the vicinity. This time, it belongs to Jerry. The fifth roommate rises from his slumber. Unfortunately, he’s under the impression that they’ve conquered the New World and that Laszlo is a celebrated scientist. He doesn’t recall Colin Robinson’s name, which tracks.
White and Gold or Black and Blue?
Later, our vampires explain to Jerry that they’ve only conquered their street and most of Ashley Street. Also, he’s been slumbering for significantly longer than two decades. Colin Robinson shoves his phone in Jerry’s face, asking him to verify whether the dress is white and gold or black and blue. I’m having PTSD war flashbacks to 2015.
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Jerry asks about the human camera crew. Why are they filming our vamps? Who is this crew’s target audience? Admittedly, the gang doesn’t recall why the documentarian crew is here. Colin Robinson places headphones on Jerry’s head and blasts “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel, hoping this will clear up everything he’s missed over the decades. Of course, the tune only covers up to 1988, ending with the rock and roller cola wars.
Jerry continues to misremember Colin Robinson’s name before posing this question to the group: “What is our current dark purpose?” So, it looks like Jerry was the ambitious, motivated one in the gang. After this, Nadja and Nandor head outside to visit Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), who resides in Laszlo’s old gardening (and wanking) shed. Nandor admits he felt like he owed Guillermo a place to live. Nadja reassures him that it’s okay to acknowledge that he misses Guillermo. Aw. My Nandermo heart.
Gizmo Meets Jerry
Guillermo explains to the camera that he realized he couldn’t afford anything, so when Nandor offered him Laszlo’s garden shed for $350 a week, he couldn’t pass it up. I love that Nandor’s still charging Guillermo rent. Thankfully, Guillermo has a job at Panera Bread now. Nadja judges Guillermo for using a pee bucket, though. Someone’s gotta install proper plumbing in the wank shed.
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Nandor addresses the Jerry-sized elephant in the room. He asks Guillermo why they allow the documentary crew to film them, citing that Jerry posed this question. Naturally, Gizmo asks who Jerry is, but Nandor remains tight-lipped. Jerry and Laszlo fly into the yard after a feasting jaunt. Somewhat side note: Did Laszlo start saying “Bat!” and “Man!” when transforming from bat to vamp because of Jerry? Notice how he yells, “Human form!”
Then, Jerry attacks Guillermo, thinking he’s a random human who’s now lunch. Nandor saves Guillermo by referring to him as his familiar. However, he quickly clarifies that Gizmo is no longer his familiar. Jerry is bewildered by their refusal to adhere to vampire customs.
Existential Questions
Next, Nandor explains to Jerry that he turned Guillermo back into a human, which was for the best. Jerry checks in on Nandor’s well-being. Is he okay? The Nandor he knew — Nandor the F*cking Relentless — would kill humans for pleasure and conquer continents.
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After this, Jerry tells Nadja and Laszlo that our fave vampiric lovebirds weren’t speaking at the start of his super slumber. In fact, they hadn’t been on speaking terms for five or six years at that point. Once Jerry leaves the room, Colin Robinson (Or is it Kyle? Carl? Kyle-in?) fills in the blanks. He reveals that Nadja wanted to get a job in the real world due to her strange fascination with humans. Laszlo forbade this. The same argument resurfaces here as Nadja expresses the same desire, and Laszlo shuts down his lady wife.
Meanwhile, Nandor’s chat with Jerry puts him in introspective mode. He analyzes his choices. Why did he become Guillermo’s landlord instead of murdering him? Nadja Doll pumps up Nadja, urging her not to let the motherf*ckers get her down. Elsewhere, Colin Robinson tells the camera that a house full of depressed people is a smorgasbord for an energy vampire. However, it’s too much food for him. We see him almost bursting through his trademark tan cardigan.
The Fixer
Later, Laszlo gives Gizmo his “scientific devices.” One has been used in a particular hole, so it needs cleaning. Guillermo notices Nandor’s mood, Nadja and Laszlo’s mutual animosity and Colin Robinson’s new shape. Something’s amiss, and that something is Jerry. Guillermo has the solution to their problems. He proposes they chat with Jerry. He’ll accompany them for moral support.
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Of course, the vamps come armed for this conversation. Colin Robinson, now on a motorized scooter and in orthopedics, brandishes a crossbow. They all suggest chopping Jerry’s head off and dousing him with holy water. All viable solutions. Guillermo encourages them to use their words instead.
Guillermo informs Jerry that the gang has something they wish to tell him. He also compliments Jerry by attributing the “Conquering the New World” plan to him. Colin Robinson speeds toward Jerry but inadvertently puts an arrow through his shoe. Ouch. At this moment, Guillermo has another idea — a better one.
To Eff or Not to Eff
Later, Guillermo introduces Jerry to The Guide (Kristen Schaal) at The Vampire Council headquarters. Jerry wants to take over the world, which tickles The Guide’s fancy. He also insists on referring to The Guide as “lieutenant,” which she enjoys immensely. She realizes she will, in fact, eff him. Getting Jerry a job will keep him out of the house. He just needs an environment conducive to his ambition.
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Next, Nandor declares that they’ll meet for at least three hours every night to formulate a plan for the vampire subjugation of all humans. Hear, hear. Laszlo is all about conquering the New World, but he’s also set on creating life. Nadja wants to go out into the world, get some and then “a little piece more.” Nandor tries to call another house meeting as their plan kicks into high gear. I love that house meetings are back on the menu.
During the mid-credit scene, Jerry orders The Guide to pull out all the documents they have on various pop-culture references in “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” He needs it all. It’s crucial for conquering the New World. The Guide hands him the official rock and roller cola scroll.
What We Do in the Shadows airs new episodes every Monday at 10 pm on FX, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
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