What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 8, “P.I. Undercover: New York,” sees Laszlo and Nandor wage war against a film crew as Nadja and Colin Robinson go on a dinner date with humans. I love that we finally got a Nadja/Colin Robinson storyline, and it’s hilarious. Natasia Demetriou and Mark Proksch are hysterical together. In fact, Demetriou is the MVP for me. She’s such an underrated comedic performer. The film crew plot isn’t quite as strong, but it’s still fun, especially Nandor and Laszlo fighting over the “sweated shirt.”
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What We Do in the Shadows, “P.I. Undercover: New York”
We open with Nandor (Kayvan Novak) returning home to find a film crew setting up in front of the vampire house. He chats with a crewmember (Look, it’s Michaels from Shoresy!) about what’s happening. When said crewmember explains they’re shooting something, he assumes it’s related to, you know, killing things.
However, Nandor quickly changes his tune when the man talks about “moving to the dolly shot.” He believes they’re going to shoot Nadja’s doll. Nandor can’t abide by that. He grabs the crewmember by the neck and throws him against the side of the house. Nandor runs inside to inform Laszlo (Matt Berry) and Colin Robinson (Proksch) about the invasion. This film crew is declaring war with their tall Brads and dolly shooting.
C-Rob-69
Colin Robinson reveals the shoot is for P.I. Undercover: New York, starring Cal Bodian as Detective Jack Mancuso. According to Colin Robinson C-Rob-69, it’s compelling copaganda. Laszlo tells the camera that, normally, Nandor’s belief that everything is a declaration of war is off base. This time, it’s completely true. The crew of P.I. Undercover: New York needs to watch their back.
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Suddenly, said crew backs a truck through the outer wall surrounding the house. One crewmember apologizes to Laz, Nandor and Colin Robinson, reassuring them that insurance will cover the costs. Later, Nadja (Demetriou) notices Colin Robinson complimenting his appearance in the mirror. Colin Robinson reveals he’s heading to his friend Joel’s house for dinner. Nadja is incredulous. What do you mean Colin Robinson has friends?
Nadja asks to accompany him. Since climbing the corporate ladder at Cannon Capital Strategies, Nadja’s been itching to practice her human small talk. You know, complaining about allergies, shopping online and quoting Sexy City, her new favorite show. Colin Robinson is hesitant. After all, what will Joel and his wife Becky say when Colin Robinson shows up with a nightmare in a Civil War ghost’s dress? However, he eventually lets her tag along.
PIUNY Fan Club
Next, Laszlo and Nandor barge into Guillermo’s (Harvey Guillén) home. They need his help now more than ever. The film crew’s pervasive presence spells doom for our vampires. Guillermo realizes that their enemy is P.I. Undercover: New York. Guillermo so happens to be the president of the PIUNY fan club. He gushes about his love for the show and the greater PIUNY Universe. We learn that he cosplayed as Jack Mancuso last year. Guillermo practically climbs over the wall to get a glimpse of Cal Bodian.
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Meanwhile, Colin Robinson and Nadja arrive for dinner at Joel’s (Zach Woods) and Becky’s (Kim Quindlen) house. CR introduces Nadja as his girlfriend. Nadja helps Becky in the kitchen while Colin Robinson gives Joel a Mets-related gift. Unfortunately, Joel isn’t into baseball anymore.
Colin Robinson informs the documentary crew that he spent two weeks watching every Mets game from the past seven years. He admits that baseball is long and a bit of a slog to get through. That’s quite a thing to admit for an energy vampire. Colin Robinson learns Joel is really into Top Chef now, so it’s time to binge-watch that.
Bathrooms
Then, Colin Robinson plants a kiss on Nadja, aka his bologna, before heading to the downstairs bathroom to do a number three. Nadja returns the kiss, calling CR her banana. It’s sloppy and uncomfortable. I feel like Laszlo would be into it. Becky watches from afar. Speaking of bathrooms, Laz and Nandor discover that Seanaaay (Anthony Atamanuik) has conspired with the enemy. He’s allowing them to use his bathroom. Hey, you never know which famous person’s urine is running through those pipes.
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While Colin Robinson binge-watches Top Chef in the bathroom, Becky asks Nadja about her relationship with CR. Becky claims she’s happy for them and hopes Nadja treats him well. “He’s an incredible person,” she says. Joel asks the ladies if they want any drinks. Becky counters his question with another, asking if he washed the lettuce.
On set, Cal Bodian (Kevin Pollak) makes his way to crafty. Guillermo tries to chat with Cal as he reaches for a muffin. Laszlo asks Cal if he’s interested in a “succulent Chinese meal.” Berry’s line deliveries always have me in stitches. Nandor informs Cal that he’s procured “prostitutes” for the actor. Cal wonders what scene that’s for. After Cal walks away, Guillermo urges the vampires to leave him alone. Laz insists that Cal isn’t the one on set with the power; it’s the director. They should target him instead.
A Director
Later, Nadja informs Colin Robinson that Becky has a crush on him. CR reveals that he comforted Becky when she and Joel experienced marital turbulence. Well, he was a good listener, and that was only so they’d get back together. Joel was too sad. And he’s not even saying that from a feeding standpoint — he genuinely likes Joel as a friend.
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Next, Nandor finds the A.D. trailer, which he believes stands for “A Director.” Nandor barges into the trailer while Laz keeps watch. He emerges in a vest and headset as the new PA in town. He holds a walkie-talkie. Laz realizes the siren song of show business is too strong for Nandor De Laurentiis. However, he pivots, believing this could be used to their advantage. Nandor is now on the inside. He can dismantle the enemy from within.
Meanwhile, the dinnertime gang plays a rousing game of Charades. Colin Robinson’s turn is all about Top Chef to impress his BFF Joel. Nadja introduces the subject of renovation, which gets Joel talking about renovating their bathroom by himself. Nadja is impressed; she wants to see it. Becky belittles her husband, though.
Do It for Your Friendship
Joel takes Nadja to the bathroom while Becky, now alone with Colin Robinson, gets her flirt on. She recalls how supportive he was during a rough patch with Joel. Elsewhere, Nandor hands out cans before the start of a scene. Fun fact: the director for P.I. Undercover: New York, Kyle Newacheck, is credited with directing 20 episodes of Shadows.
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Laszlo confronts Nandor about his behavior. He’s not working hard to destroy their foe from the inside; he’s actually performing his PA duties. Nandor asks him to step aside because they’re trying to clear the frame. At the same time, Becky burns her salmon because Joel forgot to replace the smoke detector. Nadja tries to alleviate the tension by remarking that smoked salmon goes great with cream cheese. I love her, Your Honor.
Then, Joel asks Colin Robinson if he’ll sleep with Becky. It’s okay; Joel will watch the whole time … for emotional support. Naturally, CR is thrown off by this odd request.
Sweated Shirt
On set, Laz tells the camera that the director isn’t the source of power — it’s the writer. The director doesn’t know his ass from a hole in the ground. Nandor reappears with a P.I. Undercover: New York Season 3 crew hoodie. Laszlo is enamored by this sweated shirt. He proceeds to explain the mechanics of a hoodie. All that aside, though, Laz wonders why Nandor has one, and he doesn’t.
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Later, Colin Robinson tells Nadja about Joel’s request. Nadja doesn’t see the issue. He should stick his beak in Joel’s wife. Then, they can all be friends. However, Colin Robinson wants a normal human friendship without all the kinky sex stuff. He gets enough of that in the vampire house. So, Colin Robinson and Nadja leave. Nadja makes up an excuse about attending a Pilates class in the morning. Joel suggests they go bowling next week, and Colin Robinson can bang Becky afterward. Easy, peasy, lemon squeezy.
Next, Laz tells the costume people that Cal sh*t his pants to get them to leave their trailer. He sneaks inside to grab some swag for himself.
Sexy City
On their walk home, Nadja supports Colin Robinson’s choice not to sleep with Becky. Sure, Joel and Becky’s pervy ways are enticing to her, but CR’s more into dolls than humans. Which, admittedly, is more pervy. Colin Robinson believes Nadja is the Carrie Bradshaw of our time. All that Sexy City watching paid off. They encounter a crewmember in front of their house. Like Nandor, Nadja grabs this person by the neck and throws them against the house’s exterior.
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Nandor finds Laszlo in the costume trailer in some new threads. Laz knows Nandor’s jealous of his swag. The two battle it out. Only one of them will emerge victorious — and in those coveted P.I. Undercover: New York Season 2 sweatpants. However, the skirmish is short-lived. They realize that this is what Hollywood wants: to tear them apart. They decide to take out the enemy once and for all. Unfortunately, the crew left 30 minutes ago. Sometimes, the best war tactic is not to fight at all.
Meanwhile, Guillermo tries to get Cal to sign his P.I. Undercover: New York zine. Cal brushes him off. Laszlo and Nandor confront Cal as Colin Robinson reads aloud his diary entry. The show’s own version of the Sex and the City theme music plays. It’s perfect. Laz and Nandor order Cal to grant Guillermo’s request. When the actor refuses, they throw him on the ground. He looks like he might be dead, but it’s okay because Laz and Nandor give Guillermo their swag.
Nandor’s a Star
Cravensworth’s Monster (Andy Assaf) marches into Colin Robinson’s room and tells him to shut the f*ck up. In the mid-credit scene, Guillermo watches the P.I. Undercover: New York episode the crew filmed on their street, noting Nandor’s unexpected cameo (that wasn’t cut out in post).
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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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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