WWDITS: Season One Talk

[LittleIggy]

This show continues to slay me (see what I did there?). Nandor’s citizenship quiz answers were hilarious. Poor Guillermo! Jenna, someone nobody knew, gets to be a vampire, but not him! 

WTF was up with that weird obese bat she turned into? Awesome special power though. Nadja controlling the frat boy! 😆🤣

[GaT]

This show is just so wonderfully weird.

[teddysmom]

I think this one is my new favorite. After Nandor's insanity with the 92 Olympics team and Macarena, trying to decide whether to join Anti fa or Alt right.

And of course my girl Nadja slaying again. Let us into your carnival. 

She and Jenna sitting on the roof wearing motorcycle helmets. Come on girls, the sun hits your body!!  

If there are any vampires out there looking for virgins, I noticed a car in our parking lot with a sticker that reads "Hogwarts Graduate". (I'm not kidding)

I am sure we can locate this sad little person who does not deserve to live any longer and would make a tasty snack. 

[Bruinsfan]

I called the invisibility special power when Laslo didn't know Jenna was there at first and thought Nadja had made all the commotion. Her training scenes were hilarious! As was Guillermo's reaction when she told him she could hear his muttering from outside. No telling how many of his gripes Nandor has missed simply because he pays no attention.

[terrymct]

11 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

WTF was up with that weird obese bat she turned into? 

I think it's supposed to be an incomplete transition between human and bat.

[iMonrey]

This seemed like another episode shown out of sequence. Surely there has to be some follow-up to last week's episode. They basically just escaped their execution, they're not out of the hotseat yet. Or does the Vampire Council think they're dead? 

Still a good episode though. "America elects a president for how many years?" "1000."

Anyone look up that country Nandor said he used to rule to see if it was real? 

[CletusMusashi]

I love all of these characters so much. Yet, I still can't believe it got a second season, because it seems like nobody knows or cares that it exists. The writers have a great feel for detail and nuance without over-thinking things.

Love that Jenna started to, though, with the "clothes on a bat" question. Maybe that's why she couldn't change properly. It didn't seem realistic to her. Not being seen by people did.

It's fun how they drop bits of random vampire mythology into the plot without making them canon. Why does the most Dracula-like of the trio bring a sample of his native earth with him when he travels? Because he wants to! No supernatural reason at all.

Colin didn't get to do much this week, but simply hanging around wearing bad cologne is a valid way for him to represent.

[Blakeston]

Nadja's 

9 minutes ago, iMonrey said:

This seemed like another episode shown out of sequence. Surely there has to be some follow-up to last week's episode. They basically just escaped their execution, they're not out of the hotseat yet. Or does the Vampire Council think they're dead? 

That's what I'm assuming. I'll be shocked if the Council doesn't reappear at some point, and I'm expecting that the main characters being alive will be an issue.

8 minutes ago, CletusMusashi said:

I love all of these characters so much. Yet, I still can't believe it got a second season, because it seems like nobody knows or cares that it exists.

I don't know how the ratings are, but Taika Waititi is such a big deal in Hollywood right now that I wouldn't be surprised if FX is keeping the show on the air to maintain a good relationship with him. (He has a film coming out this year called Jojo Rabbit, and buzz is that he may end up with Oscar nominations for both Best Director and Best Supporting Actor - for playing Hitler!).

For me, the highlight of the episode was the frat boy being so enamored with Nadja's ridiculous baby-voiced flirting.

[tennisgurl]

I definitely feel like this was out of order, following up with Jenna after she has not been seen in awhile, and with no mention of the council, but I am sure that will come up eventually. And every episode is so good, I cant even be mad!

What even was that creepy bat thing that Jenna turned into?! Great effects there, this show does a lot with a little when it comes to special effects. Loved Jenna asking about taking clothes off when they turn into bats, and Nadja and Laszlo clearly have never thought about it. "Lets not get hung up on the details."

Poor Guillermo, after all his years of work, he still cant be a vampire, but everyone and their sister gets turned after five seconds! 

[Bort]

13 minutes ago, tennisgurl said:

Poor Guillermo, after all his years of work, he still cant be a vampire, but everyone and their sister gets turned after five seconds! 

You know what it reminds me of? The Friend Zone: where you hang around for years, hoping someone will notice that you're the perfect mate, while watching an endless parade of people seemingly less worthy of you make the cut. Guillermo has been Vampire Friend Zoned.

[CletusMusashi]

Nandor does make a good point sometimes. Why do vampires always leave so many candles lit?

[teddysmom]

2 hours ago, Blakeston said:

I don't know how the ratings are,

I think I read the 2nd episode got 2 million viewers which was a huge gain from the premiere, it's #1 for the 18-34 demo for the time slot. 

Considering how hot it is, and the critical acclaim, FX execs are very happy with it. 

[libgirl2]

31 minutes ago, teddysmom said:

I think I read the 2nd episode got 2 million viewers which was a huge gain from the premiere, it's #1 for the 18-34 demo for the time slot. 

Considering how hot it is, and the critical acclaim, FX execs are very happy with it. 

I'm glad to hear that.... I suffered some losses this week with cancellations. 

[LittleIggy]

3 hours ago, CletusMusashi said:

I love all of these characters so much. Yet, I still can't believe it got a second season, because it seems like nobody knows or cares that it exists. The writers have a great feel for detail and nuance without over-thinking things.

Love that Jenna started to, though, with the "clothes on a bat" question. Maybe that's why she couldn't change properly. It didn't seem realistic to her. Not being seen by people did.

It's fun how they drop bits of random vampire mythology into the plot without making them canon. Why does the most Dracula-like of the trio bring a sample of his native earth with him when he travels? Because he wants to! No supernatural reason at all.

Colin didn't get to do much this week, but simply hanging around wearing bad cologne is a valid way for him to represent.

They obviously dropped the “vampires can’t be filmed/photographed” rule due to the premise of the show. I also noticed that these vamps have reflections in mirrors.

[tennisgurl]

3 hours ago, CletusMusashi said:

Nandor does make a good point sometimes. Why do vampires always leave so many candles lit?

Maybe the same reasons they send hundreds of ravens to get in touch with people, instead of just calling them on the phone? 

Edited May 16, 2019 by tennisgurl

[Catfi9ht]

1 hour ago, LittleIggy said:

They obviously dropped the “vampires can’t be filmed/photographed” rule due to the premise of the show. I also noticed that these vamps have reflections in mirrors.

I don't remember any reflections in mirrors except for Jenna's reflection acting strangely this last episode, but that was before she killed her first human so she wasn't fully a vampire yet.

I loved the tablet gag where the vamps couldn't use their fingers to sign for the Barren's coffin receipt.

I found an interview about the show explaining why vampires can be filmed.

How do the vampires show up on camera? Avid vampiric fans will be curious to know.
They can show up on film and they can show up in photos. With a lot of old cameras, the mirrors were only there to line up the shot. So, the mirror is not the thing catching the image. The mirror is just the thing that the cameraman looks through. So really, when you’re framing up on your vampire, the issue really is, Are they even in the frame? That was the old issue that cameramen and vampires had. They’d just point the camera in the general direction and hope the vampires turned up in frame. There was a bit more drawn-out process back in the old days. It was real hit and miss, shooting and hoping you’d catch something and I’m going to keep answering your question as if this is all real …

Link to the full interview: https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/taiki-waititi-what-we-do-in-the-shadows-tv-show.html

[Frisson]

Watching the movie this is based on made me fall in love with Taika Waititi, and that interview just made the love stronger. 

[kieyra]

My love for Nadja grows every week, even though the episodes are so obviously out of order. I’d probably be incoherent with love if they hadn’t fiddled with the airing order for what appears to be no reason whatsoever. 

[Laurie M]

I adore this show and everyone on it.  When they have the series finale (which hopefully will be a long time from now) Nandor better make Guillermo a vampire.

[Bruinsfan]

18 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

They obviously dropped the “vampires can’t be filmed/photographed” rule due to the premise of the show. I also noticed that these vamps have reflections in mirrors.

Didn't they show Nandor holding Guillermo up in front of a mirror that wasn't reflecting him to pretend that the latter was flying?

[Dirtybubble]

On 5/16/2019 at 1:11 PM, tennisgurl said:

I definitely feel like this was out of order, following up with Jenna after she has not been seen in awhile, and with no mention of the council, but I am sure that will come up eventually. And every episode is so good, I cant even be mad!

What even was that creepy bat thing that Jenna turned into?! Great effects there, this show does a lot with a little when it comes to special effects. Loved Jenna asking about taking clothes off when they turn into bats, and Nadja and Laszlo clearly have never thought about it. "Lets not get hung up on the details."

Poor Guillermo, after all his years of work, he still cant be a vampire, but everyone and their sister gets turned after five seconds! 

As far as Jenna's ability to turn into a bat--I feel like it's something you have to practice.  Like being seductive, maybe she just needs to try different techniques, get comfortable in her own skin. 

IMHO I'm glad Jenna got turned into a vampire before, Gizmo (his name is GIZMO!!)  Girls doing it for themselves kinda thing I guess.  Plus I've always had a soft spot for her after I saw how her so-called male friends treat her--her ability to become invisible can finally work towards her advantage.

[Bruinsfan]

Oh, I want to see that red-haired LARPer's face when he finds out that Jenna's become an actual magical creature out of folklore. Hopefully a second or two before she eats him.

[Portia]

On 5/2/2019 at 12:35 PM, Matt K said:

Also, apparently the actress who plays Jenna has a movie coming out soon (it took me a while to figure out why she looked so familiar) which has been getting decent reviews.  Also apparently she the younger sister of Jonah Hill which I did not know (it came up because her movie is being compared favorably to Super Bad).  

Wow, I hadn't heard about her being Jonah Hill's sister. I loved her as the best friend in Ladybird.

I never get tired of Lazlo yelling "bat!" before transforming. 

Since Guillermo is clearly disgruntled and has a talent for killing, I predict he will eventually become a vampire slayer. 

Edited May 17, 2019 by Portia

[JanetSnakehole]

On 5/17/2019 at 4:09 PM, Portia said:

Wow, I hadn't heard about her being Jonah Hill's sister. I loved her as the best friend in Ladybird.

I never get tired of Lazlo yelling "bat!" before transforming. 

Since Guillermo is clearly disgruntled and has a talent for killing, I predict he will eventually become a vampire slayer. 

He's already inadvertently slain his first kill, The Barren Baron. Still, I can't see him offing Nandor, despite all his sass. 

On board too with the Nadja love. She's so FUNNY. Is anyone else reminded of Linda Ronstadt in her photo in the opening?

[Portia]

4 hours ago, JanetSnakehole said:

He's already inadvertently slain his first kill, The Barren Baron. Still, I can't see him offing Nandor, despite all his sass. 

We've already seen him inadvertently kill two vampires. That's why I suggested he might flip and make it his profession. 

Edited May 19, 2019 by Portia

[Vermicious Knid]

I don't know why, but I was highly amused every time Nadja called Jenna a 'supid baby vampire'.

[CletusMusashi]

On 5/16/2019 at 7:27 PM, Laurie M said:

I adore this show and everyone on it.  When they have the series finale (which hopefully will be a long time from now) Nandor better make Guillermo a vampire.

Gizmo would have a better chance of getting turned by Jenna.

 

15 hours ago, Vermicious Knid said:

I don't know why, but I was highly amused every time Nadja called Jenna a 'supid baby vampire'.

Because it's fucking funny as fuck, that's why. It's not just the jokes, or the ideas, or the storylines. It is, at least as importantly, the actors' commitment to consistently spectacular delivery of funny fucking vampire/goth goofiness. The only show I can think of that has come pretty damned close is "Greg the Bunny," with their "Count Blah" puppet. Third place would maybe be "The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy," but their take on Dracula was not so much "Ambiguously foreign European people are funny," so much as it was "Hey, what if Dracula was a 70s disco stud who was voiced by Phil Lamarr doing a Redd Foxx impersonation?"

The comedy delivery in this show is perfect. So are all the non-jokey conversational nuances. 

Also, I kind of think that they've got the "vampire rules" just right. Even with the limitations of sunlight, invitations, secrecy, crosses, and whatever the hell I'm forgetting right now, they would still be a bit over-powered. But making them all a bunch of over-powerful, easily distracted, never really in touch with the the time period they are trying to conquer, yadda yadda fools puts them exactly at a level where the story works. Sure, you could turn Gizmo and have a vampire with both vampire powers and modern knowledge. But most vampires who survive a few centuries probably conclude that bringing in somebody who's better at the job than they themselves are does not tend to improve their status.

[Ms Lark]

14 hours ago, JanetSnakehole said:

He's already inadvertently slain his first kill, The Barren Baron. Still, I can't see him offing Nandor, despite all his sass. 

and

9 hours ago, Portia said:

We've already seen him inadvertently kill two vampires. That's why I suggested he might flip and make it his profession. 

I can see him becoming the Accidental Vampire Slayer. Just keeps up with the oopsies!

14 hours ago, JanetSnakehole said:

On board too with the Nadja love. She's so FUNNY. Is anyone else reminded of Linda Ronstadt in her photo in the opening?

Young Linda Ronstadt. 100% everytime!

[CletusMusashi]

Now I need to hear Linda sing "The Girl in the Village with One Small Foot."

Or just hear Nadja sing it in its entirety.

[Portia]

23 hours ago, Vermicious Knid said:

I don't know why, but I was highly amused every time Nadja called Jenna a 'supid baby vampire'.

That cracked me up, too! Didn't she also call her a stupid donkey at one point?

[CletusMusashi]

Of the three main actors, she seems to just naturally be the funniest one there as well.

[kieyra]

Nadja/Linda Ronstadt. It drives me crazy because I feel like they’re copying a VERY specific pose/photo, one that I saw as a kid, and I’ve searched LR photos and album covers and can’t find anything like it. Is there any chance we’re thinking of some other 70s/80s pop persona with bigger hair and a lot more makeup? 

Edit: yikes, that Den of Geek thing was actually kind of awkward to watch. Maybe they were having an off day.

Edited May 20, 2019 by kieyra

[meep.meep]

13 hours ago, CletusMusashi said:

Of the three main actors, she seems to just naturally be the funniest one there as well.

As a group, they're very hairy!

[Mr. Sparkle]

55 minutes ago, kieyra said:

Nadja/Linda Ronstadt. It drives me crazy because I feel like they’re copying a VERY specific pose/photo, one that I saw as a kid, and I’ve searched LR photos and album covers and can’t find anything like it. Is there any chance we’re thinking of some other 70s/80s pop persona with bigger hair and a lot more makeup?

There's one picture that makes me think of Anne Wilson from Heart. 

[kieyra]

18 minutes ago, Superclam said:

There's one picture that makes me think of Anne Wilson from Heart. 

Hmm, yeah, this is getting warmer for me, but I’m not 100% sure it’s it:

Edit: this reddit thread shows all the opening photos, and also links Nadja’s portrait to an existing famous portrait of Salome.

Edited May 21, 2019 by kieyra

[Bruinsfan]

14 hours ago, Superclam said:

There's one picture that makes me think of Anne Wilson from Heart. 

She had a somewhat similar look back in the day, but that painting really pings Linda Ronstadt to me too. Maybe it's more the resemblance than a specific image?

[Portia]

On 3/28/2019 at 11:47 PM, LittleIggy said:

I like how the the vampires are rather frumpy and not hot and sexy.

Speak for yourself. I think Nandor is HOTT, and honestly, I'd do any of the three leads. 

Also, within the WWDITS universe, it is canon that vampirism = sexiness.  Let me remind you of the immortal words of Deacon.

[libgirl2]

1 hour ago, Portia said:

Speak for yourself. I think Nandor is HOTT, and honestly, I'd do any of the three leads. 

Also, within the WWDITS universe, it is canon that vampirism = sexiness.  Let me remind you of the immortal words of Deacon.

Yes! 

[jnymph]

Chiming in on the WWDITS love.    Nadja is my favorite.  Her exasperation punctuated with the vampiric hissing is hilarious !       

There's too many funny moments to even articulate right now.      More later.   

[teddysmom]

On 5/19/2019 at 12:16 AM, Vermicious Knid said:

I don't know why, but I was highly amused every time Nadja called Jenna a 'supid baby vampire'.

I like how Nadja and Lazlo were like parents trying to persuade a pouting teenager to come out of their room. 

I'm def a Nadja, I seem to always be taking younger women under my wing.  My neighbor, my niece... they're my stupid little babies.  We just don't kill people. 

And I have perfected rolling my eyes & looking at someone like they're a fucking idiot.

[iMonrey]

Quote

You know what it reminds me of? The Friend Zone: where you hang around for years, hoping someone will notice that you're the perfect mate, while watching an endless parade of people seemingly less worthy of you make the cut. Guillermo has been Vampire Friend Zoned.

It's also a callback to the movie. Vladislav had a female familiar named Jackie who expected him to make her a vampire and kept bugging him about it. So the (false) promise if being made immortal in exchange for servitude is a bit they borrowed from that.

[LittleIggy]

4 hours ago, Portia said:

Speak for yourself. I think Nandor is HOTT, and honestly, I'd do any of the three leads. 

I am speaking for myself. 🙄

[sagittarius sue]

8 hours ago, Portia said:

Speak for yourself. I think Nandor is HOTT,

Nandor had me at "creepey paper, creepey paper."  He's good-natured and has almost a humble shyness.  It appears he has evolved from being a fierce Ottoman warrior!

[Vermicious Knid]

Maybe this one?

I had no idea she has Parkinson's.

[Milburn Stone]

[teddysmom]

8 hours ago, Vermicious Knid said:

I had no idea she has Parkinson's

Yes she hasn't been able to sing for years. She did an interview on Fresh Air a few years ago I believe.  I saw her in concert back in the 70s.  

[CletusMusashi]

The orgy ep was not nearly as strong as the past few. But it's still a quick easy to watch show with a bunch of chuckles in it. Laszlo's terrible porn, (especially the Seinfeldian one,) the shame bats, Colin's BDSM gear, the glimpse at some other silly types of vampires, fucking Mike... All in all, it wasn't a bad way to spend half an hour. But they can't all be one of the best episodes.

[peridot]

This was a funny episode.  I was rolling over Guillermo's impression of Nadja and Laszlo, especially when he revealed that he actually tried all the dildos!

Laszlo's porn was hilarious.  I liked his random 50s lingo about she-bop and Sputnik.

The beginning with Guillermo narrating the sex acts, and the trio acting them out kept getting crazier.  Poor Guillermo!

[LittleIggy]

That was more of Colin’s butt than I ever wanted to see! 😆

[voiceover]

Of course the orgy ep *would be my cherry-breaker on this series.  Now I have to dig up (see what I did there?) all the others.

There was so much to love!!  Colin's file cabinet (and Neosporin); the "constant butt machine" joke (I laughed til I couldn't breathe); the fact that Matt Berry's Laszlo sounds like Eddie Izzard; and Nando! the wisest of them all.  

I myself was exposed to idiots this week, and he's right: you can either kill them or pretend to listen to them.