Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie Review

"Under such conditions, whatever is evil in men's natures comes to the front."

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown October 14, 2014

Grimm doesn't do itself many favors this season. Slow, pudgy, desperate and weirdly uneventful, the NBC series flails and flounders for the better part of 22 episodes. Again. It still has a knack for dragging viewers back week in and week out; some kicking and screaming, some a bit too eager to find out what happens next. (Heroes employed the same manipulative miracle-working, and with many of the same cheap tricks and sleight of hand.) But that week to week luster that keeps the series alive takes a serious hit when binge-watching an entire season. It's easier to spot the cracks. To see how dramatically the show is coming apart at the narrative seams. To realize how much filler has been added to the mix. To come to grips with just how irritating several key characters -- ahem, Juliette -- have really, truly, regrettably become. Worse, Season Three tops Season Two in terms of offering fewer and fewer reasons per episode to make the return trip. For every promising development or cliffhanger, there are at least three undercooked or overdone subplots that are either unceremoniously abandoned or stretched out ad infinitum. Pick your poison. The series all at once seems to run out of ideas and throw six more at the wall in the hopes that something sticks. Clinging to its procedural roots only exacerbates the problem, and with nowhere to go but down the path that's already been forged, there's not much hope for a change in direction.

Portland homicide detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) is back, but not exactly himself, in the latest season of 'Grimm.' With his abilities manifesting in new and unusual ways, Nick is stronger than ever. With his partner, Hank (Russell Hornsby), and reunited love, Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch), by his side, he tracks down Wesen criminals with renewed determination. But things are changing all around him. As Captain Renard (Sasha Roiz) embroils himself with the birth of a royal child and Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) and Rosalee's (Bree Turner) relationship intensifies, the ties between the humans and the Wesen world will become even more irrevocably intertwined.

What doesn't work this season? Where to even start? It's probably easier to list what does work, but I'll give it a shot anyway. The finale for one, which might just be one of the series' worst episodes to date. Regardless of how much you enjoy the rest of the season, brace for impact when closing the distance on the showrunners' poorly conceived endgame. Then there's the much-talked about but wildly disappointing Royals, who've officially joined The True Blood League of Evil Eccentric Evil-Doers, boasting far more bark than bite, as well as idiotic means to doomed-to-fail ends. Darkness, bleak outcomes and gore is on the rise, but it feels forced and overly manufactured. The zombie storyline turns out to be another aimless and inconsequential diversion. Juliette remains an obnoxious presence. Monroe is wasted throughout the bulk of the season, while Rosalee is yet another female character the largely male writing staff doesn't know what to do with. (Relationship, engagement and wedding-planning drama aren't exactly what Grimm fans have been clamoring for.) New characters pop up frequently but rarely leave a lasting mark. Villains-of-the-week are still out in force. Juliette. The procedural portions of the show sometimes grow downright silly. Juliette. The writers are quickly running out of interesting creature concepts, with more notably hit-or-miss designs and FX than before. Nick's arc continues to lack a compelling hook. (Other than the oh so familiar genre hero path to humanizing superhumaning: more powers, more powers, less powers, no wait... more powers! Nope, less powers.) And... Juliette. Wait. Did I mention Juliette?

More problematic is that Grimm is a series ever in search of a presiding tone, and in an even needier search for a grand mythos as deep and wide as it is terrifying and unnerving. Grimms' Fairy Tales certainly present plenty of opportunity; a devilishly devious, demented streak that would benefit any fantasy/horror show with a Zakynthos coin and a Hexenbiest incantation. Every element is just too disparate, without any real sense of how it comes together or why we popcorn-munching DVR dwellers should care. There's humor, drama, intrigue, chills and legends, sure. But the all-important connective tissue is sorely missing. Internal logic languishes. Powers and abilities change on a writers' room whim. Middle-rung CG dulls almost every sharp fright. Formulaic goo gums up the works. The procedural gets in the way of the genre bits. The genre bits get in the way of the procedural. And so on and so on.

And yet there are still plenty of fans out there who can't get enough Grimm. I'm certainly not one of 'em, but it doesn't change the fact that millions are. I'm a big fan of Supernatural. Others aren't. There are shows that grab us and shows that push us away, and everyone has a different list of series that bring them back again and again, no matter how flawed or wobbly any given season happens to be. Who's right? Who's wrong? None of us. All of us. That's the beauty of TV and film. It's the fun of arguing the merits of a show in the forum, or shaking your fist at a stupid, narrow-minded reviewer who hates your favorite series. What does he know anyway? Am I right? By a series' third season, you already know if you're in love, ready for a divorce, or completely uninterested in meeting this new chick Grimm. You're either in for the long haul, looking for an escape hatch, or happy to be spending your time and money elsewhere. The fact that a show like Grimm even exists in cause for some celebration. Whether or not it lives up to expectations is just a debate to be held with people as passionate about their go-to series as you.

The Blu-ray release of Grimm: Season Three features 22 episodes spread across 5 BD-50 discs:

• The Ungrateful Dead: "But if I stand at the sick person's feet, he is mine." A panicked Juliette, Monroe, and Rosalee enlist Hank’s help in fending off a zombie hoard while trying to figure out what happened to Nick. Knowing the truth, Captain Renard takes measures to help rescue Nick from the clutches of his brother, Eric. Elsewhere, along with the help of the mysterious Stefania, Adalind finds herself facing her most gruesome task yet in her effort to regain her Hexenbiest abilities.
• PTZD: "It is not more surprising to be born twice than once; everything in nature is resurrection." Monroe, Hank, Rosalee and Juliette track down a manic Nick and do all they can to find him and reverse what’s been done to him before he causes any more damage. Meanwhile, Captain Renard does his best to clean up the zombie fallout on all fronts - domestic and international. Elsewhere, the more time Adalind spends with Stefania, the more disturbing things seem to get in her quest to regain her Hexenbiest abilities.
• A Dish Best Served Cold: "Tis Death's Park, where he breeds life to feed him. Cries of pain are music for his banquet." A series of disturbing crime scenes leads Nick and Hank to the resurrection of an old feud that’s all too familiar for Nick and Monroe. With the news of a royal family member’s demise, several key players start to make their move. Meanwhile, despite his recent trauma, Nick finds himself healthier than normal and Monroe and Rosalee talk about moving their relationship forward.
• One Night Stand: "More and more she grew to love human beings and wished that she could leave the sea and live among them." When Nick and Hank investigate a drowning death with mysterious marks on the victim’s ankles, they happen upon a group of water-bound Wesen with a deadly postcoital cuddle. Meanwhile, Rosalee starts unpacking her things at Monroe’s, and Captain Renard makes a startling realization about the possible identities of the Royal Baby’s parents.
• El Cucuy: "Sleep child, sleep now. Or else the Bogeyman will come and eat you." Nick and Hank are on the case as repeat instances of apparent vigilantism have whispers of an old Spanish legend making their way through a working-class Portland neighborhood. Elsewhere, Juliette learns the truth about Nick’s mother. Meanwhile, Adalind has a brief scare during her ultrasound.
• Stories We Tell Our Young: "We don't believe, we only fear." Nick faces his toughest challenge yet when he and Hank investigate a case that combines religious phenomenon with the dark dealings of the Wesen Council. Meanwhile, Rosalee is torn when Nick’s case challenges her Wesen loyalties. Elsewhere, Captain Renard leaves town to tend to some "family matters."
• Cold Blooded: "But for the pit confounders, let them go, and find as little mercy as they show!" As a deadly crime spree begins to surface, a century-old urban legend takes shape in Portland's sewers and becomes Nick's latest case. In Europe, Adalind meets Prince Viktor, who’s come to bring those responsible for his cousin Eric’s demise to justice. Meanwhile, Captain Renard responds to the recent attempt on his life.
• Twelve Days of Krampus: "O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, How steadfast are your branches..." After a string of delinquent teens go missing, an old Wesen tale of an evil Santa who brings more than just a lump of coal may be the prime suspect. The investigation intensifies as Nick and Hank take things a little too far. Meanwhile, Monroe enlists Juliette to surprise Rosalee for their first Christmas together with unintended results. Elsewhere, Captain Renard’s tour of Europe brings him closer to tracking down Adalind.
• Red Menace: "To kill Koschei the Deathless, first you must find his soul, which is hidden in an egg, in a duck in a lead chest buried beneath an oak tree." Nick and Hank investigate a Wesen "healer" whose ability holds risks that far outweigh its rewards. Meanwhile, Juliette takes in a friend when domestic issues escalate and Hank makes a move on his physical therapist Zuri. Elsewhere, Captain Renard finally tracks down Adalind and has a stern warning for her.
• Eyes of the Beholder: "I am glad 'tis night, you do not look on me, for I am much ashamed of my exchange." Nick and Hank are called to the scene of a gang-related homicide. The case escalates as Zuri, Hank’s physical therapist, and her brother get caught up in the investigation. Meanwhile, Juliette seeks advice from Rosalee in dealing with the news that her friend is Wesen.
• The Good Soldier: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." Nick and Hank are called to the gruesome murder of a veteran working in home security. During their investigation, they discover this might be one of several revenge killings regarding a horrifying cover-up involving members of the army and military contractors. On the domestic front, Monroe accompanies Rosalee during her long overdue reunion with her mother and sister. In Europe, Adalind sees hints of what she thinks might be her powers returning.
• The Wild Hunt: "Come back in the evening, I'll have the door locked to keep out the wild huntsmen." Nick and Hank investigate a cop killer who scalps his victims. Meanwhile, Juliette begins to communicate with Nick’s mom via email and Adalind finds herself much closer to delivering her baby than she previously thought. Elsewhere, Monroe's parents decide to surprise him and Rosalee with an early arrival to Portland after learning some exciting news.
• Revelation: "Still, after a short time the family's distress again worsened, and there was no relief anywhere in sight." Monroe fights an impossible battle to convince his parents to embrace the life choices he’s made. Meanwhile, Nick turns to Juliette to help him figure out the Wesen aspect of his cop-killing scalper investigation. On the Royal Baby front, Captain Renard learns new information that forces him to contact Adalind in the interest of keeping her and the baby safe from Viktor.
• Mommy Dearest: "I am going off to a house and entering it like a snake... I will devour their babes and make their hearts ache." A horrible new predator creeps into Portland with its sight set on a young expectant couple who are close friends of Sgt. Wu. Nick and Hank must figure out how to deal with Wu as the investigation escalates. Meanwhile, Adalind prepares for a special delivery while her enemies are hot on her trail.
• Once We Were Gods: "You shall not become corrupt, you shall not become putrid, you shall not become worms." Nick and Hank find themselves thrown into the middle of an ancient battle and things heat up when the Wesen Council decides to get involved. Monroe and Rosalee fill everyone in on early Wesen history. Meanwhile, Sgt. Wu is still reeling from the events he recently experienced. As things heat up in Europe, one of the Resistance’s most trusted allies gets compromised as he tries to protect Adalind.
• The Show Must Go On: "Under such conditions, whatever is evil in men's natures comes to the front." A double homicide leads Nick and Hank to a traveling carnival where the performers are not what they seem. To get a better understanding of what’s going on behind the scenes Monroe and Rosalee go undercover. On the wedding front, Monroe has a really important question for Nick. In Austria, an invaluable member of the Resistance makes the ultimate sacrifice to help Adalind.
• Synchronicity: "In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order." The Resistance’s plan to keep Adalind safe gets kicked into high gear when an unexpected ally arrives to ensure she and the baby make it out of Europe safely. In Portland, as Monroe and Rosalee prepare for their upcoming wedding, Nick and Juliette are reminded of their failed proposal.
• The Law of Sacrifice: "The Queen was terrified and offered the little man all the riches of the kingdom, if only he would leave the newborn child alone." Nick and his mom, Kelly Burkhardt, join forces to protect Adalind’s baby. Meanwhile, Prince Viktor activates a deadly stateside asset to find Adalind and her child.
• Nobody Knows the Trubel I've Seen: "Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow." Nick and Hank investigate a dangerous female suspect leaving a trail of Wesen in her wake. Elsewhere, Adalind takes measures into her own hands, even if that means forging a dangerous alliance.
• My Fair Wesen: "No longer a dark, gray bird, ugly and disagreeable to look at, but a graceful and beautiful swan." Nick does his best to educate Trubel on how best to handle the world she is learning about for the first time, and decides it best to bring her on a ride along with Hank. They find themselves investigating the homicide of a young woman that strikes a chord for Trubel. Meanwhile, Adalind makes a discovery that she hopes will lead her to regain something she has lost.
• The Inheritance: "'No,' said the King. 'I had rather die than place you in such a great danger as you must meet with in your journey.'" Nick and Hank are called to investigate a double homicide, and quickly learn the victims were from a special section of the Verrat tasked with finding rare objects pertaining to the Wesen world. Trubel gets involved with a mysterious father-and-son tandem. Meanwhile, Captain Renard begins to grow suspicious of Adalind’s recent behavior and quietly decides to put extra eyes on her.
• Blond Ambition: "Turn back, turn back, thou pretty bride, within this house thou must not abide. For here do evil things betide." It’s Monroe and Rosalee’s big day and their joy will only be matched by unexpected heartache for those around them. Nick and Juliette make a startling realization that could shake their relationship to its core. Meanwhile, Adalind proceeds with a delicately laid plan that leads to a catastrophic event that will alter the course of Nick’s journey.

Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Grimm continues to impress in high definition, with Season Three delivering another strong 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation free of distractions and issues of note. Crush and noise appear, particularly in scenes set at night or slathered in heavy shadow, but most, if not all, of these instances trace back to the series' digital source and photography. Nothing more. Colors are surprisingly vibrant, in spite of the prevailing overcast-Northwestern palette, contrast and saturation are dialed in precisely and consistently, skintones are striking and lifelike, black levels are deep and satisfying, and delineation is as secretive or revealing as the showrunners require. Detail is excellent too, with crisp edges and well-resolved textures. The only exception being FX-laden shots, which often aren't as clean, sharp or refined as their FX-less counterparts. Moreover, there isn't any significant macroblocking, banding or aliasing in play, and what little ringing there is appears fleetingly and without serious incident. All told, Season Three looks as good as its predecessors. Fans will be most pleased.

Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Season Three offers a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track comparable to its first two seasons' Blu-ray releases, so there aren't any major complaints to share. Like its Season Two counterpart, the soundfield isn't always the vicious beast it could be -- quieter scenes are short on cinematic ambience and lack fully enveloping immersive qualities -- but the rear speakers join forces with the LFE channel for every Grimm vs. Wesen encounter, chase or battle, or dose of good ol' fashioned supernatural intrigue. Dialogue is intelligible and nicely prioritized throughout, no matter the menace, mystery or rage that fuels any given scene, and dynamics are quite good, with ample opportunities for the sound design to shed its network television skin and flash its true nature. Grimm never joins the ranks of more engrossing sonic fare (the Walking Deads, Game of Thrones, and what not), but it bears its teeth, barks almost as well as it bites, and makes enough of an impression to warrant modest praise.

Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Something Wesen This Way Comes: Inside Season 3 (HD, 11 minutes): Go behind the scenes with the cast and crew as they skip stones across the surface of the third season. There's nothing particularly insightful, but fans will enjoy the quick glimpses into the production.
• Double Take: Fighting a Hundjager (HD, 3 minutes): An even briefer featurette, this one focusing on the stunt coordination, filming, visual effects integration and final showdown between Nick and a nasty Wesen.
• Meltdown (HD, 7 minutes): The first of two digital series, featuring Wu, Franco and Bud.
• Love Is In the Air: Elegant Endeavors (HD, 7 minutes): The second features Juliette and Rosalee.
• Grimm Guide (HD): An interactive Wesen guide with select episode clips.
• Deleted Scenes (HD): Deleted scenes are spread across the entire 5-disc season.
• Gag Reel (HD, 10 minutes): Outtakes with the cast.

Grimm: Season Three Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Grimm, Grimm, Grimm. What am I going to do with you? I want to love you. I want to gobble up every episode and be left hungry for more. I want to enjoy everything you have on the menu. But I just can't seem to figure out what it is so many other people see in what you have to offer. Ah well. At least Universal seems to understand your appeal. Though light on supplements -- too light -- the 5-disc Blu-ray release of Season Three boasts a strong AV presentation sure to satisfy fans.