Second episode in a row that is all mythology based. Gotta say, I like the change immensely. I don’t want it always to be that way, because then things get silly with someone cheating and others lying and backstabbing, you know: soap opera-ish. But, when you’ve got big moves to make, you need to make them in a big way; Grimm did that these last two episodes. Adalind has returned to Portland. The Royals traveled all the way straight into Renard’s office at the station and issued an ultimatum, and on the front steps, almost, of that very station Renard appeared to completely acquiesce to their demands. But then the Grimm team – and what an odd makeup of a team it is — completely turned the situation on its head and pulled a great double cross – all while appearing to be utterly innocent in the whole matter.
Adalind, who has become extremely likable as a mother, something that will likely change now that little baby Diana is in hiding with Kelly Burkhardt, will no doubt tear up the landscape in search of her daughter. Oh, the trouble she is likely to inflict upon Nick and Renard and the others. Claire Coffey absolutely nailed the scene in which she realizes Renard has taken her baby and that she is gone. I felt her agony. Well done.
Once again I applaud the casting – and work – of Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. She effortlessly transitions between hardened, cynical Grimm, used to working alone; to empathetic mother, who knows all too well the pain of giving up a child to keep it safe. She conveys sardonic amusement at how intertwined Adalind is in her son’s and all his friends’ lives and finds her place in this odd concoction of a team, even as she maintains her aloofness. In the end, she sacrifices again as she leaves Nick behind and ventures off in her new life: raising baby Diana. While I have no idea what the plan is for this particular storyline, I am convinced that we have not seen the end of Kelly Burkhardt, for which I immensely pleased.
Law of Sacrifice did a great job of contrasting the differences between a loner Grimm and one who has friends in his life and in his calling. At the beginning of the series, Nick was told by his aunt Marie that he would have to give up Juliette and all he holds dear. It is clear that his mom did that. However, the differences between the two of them are showcased here as Nick reasons with Renard, takes Adalind to safety with his Wesen friends (and if that isn’t a compelling difference…) and brings in his girlfriend and police partner to assist in pulling off the con. Nick has alliances with Wesen, Royals, and has human friends, a/k/a civilians, assisting in these matters. Kelly has…well, Kelly. I like that she allowed Nick to take the lead in his plan all while maintaining her belief that hiding the baby was the best course of action – and the one that ultimately occurred.
Once again it’s Nick, Kelly, Renard, and Adalind who have the most screen time but the rest of the team gets some good moments as well. Juliette’s scenes are short in time and few in number but they give the impression that she is a partner in this activity. She brings Hank up to speed on recent events and assists in the purchase of a vehicle for Kelly and the baby to drive away in. Hank does surveillance and assists in stealing the baby from the Royals all in the guise of being a Resistance member. Rosalee offers succor and support – something she is great at, along with a bit of humor as Nick calls and interrupts her and Monroe’s evening. Ah, dear Monroe and Rosalee, it’s good that you hold Nick responsible for bringing you two together, for you will be paying him back in assistance for the rest of your days. Monroe is fun to watch as he treads the ground lightly around Adalind and Kelly and then boldly goes all in as the German speaking Resistance member keeping up appearances.
Sergeant Wu makes a brief but utterly enjoyable appearance as he introduce the Prince-with-a-name-too-long-to-write-here and snarks that he may have inadvertently dropped a bit here and there. It’s a fun little moment that shows, along with others, that Grimm has learned to have a bit of humor. This episode overall showed a confidence in writing that has lacked at other times. There was humor scattered throughout that played perfectly with the scenes: Nick on the phone with Rosalee and Monroe, Kelly remarking how Adalind sure is popular, answering Monroe’s query of how she got into his house without him knowing it with, “You’re kidding, right?” There was also pathos as Kelly explained true sacrifice to Adalind and then Adalind recognized what that she had been tricked by of all people, Renard.
Through it all Nick appears confident and in charge, which is good because Adalind is going to be at her formidable worst now that Diana is gone. Renard will have his hands full as well since he assisted in the charade that allowed Diana to be whisked away.
Law of Sacrifice was another excellent episode. I’m looking forward to the remainder of the season, all while reminding myself somewhat sorrowfully that it is, in actuality, the end of the season (even as I love the warmer weather and long days that spring brings…the end of the season is always a bit sad for me).
Until next time – another final hiatus to go – thanks for reading, Elle2
