Grimm Round Table: A Twisted Sense of Torture
Kathleen Wiedel
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Black Claw continued to be of growing concern in Grimm Season 5 Episode 9, as Hadrian's Wall captured themselves a Black Claw soldier while Team Grimm investigated an ancient Wesen ritual.
Join in the conversation as Grimm Round Table panelists Allison Nichols, Robin Harry, Doug Wolfe, and Kathleen Wiedel discuss Eve's interrogation technique, Renard's extracurricular activities, Rosalee's stalker, and more.
Be sure to add in your own thoughts in the comments section below!
What are your thoughts on the scene where Eve interrogated the Black Claw soldier?
Allison: It creeped me out. Eve's got skills and a twisted sense of torture to match. I am glad we got to see more of what she can do, but it was so disturbing.
Robin: I loved that scene. Finally, some use for Eve/Juliette that's actually interesting to watch! Her method of torture was horrific and fascinating, and it was even more interesting how Meisner and Trubel didn't even flinch at it.
Doug: I liked how Trubel got into it. Clearly they’ve done this before. And at the end of the day, there was no harm done. It just provoked a heck of a lot of terror in their target.
Kathleen: That was a truly disturbing scene to me. Eve put the Black Claw soldier into a state of sensory deprivation; he couldn't see, he couldn't hear, he couldn't even scream.
And the casual manner in which Meisner and Trubel treated that psychological torture made me wonder more than ever before whether Team Grimm should be throwing in with Hadrian's Wall. (Clearly, I'm not cut out to be an interrogator.)
Share your opinion on the Case of the Week, particularly as it ties in with the Black Claw arc.
Allison: I wasn't all that entertained. I'm glad that the Cases of the Week are having ties to Black Claw because it makes them a little more important, if that makes sense. I enjoyed seeing the recruiting center. The cases have allowed us to see all different aspects of Black Claw's operation.
Robin: I thought the case of the week was pretty interesting, and I particularly liked the tie-in with astronomy, and the rain casting doubt on the futility of the ritual. The urgency of the case felt real, especially because they came in when the killer was already a few murders in. The tie to Black Claw was tenuous, though it did give us an excuse to see the rally they had.
Doug: It’s important to have even a tenuous tie-in with Black Claw, because let’s face it – that’s the real story we’re all interested in. As urgent as the race to the last location was, I’m glad the bad guy’s blood made it to the ground at the last crucifix. We all wanted to see if the drought would end as a result of the rituals. And it did.
Kathleen: I found it gratifying that the Case of the Week tied in with the Black Claw arc, even tenuously as Robin and Doug mentioned. It served as a reminder that the Black Claw uprising isn't some isolated incident, it's epidemic and growing every day.
I did think that the skepticism regarding the efficacy of the rainmaking ritual to be a bit arbitrary. After all, they live in a world where Adalind shapeshifted into Juliette and Renard was resurrected and subsequently inhabited by the spirit of Jack the Ripper! Where do you draw the line in what's possible when magic is involved?
Do you think that there's something else going on with the Renard subplot (i.e., the Andrew Dixon campaign)?
Allison: I'm thinking Andrew Dixon is a big player with Black Claw. It's the only thing that makes sense. I'm so bored of Renard's storyline. I don't pay that much attention to it anymore.
Robin: I remember saying Dixon being part of the uprising when Renard first met with him, back in that second or third round table this season. That's the only thing that makes this subplot worth our time. Not even shirtless Renard made it worth it.
Doug: I’m fairly certain there’s something going on. My bet is that it too is tied in with the Black Claw campaign. A well-constructed conspiracy like the Black Claw won’t just tackle their goal from one angle, so it makes sense that they would go the political route as well.
I don’t believe for a second that Dixon’s campaign manager has any interest in Renard, beyond keeping him on her leash. It makes me wonder what’s going on with him. Renard used to be suspicious and canny about everyone.
Kathleen: Hmmm... but what if Renard is using her, rather than the other way around? If, as you all suggested, Dixon is a member of Black Claw, Renard could be using the opportunity to get close to him?
That, of course, assumes that the writers are actually giving Renard an interesting storyline, rather than simply boring us out of our minds. Come on! Sasha Roiz is a fine actor! Give him something to do!
What do you think is going to happen with Rosalee's stalker?
Allison: I honestly don't know. This is another storyline I'm not all that invested in. The only good thing to come out of it is Monrosalee. She's being honest with him, and he's looking out for her.
Robin: Like Allison, I have no clue. I'm guessing that this person is going to turn out to actually be helpful and informative, because that would be an interesting twist on an otherwise standard trouble-from-my-past story.
Doug: I like Robin’s idea. However, I don’t have a clue about what’s going to happen either.
Kathleen: Heh, it would be rather different for the stalker to actually turn out to be helpful, wouldn't it? Maybe he's heard about all the Black Claw lunacy that's going on and wants to make sure she's not getting suckered in! I think they need to get a move on, because this is yet another storyline that's being drawn out somewhat too long.
Share a favorite (or least favorite) scene or quote.
Allison: "I can be as good a brainwashed zombie-headed zealot as anybody" - Monroe
Robin: I liked the final scene with the rain falling, and the disbelief on Hank's face as he realized what was happening.
Doug: I was satisfied by that scene too, Robin. I really liked it when the Wesen spoke the words of the ritual as he lay dying near the cross. The next scene had to be rain, and it was.
Kathleen: On the least favorite side of things, could they pretty please get to the point with the Renard subplot with the Andrew Dixon campaign?
*Bonus: What's behind that sealed door under the paint factory? Nick sure is having a tough time opening it...
Allison: Narnia? I'm not sure, but that sucker is locked up tight. I'm getting concerned that maybe there's something in there that shouldn't be let out.
Robin: The Pandorica! I have no idea, but whatever it is, it's either going to cause trouble or save them all.
Doug: I still have no clue. Until he finally opens it, I’m not invested.
Kathleen: Whatever it is, it better be worth the wait. Could Adalind have been foreshadowing when she remarked that some very bad things live a very long time? On the other hand, it would be nice for something good to finally happen to Team Grimm after all the unrelenting bad things. Maybe a hidden stash of knowledge or weapons?
Grimm Season 5 Episode 10, "Map of the Seven Knights," is scheduled to air Friday, February 19 at 9/8c on NBC. Be sure to check out our review for that episode after it airs!
