Grimm Season 5 Episode 17 Review: Inugami

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One of the challenges with serialized storytelling and long-term arcs is that you almost inevitably end up with filler and set-up while you get ready for the Grand Finale, the Big Reveal, the Final Showdown.

The Case of the Week featured in Grimm Season 5 Episode 17 is almost completely predictable from start to finish, broken up at intervals by various developments in the bigger stories.

Normally, I'd find the whole idea of the murder-vengeance-by-tradition way too absurd, like expecting me to get dressed up in a dirndl and drink tons of beer during Oktoberfest solely because I'm of German heritage. It works here because (1) certain subsets of Japanese really are extremely traditional and (2) many Wesen have also demonstrated a heavy emphasis on tradition and heritage in general.

Too bad it was far too easy to peg the lawyer, Takeshi, as the Inugami ghost dog. I was amused at Hank's quip while arresting him:

We also have a tradition -- you have the right to remain silent!

Hank

In other news! I'm gratified that Rosalee informed the others that Adalind's 'biest had already come back. While frustrating to me from an outside perspective, Adalind's secrecy on that count made more sense with the heavy implication that it's already affecting her behavior for the worse.

Eve's call on Adalind was all sorts of interesting. For one thing, there was this line:

Hexenbiests are valuable. But if you hurt Nick, I will come for you. [beat] I like the new place.

Eve

Two items of note here:

  • Hexens are "valuable." Implied here and there, but I can't recall if this had ever been stated so plainly. This goes beyond saying that Eve in particular is valuable and may go a way to explain why King Frederick was involved with one.
  • Eve cares for Nick, at least on some level. Whether this ismerely a logical response to his importance in the grand scheme of things or some leftover vestige of Juliette is a bit ambiguous. But Adalind better take that warning to heart, because Juliette owned her even before she became Eve.

The last scene with Renard and Surprise Guest Diana (!) had me wanting to throw things at the writers. Please, please, can someone please explain to me how Black Claw got their (ahem) claws on Diana? The last time we saw her, she was with Meisner! You know, a leader in the group actively opposing Black Claw.

Meisner has some 'splaining to do. If I ask nicely, Grimm writers, will you please tie this up so I don't feel like banging my head against the wall repeatedly?

Frankly, I'm more than a little frustrated with the whole Diana-Chosen-One story arc. (Three words: convenient rapid aging.) I'd have been perfectly happy if she were shuffled off to a nice happy adoptive family and never heard from again. Okay, maybe that's a big harsh on some level. But they really need to explain why, oh why, is she so important anyway?! And what's with the purple eyes?

A few final thoughts before I turn the discussion over to you, fellow Grimmsters:

  • You should never, ever store a gun loaded. This episode demonstrates one reason why. Always keep your firearms, even heritage pieces, locked securely, preferably with the ammunition stored separately. Also, ammunition itself (especially the really old stuff) has a shelf life.
  • The Shanghai tunnels are quite real and were apparently constructed to move goods from the docks at the Willamette River to the various downtown bars and hotels. Fans of the series Leverage will recall the critical role the tunnels played in the series finale!
  • Inugami are anthropomorphic dog-like beings from Japanese folklore, said to be evoked through a rather gruesome ceremony involving decapitating a dog.
  • Wu, go see a doctor right now. Or, better yet, go see Rosalee. 'Cause that just ain't normal.
  • For a rundown of notable quotes from this episode, be sure to check out our Grimm quotes page.

So, what did you think of "Inugami"? Did you find it predictable? Was it interesting to see a non-European Wesen? What do you think will happen Adalind, Renard, Team Grimm, and all the different factions forming? Let us know in the comments section below!

If you missed this episode, no worries! You can watch Grimm online to catch up! Be sure to tune in to NBC on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 9/8c for Grimm Season 5 Episode 18, "Good to the Bone"!


Inugami Review

Editor Rating: 3.3 / 5.0
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User Rating:

Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 (48 Votes)
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Grimm Season 5 Episode 17 Quotes

Maybe hold your breath, just in case?

Monroe [on opening a mysterious door]

Rosalee [on Eve having sex while disguised as Renard]: Well. I wonder what that was like.
Nick: ...I didn't... ask...