"Grimm" is a TV show on NBC that combines a procedural cop show with fairy tales from "The Brothers Grimm." The protagonist, Portland police detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli), discovers, as an adult, in the series pilot, that he is descended from the Grimm brothers when his Aunt Marie (Kate Burton) becomes ill. Aunt Marie has the power (as do all Grimms) to see fairy tale monsters, which quickly begins to pass to Nick as she becomes weak from illness. Aunt Marie warns Nick to keep his ability a secret.
Nick's police detective partner, Hank Griffin (Russell Hornsby), and girlfriend, Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch), are not in on the secret. For Nick to do his duty as a Grimm, he must keep his powers a secret, while also doing his duty as a police detective. The two jobs often collide, when they have opposing objectives. He enlists Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell), a reformed werewolf, in the unsolicited task of helping with Grimm duties when they oppose cop duties.
"Grimm" seamlessly melds the real world with the world of fairy tales
Nick's professional life as a cop, and home life as a boyfriend are completely normal, bordering on the mundane, until "Grimm" fairy tale creatures begin to appear. The top-notch acting and impeccable special effects draw the viewer into the fairy tale so successfully, you can believe the fairy tale really exists, until the credits are rolling.
The acting is terrific
Every actor on "Grimm" is a perfect choice. Giuntoli as Nick is the most important here, as the success of every other character depends on him. Each relationship is between Nick and another character. Nick and Hank have a solid, believable relationship as detective partners, and they have great chemistry. The relationship between Nick and his girlfirend, Juliette, is not quite as evolved, but interesting and risky (since she must never learn the truth about him) nonetheless.
The best on-screen duo, however, has to be Nick and Monroe. Monroe is annoyed by Nick and Nick's unwelcome requests for help. We can tell that the two characters like and respect each other, albeit reluctantly. They are supposed to hate each other, and clearly have an annoyance level approaching hatred, but keep it in check with humorous snubs and insults.
The comedy relief is fantastic
Monroe gives just the right touch of dry humor and biting sarcasm to put the viewer in stitches. Sometimes the delivery comes in a mere look of disdain or drop of the head. You will begin to find yourself cracking a smile the moment Monroe's face appears. When watching with a group, his appearance may warrant vigorous clapping, as if watching a sitcom.
The CGI is beautiful
The surrounding environment is easy to overlook, but provides the perfect vehicle for a fairy tale, with plenty of dark, forested areas and foggy mornings. Each time we see a horrible monster appear to Nick, the effects are well meshed with these surroundings. It is easy to get drawn in. It is the perfect blending of real and unreal that makes you believe until the next commercial break or rolling credits interrupt your trance.
There is plenty of room to grow
Nick has solid relationships with his "real world" cohorts, which keeps him grounded. If this were to change in any way, or if someone from this world were to find out the truth about him, there could be dire consequences. The show flirts with these possibilities, as some of the people with whom he comes in contact in his professional and home lives are actually creatures.
