The "Grimm" Season 2 premiere episode, "Bad Teeth," does a superb job of filling in all the gaps that were left from a terrific Season 1. Season 1 culminated into a finale episode, "Woman in Black," that was the most intriguing in the show's history. Luckily for the viewers, "Bad Teeth" tops even that. Going a step further, the Season 2 premiere also gives viewers some of the things they've been waiting for.
Nick finally has some emotional conflict
It's not that viewers want to see Nick (David Giuntoli) crying all the time; it's just that he was a bit bland before. Emotional conflict was the one major lacking piece from the character profile. Viewers get the first taste of Nick's new emotional conflict when his mother returns from the dead after 18 years. Nick actually sheds a few tears and has a couple of tender moments with his dear ol' mum (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio).
The next conflict comes when he introduces mommy to his new friends -- violently. Mom tries to kill them and is disgusted learn that he is friends with Wesen (creatures). Mom is a specist -- racist against creatures (or would that be Wesenist?). This conflict will probably be a fan favorite as the son tries to deal with the traditional-valued-in-all-the-wrong-ways mom.
The third conflict comes with Juliette's (Bitsie Tulloch) condition. It turns out that Renard (Sasha Roiz) is more protective of the dear Grimm (Nick) than viewers would have realized. He just wants to control him. In order to do that effectively, he doesn't want to hurt Nick too much. Just a little by possibly stealing Juliette with a kiss to wake her from her slumber. Viewers will have to wait until next week for any resolution on this cliffhanger.
Monroe and Rosalee seem to have a larger role to play
With "sleeping beauty" (Juliette) fading away due to a Hexenbiest's cat scratch, Nick needs Rosalee (Bree Turner) more than ever. And whenever there is more Rosalee, there is more of her new beau, Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell). Rosalee and Monroe are a fan favorite, so Nick's need for potions from Rosalee's shop is welcomed. With Nick's mom now in the picture, Nick may not need Monroe's knowledge as much as he once did, but maybe he'll need more potions.
Renard is more involved in the story (and mysterious as ever)
Renard is the most mysterious character on the show. Viewers already know that he may be royalty (at least in the Wesen world), but not much more. He does not seem to have any special abilities, but there is no rule stating that he cannot keep his powers hidden until a special moment. Perhaps he has powers that have not manifested yet. In "Bad Teeth," he said to Akira Kimura (Brian Tee), "It would have been better for you, had you known what I am." Was he simply talking about being royalty or something more?
The creatures appear to be more dangerous and difficult to beat
It is good to know now that there are Wesen out there who are more dangerous than the Reapers. "Bad Teeth" introduces a new type of Wesen called Mauvais Dentes (which translates to "bad teeth"). The creature leaves quite a mess of its victims, and Nick's mom warns that they are tougher to beat than the Reapers. That's not necessarily bad news because Nick didn't have a very hard time doing away with three whole Reapers at once.
The episode is packed with action, intrigue, suspense, and character development. It has everything a Grimm fan could want and more. Watch the second part of this two-part episode, "The Kiss" (where we will find out who wakes Juliette), on Monday, 8/20, at 10PM ET on NBC.
More from this contributor:
'Grimm' Finale Episode 'Woman in Black' Recap and Review: Double-Header Cliffhanger
