Woman in Black (Grimm)

Last updated
"Woman in Black"
Grimm episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 22
Directed by Norberto Barba
Written by David Greenwalt
Jim Kouf
Featured music Richard Marvin
Cinematography byCort Fey
Editing byChris Willingham
Production code122
Original air dateMay 18, 2012 (2012-05-18)
Running time42 minutes
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Big Feet"
Next 
"Bad Teeth"
Grimm season 1
List of episodes

"Woman in Black" is the 22nd episode and the first-season finale of the supernatural drama television series Grimm , which premiered on May 18, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by series creators David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf, and was directed by Norberto Barba.

Contents

Plot

Opening quote: "It shall not be death, but a sleep of a hundred years, into which the princess shall fall."

Hank (Russell Hornsby) wakes from a nightmare. In a cafe, Nick (David Giuntoli) and Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) discuss whether, and what, to tell Hank about the Wesen. A man photographs them from a parked car.

The photographer delivers the photos to Akira Kimura (Brian Tee), who kills him. His body is found by a woman dressed in black (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). Adalind (Claire Coffee) prepares a potion for her cat and then goes to Juliette's (Bitsie Tulloch) clinic, where the cat scratches Juliette. The cat's eyes turn black. Nick and Hank discover the photographer had been following Nick, Hank, Monroe and Renard (Sasha Roiz).

Renard is attacked in his house and tied up by Kimura, who is looking for the coins. Kimura escapes when Wu (Reggie Lee) shows up. Nick and Hank save Renard. Later, Nick sees Juliette's scratches and becomes alarmed when he hears they are from Adalind's cat. He insists she see a doctor, but she refuses. In desperation, Nick decides to tell her the truth. He takes her to his aunt's trailer to explain the Grimm world, but she remains skeptical. Finally, he takes her to Monroe and convinces him to reveal his Blutbad face. As Monroe prepares to do so, Juliette faints from the effect of the poison on her scratches. Nick takes her to the hospital, where she remains unconscious.

The woman in black finds Kimura's hotel room. Wu arrives shortly later and tries to detain her, but she escapes. Nick and Monroe retrieve the cat from the clinic and take it to Rosalee (Bree Turner). Hank arrives home to discover his house ransacked.

Rosalee prepares a vapor to render the cat unconscious. Juliette opens her eyes, which are now black, similarly to the cat's. Nick returns home and is attacked by Kimura. He is saved by the woman in black, who fights and stabs Kimura. Nick holds her at gunpoint. She calls him "Nicky" and a shocked Nick replies, "Mom?"

Reception

Viewers

The episode was viewed by 5.10 million people, earning a 1.6/5 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale, ranking first on its timeslot and tying first for the night in the 18-49 demographics with Shark Tank . [1] This was a 14% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.45 from an 1.2/4 in the 18-49 demographics. [2] This means that 1.6 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 5 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it.

The episode was a 23% decrease in viewership from the season premiere, which was watched by 6.56 from an 1.2/4 in the 18-49 demographics. [3] The season averaged 6.35 million viewers, ranking 89th of all shows. [4]

Critical reviews

"Woman in Black" received mixed-to-positive reviews. The A.V. Club's Kevin McFarland gave the episode a "C+" grade and wrote, "Instead of picking one serialized element and providing some kind of conclusion or any answer, this finale introduces even more new questions. Sure, Nick's mom being alive can be construed as kind of an answer to Nick's sudden interest in his parents' murder case that started a few weeks ago with Juliette as instigator and lead investigator. But really it just opens a door to tons of new queries, none of which the show seems interested in committing to, since we still have no idea what Renard is, what kind of hierarchy is in place, who the Reapers are, or any of the other overarching mythology. Grimm is now densely layered, with the Portland cases, Nick's past and his parents murder, and international Wesen issues building outwards, but in shooting for a big, ambitious design, the small things are getting lost in the shuffle." [5]

Nick McHatton from TV Fanatic, gave a 4.5 star rating out of 5, stating: "If there is one gripe I have about tonight's episode it's the time limit. So much of the episode felt rushed, as we hurried from one character to the next, and from one quick burst of story to the next, and if given room to breathe, the plot might have been better served. It felt like Akira, Renard, Adalind, and Team Nick all got pushed to the side for the big reveal of Mama Burkhardt. There's nothing wrong with that, but there was just too much to tell and not enough allotted time to do it." [6]

Shilo Adams from TV Overmind wrote, "A lot of good stuff got introduced in 'The Woman in Black', stuff that I have the fullest confidence in saying will pan out beautifully in season two, but the finale was a missed opportunity, to me. It could have been a major revelation, an episode that laid all the cards out on the table, but instead, we have a confession that didn't really count, a reveal that was good (but not great), and a one-note villain that only left the most ancillary of bodies in his wake." [7]

Related Research Articles

"Island of Dreams" is the 15th episode of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 1, which premiered on March 30, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, and was directed by Rob Bailey.

"The Thing with Feathers" is the 16th episode of season 1 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm, which was premiered in the United States on April 6, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by Richard Hatem and was directed by Darnell Martin.

"Love Sick" is the 17th episode of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 1, which premiered on April 13, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by Catherine Butterfield, and was directed by David Solomon.

"Cat and Mouse" is the 18th episode of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 1, which premiered on April 20, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by Jose Molina, and was directed by Felix Alcala.

"Bad Teeth" is the first episode and season premiere of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 23rd overall, which premiered on August 13, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by series creators David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf, and was directed by Norberto Barba. The season premiered a month earlier than most primetime shows on Monday night, instead of Friday.

"Quill" is the 4th episode of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 26th overall, which premiered on September 3, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by David Simkins, and was directed by David Straiton.

"The Other Side" is the 8th episode of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 30th overall, which premiered on October 19, 2012, on NBC. The episode was written by William Bigelow, and was directed by Eric Laneuville.

"Face Off" is the 13th episode and mid-season premiere of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 35th overall, which premiered on March 8, 2013, on NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, and was directed by Terrence O'Hara.

"Natural Born Wesen" is the 14th episode and of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 36th overall, which premiered on March 15, 2013, on NBC. The episode was written by Thomas Ian Griffith and Mary Page Keller, and was directed by Michael Watkins.

"Mr. Sandman" is the 15th episode of season 2 and the 37th overall of the supernatural drama Grimm television series which premiered on March 22, 2013, on NBC. The episode was written by Alan DiFiore, and was directed by Norberto Barba.

"One Angry Fuchsbau" is the 17th episode and of the supernatural drama television series Grimm of season 2 and the 39th overall, which premiered on April 5, 2013, on NBC. The episode was written by Richard Hatem, and was directed by Terrence O'Hara.

"Kiss of the Muse" is the 20th episode of season 2 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 42nd episode overall, which premiered on May 7, 2013, on NBC. The episode was written by Sean Calder, and was directed by Tawnia McKiernan.

"The Waking Dead" is the 21st episode of season 2 of supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 43rd episode overall, which premiered on May 14, 2013, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, and was directed by Steven DePaul.

"Goodnight, Sweet Grimm" is the 22nd episode of season 2, the 44th overall, and season finale of the supernatural drama television series Grimm which premiered on May 21, 2013, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, and was directed by Norberto Barba.

"Twelve Days of Krampus" is the 8th episode and midseason finale of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 52nd episode overall, which premiered on December 13, 2013, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by Dan E. Fesman, and was directed by Tawnia McKiernan. The episode aired alongside the previous episode, Cold Blooded.

"Revelation" is the 13th episode of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 57th episode overall, which premiered on February 28, 2014, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt, and was directed by Terrence O'Hara.

"The Show Must Go On" is the 16th episode of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 60th episode overall, which premiered on March 21, 2014, on the broadcast network NBC. The episode was written by Marc Gaffen and Kyle McVey, and was directed by Paul A. Kaufman.

"Blond Ambition" is the 22nd episode and season finale of season 3 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 66th episode overall, which premiered on May 16, 2014, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by series creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt and was directed by Norberto Barba.

"The Beginning of the End" is the 21st and 22nd episodes and two-part season finale of season 5 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 109th and 110th episodes overall, which premiered on May 20, 2016, on the cable network NBC. Part I was written by series creators David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf and was directed by Greenwalt, in his Grimm directional debut. Part II was written by Thomas Ian Griffith and directed by executive producer Norberto Barba. The finale was originally going to be just an episode, titled "The Beginning of the End" while the first part was titled "Set Up". However, on April 30, 2016, NBC announced that the two episodes would be merged to broadcast a two-hour season finale. In the episode, Black Claw prepares to make its move now that Renard was named the mayor of Portland. Hank is arrested when two bodies appear in his house, part of the strategy taken by Black Claw. Meanwhile, Nick, Meisner and Trubel continue looking for any information regarding Conrad Bonaparte so they can stop the threat that will pose Portland forever.

"Fugitive" is the first episode and season premiere of season 6 of the supernatural drama television series Grimm and the 111th episode overall, which premiered on January 6, 2017, on the cable network NBC. The episode was written by series creators David Greenwalt and Jim Kouf and was directed by Aaron Lipstadt.

References

  1. "Friday Final TV Ratings: 'Shark Tank', 'Supernatural' Finales Adjusted Up; 'What Would You Do?' Adjusted Down". tvbythenumbers.com. May 21, 2012. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  2. "Friday Final TV Ratings: 'Shark Tank', 'CSI:NY', 'Who Do You Think You Are' Adjusted Up; 'Primetime: What Would You Do?' Adjusted Down". tvbythenumbers.com. May 14, 2012. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  3. "Friday Final TV Ratings: No Adjustments for 'Chuck,' 'Grimm,' Nikita or Any Original + World Series". tvbythenumbers.com. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  4. Gorman, Bill (May 24, 2012). "Complete List Of 2011-12 Season TV Show Viewership: 'Sunday Night Football' Tops, Followed By 'American Idol,' 'NCIS' & 'Dancing With The Stars'". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on May 27, 2012. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  5. ""Woman in Black" · Grimm · TV Review · TV Club · The A.V. Club". avclub.com. May 19, 2016.
  6. "Grimm Review: On My Mother's Side". TV Fanatic.
  7. "Grimm 1.22 'The Woman in Black' Review". TV Overmind .