‘Grimm’ Recap: Captain Crook
(Photo by: Allyson Riggs/NBC)
Warning: This recap of the “Oh Captain, My Captain” episode of Grimm contains spoilers.
Nick and the Scooby gang make yet another plan to put the Grimm back on the right side of the law, but almost start a clone war in the process.
Renard’s Revenge
Having finagled his way out of the murder charge, Renard has the cops working double time to capture Nick and he proves to be as big of a bully at home telling Adalind that she “should be more worried what happens to [her]” than Nick and that she “better get with the program before” he takes office. “I expect a lot of support from the first lady of this city,” he snarls. He reminds her that she is stuck with him thanks to the cursed ring Bonaparte put on her finger.
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Wu and Hank are forced to turn in their resignation letters and Wu barely contains his inner beast when telling Renard, “It isn’t right.” But with Hank’s help, he controls what would have been a way-too-public woge.
To avoid Renard’s minions, Eve and Nick camp out in the tunnels and discuss the stick, the cloth’s symbols, and Diana’s powers (which they determine to be far greater than anything Renard has.) They recall some of Nick’s mom’s final words about the child’s great destiny. He has trouble putting the magic stick back in the box once again and explains to Eve that he felt like he needs it. She admits she can feel his love for Adalind.
Renard also has a new problem to deal with. Rachel’s coworker Jeremiah, who also apparently had a crush on her, shows up in Renard’s office and throws around threats. He knew that they were having an affair and saw Renard enter her apartment the night she died. He found her dead and now he wants “justice” in the form of hush money. He gives the captain 24 hours to figure out how much his silence is worth. But Renard isn’t so easily had. He shows up at Jeremiah’s place with a Wesen officer he has promised to make precinct captain if he proves his loyalty by disposing of his blackmail problem. In the process or slashing his throat, blood splashes on Renard’s shirt.
Plan Be
Knowing that Renard as mayor gives him control of the whole city, Nick figures they need to get him to step down and clear Nick of charges before he takes office. He suggests using the same shape-shifting spell that Adalind and Eve have used to become Renard and make the announcements on the 7 o’clock news for their ex-friend.
They send Monroe to the mayor’s mansion to retrieve Renard’s hair and clothes for the spell. He’s forced to hide in the closet when Renard returns unexpectedly to change his bloodstained shirt. He explains the mess to Adalind by saying, “Blackmail is risky business.” She convinces him that there is also some hemoglobin in his hair and sends him to the shower, giving Monroe the opportunity to escape.
Just before Nick inhales the green smoke of change, Rosalee worries about the dangers of doing the spell on a Grimm. But there’s no time for research. Eve worries about Nick’s clothes going all Incredible Hulk as Renard is bigger than Nick so in a double treat for David Guintoli and Sasha Roiz fans, Nick strips down before breathing in and then gets up in Captain McChesty form. Far less nice to look at is his face, which has come through in full Zauberbiest mode. Nick is freaking out, but the gang, who are all familiar with voging, coach him back to normal. They also have to instruct him how to be less Nick (Ha! The hands on hips is such a signature Burkhardt move!) and more Renard (i.e. a lot more full of himself). He eventually even tricks Hank.
Adalind was stalling Renard at home by discussing Diana’s educational future when the live announcement by fake Renard came on the news and explained that Nick was undercover and that he was going to remain with the police. Nick and Hank went to the precinct to grab his briefcase and computer and Adalind called to explain that Renard saw the broadcast and was on his way back to the office. Wu stayed in the garage to intercept real Renard.
The officer that was earlier promised a promotion asks to speak with the Captain and he is understandably pissed about him reneging on their deal. Nick bluffs his way through although his hands slip back into Burkhardt stance. Grossante swears he won’t forget the broken promise.
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Double Vision
Nick gets a pang of pain, assumes he is turning back to himself, and tries to flee quickly but is caught by a group of thirsty for quotes reporters. Again he bluffs saying that he will never run for another political position and that Nick, Hank, and Wu are exemplary. Meanwhile, real Renard returns and Wu suggests he stay downstairs because it could “get a little awkward” if he goes up to the office where he already is. They have a small confrontation in the garage, and Nick drives off just as the press steps off the elevator. Renard tries to explain that he will take office and that it wasn’t him making the announcement. The press catches that he is suddenly wearing a different tie.
Nick returns to the Spice Shop and Eve realizes that the pain he felt earlier was his body trying to revert to normal but apparently the spell did not wear off. As the gang goes into research mode, Renard calls and tells Nick it isn’t a game. Nick agrees and threatens that he won’t return to his old self until Renard ends this for real. “If you think Portland is big enough for two Sean Renards, think again. You’ll always be contradicting yourself. No one will ever believe you. They might just think you’re crazy and lock you up.”
They arrange a meet on the roof of Nick’s loft. Nick sends for Adalind and the kids because his son is the only thing Renard can use against him. Before he goes, Eve grabs his arm thoughtfully and tells him to be careful.
Turns out by meet to “talk” really meant meet to beat the crap out of each other with both Renards going into Biest mode. When they eventually wear each other out and realize neither plans to give up and neither has their backup anymore with HW and Black Claw gone in Portland, they strike a deal. They will pin the murders on a deal between corrupt cops and Bonaparte going south. Nick also argues for his job as well as those of Hank and Wu. He also demands that he raise his son and that Adalind is free from playing house with Renard. Renard declares he will raise his daughter and reminds Nick that Diana loves her daddy and would hate it if anything happened to him. His parting words: “And if I ever see another me again, this deal is dead and so are you.”
Meanwhile back at the Spice Shop, Adalind can’t find anything wrong with the spell. When Nick returns, still morphed, he fills the gang in on the compromise including the fact that Adalind has to share custody of Diana. Then speak of the devil, Diana wanders downstairs and wonders why her dad’s face was used as a punching bag. Nick gets closer to reassure her that her father’s fine. She touches her hand to his chest, gets purple-eyed once again, and charges, “You’re not my daddy.” Her magic sends him flying to the other room, but also forces him back to his Burkhardt body as her mom tries to calm her down.
Her real dad gets a shock to the system when he returns home — Meisner is sitting in the den and reminds Renard once again that he chose the wrong side.
Could Meisner have survived the gunshot? Or more likely is he a ghost or a hallucination?
Grimm airs Fridays at 8 p.m. on NBC.
