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Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
Jemaine Clement’s What We Do in the Shadows does the unspeakable with another episode of the new season. Really. Having seen the episode four times over at this point, there are enough layers to conclude that it is… quite an insane narrative to be told. As a matter of fact, it is stranger than many other episodes that fans and viewers have already seen.
The fifth season’s third episode is titled, “Pride Parade”. It is written by producers Jake Bender and Zach Dunn and is directed by co-executive producer, Yana Gorskaya.
In this review, I will discuss FX’s What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3. As the title of this article suggests, there will be no spoilers present here. Some details of previous episodes will be referenced throughout. Please read ahead with caution!
What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3 Loglines
According to FX Networks, here is the logline for What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3 — “Pride Parade”.
The vampires help Sean host a Pride parade. Nadja helps her doll achieve a long-held dream.
FX Networks Press Room
Discussion
The What We Do in the Shadows writers’ room commits to a rather bizarre narrative this week. Yet, given the theme of the episode, many elements and components included here work well. The show’s teleplay continues to paint Sean Rinaldi (guest star Anthony Atamanuik) — and by extension, his wife, Charmaine Rinaldi (guest star Marissa Jaret Winokur) — as respective of the vampires’ flamboyant and freely sexual personalities. Sean Rinaldi does not quite have everything down to a science. Yet, like many things he does in his appearances throughout the course of the series, it’s the thought that counts.
The Rinaldis’ ongoing support of the vampires’ sexualities is the best part about these human characters, and that is all that it is: humane. With that said the means they go to express this support extends to creating a pride parade in the neighborhood. It is one of the most hilarious things about these specific characters I have ever seen thus far. While Sean does not know the full acronym for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ+) community, the effort he and his wife put in does not go unnoticed. Even the t-shirts that they make out of support are thoughtful, and it makes me want one as well.
Sex in the City Neighborhood
Aside from the neighbors, “Pride Parade” brings out a peak in the vampires’ sexual nature, resulting in images and depictions that would never be expected on cable television. On one hand, Nadja of Antipaxos (Natasia Demetriou) and her former-soul-within-a-doll self struggle with a certain frustration, and it leads to a quest for “collaboration”. I enjoyed how this played out, especially with the episode’s end tag displaying an unusual result. On the other hand, Nandor the Relentless (Kayvan Novak) finds himself vying for Guillermo de la Cruz’s (Harvey Guillén) attention, which is reasonable. However, his efforts go so far as to take him elsewhere. It is laughable how absurd it ends up becoming, although it would be interesting to see where that leads.
The degrees of pride in this episode are high. While I may not be qualified to speak on the matter as a whole, I do want to point out some instances that piqued my interest. At one point, Nadja walks awkwardly, but in a way that may be familiar to some people. Her openness to make a connection with persons of one sex and those of another is a detail of her character that we do not see often. Her willingness to cooperate with Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) is also a rarity for the series. Although, I do not believe that will go far.
The Crew of What We Do in the Shadows
What We Do in the Shadows is created for television by Jemaine Clement. The series is based on the feature-length film of the same name written by Clement and Taika Waititi.
Clement, Waititi, Paul Simms, Garrett Basch, Eli Bush, and Sam Johnson serve as the executive producers of the show. Yana Gorskaya, Kyle Newacheck, and Marika Sawyer act as the co-executive producers.
Sarah Naftalis is the supervising producer. Jake Bender, Zach Dunn, Max Brockman, Shana Gohd, William Meny, Zach Hagen, Tyson Breuer, Todd Aronauer, and Ingrid Lageder are the producers. Lauren Wells serves as a staff writer.
Gayle Keller serves as the casting director; while Allison Jones and Ben Harris are credited as original casting directors. Jenny Lewis and Sara Kay are the Canadian casting directors. Allison Kirschner is the casting associate, while Krista Fraser is the extras casting director.
David A. Makin and Kim Derko serve as cinematographers.
A.J. Dickerson and Liza Cardinale serve as the editors, while Rajat Suresh and Jeremy Levick are the executive story editors. David McCloud and Harlan Doolittle serve as the assistant editors.
Mark Mothersbaugh, John Enroth, and Albert Fox score the music for the series. Nora Felder is the music supervisor. Steve Griffen is the music editor.
Shayne Fox is the production designer. Kerri Wylie is the set decorator. Aaron Noël and Jody Clement serve as the art directors.
Laura Montgomery is the costume designer. Sarah Milk is the makeup department head, while Tamara Harrod is the hair department head. J.R. Kenny is the special effects coordinator.
Stephen W. Pugh is the visual effects supervisor, while Malorie Moriana is the VFX producer. Thomas Calderón is the VFX editor, while Vince Filippone is the VFX assistant editor.
The Cast of What We Do in the Shadows
Kayvan Novak, Matt Berry, and Natasia Demetriou portray the series’ three primary traditional vampires, Nandor the Relentless, Leslie “Laszlo” Cravensworth, and Nadja of Antipaxos, respectively.
Harvey Guillén portrays Guillermo de la Cruz, Nandor’s familiar-turned-vampire hunter-turned-bodyguard-turned-best man-turned-vampire. Mark Proksch portrays Colin Robinson, the household’s energy vampire. Kristen Schaal portrays The Guide.
Anthony Atamanuik and Marissa Jaret Winokur guest star as Sean and Charmaine Rinaldi, the vampires’ next-door neighbors, respectively.
Danielle Ayow co-stars as a speed dating coordinator. Jon Blair plays a man in a football jersey, while Teq Zwarych plays a man in a button-down. Marienne Castro plays a speed dater.
Becki England appears as Rita, Charmaine’s roommate. Andy Hull and Gavin Fox return as Mikey and Frank, Sean’s friends, respectively.
Ree Andrews, Isaac Pilozo, and Megan Dawson play puzzled crowd members #1-3. Krystle Ferdinand plays a mother. Dave Comeau appears as Dominic, Sean’s cousin. Roberto Campanella is a choreographer.
Performances and Character Developments
Matt Berry’s line deliveries never fail to make me laugh. Speaking “Sean” or challenging Nandor to fly higher than he can are my favorite moments he has to offer in this episode as Laszlo Cravensworth. As he did last season playing the role of Colin Robinson’s father figure, an admirable trait of Berry’s character is the fact that he is available to assist with almost any issue that a member of the household may have. This season, that seems to be the case with his wife, but also with Guillermo. His curious examinations, experiments, and tests with the human-turned-vampire are helpful, but it also leads to a moment that would easily counter Chris Rock’s argument that vampires cannot go to the beach.
Guillermo’s curiosities about what he can specifically do as a vampire are slowly being put to rest. He does demonstrate some superhuman abilities. However, with three episodes into the new season, there is insufficient evidence to show what he is capable of. He and Laszlo’s work in researching vampire physiology is a nice collaborative effort, and I do like the suggestion that mayhaps Guillermo could be akin to Eric “Blade” Brooks, the Marvel character portrayed by Wesley Snipes. In fact, this is the third time the show has made reference to the comic book character. I would like to know if the series plans to use him in a larger capacity in the future.
Final Thoughts on What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 Episode 3
Overall, “Pride Parade” is a well-written episode of What We Do in the Shadows that is gay enough to satisfy members of the community but also does not overdo the fulfillment of its objective. Its subtle references to campy science-fiction media such as Freaky Friday, F9 (Fast and Furious 9), and Malignant are wonderful inclusions in this episode. While Nandor’s ascent into a world unbeknownst to him is life-changing, I did feel that it could have appeared more believable. What an excellent story to air on my birthday!
Next week’s is just as absurd and ridiculous, but that is to be expected with the Shadows.
Jemaine Clement’s What We Do in the Shadows Season 5 is now airing via FX on Thursdays and streaming the next day via Hulu!
Have you seen Clement’s series? If so, then what are your thoughts on it so far? Let us know! For more What We Do in the Shadows updates as well as comedy, fantasy, and horror-related news and reviews, do not forget to follow The Cinema Spot on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Managing editor & film and television critic with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature with a Writing Minor from the University of Guam. Currently in graduate school completing a Master's in English Literature.
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