The show What We Do in the Shadows returns for its last season on October 21. This popular comedy horror series comes to an end after six seasons. It follows the funny adventures of a group of vampires and their human helper, known as a familiar.
In Season 5, Guillermo (Harvey Guillén) becomes a vampire and tries to keep it a secret from Nandor (Kayvan Novak), with help from Nadja (Natasia Demetriou) and Laszlo (Matt Berry). The showrunner, Paul Simms, promises many surprises in the final season. Let’s look back at Season 5 before the show returns for one last time.
Guillermo Goes Behind Nandor’s Back To Become a Vampire
Throughout What We Do in the Shadows, Guillermo wishes to become a vampire. After waiting for 13 years for Nandor to turn him, Guillermo decides to take action.
He gets his friend Derek (Chris Sandiford) to turn him instead. The problem is that only Nandor can turn Guillermo into a vampire. Getting anyone else to do it is a big mistake and is seen as the highest dishonor among vampires.
Guillermo spends most of Season 5 trying to hide his new vampire identity from Nandor. He fears that if Nandor finds out, Nandor will have to kill him. Guillermo has a unique family background; he is a descendant of the famous vampire hunter Van Helsing.
This family history complicates his transformation into a vampire because the vampire hunter DNA in him fights against his new vampire DNA.
At one point, Guillermo accidentally reveals to Laszlo that he had Derek bite him. Feeling worried, he asks Laszlo for help to understand why he has not fully transformed yet. Laszlo, who is always up for some weird science, conducts a series of strange experiments.
He mixes Guillermo’s DNA with the DNA of various stray animals. This creates some very odd Guillermo-animal hybrid creatures that are both funny and horrifying.
At the beginning of Season 5, Guillermo is not able to fly. He grows tiny wings that do not work well. However, by the end of the season, he manages to turn into a bat completely. Throughout this time, Nadja and the other vampires discover Guillermo’s secret. They agree to keep it from Nandor until the big reveal in Episode 9.
Nandor’s Search for Guillermo
Nandor is furious when he learns that Guillermo has been hiding the truth. He tries to find Guillermo by stalking a local Panera Bread. After a conversation with comedian Patton Oswalt, Nandor starts to think about their friendship. He realizes that he does not want to kill Guillermo.
Meanwhile, Guillermo is hiding out in a motel. Nandor finds a clever way to lure him out. He calls Guillermo from Guillermo’s mother’s apartment, knowing Guillermo would do anything to protect her. When Guillermo hears this, he feels he must come out and face Nandor.
When they meet, Nandor decides to let Guillermo continue living with them as a vampire. He encourages Guillermo to drink human blood to help him complete his transformation. At first, this seems to work. However, when the time comes for them to hunt, Guillermo struggles.
He cannot bring himself to kill and eat an innocent human. This moment is very important because Guillermo realizes he is not cut out for the life of a vampire after all.
Nandor holds a fake “Ceremony of Vampiric Transmogrification” for Guillermo. This ceremony is supposed to give Guillermo one last chance to become a full vampire. During the ceremony, Guillermo expresses his true feelings. He tells Nandor that he would rather stay human.
To change him back to human, Guillermo would need to kill the vampire who turned him, Derek. However, Guillermo cannot bring himself to kill Derek.
So, Nandor takes matters into his own hands and kills Derek instead. Afterward, Guillermo and Laszlo take Derek’s body to the Necromancer (played by Benedict Wong), who resurrects him as a zombie. This outcome adds another layer of comedy to the already hilarious show.
Nadja Reconnects With Her Antipaxan Roots
While Guillermo deals with his vampire issues, the other vampires have their own adventures. Nadja shows Staten Island’s Little Antipaxos neighborhood. Here, she discovers her roots and reconnects with her culture. She meets a local Antipaxan family who welcomes her as one of their own. They even introduce her to Laszlo, which leads to some funny situations.
During her journey, Nadja tries to deal with a mysterious hex that has affected her. She believes that this hex is a way for her to pay for her past wrongdoings. Nadja takes it upon herself to teach Antipaxan immigrants how to adapt to American culture. This subplot allows the show to address themes of identity and belonging in a humorous way.
Colin Robinson’s Political Ambitions
Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) has his own storyline in Season 5. He decides to run for comptroller. This decision allows him to show the world of politics while still being the energy vampire that he is. He also reunites with his love interest from Season 1, Evie (Vanessa Bayer). Their relationship adds a fun romantic angle to the season.
As Colin campaigns for his political position, he uses his unique skills as an energy vampire to drain the energy from his opponents. This part of the season showcases Colin’s ability to manipulate situations to his advantage, leading to several comical moments.
The Guide’s Return
Another important character in Season 5 is the Guide, played by Kristen Schaal. Throughout the season, the Guide tries hard to rejoin the vampire group. She especially wants to befriend Nadja, who has been feeling lonely and wishes for more female friends. The Guide has some funny and awkward moments as she tries to fit in.
Despite her best efforts, the Guide is often left out of the group’s activities. At one point, she makes up a hex so that Nadja will have to hang out with her. This plan seems to work for a while, but the group remains mostly uninterested in her attempts to connect.
In Episode 9, the Guide invites everyone to an art show featuring her paintings of the group. However, they show little interest in attending. Frustrated, she decides to take drastic measures. She sends the group a fake invitation to Morrigan Manor. Once they arrive, she traps each of them in silver cages as a way to punish them for excluding her. This plan backfires in a hilarious way.
By the season finale, Laszlo, Nadja, Colin, and the Guide all know about Guillermo’s secret vampire status. However, the Guide accidentally reveals his secret to Baron Afanas (Doug Jones). In Episode 9, when she captures the vampires, she chooses to spare Guillermo. She comments on how Guillermo took matters into his own hands, which forces Guillermo to admit to Nandor that he had Derek turn him into a vampire.
Season 5 Highlights
As Season 5 unfolds, the show maintains its unique mix of comedy and horror. Each character faces their own challenges, and the stories interweave in funny and surprising ways. The dynamic between the vampires and Guillermo becomes even more interesting as Guillermo struggles with his identity.
One of the key highlights of Season 5 is the evolving relationship between Guillermo and Nandor. Their friendship faces serious tests as secrets come to light. Nandor’s eventual decision to spare Guillermo shows growth in his character. This moment is heartwarming and adds depth to the show.
Another highlight is Nadja’s journey of self-discovery. Her reconnection with her culture and roots offers a comedic yet meaningful perspective on immigration and identity. Nadja’s attempts to help others while dealing with her own hex create funny scenarios that viewers can relate to.
Colin’s political ambitions also provide plenty of laughs. His unique take on campaigning and how he uses his energy-draining powers for personal gain adds a clever twist to the political satire.
Finally, the Guide’s antics throughout Season 5 bring a fresh energy to the show. Her attempts to fit in and her clever but misguided plans create tension and humor. The Guide’s evolution from an outsider to someone who plays a pivotal role in the group shows that even the most unlikely characters can have significant impacts.
Looking Forward to Season 6
As What We Do in the Shadows prepares for its final season, fans are eager to see how the story concludes. The show has gained a loyal following over the years, and many viewers are excited about the promised surprises in Season 6.
Showrunner Paul Simms has hinted that fans can expect some unexpected twists and turns. This gives viewers hope for an exciting conclusion to the characters’ stories. With Guillermo now a vampire, Nandor’s evolving feelings, and the dynamic between all the characters, Season 6 promises to be full of surprises.
The final season will also likely show themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of accepting oneself. Guillermo’s journey, in particular, will be a central focus as he comes to terms with his new identity and what it means for his relationships with Nandor and the other vampires.
Where to Watch
What We Do in the Shadows is available for streaming on Hulu in the United States. Fans can look forward to the premiere of the first three episodes of Season 6 on October 21.
The series has received critical acclaim for its clever writing, engaging characters, and unique blend of horror and humor. It has become a beloved part of the comedy genre, and its fans are eager to see how it all wraps up.
As we prepare for the final season, it is worth reflecting on what made the series so special. The blend of horror and comedy, along with relatable characters, created a show that resonates with many viewers. The writers have done an excellent job of keeping the humor fresh and engaging while also showing deeper themes of friendship and identity.
Conclusion
What We Do in the Shadows has taken viewers on an unforgettable journey. As the final season approaches, fans eagerly anticipate the closure of beloved storylines and characters. With the show’s mix of humor, horror, and heart, Season 6 is sure to be an exciting and memorable conclusion to this unique series.
Catch the final season and witness how Guillermo, Nandor, Nadja, Laszlo, Colin, and the Guide show their final adventures. With big surprises ahead, fans will not want to miss a single moment of this beloved series. The stories, laughter, and friendships will surely leave a lasting impact on everyone who has enjoyed this wild ride.
