Season 2 of “What We Do in the Shadows” expands upon the hilarious misadventures of our Staten Island vampires, introducing new supernatural threats and solidifying the show’s unique comedic brilliance. This guide provides a detailed rundown of each episode in Season 2, along with answers to your burning questions about this beloved mockumentary.
Season 2 Episode Breakdown
Season 2 of “What We Do in the Shadows” consists of 10 episodes, each lasting approximately 30 minutes. They are:
- Resurrection: The vampires try to bring back a human they accidentally killed, with predictably disastrous results.
- Ghosts: The house is haunted by ghosts from the vampires’ past, forcing them to confront their regrets.
- Brain Scramblies: Nandor falls for a fitness instructor, while Nadja and Laszlo try to figure out what’s going on with Colin Robinson.
- The Curse: Guillermo accidentally sets off a chain reaction after responding to a chain letter, causing the vampires to be cursed.
- Colin’s Promotion: Colin Robinson gets a promotion at his energy-sucking job, which boosts his powers but also threatens the house.
- On the Run: After accidentally killing a theater performer, Laszlo flees to Pennsylvania and disguises himself as a small-town bartender named Jackie Daytona.
- The Return: Nadja’s human lover, Gregor, is reincarnated yet again, with equally disastrous results.
- Collaboration: The vampires attend a vampire summit to discuss their place in the global vampire community.
- Witches: The vampires become entangled in a feud with a coven of witches who want to claim the house.
- Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires: Nadja receives an offer to join the prestigious Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires, leading to a confrontation with her past.
Detailed Episode Summaries
1. Resurrection
The season opens with the vampires attempting to resurrect Baron Afanas, who was famously incinerated at the end of Season 1. Their efforts, using a convoluted ritual and ingredients ranging from eye of newt (or something like it) to a doll filled with “emotional residue,” result in a less-than-satisfactory Baron. He emerges as a baby, forcing Nandor, Nadja, Laszlo, and even Guillermo to adapt to caring for an infant vampire lord. This episode establishes the season’s tone of escalating absurdity and showcases the characters’ distinct comedic personalities.
2. Ghosts
The second episode introduces a new layer of supernatural chaos: ghosts. The vampires are haunted by specters from their past, including former servants, rivals, and even pets. This episode allows the writers to delve deeper into the vampires’ histories and explore their (lack of) emotional maturity. Hilarious moments arise from their attempts to ignore the ghosts, communicate with them through increasingly ridiculous methods, and ultimately banish them (or at least try to).
3. Brain Scramblies
In “Brain Scramblies,” the individual storylines begin to diverge slightly. Nandor develops a crush on a fitness instructor, attempting to modernize his courtship rituals with hilarious and awkward results. Meanwhile, Nadja and Laszlo become suspicious of Colin Robinson’s increasingly bizarre behavior, embarking on a misguided investigation into his daily life. This episode highlights the show’s ability to balance the overarching narrative with compelling character-driven subplots.
4. The Curse
The vampires fall victim to a chain letter, believing they are cursed after ignoring it. Their escalating attempts to break the curse, ranging from ridiculous sacrifices to increasingly elaborate rituals, provide a stream of comedic gold. This episode brilliantly satirizes the absurdity of superstitions and the lengths to which people will go to alleviate unfounded fears. Guillermo, as usual, is the most level-headed, attempting to reason with them, only to be ignored.
5. Colin’s Promotion
Colin Robinson’s promotion at his day job significantly impacts his energy-sucking abilities, making him increasingly powerful but also physically unstable. This creates a unique threat to the house, forcing the other vampires to confront the consequences of Colin’s existence and question their tolerance for his draining presence. The episode explores the idea of unchecked power and the unexpected dangers of seemingly mundane jobs.
6. On the Run
Arguably one of the most beloved episodes of the season, “On the Run” sees Laszlo fleeing Staten Island after accidentally killing a local performer. He reinvents himself as “Jackie Daytona,” a simple, blue-collar bartender in Pennsylvania, complete with a toothpick and a comically oversized baseball cap. This episode is a masterclass in physical comedy and character development, showcasing Matt Berry’s immense talent and cementing Laszlo’s status as a fan favorite. The townspeople’s oblivious acceptance of “Jackie Daytona” as an ordinary human is a comedic highlight.
7. The Return
Nadja’s ill-fated human lover, Gregor, is reincarnated yet again, only to meet another gruesome (and hilarious) end. This recurring storyline provides a running gag throughout the series and highlights Nadja’s seemingly unbreakable cycle of doomed romances. The episode underscores the vampires’ inability to truly understand or relate to human relationships, adding a layer of tragicomedy to their immortal lives.
8. Collaboration
The vampires attend a vampire summit, a gathering of vampires from around the world to discuss pressing issues facing the vampire community. This episode introduces a variety of eccentric and powerful vampire figures, expanding the show’s universe and providing a glimpse into the complex politics and social dynamics of the undead world. The collaboration between vampires from different cultures and backgrounds inevitably leads to humorous misunderstandings and power struggles.
9. Witches
A coven of witches attempts to claim the vampires’ house, leading to a series of escalating conflicts and magical showdowns. This episode explores the rivalry between vampires and witches, highlighting their contrasting power dynamics and philosophical differences. The vampires’ ineptitude in dealing with magic creates numerous comedic opportunities, further showcasing their vulnerabilities and imperfections.
10. Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires
The season culminates with Nadja receiving an offer to join the prestigious Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires, a Parisian vampire theater known for its sophisticated performances and exclusive membership. This forces Nadja to confront her past and make a difficult decision about her future, leading to a dramatic and surprisingly emotional finale. The episode features a memorable performance and underscores the themes of ambition, belonging, and the enduring power of relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I watch Season 2 of What We Do in the Shadows?
Season 2 is available for streaming on Hulu in the US and Disney+ in many international regions. You can also purchase episodes or the entire season on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local streaming services for availability.
2. Are there any deleted scenes or extras available for Season 2?
Yes, most streaming platforms and physical media releases (DVD/Blu-ray) often include deleted scenes, outtakes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. These provide additional comedic moments and insights into the making of the show.
3. Is Season 2 better than Season 1?
That’s subjective! Many fans consider Season 2 to be even funnier and more tightly written than Season 1. The characters are more developed, and the storylines are more ambitious. However, Season 1 laid the foundation, so both seasons are essential viewing.
4. How does Guillermo’s vampire hunting lineage factor into Season 2?
Guillermo’s Van Helsing heritage is explored further in Season 2. While he remains loyal to Nandor, his abilities as a vampire hunter become increasingly apparent, creating internal conflict and adding a layer of suspense to his character. He secretly protects the vampires from various threats throughout the season.
5. What are the best episodes of Season 2 according to fans?
Episodes like “On the Run” (Jackie Daytona), “Ghosts,” and “Colin’s Promotion” are consistently ranked among the fan favorites due to their memorable comedic moments, character development, and unique storylines.
6. Does Season 2 introduce any new recurring characters?
While there are many memorable guest appearances, no truly new recurring characters are introduced that carry through multiple seasons. However, characters like the witches and some of the vampires from the summit reappear in later episodes of the series.
7. How is Colin Robinson’s character explored in Season 2?
Season 2 delves deeper into Colin Robinson’s role as an energy vampire, exploring the nature of his powers and the impact he has on those around him. His promotion at work amplifies his abilities, leading to both comedic and potentially dangerous consequences.
8. What’s the significance of the Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires?
The Nouveau Théâtre des Vampires represents a different facet of vampire culture, highlighting the artistic and sophisticated side of the undead. It offers Nadja a chance to reconnect with her past and explore a new path, forcing her to make a difficult choice about her future.
9. How does Season 2 build upon the mockumentary format of the show?
Season 2 continues to embrace the mockumentary style, with the camera crew becoming more integrated into the vampires’ lives and the characters frequently breaking the fourth wall. This adds to the show’s comedic effect and allows for creative visual gags.
10. What are some of the running gags featured in Season 2?
Recurring jokes include Gregor’s repeated reincarnations and untimely deaths, the vampires’ constant misunderstandings of modern technology and culture, and Guillermo’s secret vampire hunting skills.
11. Is there a Christmas episode in Season 2?
No, there is no dedicated Christmas episode in Season 2. However, the show has featured holiday-themed episodes in other seasons.
12. How does Season 2 set up future seasons of “What We Do in the Shadows”?
Season 2 leaves several storylines open-ended, including Guillermo’s evolving relationship with Nandor and his secret vampire hunting abilities. It also establishes new relationships and expands the universe, paving the way for future adventures and comedic escapades.