“Thoroughly Investigated,” the penultimate episode of What We Do in the Shadows Season 2, masterfully exposes the bureaucratic absurdity of the vampiric world when the vampires are forced to undergo a formal audit by a persistent, yet comically inept, member of the Vampiric Council. The episode’s core brilliance lies in its ability to blend the mundane realities of paperwork and accountability with the supernatural chaos and inherent laziness of the Staten Island vampires, resulting in a hilarious and insightful commentary on responsibility, accountability, and the enduring power of incompetence.
The Audit: A Comedy of Errors
The premise of “Thoroughly Investigated” is deceptively simple: the Vampiric Council sends a representative, The Guide (Kristen Schaal), to audit the Staten Island vampires and ensure they are upholding their duties as bloodsuckers. This initially seems like a daunting task for Nadja, Nandor, Laszlo, and Colin Robinson, given their consistent neglect of even the most basic vampiric responsibilities. However, the episode quickly reveals that The Guide, despite her official title, is far from competent. Her nervous demeanor, her reliance on outdated methods, and her overall ineptitude make her the perfect foil for the vampires’ chaotic lifestyle.
The humor stems from the juxtaposition of the vampires’ outlandish behavior and The Guide’s increasingly desperate attempts to impose order. Nadja’s penchant for reckless spending, Nandor’s forgotten empire and endless demands for snacks, Laszlo’s obsession with pornography, and Colin Robinson’s drainingly boring activities all contribute to The Guide’s mounting frustration and the episode’s overall comedic effect.
Ultimately, the audit reveals more about The Guide’s own inadequacies than about the vampires’ failings. The vampires, surprisingly, are able to manipulate her with distractions, flattery, and outright lies, successfully navigating the audit and, in a bizarre twist, improving The Guide’s self-confidence. This subversion of expectations is a hallmark of the show’s humor, highlighting the absurdity of rules and regulations when applied to a world governed by ancient, self-centered beings.
The Guide: A Sympathetic Antagonist
While The Guide serves as the primary antagonist in “Thoroughly Investigated,” the episode subtly humanizes her, making her a surprisingly sympathetic character. Kristen Schaal’s performance is key to this success, imbuing The Guide with a sense of genuine anxiety and a yearning for validation.
The audience sees The Guide’s insecurities and her desire to impress the Vampiric Council, even as she struggles to maintain control of the audit. Her gradual descent into madness, fueled by the vampires’ antics and her own professional failings, is both hilarious and slightly heartbreaking.
The episode culminates in The Guide finding a newfound sense of self-worth, not through successfully completing the audit, but through the vampires’ bizarrely supportive encouragement. This unlikely alliance underscores the show’s core themes of found family and the surprising connections that can form in the most unexpected circumstances.
Humor and Horror: A Perfect Blend
“Thoroughly Investigated,” like all episodes of What We Do in the Shadows, expertly blends humor and horror. The vampires’ inherent nature as bloodsucking creatures is always present, but it is often played for comedic effect. The episode avoids gratuitous violence, instead relying on clever writing and absurdist situations to generate laughs.
The episode also taps into the more mundane anxieties of modern life, such as dealing with bureaucratic processes, navigating workplace politics, and striving for professional recognition. By placing these relatable anxieties in the context of a vampire household, the show creates a unique and highly entertaining viewing experience. The audit, therefore, becomes a metaphor for the anxieties we all face when being judged or scrutinized by authority figures.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “Thoroughly Investigated”
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding Season 2, Episode 11, “Thoroughly Investigated,” of What We Do in the Shadows:
What exactly was The Guide’s role in the Vampiric Council?
The Guide is a member of the Vampiric Council responsible for auditing vampire covens to ensure they are adhering to the established rules and regulations of the vampire community. She essentially acts as an internal auditor, ensuring compliance and accountability. Her specific tasks include reviewing financial records, assessing the coven’s activities, and ensuring they are upholding their responsibilities to the vampire world.
Why was the Vampiric Council auditing the Staten Island vampires?
The Vampiric Council likely initiated the audit due to concerns about the Staten Island vampires’ perceived lack of productivity and adherence to established vampire customs. Given their history of incompetence and their tendency to prioritize their own amusement over their duties, the Council probably deemed them a potential risk to the vampire community’s reputation and security. Their disorganization and blatant disregard for vampire protocols made them a prime target for scrutiny.
What was the significance of the “vampire porn” that Laszlo was obsessed with?
Laszlo’s obsession with “vampire porn,” or “nude silhouette ladies,” is a running gag throughout the series. In “Thoroughly Investigated,” it serves as a further example of his eccentricities and his inability to take the audit seriously. It also highlights the show’s willingness to explore the absurd and the mundane aspects of vampire sexuality. Furthermore, it distracts The Guide and contributes to her overall frustration.
How did the vampires manage to deceive The Guide during the audit?
The vampires used a combination of tactics to deceive The Guide, including flattery, distraction, and outright lying. Nadja’s charm, Nandor’s nonsensical ramblings, Laszlo’s provocative behavior, and Colin Robinson’s boring stories all contributed to confusing and overwhelming The Guide. They also exploited her insecurities and her desire for validation, effectively manipulating her into believing that they were more competent and responsible than they actually were. Misdirection was their most powerful weapon.
What was the “familiar audit” that Guillermo had to undergo?
Guillermo, as Nandor’s familiar, was also subject to The Guide’s scrutiny. The “familiar audit” assessed Guillermo’s performance as a familiar, including his loyalty, his effectiveness in serving Nandor, and his knowledge of vampire lore. This audit served as a parallel to the vampires’ audit, highlighting the power dynamics within the coven and the often-overlooked contributions of the familiars.
What were some of the specific “vampire duties” that the audit was supposed to assess?
The audit likely assessed a wide range of “vampire duties,” including their adherence to the vampire code, their successful feeding practices, their maintenance of secrecy, and their contributions to the vampire community. The Vampiric Council expects its members to contribute to the overall well-being of the vampire world. Ignoring these duties brings unwanted attention.
Why was The Guide so nervous and insecure?
The Guide’s nervousness and insecurity likely stemmed from a combination of factors, including her inexperience, her fear of the Vampiric Council, and her own self-doubt. She seems to lack confidence in her abilities and is easily intimidated by the vampires’ eccentric personalities. This insecurity makes her vulnerable to manipulation and contributes to the episode’s comedic effect.
How did the vampires ultimately help The Guide find her confidence?
In a surprising turn of events, the vampires inadvertently helped The Guide find her confidence by showering her with compliments and encouragement. Nadja praised her appearance, Nandor appreciated her organizational skills, and Laszlo, well, was complimentary in his own way. This unexpected display of support boosted The Guide’s self-esteem and allowed her to see herself in a new light.
What were some of the funniest moments in “Thoroughly Investigated”?
Some of the funniest moments include Laszlo’s obsession with “nude silhouette ladies,” Nandor’s forgotten empire, Colin Robinson’s painfully boring energy-draining abilities, and the vampires’ increasingly desperate attempts to distract The Guide. The juxtaposition of the mundane with the supernatural provides endless opportunities for comedic moments.
How does “Thoroughly Investigated” fit into the overall narrative of Season 2?
“Thoroughly Investigated” serves as a crucial episode in Season 2, highlighting the vampires’ ongoing struggles with responsibility and accountability. It also introduces The Guide as a recurring character, further expanding the world of What We Do in the Shadows. The episode sets the stage for the season finale and raises questions about the vampires’ future within the vampire community.
What is the significance of the episode’s title, “Thoroughly Investigated”?
The title “Thoroughly Investigated” is ironic, as the audit is anything but thorough. The Guide’s incompetence and the vampires’ deceptive tactics render the investigation largely superficial and ineffective. The title serves as a commentary on the absurdity of bureaucratic processes and the ease with which they can be manipulated. It’s a play on the expectation versus reality.
What does “Thoroughly Investigated” say about the nature of bureaucracy and authority?
“Thoroughly Investigated” satirizes the nature of bureaucracy and authority by depicting the Vampiric Council as a dysfunctional and ultimately ineffective organization. The episode suggests that rules and regulations are often meaningless when applied to individuals who are either inherently incompetent or actively resistant to authority. It also highlights the power of manipulation and the ease with which authority figures can be deceived.