Grimm "Trial By Fire" Review

Who else didn’t remember Peter Orson? I ask the question as if people far and wide will read my review for “Trial By Fire”. The most die-hard Grimm fans must remember Peter Orson, the bauerschweinn from an early season one episode that involved Monroe, his ex-girlfriend, her brothers, and death. Oh, so much death. I barely remembered Peter Orson from “The Three Bad Wolves” episode. I’ve written about almost every Grimm episode, so boy is my face red.

There’s an arsonist in Portland. Nick and Hank investigate the case and, soon, enlist, Peter Orson to assist. Orson almost had the guy identified before he killed two of Angelina’s brothers. The arsonist burned a business down after the future owner of the business hired him. He did not want to stay in the family business. Two employees died in the fire, which brings Nick and Hank into the investigation. Peter Orson’s addition to the case helps lead the detectives to the wesen arsonist, but he also very briefly affects the group dynamic. Monroe refused to work with Orson, the man responsible for bad things that happened to a woman he cared for and her family. Rosalee wanted to help two dead kids and asked Monroe to move past the wesen-on-wesen hate. Monroe leaves in a huff, returns two scenes later, and agrees to work with Orson. So, that was that.

The loyalty of Peter Orson was in question. Renard threatened him to life without parole if he tried anything. During Orson’s encounter with the arsonist wesen he speaks as if he might turn. He chastises the villain of the week for being sloppy, but he’s out for redemption. The arsonist almost burns him alive. After Rosalee, Monroe, Nick, and Hank explode their perp Orson returns to prison. Inside the cell, he sadly grabs the bar of his cage. “Trial By Fire” was more about the redemption of Peter Orson than a story about Nick or Hank or Monroe or Rosalee. Detective procedurals can lose its central characters in the case. Nick and Hank do nothing but offer Orson a chance to do some good and to rectify the past. Perhaps that’s the most important thing any character does in “Trial by Fire.”

Elsewhere, Adalind and Juliette fought. The baby plot moves at the speed of a small beetle. Viktor uses a guy that works with Renard but also works for him. Adalind learns that Kelly used Juliette’s car. The viewer learns about the different car transactions since the baby disappeared. So, Adalind confronts Juliette in her home. Juliette kicked her ass. Adalind returned to her car and screamed. Later, Nick returned home. The house was in disarray. He drew his gun. Juliette sat in a room and, finally, showed him her secret.

I don’t know. “Trial By Fire” is a fine episode of Grimm. There’s a self-contained case with a feel-good element. The writers told another story within the case about a shitty son and his obtuse father. There’s never been much to Grimm episodes that necessitates weekly reviews. Habit and routine formed that pattern of mine. So, I don’t think I have many thoughts to share about Grimm. I’m my only reader of the reviews. I’m essentially telling myself this is (probably) the last Grimm review. I may feel different March 20.