By John Keegan

I've come to the conclusion that the writers are actively doing everything possible to avoid having to let Juliet into Nick's life as a Grimm. It would be bad enough if it was simply Nick's conspiracy with Monroe to hide the truth, even as he embraces his heritage on multiple levels. But when Nick and Monroe engage in some of the most ridiculously bad lying I've seen from anyone over the age of 13, and Juliet doesn't call them on it, it sacrifices character integrity for plot convenience.

Part of the frustration is that Juliet has already put the brakes on their relationship because of Nick's secrets. If he was just passively maintaining the status quo, it might feel less insulting to Juliet. But he's doing the very thing that caused her to turn his proposal down, and he might as well be rubbing her face in it. It was funny at first, but in retrospect, it really made me dislike Nick a little more.

The "case" for this episode was another sign that the writers are fleshing out the overall mythology. Here we have the literal troll under the bridge, a mobster shaking down some "beavers" related to the Wesen that Nick has befriended in the neighborhood. In general terms, the "beavers" want Nick's protection, even though they find it really odd that a Grimm would be on their side.

Salvatore, the aforementioned troll, decides to deal with Nick in what can only be assumed to be the traditional manner: calling in some Reapers. They are evidently trained and tasked to deal with Grimms particularly. They aren't counting on Nick's evolving skill as a Grimm, however, and Monroe gets his licks in, too.

I'll admit it: I'm really warming up to this series, and I feel like it has become more consistent in the second half of its season than "Once Upon a Time". While the "other" fairy-tale-inspired series has delivered more dramatic high points, it's also stumbled and shuffled after its strong open. "Grimm" seemed to wander about for some sense of direction for a time, but the early second season renewal prompted a more confident approach, and it has paid off.

I simply don't like how the writers are pushing hard to keep Juliet (and Hank) from learning about the Wesen and the Grimms. If it had been an organic part of the story, then it might have been more palatable. But it often comes across as forced, as with the dinner scene in this episode, and there's a fine line between playing for comedy and undermining one's characters. I feel like this episode crossed that line, and as a result, it took a great deal away from an otherwise good installment.

John Keegan is Editor-in-Chief for Critical Myth, a partner site of SciFi Vision.