The final season of What We Do in the Shadows has sparked much discussion, especially concerning Nandor’s romantic entanglements. After Guillermo declared they needed to forge separate paths, the series appeared poised to explore the simmering romantic tension between Nandor and Guillermo. Instead, the show surprisingly introduced a potential romance between Nandor and The Guide.
While initial reactions may have been skeptical, the latest episodes have reaffirmed faith in the show’s storytelling, at least for now. Despite initial disappointment at Nandor’s confession to The Guide, her rejection provided a sense of relief. Ultimately, the show avoided a potentially misguided pairing.
Nandor’s Character Arc: A Search for Meaning
Nandor’s journey has been a central focus since Season 3. He grapples with a sense of being lost and unfulfilled in his immortal existence. He tries to find meaning through relationships, hobbies, and even battles, but none provide lasting satisfaction. The only moments where Nandor truly seems content are those shared with Guillermo. Their decision to create distance in “Nandor’s Army” seemed a natural progression towards addressing their dynamic, until the unexpected pivot towards The Guide.
In Season 6, Episode 9, “Come Out and Play,” The Guide’s rejection of Nandor proves pivotal. She astutely identifies Nandor’s romantic pattern: intense attraction to the unattainable, followed by disinterest once the object of his affection becomes available. While Nandor’s feelings for The Guide were initially unwelcome, the show cleverly uses this as a catalyst for Nandor’s self-discovery, forcing him to confront his deeper desires.
The Subtext Between Nandor and Guillermo: An Unacknowledged Connection
A primary critique of What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 lies in its reliance on implicit character traits and relationship dynamics. Many feelings remain unspoken, existing only in the subtext. This applies not only to the romantic undertones between Nandor and Guillermo but also to other relationships, such as the parent-child dynamic between Laszlo and Colin and Nadja’s yearning for purpose.
The unspoken connection between Nandor and Guillermo has been a constant undercurrent throughout the series. In Season 3, Guillermo, impersonating Nandor, inadvertently confessed his feelings to Meg, a gym employee. In Season 4, Nandor’s wish for his wife, Marwa, to share his interests led to her sudden affection for Guillermo. Later that season, Nandor’s creation of a duplicate of Guillermo’s boyfriend, Freddie, ultimately sabotaged Guillermo’s relationship.
Concluding the series by dismissing Nandor and Guillermo’s relationship as merely platonic would be a disservice. The show has strongly hinted at deeper feelings, and ignoring them due to a technicality would be frustrating. Their relationship is unique. Nandor, having lived for centuries, seeks meaning and connection. Finding that with his former familiar, someone he once overlooked, would be a fitting conclusion.
The Finale: A Moment of Truth for Nandor and Guillermo
What We Do in the Shadows stands at a critical juncture with the Nandor-Guillermo storyline. Acknowledging their feelings in the series finale would be both logical and emotionally satisfying. Conversely, the show could maintain their platonic status under the guise of a strong friendship. However, succumbing to this trope would be disappointing.
The final season has been largely successful. It provided resolution for Laszlo’s past and explored Colin’s loneliness, leading to him embracing Laszlo and Cravensworth’s Monster as family. However, Nadja has been underutilized, and Nandor’s infatuation with The Guide consumed excessive screen time. With only one episode remaining, What We Do in the Shadows must deliver on Nandor and Guillermo, or risk diminishing the series’ legacy.
