Grimm: Season Two

The second season of this series—mixing elements of dark fairy tale, contemporary crime, and supernatural conspiracy—continues the melding of medieval lore with the modern world while also developing new characters and conflicts. Nick (David Giuntoli), the homicide detective who carries on the family legacy of hunting creatures of the night in Portland, OR, returns with his fiancée, Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch), who lost her memory thanks to a potion (and the kiss from a prince). Nick must face Captain Renard (Sasha Roiz), who is descended from underworld royalty and gripped in a blood-feud with his ambitious brother. Most importantly, Grimm reveals the secret of the supernatural subculture wesen (who live in human guise, some peacefully and some not) to folks around Nick, most notably his partner, Hank (Russell Hornsby). The 2012-13 second season ends with a vivid cliffhanger involving voodoo and zombies. Along with Once Upon a Time, this series has become one of the most popular of the new breed of urban fantasy shows. Compiling all 22 episodes on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, webisodes, and a gag reel. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is an interactive "Grimm Guide" to creatures, and an extended episode. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)