It finally happened. The beginning of the end. Honestly, watching What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 1 feels a little bit like attending a funeral for a friend who isn't actually dead yet, but they've already picked out the casket and it’s lined with velvet and smells like old library books. This show has always been about the stagnant, repetitive lives of immortal idiots. But suddenly, the stakes are real because the clock is ticking on the series itself.
The premiere, titled "The Return of Jerry," doesn't just jump back into the status quo. It forces the roommates to confront the fact that they are, quite frankly, terrible at being vampires—or even being friends.
The Jerry Problem and Why He Matters
Imagine forgetting a roommate. Not just forgetting to Venmo them for toilet paper, but forgetting they exist for half a century. That is the premise that drives What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 1. We meet Jerry, the "fifth roommate" who was left in a "super slumber" back in the 70s. The gang was supposed to wake him up on New Year’s Eve 1996. They didn't. They just... forgot.
Jerry is played by Mike O’Brien, and he brings this frantic, disappointed energy that acts as a mirror to our main cast. When he wakes up, he expects to find that they’ve conquered the New World. He expects the "New World" to be under the thumb of Nandor, Laszlo, and Nadja. Instead, he finds Nandor working at a Panera-esque restaurant (well, sort of) and the rest of them just rotting away in front of the TV. It's a wake-up call. Not just for the characters, but for the audience. It reminds us that for five seasons, these guys have achieved absolutely nothing.
The brilliance here is how the show handles the guilt. Or the lack thereof. Nandor is mostly just annoyed that Jerry is judging him. Nadja is defensive. Laszlo is, well, Laszlo.
Guillermo’s New Reality is Awkward
We have to talk about Guillermo de la Cruz. After the massive swing of Season 5, where he finally became a vampire only to realize he hated it and wanted to be human again, he’s in a weird spot. He’s human now. Mostly. He’s living in the garden shed—not the fancy one, the crappy one—and trying to figure out what his life looks like without being a familiar.
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It’s painful.
The power dynamic has shifted, but also hasn't. He’s no longer bound by the supernatural "familiar" contract, yet he can’t seem to leave. The writers are leaning hard into the "ex-boyfriend" energy between Nandor and Guillermo this season. In What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 1, we see Guillermo trying to set boundaries, but the vampires don't understand boundaries. They barely understand how doors work if they aren't invited in.
The Abandoned Office Plot
One of the more surreal turns in this premiere is the subplot involving a corporate office. Since the vampires realize they haven't conquered anything, they decide to "conquer" the business world. Or at least, they try to look like they are.
Watching the vampires navigate a modern office environment is classic Shadows. It harkens back to the original film’s charm—the juxtaposition of ancient, gothic entitlement with the mundane misery of 9-to-5 life. Jerry insists they get back on track with their original mission of world domination. But their version of domination is just stealing someone's swivel chair and feeling powerful.
It’s a commentary on how the show itself has evolved. It started as a mockumentary about vampires in the suburbs. Now, it’s a character study about people (and creatures) who are terrified of change. Jerry represents the pressure of "potential." He’s the ghost of who they thought they would be 50 years ago.
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Technical Execution: Still Sharp?
Visually, the show remains a feast for fans of the "shabby chic" occult. The lighting in the basement scenes where Jerry wakes up is fantastic—lots of dusty gold and oppressive shadows. The mockumentary format, which some shows outgrow or abandon, still feels vital here. The quick pans to Guillermo’s face when Nandor says something particularly stupid are the heartbeat of the comedy.
There's a specific bit of dialogue where Jerry asks what happened to the "conquest" and Laszlo basically explains that they got distracted by The Celebrity Apprentice. It's a throwaway line, but it captures the essence of the show's humor: the grand and the pathetic sitting right next to each other.
The Problem with Final Seasons
Final seasons are hard. You have to balance the "monster of the week" fun with the need for a satisfying conclusion. What We Do in the Shadows Season 6 Episode 1 succeeds because it doesn't feel like it's rushing to the finish line, but it does plant the seeds of discontent.
For the first time, the roommates are looking at each other and wondering if this is "it." Is this the whole story? Sitting in a dilapidated mansion in Staten Island forever? Jerry’s presence is the catalyst for this existential crisis. He’s the "successful" version of them—or at least the one with the most drive—and his disappointment is infectious.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
If you're looking for deep lore, this episode gives you a little. We learn more about the "Super Slumber" and the rules of vampire hierarchy. But the real meat is in the relationships.
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- Nandor's Ego: He is spiraling. He lost his familiar's loyalty (sort of) and now his old friend thinks he's a loser.
- Nadja's Ambition: She’s always been the most competent, but Jerry makes her realize she’s wasted her talents on these idiots.
- Laszlo's Science: Laszlo seems the least bothered, which is his superpower. His focus on his "experiments" remains a highlight.
- Colin Robinson: He’s just there to be annoying, and honestly, we wouldn't have it any other way. His interaction with Jerry is a masterclass in energy draining.
The show is setting up a trajectory where the house might actually break up. It’s a scary thought for fans who have spent years with these characters, but it's the only way the story can end with any integrity. You can't just have them sit on the couch for another 50 years. Well, you could, but it wouldn't be good TV.
Why You Should Care About the "Invisible" Roommate
The introduction of Jerry is a risky move so late in the game. Usually, adding a new main character in the final season is a "jump the shark" moment. Think of it like a sitcom adding a new kid. But Jerry works because he isn't meant to be liked; he’s meant to be a disruptor. He’s the person who reminds you of the promises you made to yourself in your 20s that you never kept. For a vampire, those "20s" were 200 years ago.
The episode handles the "why haven't we seen him before" question with the perfect amount of hand-waving. They just forgot. It’s consistent with their character. They are selfish. They are flighty. They are vampires.
Final Practical Takeaways for Fans
If you're diving into this season, keep a few things in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Rewatch the Season 5 Finale: The transition of Guillermo back to humanity is the most important plot point moving forward. His relationship with the house has fundamentally changed, and the premiere leans heavily on that tension.
- Watch the Background: The set design in Season 6 is denser than ever. There are artifacts in Jerry’s room and in the attic that call back to the very first season.
- Pay Attention to the "Documentary Crew": There are a few moments in the premiere where the vampires interact with the cameras in a way that feels slightly more self-aware. As the show ends, the role of the crew might become more prominent.
- Don't Expect Redemption: These are not "good" people. The joy of the show is watching them fail. If you're hoping for Nandor to become a saint or Laszlo to start a charity, you're watching the wrong show.
The premiere sets a high bar. It’s funny, it’s slightly depressing, and it’s deeply, deeply weird. It reminds us why we fell in love with these Staten Island losers in the first place, while simultaneously telling us that it’s okay to let them go.
Next Steps for the Shadows Marathon
To stay ahead of the curve as the final season unfolds, you should track the "conquest" tally Jerry started. It’s likely going to be a recurring gag that highlights just how little the group achieves each week. Also, keep an eye on Guillermo’s living situation; his move from the shed back into the house (or further away) will be the primary indicator of his character arc's resolution. Check local listings or your preferred streaming platform every Monday to catch the new episodes as they drop, as the spoilers for this final run are going to be everywhere.