In the aptly titled fourth installment of the sixth season of "What We Do in the Shadows," "The Railroad," the vampiric antics reach new heights as our characters juggle their human personas with their supernatural idiosyncrasies. The episode kicks off with Jerry and The Guide unveiling an audacious yet absurd blueprint for world domination: seizing control of the tristate area before venturing westward. This scene epitomizes the series' knack for intertwining the mundane with the macabre, as Nadja nods off amidst the plotting, Laszlo pretends to be engrossed in a phantom phone call, and only Colin Robinson embraces the scheme with unwavering sincerity.
This episode serves as a delightful smorgasbord of the vampires' endeavors to blend into human society, juxtaposed against their inherent inability to do so seamlessly. Nadja and Nandor find themselves employed at Cannon Capital Strategies, where their supernatural essence clashes comedically with the corporate milieu. Nadja, especially, excels in her role, orchestrating a dramatic rescue by Guillermo where she induces choking in a coworker, thereby enhancing Guillermo's standing within the company. Conversely, Nandor finds solace in his janitorial duties, reveling in the camaraderie and the humble tasks that come with it.
The corporate backdrop also stages a pivotal conflict between Guillermo and his ex-master, Nandor. Jordan, the corporate overlord, issues an ultimatum to Guillermo: terminate Nandor's employment. This narrative thread lends emotional depth to the episode, placing Guillermo in a precarious position as he grapples with his loyalty to his former master and his burgeoning success in the human realm.
In the meantime, Laszlo and Colin stumble into a hilarious predicament when their neighbor, Sean, loses his job at the TSA and beseeches them for assistance in landing a gig at the Staten Island & Southwestern Railroad—a fictitious entity they had casually referenced earlier. Drawing upon their remarkable improvisational prowess, they conjure up a sham office, enlist actors, and even rope in Cravensworth's Monster to portray the nonexistent CEO, Greg Smith. The interview scene steals the show, with Sean's infectious enthusiasm and Cravensworth's Monster's stone-faced delivery culminating in an unexpected twist: Sean is appointed as the Vice President of the phantom corporation.
This episode delves into the profound themes of identity and self-worth, epitomized by Nandor's encounter with being dismissed by his former familiar, Guillermo. Nandor's reaction to his termination is a complex tapestry of pride and embarrassment, adding layers to his character's intricacies. Similarly, Sean's storyline resonates with these themes as he grapples with the collapse of the mirage railroad company and his subsequent joblessness. His unwavering resolve to secure a new vice presidential role and his stint on TaskRabbit underline his resilience and adaptability.
"The Railroad" stands out as a stellar episode in the series, seamlessly blending the show's quintessential humor with poignant emotional beats. The episode's climax, where Nadja expertly orchestrates a corporate coup by convincing the Cannon analysts to invest in the phantom railroad enterprise, exemplifies mastery in corporate manipulation and supernatural ingenuity. The episode concludes on a triumphant note, leaving the characters' futures hanging in the balance, beautifully setting the stage for the rest of the season. This episode underscores the show's prowess in harmonizing character development with its quintessential humor, cementing its status as an instant classic within the "What We Do in the Shadows" canon.
