One Angry Fuchsbau

Did You Know?

• The episode's opening quote is inspired by, but not actually from, Hans Christian Andersen's "The Garden of Paradise."
• Barry Kellogg, the lawyer, is a Ziegevolk—a Wesen that eats toads to produce a pheromone that sways juries.

Plot

The episode opens with a quote: "He sang a sweet song in tones so full and soft that no human ear could resist them nor fathom their origin..." (inspired by, but not actually from "The Garden of Paradise"). In a flashback six months earlier, a Löwen named Don Nidaria (Phillip Keiman) kills his Maushertz wife, Katherine (Erica Sullivan), in a rage. In the present, Don's lawyer, Barry Kellogg (Brian T. Finney), uses his powers to spread a pheromone among the jury—including foreman Rosalee (Bree Turner)—causing them to agree with his statements.

Nick (David Giuntoli) encourages Monroe (Silas Weir Mitchell) to show Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) the trailer; Juliette becomes confused by the strange books and weapons and begins seeing flashbacks of Nick trying to explain the Grimm world. Monroe finds Rosalee sick after court and accompanies her the next day, watching a witness change her testimony. He follows Kellogg to a bathroom where Kellogg eats a toad, realizing Kellogg is a Ziegevolk. Nick, Hank (Russell Hornsby), and Monroe attend the next hearing and see Wu (Reggie Lee) change his testimony.

At the spice shop, Rosalee looks up an antidote requiring Kellogg's sweat. With Bud (Danny Bruno), Nick, Hank, and Monroe set up a sting: Monroe chases Kellogg, Bud "saves" him and gives him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, learning where he stays. The next morning, Nick and Hank question Kellogg while Monroe sneaks in to inject the antidote into a toad, but finds two toads and must choose one. In Vienna, Adalind (Claire Coffee) tells Eric (James Frain) that Renard (Sasha Roiz) failed to get the key; Eric decides to visit his brother.

The jury finds Don guilty, shocking Kellogg. That night, as the group celebrates, Kellogg visits the spice shop seeking an antidote, recognizes everyone, woges into Ziegevolk form, and attacks Rosalee. Monroe protects her and beats Kellogg but is stopped by Nick, who arrests the lawyer. Juliette, at home, is surrounded by visions of Nick at various times in their relationship as her memory comes rushing back.

Reception

The episode was viewed by 5.13 million people, earning a 1.5/5 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielsen ratings scale, ranking second on its timeslot and fifth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind Blue Bloods, Undercover Boss, 20/20, and Shark Tank. This was a 5% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.86 million viewers with a 1.4/4. With DVR factoring in, the episode was watched by 7.91 million viewers with a 2.7 ratings share in the 18-49 demographics.

The episode received positive reviews. The A.V. Club's Les Chappell gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "'One Angry Fuchsbau' doesn't quite recapture the same energy that 'Season of the Hexenbiest' promised, but it's a definite step up over the last few weeks for many reasons... after three bleak and violent episodes that fixated on serial killer Wesen, this is probably the most fun an episode of Grimm has ever been, one that takes the show's stronger elements and sets them loose in a good old fashioned caper."

Nick McHatton from TV Fanatic gave a 3.9 star rating out of 5, stating: "'One Angry Fuchsbau' was a rather modest episode for Grimm Season 2. The callbacks, small moments and humor made for a fun, but mostly lighthearted installment. But that's about it." Shilo Adams from TV Overmind wrote: "Although I've not been a fan of the Juliette storyline this season, I liked how the case this week tied into the concept of memory and how easily it can be manipulated."