The undead are back with a bang as "What We Do in the Shadows" kicks off its sixth and final season with the hilarious and long-awaited introduction of Jerry, the gang's fifth roommate. The episode, titled "The Return of Jerry," is a masterclass in dark comedy, seamlessly blending the show's signature humor with a heartfelt narrative that sets the stage for an epic final season.
We begin with Nandor (Kayvan Novak), Nadja (Natasia Demetriou), Nadja Doll (also Demetriou), Laszlo (Matt Berry), and Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) gathered in their living room, contemplating the empty space left by Guillermo's departure. Laszlo suggests repurposing the space, but Nadja reminds them of Nandor's sentimental attachment to his "old little bouncing buddy." This leads to a disagreement between Nandor and Laszlo over the room's previous use, whether for storing Laszlo's "precious pornos volumes" or Nandor's calisthenics equipment. They decide that their fifth roommate, Jerry, would know, but he's been in a super slumber for almost 50 years.
The gang realizes Jerry is still slumbering, having started his sleep in 1976 and requested to be woken up in 1996—28 years ago. They open a coffin, initially believing it to be Jerry's, only to find rotting human remains from one of Laszlo's abandoned science experiments. Laszlo's ambitions of creating life à la Dr. Frankenstein are revealed, though he's never heard of Frankenstein. They eventually find Jerry's coffin, and the fifth roommate rises from his slumber, under the impression that they've conquered the New World and that Laszlo is a celebrated scientist.
Jerry's confusion is palpable as the vampires explain that they've only conquered their street and most of Ashley Street, and he's been slumbering for much longer than two decades. Colin Robinson plays "We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel in an attempt to catch Jerry up on the decades he's missed, but the song only covers up to 1988. Jerry questions the presence of the human camera crew, and the gang struggles to remember why they allowed them in.
Nandor and Nadja visit Guillermo (Harvey Guillén), who now lives in Laszlo's old gardening shed and works at Panera Bread. Nandor admits he felt he owed Guillermo a place to live, and Nadja reassures him that it's okay to miss Guillermo. Guillermo suggests they talk to Jerry about their issues, offering to accompany them for moral support.
Guillermo introduces Jerry to The Guide (Kristen Schaal) at The Vampire Council headquarters. Jerry's ambition to take over the world aligns with The Guide's interests, and she decides to help him find a job to keep him out of the house. Meanwhile, the gang decides to meet for at least three hours every night to formulate a plan for the vampire subjugation of all humans.
During the mid-credit scene, Jerry orders The Guide to pull out all the documents they have on various pop-culture references in "We Didn't Start the Fire," deeming it crucial for conquering the New World. The Guide hands him the official rock and roller cola scroll, setting the stage for Jerry's ambitious plans.
"The Return of Jerry" is a fantastic start to the final season, blending the show's trademark humor with a deeper exploration of the characters' motivations and relationships. Jerry's arrival adds a new dynamic to the group, and the episode effectively sets up the stakes for the rest of the season. With the gang now focused on a common goal and Jerry's influence looming large, fans are in for a wild ride as "What We Do in the Shadows" approaches its final curtain.