Grimsburg – Season 1 Episode 4 “The Flute-itive” Recap & Review

The Flute-itive

In episode 4 of Grimsburg, our protagonist Detective Marvin Flute has reached his ceiling. Along with Summers and Kang, Flute has been on a serial killer-catching spree. He is overworked, underfed, and needs a break. Due to the large stress of the work, Flute forgets to make a model for the Grimsburg Miniature Convention. He is an enthusiast, having secured an award at the previous edition. Jebediah, who judged his model the previous year, is excited to see what Flute has done this time.

However, he is disappointed and utterly disgusted when he spots a toy knife used in the model. Flute pleads with Jebediah not to disqualify him but the judge is stern in his action. Flute causes a scene and leaves, threatening to kill the judge. Lo and behold, someone does kill him and the detective is under the scanner for this one. Summers believes his partner is innocent and allows Flute to run off.

The only piece of evidence to go on is a tiny piece of paper with the number “350.169.” It also has a quote from him that he said to Jebediah. Flute changes his appearance by dyeing his hair red. Going off the pen used to write the quote, he deduces that the killer is someone who works in middle school – Dr Rufis Pentos. However, his arch nemesis makes it clear that he has not framed Flute. He explains that without his rival, Pentos’ whole arc would be futile.

Meanwhile, Stan has moved on from the Stable Boys group. Instead, he has been offered a place with the Trauma Club by the school’s most handsome-looking tween kid, Zephyr. The club instantly takes him in, even encouraging Stan to illicitly get beer from a store. Stan enjoys the new chaos in his life. But his imaginary friend, Mr Flesh, suspects Stan is on the wrong path. Stan even disperses him from his memory when Flesh tries to tell him this.

Flute suspects that Cal, the janitor at the school, is the killer. However, it turns out that Cal retired from a life on Wall Street to take up this job. Cal explains that the whole rigamarole exhausted him. This job as a janitor gives him peace and frees up his mind to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. His entire network of janitors do the same. Flute decides to adopt a fake identity and become a janitor at the school.

Summers turns against his partner after he discovers Flute’s fingerprints in the school’s washroom. Pentos is distraught to see him like this. In order to pull him back, Pentos shows Flute his old middle school jacket and encourages him to clear his name.

Marvin realizes that the piece of paper found near Jebediah is actually from a library card of a book. Marvin tracks down the book by serial number 350.169 and finds out the identity of the killer – the person who borrowed the book last.

Zephyr plans to humiliate the members of the Stable Boys by presenting their pictures publically during a school event. Stan is against the plan. He pleads with Zephyr to go with a different plan but to no avail. However, Flute jumps onto the stage at the gala and announces him as the killer. Zephyr tries to run away with Stan but Flute and Cal’s combination helps catch him. 

The Episode Review

Episode 4 does a decent job of walking the comedy/drama tightrope, often faltering in the latter. Although it doesn’t necessarily have to be meaningful to be enjoyable, the makers have shown this intention in the previous episodes. And because they have done so admirably, expectations have a certain standard.

The episode gleefully brings out the rivalry between Pentos and Flute. The show has yet to fully explore the extremities of this relationship. But I am sure something is in the offing. I expected it to become a defining feature of Grimsburg but that reality has eluded us.

The episode is filled with umpteen references and a few moments of smart writing. The show hasn’t proved to be a laugh riot yet in any of the episodes. Jon Hamm has grown on me as Flute, however. I expressed apprehension after the pilot about his Will Arnett rip-off job. He still sounds the same but the expressionism is spot on.

Grimbsurg isn’t well-rounded enough to be considered a top show. I am not sure it will ever realize that standard, although I am hopeful that it continues to not take itself too seriously.