The Poor Man and the Rich Man

Season 6, Episode 12

Grade: B
In the further adventures of that very loose Grimm interpretation of what Christianity is all about, we find a pretty good tale of accidental wishes, sticking it to the rich man, and later Mike's kid gender swapping Jesus for a blockbuster movie. Something for everyone!

The Gold Children

Season 6, Episode 10

Grade: C
A lot of tropes that we've seen before this time, but we get some new concepts such as planting a dead fish and...spying on your daughter and her husband on their wedding night? Add a nosy (yet justified) wife and a rushed ending, and we've reached peak Grimm!

Hans Married

Season 6, Episode 9

Grade: D
The Grimms bring us a very confusing tale of marriage, full of puns about patches. But don't worry, we make it even more confusing with Joe Millionaire, Pulp Fiction, and PBR.

Hans in Luck

Season 6, Episode 8

Grade: C vs A
We were a little split on this chain tale of diminishing material returns & burgeoning ethical returns, but still found time to talk about a little German history and culture plus a key Renaissance thought piece.

Gambling Hansel

Season 6, Episode 7

Grade: A
This week's A-tier story features a couple of classic tropes: Saint Peter being a dick, and the Grimms not being entirely clear on how Hell works. Mix in a sprinkle of Trainspotting parallels and a good game of Sardines and we're off to the races!

Brother Lustig

Season 6, Episode 6

Grade: D+
Saint Peter's back to his dumb schemes in this rambling tale featuring a critical marshmallow test and raising multiple princesses from the dead for free. Will Brother Lustig trick his way into Heaven after all? The answer may surprise you! Just kidding, it's entirely probable because, according to classic Grimm lore, it's pretty easy to just walk over there.

The Water Nixie

Season 6, Episode 4

Grade: C vs D
WTF is a nixie? Find out! Sort of. This shorty sparked some Gen X conversation (Baby Jessica, anybody?), an off-the-wall Japanese animated adaptation, and a D&D campaign pitch that in hindsight might already be a YA series.

The Old Man and His Grandson

Season 6, Episode 3

Grade: D+ vs B
Join us for a short one this week, a frequently-told but funny fable about treating your elders with respect: because you never know when the next generation is watching. And, if there's a way to make this even darker, Phil will find it for a Hollywood pitch.

The Pink

Season 6, Episode 1

Grade: B/C
Our triumphant return! Miss us? We missed you! We kick off SEASON SIX with a wackjob tale of wishes, an iffy bad guy, poor planning, and one of the greatest punishments yet.

The Fox and the Cat

Season 5, Episode 15

Grade: A
Episode 75 with (brief) special guest Shannon! Thus brings a close to Season 5 with the thrilling conclusion to The Fox Cycle, a top-tier shorty based on an ancient expression. We get into cat tattoos, speaking Greek, and a revenge pitch.

The Thief and His Master

Season 5, Episode 8

Grade: C vs A-
In this tale -- unsurprisingly full of theft and fraud -- we learn an important lesson: never turn into a chicken. Possibly more important, Phil finally produces the long-awaited finish to Asimov's legendary Foundation series.

The Golden Goose

Season 5, Episode 4

Grade: B
Did the Grimm Brothers have an idiot younger brother? With another return of Simpleton, we can't help but wonder. This story only netted out to B-tier but may have inspired Katamari Damacy.

CW: miscarriage/abortion

The Queen Bee

Season 5, Episode 2

Grade: B
This week we have a delightful little story about helping animals that we, unsurprisingly, managed to spin into conversation of gay erotica and beheading the French aristocracy.

The Two Brothers

Season 4, Episode 15

Grade: B+
Our thrilling conclusion to season 4 is what has got to be the longest Grimm tale ever, a solid B+ full of animals, treachery, and our first slapstick beheading.

Frederick and Catherine

Season 4, Episode 14

Grade: A
In what Phil calls "Amelia Bedelia Goes to Germany," we have another A-tier based solely on its comedic value. If anything, it's the greatest cheese retrieval story ever told.

The Dog and the Sparrow

Season 4, Episode 13

Grade: A
This week we have a wonderful tale of friendship and kindness. Oh, and vengeance -- brutal, absolute vengeance. It's sweet and to the point and we quickly slotted it straight into the A tier.

We're Super Late!

Life got in the way, you understand...

The Golden Bird

Season 4, Episode 12

Grade: B
We seem to be on a roll with this theme of making poor decisions, though now it's just willful ignorance and stupidity. A real FAFO situation. It's still entertaining, though, so we gave it a solid B.

Sweetheart Roland

Season 4, Episode 11

Grade: C
From the depths of your darkest imagination...just in time for Halloween...we return. It's been a long time! Here's a rollicking tale of idiot decisions and unlikeable characters that we averaged out to a C. Mike even wrote a pitch for once!

Rumpelstiltskin

Season 4, Episode 10

Grade: B
We're on a tear with the big names lately, even if they end up a little flatter than others and this one is no exception at a B. We find ties to lots of other themes, though, and even uncover what the modern day Rumpelstiltskin may be.

The Knapsack, the Hat, and the Horn

Season 4, Episode 9

Grade: B
This is a weird one, it gets a B. There are similar themes from other stories but muddier here. We spice it up with a little Game of Thrones, a dash of Magic: the Gathering, and a heaping tablespoon of Guns N' Roses.

Little Snow White

Season 4, Episode 8

Grade: S vs B
It's a big one! Phil ranks this one S-tier but Mike's not convinced. Join our gullible AF heroine in a surprisingly poetic tale with callbacks to The Juniper Tree and learn about its darker twists in earlier editions.

CW: miscarriage

King Thrushbeard

Season 4, Episode 7

Grade: C
Behold a real villain of a prince in this C-rank tale full of gaslighting and humiliation. The moral is trash but we manage to spin some raunchy metaphors and a superior 90s revenge fantasy pitch movie out of it!

Fundevogel (Fledgling)

Season 4, Episode 6

Grade: S
We have a wonderful S-tier diamond in the rough this week, a sweet story of sibling love and trust. Don't sleep on this one.

The Sleeping Beauty (Briar Rose)

Season 4, Episode 5

Grade: B
Number 50, and a big one! You may think you know this one but listen in to discover the untold hero and villain here. This version really only rates a B with us. Did Disney actually do it better?

CW: rape

The Six Swans

Season 4, Episode 4

Grade: C
Characters and plot devices that just disappear? Hooray! This derivative of prior brother birds stories doesn't pack quite the same punch at its C ranking, but there's still plenty of shenanigans.

Old Sultan

Season 4, Episode 3

Grade: C
An old dog learns new tricks but that doesn't save this one from a C ranking. We do, however, manage to spin Dangerous Liaisons and a sausage duel out of it, so that's a win-win.

The Juniper Tree

Season 4, Episode 2

Grade: A+
A rollicking tale of gaslighting, cannibalism, and a classic Weekend at Bernie's stunt. This one gets a solid A ranking, almost an S.

CW: abortion, miscarriage

Fowler's Fowl

Season 4, Episode 1

Grade: A
We're back with season 4, now with rankings! This twisted version of Bluebeard gets an A. It has hints of Our Lady's Child & the Robber Bridegroom, and we polish it off with our own chastity interpretations and 80s/90s movie pitches.

Thumbling's Travels

Season 3, Episode 15

Thumbling is back! Plot twist: now he's a dick. Join us for his wacky adventures, plus a long-lost 80s school lunch food and NEW Grimm news!

Godfather Death

Season 3, Episode 14

Join us for a little déjà vu this week. You know what they say about big candles! Big...uh...life expectancy?

Frau Trude

Season 3, Episode 13

Wherein willful, anthropomorphic firewood learns an important lesson. OR maybe has a lovely coming-out adventure?

The Godfather

Season 3, Episode 12

We're in agreement that being a godparent means different things to different people. Rarely, though, does it involve the devil handing out magic healing water.

Mr. Korbes

Season 3, Episode 11

What do Pete Davidson, the Brave Little Toaster, casual murder, and Oklahoma! have in common? Nothing but this very episode, our shortest one yet!

The Robber Bridegroom

Season 3, Episode 10

After a quick break, we return with a straight-up short horror novella this week. No fairies, no magic, just the Law & Order: SVU of Grimm.

Elves

Season 3, Episode 9

Another bonus week, this time with not one but three stories! And if you have any interest in pretty little naked men, do we have just the story for you.

The Wedding of Mrs. Fox

Season 3, Episode 8

How much mourning is enough mourning? Find out (or not?) in this two-for-one spectacular with a popular lascivious interpretation (wink wink).

Thumbling

Season 3, Episode 7

A young man who keeps a low (ha!) profile but really measures up (ha!), Thumbling comes from rare stock -- a woodcutter who refuses to sell a child!

The Wishing Table, the Gold Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack

Season 3, Episode 6

We're back after a short break! This week we have what may be the best title yet, including a rare Grimm follow-up to a utility character PLUS possibly the origin of the phrase "beat them off with a stick."

The Tailor in Heaven

Season 3, Episode 5

Heaven is not all it's cracked up to be. Not only do you have to walk there, but you still have to bathe. Fortunately, this guy is an expert at washing children...?

Clever Elsie

Season 3, Episode 4

A quick little tale this week of beer, identity crisis, and meeting your significant other's parents.

The Three Languages

Season 3, Episode 3

Just when we start to see some familiar themes, this story takes a Ratatouille turn and gives us a special look inside the papal conclave.

Clever Hans

Season 3, Episode 2

This strangely-formatted story is silly enough until it veers sharply into grim (Grimm? eh?) territory, complete with a questionable "Schrodinger's marriage" ending. Guest-starring bad German accents and Amelia Bedelia horror fic.

The Girl Without Hands

Season 3, Episode 1

We return to classic Grimm form this week with terrible fathers, dirty girls, millers cutting wood, and -- of course -- a bizarre mix of Pagan rituals and Christian iconography.

The Louse and the Flea

Season 2, Episode 15

After a holiday break, we're back with a classic chain tale, Biblical mass murder, and "99 Luftballons." Who's up for some global thermonuclear war?

The Devil With the Three Golden Hairs

Season 2, Episode 14

SPECIAL GUEST! For the first time, one of our own kids has made it on. Elliott's here to talk buying children, the River Styx, butts, and yet another fetch quest.

The Singing Bone

Season 2, Episode 13

Yet another rampaging boar but not really a happy ending here. However, we do have Robert Baratheon and a Shakespeare zombie pitch. In that regard, we all win.

The Bremen Town-Musicians

Season 2, Episode 12

Donkeys are awesome! What's better than running away to Bremen to be a musician? Not going to Bremen at all, apparently.

Little Red Cap

Season 2, Episode 11

Mmm, sausage water. You may think you know this one, and you'd be right. HOWEVER, if you don't know the French version, stay tuned because it's WAY darker.

The Seven Ravens

Season 2, Episode 10

Chairs! Chicken legs! Finger keys! As we all know, when a baby girl is born after a bunch of sons those sons are in for a rough ride. You might have heard this one before, but now with 110% more acid trip.

Mother Holle

Season 2, Episode 9

This week we get into arguably the most legendary god figure that modern history has forgotten. The mother of witches, snow, spinning (of course), and so much more. She's the best mother figure you'll hopefully never meet.

The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage

Season 2, Episode 8

SPECIAL GUESTS Charles and Nate! Friends, we've reached what is likely everyone's favorite story so far. If you liked "The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean," hold onto your hats. Minecraft, forged papers, vaccines, the CCP, and more!

The Riddle

Season 2, Episode 7

What do beheadings, spies, Stephen King's The Dark Tower, and talking in your sleep have in common? Not much but we made it work for this weird tale. This one probably won't be optioned by a major animation studio any time soon.

Cinderella

Season 2, Episode 6

HUGE ONE! What's Cinderella without fairy godmothers and pumpkin coaches? Bloody shoes, poetic yet bloodthirsty birds, and a father who's just as terrible as the stepmother. And there's a Greek version that's even worse!

The Valiant Little Tailor

Season 2, Episode 5

On the docket this week we have professional wrestling, girdles, squeezy cheese, and (of course) yet another unwilling and loveless marriage. Who wins in this story? The tailor. Who loses? Literally everybody else.

The Fisherman and His Wife

Season 2, Episode 4

Unimaginable greed, veiled warnings against the institution of marriage, listener feedback, The Carpenters, and what could be the greatest movie pitch yet. Something for everyone this week!

The Straw, the Coal, and the Bean

Season 2, Episode 3

Our first "The X, the Y, and the Z" story! Turns out Disney did not invent anthropomorphization. These are Grimm gold, largely because of the body count and harsh moral lessons. This week's is super short but not to be missed.

The White Snake

Season 2, Episode 2

Well, you can guess what two children of the 80s mostly talk about with this one. Here we go again! Also, this just in: it sucks to be a duck. Or sometimes a horse.

The Three Snake-Leaves

Season 2, Episode 1

Just how hot does someone have to be for a suicide pact? Is there a pre-nup for this situation? Thank god for magical herbs. And maybe for Viking zombies?

Hansel and Gretel

Season 1, Episode 15

Another BIG ONE, another poor woodcutter abandoning his children in the woods. Or selling them. Or trading them for spinach. Or whatever. And what do space zombies have to do with this venerable tale? Find out next!

The Three Spinners

Season 1, Episode 14

We have a short and sweet one this week; all about the rewards of laziness, the power of deformities, and, yes, more spinning. Do you know the difference between linen and cotton? Turns out we don't either.

The Three Little Men in the Wood

Season 1, Episode 13

Defenestration! UNO reverse cards! These three little men only make a cameo of an appearance but there's plenty of weird and wicked. If you're tired of the evil stepmother trope, fear not: radical capital punishment is back to save the day.

Rapunzel

Season 1, Episode 12

We arrive at our first REALLY BIG ONE and celebrate the milestone with special guest host Nate, who, it turns out, would probably not trade his unborn child for spinach. But nobody's perfect.

Little Brother and Little Sister

Season 1, Episode 11

Sometimes wicked stepmothers can even be terrible to their own ugly, one-eyed conspirator offspring. In a world of brutal but hilarious corporal punishment, is it possible this poor girl could be the hero of her own story? Probably not, but let's find out.

The Pack of Ragamuffins

Season 1, Episode 10

Cocks, nuts, and pleasure, oh my! And that's just the first paragraph. What the hell is a ragamuffin, anyway? Listen and find out in this short, bonkers, acid trip of a story. Buckle up!

The Twelve Brothers

Season 1, Episode 9

Infanticide by the dozen! Yet another King who immediately marries a mute teen girl he found in the forest! We have another short one this week; this one's pretty random but also pretty direct. Remember: always stand with your siblings.

The Wonderful Musician

Season 1, Episode 8

What do you do with a sociopathic, xenophobic young fellow? Why, buy him a fiddle and turn him loose in the forest, of course. Behold our ability to talk about almost anything BUT this very short, very succinct story.

The Good Bargain

Season 1, Episode 7

On a Very Special Episode, we explore antisemitism in 19th century Germany (well, to be honest, it didn't start there), talk Guster, and fit in a couple other topics with our very special guest Sasha.

Faithful John

Season 1, Episode 6

"My liege, I have an idea..." We have kidnapping, infanticide, and more this week in a ridiculous adventure sure to be adapted by The Big Mouse any day now.

The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids

Season 1, Episode 5

STRANGER DANGER: beware chalk eaters and baby hogs! This week we imagine the horrors that would beset us all if wolves actually took the time to chew their food, plus ask the age-old question of if there's a way to drown that isn't miserable.

Our Lady's Child

Season 1, Episode 3

Can you go to Heaven without actually dying? How many babies can you eat without arousing suspicion? Join Mary, Judas, and the rest of the gang for a rousing tale of lying through your teeth to save your skin, plus as much loosely-informed Biblical theory as we can manage. Ed. note: Philippe's poor audio quality in episodes 2 & 3 was a mistake and has been corrected moving forward.

Cat and Mouse in Partnership

Season 1, Episode 2

How trustworthy are cats? How about the French? At least it's a universal truth that college-aged neighbors are terrible. Join us to talk odd roommates, larceny, and murder. Ed. note: Philippe's poor audio quality in episodes 2 & 3 was a mistake and has been corrected moving forward.

The Frog-King, or Iron Henry

Season 1, Episode 1

Can cruel fury and violence change a man? Let's find out, and along the way discover broken promises, very young love, and the prevalence of citrus trees in early 19th century Germany. Plus! A modicum of bonus background info on the Brothers Grimm and their lives & times.