"GRIMM" FINDINGS: VIEW A LENZ DARKLY

I came late to 'Grimm'; I've only been watching for the last month or so - whenever "Three Coins And A Fuchsbau" first aired. I don't know why I resisted sampling it - the premise (so far) seems perfect for the expansion of Toobworld, with the many species of humanoid creatures known as wesen.

To make its mythos fully a part of Toobworld, we should be able to find other TV shows that unofficial examples of the 'Grimm' creatures, in much the same way we look for quantum leapers in other shows (usually to splain away recastaways.)

This doesn't mean we have to see these wesen in their native state. Within the episodes of 'Grimm', we don't see them transform unless they are among their own kind, or when they're in the presence of the "Grimm", Nick Burkhardt.

Pozz'ble candidates to be wesen-folk in other TV shows don't have to be part of the main cast. They could be recurring characters, or guest stars, or they could even be "atmosphere people" in the background (like my friend Ray Amell, whose characters could all be of the Mausehertz species.)

RAY AMELL & TWO STEWARDESSES FROM 'PAN AM'
(PROBABLY A MAUSEHERTZ?)

With that in mind, I'd like to suggest the first candidate to be a wesen in Toobworld, outside of 'Grimm':

MRS. LINDA CAVANAUGH

'LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT'

"GUILT"

The episode "Guilt" aired on NBC March 29, 2002. Here's the basic plot summary:

When ADA Cabot is faced with a reluctant witness in a child molestation case, she goes above and beyond the normal scope of duty in her search for evidence to convict the serial abuser. But her passion supercedes her compliance with the law as she misrepresents herself to Detectives Benson and Stabler to bring them into an illegal search of the traumatized boy's home -- jeopardizing not only her case, but the careers of all involved. SVU Bureau Chief Elizabeth Donnelly is faced with the frustrating task of bringing Cabot in line to preserve the integrity of the Special Victims Unit.

(From TVRage and TV.com)

One only has to see the passion in Kay Lenz' performance as a grieving mother protecting her son's reputation as he lay in a coma. There is a feline fury in her face reminiscent of a mother lion guarding her cub.

I wish I could share a video of this scene, or at the very least a frame grab, but I only have this "captcha" of Ms. Lenz from a YouTube video about ADA Alex Cabot in that same episode. (The clip cuts away from Mrs. Cavanaugh after only a second to the next scene.)

So who do you think could be a wesen from 'Grimm', but found in another TV show?

• Mr. French of 'Family Affair' (as a Jägerbär)?
• Simka Gravas of 'Taxi' (as a Seltenvogel)?
• Cosmo Kramer of 'Seinfeld' (as a Ziegevolk)?

I'd like to hear your suggestions!

BCnU!