Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest - Episode Summary: "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes (Part I)"

Episode Overview

In the February 20, 2025 release of "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest," host and bestselling author Adam Gidwitz delivers a captivating retelling of a classic Grimm fairy tale titled "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes." This episode immerses listeners in a dark, enchanting narrative where human imperfections intertwine with supernatural abilities. Engaging interactions between Adam and a group of inquisitive children enrich the storytelling, offering diverse perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of the tale's themes.

Introduction to the Tale

Adam Gidwitz opens the episode by contrasting traditional, sanitized versions of Grimm fairy tales with their original, more sinister counterparts. He emphasizes that while many are familiar with the "sweet, happy" versions of these stories, the original Grimm tales are "weird and sometimes gross and often scary"—truly grim. He invites listeners to embark on a "virtual storytelling session" where the authentic, darker elements of the fairy tale come to life. The episode is rated on a scale of Grim, Grimmer, or Grimmest, allowing listeners to choose their preferred level of spookiness.

Adam Gidwitz [04:06]: "If I get to a part of the story and you start to feel scared or uncomfortable, this is what you could do."

Characters Introduction

The story centers around a mother and her four unique quadruplet daughters, each distinguished by the number of eyes they possess:

• No Eyes: The youngest sister with no eyes.
• One Eye: Possesses a single, large eye centered on her forehead.
• Two Eyes: The only daughter with the typical two eyes, mirroring societal norms.
• Three Eyes: Has three eyes—two in the usual positions and a third above.

At [04:12], the children express their initial reactions:

Child 1 [03:56]: "What's this story called today? Is there blood?"

Adam Gidwitz [04:04]: "Not a ton of blood. Blood. You'll see."

Familial Favoritism and Conflict

As the tale unfolds, Adam reveals the mother's blatant favoritism towards Two Eyes, the daughter who conforms to conventional beauty standards. This favoritism creates tension and feelings of neglect among the other three sisters.

Child 1 [06:07]: "Terrible names. It's like calling me Boy."

Adam Gidwitz [06:16]: "Right. You know, also, I think it's not great to call people names based on the way that they're different."

The mother's preferential treatment leads Two Eyes to develop a sense of superiority, further alienating her sisters: No Eyes, One Eye, and Three Eyes.

Discovery of Unique Abilities

Despite their mother's neglect, each sister discovers and hones her unique ability:

• No Eyes: Experiences prophetic dreams that always come true.

  Child 1 [10:20]: "But of all the sisters, no Eyes might have had the most surprising ability of all."

• One Eye: Can focus her singular eye like a telescope, enabling her to see incredible distances.

  Child 1 [19:03]: "One Eye? What's your power again?"

• Three Eyes: Possesses exceptional night vision, allowing her to see clearly in total darkness.

  Child 1 [19:05]: "Three Eyes can see in the dark? Ghost Tour guide."

These abilities become essential as the sisters decide to leave their oppressive home to seek their fortunes, leveraging their unique talents to gain respect and autonomy.

Journey and Quest for Self-Reliance

The sisters venture into the world, facing widespread prejudice due to their physical differences. Their exceptional skills eventually earn them recognition in a new kingdom:

• Three Eyes: Becomes the best thief catcher in the land, discouraging criminals from daring to commit crimes in the dark.

  Adam Gidwitz [20:55]: "No thief would attempt to rob a home anywhere in the kingdom for fear that Three Eyes would spy them in the dark."

• One Eye: Excels as a navigator, guiding ships safely through treacherous seas with her unparalleled vision.

  Child 1 [19:39]: "And when I look through the telescopes, I'll see any trouble on the horizon, no matter how far away."

• No Eyes: Gains fame as a fortune teller, accurately predicting future events.

  Child 1 [19:01]: "No Eyes said, I have strange dreams that always seem to come true. Maybe I should become a fortune teller."

Moral Dilemmas and Community Interaction

Conflict arises when No Eyes dreams of Two Eyes being kidnapped by a dragon. The sisters grapple with the decision to embark on a perilous rescue mission, highlighting themes of loyalty, forgiveness, and the complexities of familial love.

Child 1 [16:23]: "I would feel very depressed... I would want revenge. Revenge is inevitable."

This ethical dilemma fosters deep conversations among the children, exploring whether past grievances should influence present decisions and the importance of empathy.

Cliffhanger Ending

The episode builds suspense as the sisters locate the dragon's lair. Just as they are about to confront the dragon and rescue Two Eyes, the story pauses, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Adam Gidwitz [28:07]: "I would love to tell you what happens next, but we're out of time. I'll just have to tell you next time."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Child 1 [03:56]: "What's this story called today? Is there blood?"

• Adam Gidwitz [05:22]: "What makes you monstrous is how you choose to behave, how you treat people."

• Child 1 [06:07]: "Terrible names. It's like calling me Boy."

• Child 1 [16:23]: "I would feel very depressed... I would want revenge. Revenge is inevitable."

• Child 1 [19:03]: "One Eye? What's your power again?"

• Child 1 [19:05]: "Three Eyes can see in the dark? Ghost Tour guide."

• Adam Gidwitz [20:55]: "No thief would attempt to rob a home anywhere in the kingdom for fear that Three Eyes would spy them in the dark."

• Adam Gidwitz [28:07]: "I would love to tell you what happens next, but we're out of time. I'll just have to tell you next time."

Conclusion

In "No Eyes, One Eye, Two Eyes, Three Eyes (Part I)," Adam Gidwitz masterfully weaves a dark, engaging narrative that delves into themes of acceptance, self-worth, and the pursuit of one's destiny despite societal prejudices. The interactive dialogues with the children add depth and relatability, making the grim tale resonate on multiple levels. As the story concludes on a suspenseful note, listeners are left eagerly awaiting the continuation of this enthralling fairy tale in the next episode of "Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest."