Psychic vampires, often known as energy vampires, are a species of supernatural creature populating the world. Unlike traditional vampires, they drain emotional energy rather than blood.
Characteristics[]
Psychic vampires are the most common type of vampire, and they are the only type that is capable of feeding from other vampires. They typically drain energy from others by boring them, annoying them,[1] or making them feel awkward.[2] They may also use humour to invoke positive emotion to feed from, but this isn’t usually as effective as it is usually harder for them to amuse others.[3] Emotions of intense anger and awkwardness give an excess boost of energy to a vampire. Victims become physically tired and weakened when drained, and in extreme cases, they can faint, fall into comas[4] or even expire.[5] The vast majority of people will be drained if an energy vampire feeds on them, but excessively optimistic people, such as Topher, can be immune.[6]
The more an energy vampire feeds, the more supernaturally strong they become. Energy vampires are drawn to places where boredom can be rife. Popular hunting grounds can include offices,[4] council meetings,[7] churches[8] and open mic nights.[9] They can also feed from energy online by trolling internet users, although the energy gained isn’t as ‘pure’.[10]
Psychic vampires are unharmed by most vampire deterrents such as sunlight, religious words or imagery and silver. It is not known how psychic vampires are created and whether or not they are undead. Colin Robinson, an energy vampire, has admitted that even he isn’t sure.[3]
Energy vampires are not immortal in the traditional sense, and have a life expectancy of exactly 100 years[11][12], after which they expire from natural causes. However, shortly after their death, they are reborn as infants from the stomach cavity of their decaying corpse.[12] It is presently unknown if reborn infant energy vampires retain any memories from their previous lives.
Because of their inherent nature, psychic vampires come across as very self-centred, and will have an uncaring, nihilistic view of other people. They can however form and value positive friendships.[5]
Abilities[]
Evie Russell and Colin Robinson have a psychic battle.
Common abilities of psychic vampires in their normal state include:
- Energy draining: energy vampires sustain themselves from the energy of others. They are capable of "feeding" on mental energy psychically, typically by eliciting conversation that wastes people's time, causes boredom or irritation.
- Emotional manipulation: energy vampires have psychic abilities that can manipulate people into regressing into emotions they can feed off.[1]
- Empathy: psychic vampires can ‘sense’ intense emotions from a distance, helping them find prey.[13]
- Shapeshifting: although not practiced often, energy vampires are capable of shapeshifting into animals. Colin Robinson can transform himself into a gecko.[14]
- Levitation: energy vampires are typically incapable of flight, but can levitate for short periods of time.[4]
- Agelessness: it has been implied that energy vampires, like traditional vampires, do not visually age beyond a certain point. Colin Robinson’s appearance reportedly did not change between the 1970s and 2020s.[9] However, despite their unchanging appearance, they are not immortal in the traditional sense.[11]
- Damage Resistance: Colin Robinson has been shown to survive several injuries that would typically be fatal, including falling from a great height, being run over by a car (twice), receiving several electric shocks, and being set on fire - with no apparent ill effect beyond some minor discomfort.[11]
- Extended Lifespan: Energy vampires have a life expectancy of exactly 100 years.[11][12] After this time, they expire from natural causes.[12]
- Rebirth: At the end of their natural lifespan, energy vampires are reborn as infants out of the stomach of their decaying corpse.[15] The exact mechanics of this rebirth cycle, including how many times it can be repeated, are currently unknown.
Enhanced abilities[]
Colin Robinson's head increases in size due to a large influx of power.
If a psychic vampire feeds from a large source of energy in a short period of time, they can become significantly stronger and gain powers that they typically do not possess. These can include:
- Flight
- Enhanced physical strength
- Self-replication
- Telekinesis
- The ability to drink and regurgitate liquids from just his mind
- The ability to manipulate the life force from plants
During these periods of intense power, psychic vampires may be able to drain the energy from people by simply acknowledging them. The vampire’s appearance could also change; they can grow back lost hair and their heads may temporarily expand.[5]
Appearance[]
Psychic vampires generally look the same as normal humans, but their eyes may glow lilac-blue when feeding. Like traditional vampires, they may hiss when agitated. They typically prefer clothing and environments that are very drab or unfashionable.[4]
Unlike regular vampires, energy vampires do have reflections, however their appearances in reflections are haggard and emaciated compared to a normal human.[11][16]
The appearance of energy vampires as they age is quite unusual. Adult energy vampires can pass as normal humans, however infant energy vampires have the facial structure and features of their adult selves, with the body of an infant.[15] In contrast, elderly energy vampires do not appear any different to their middle-aged selves. Colin Robinson was in his late 90s[17] during the first 3 seasons of the show, but had the appearance of a man in his mid-40s.
Anatomy[]
Little is known of the anatomy of psychic vampires beyond what is explicitly shown or stated in the show.
Psychic vampires, unlike regular vampires, do have a functioning gastric system and are capable of ingesting human food[11] - however Colin Robinson has stated that its purpose is to "annoy those around them" and "mark their territory"[18] by generating flatulence, instead of actually absorbing any nutrients, which is achieved by draining energy instead.
Energy vampires have been shown to reproduce by creating identical copies of themselves via a process similar to mitosis[5], after consuming a significant amount of energy. It is unknown whether this is their primary means of reproduction or a side-effect of excess energy consumption, as the cloned copies did not survive for very long. Off-hand comments[12][19] made by Colin Robinson imply that male energy vampires may have traditional reproductive organs that are at least superficially functional.
The internal structures and bodily fluids of energy vampires are shown briefly during the death and rebirth process, and appear to consist primarily of a green goo-like substance[12], in addition to the usual blood and viscera.
Emotional vampires[]
Emotional vampires are a particularly powerful type of psychic vampire that feeds from feelings of pity. They may do this by telling sad stories or pretending to faint.[4]
Known psychic vampires[]
- Colin Robinson
- Dave Lewis
- Evie Russell (emotional vampire)
- Pamela
- Todd Smith
- Hannibal
- Aparna
- Gregg
- Jo
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Clement, Jemaine (writer) & Waititi, Taika (director) (March 27, 2019). "Pilot". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 1. FX.
- ↑ Robinson, Stefani (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (May 13, 2020). "On the Run". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 16. FX.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Lieb, Josh (writer) & Clement, Jemaine (director) (April 10, 2019). "Werewolf Feud". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 4. FX.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Gohd, Shana (writer) & Clement, Jemaine (director) (May 6, 2020). "Colin's Promotion". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 15. FX.
- ↑ Sawyer, Marika (writer) & Newacheck, Kyle (director) (April 15, 2020). "Resurrection". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 11. FX.
- ↑ Simms, Paul (writer) & Clement, Jemaine (director) (April 3, 2019). "City Council". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 2. FX.
- ↑ Clement, Jemaine, Robinson, Stefani, Scharpling, Tom and Simms, Paul (writers) & Waititi, Taika (director) (May 29, 2019). "Ancestry". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 10. FX.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Johnson, Sam & Marcil, Chris (writers) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (May 27, 2020). "Collaboration". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 18. FX.
- ↑ Clement, Jemaine (writer & director) (May 20, 2020). "The Return". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 17. FX.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Simms, Paul (Showrunner), Proksch, Mark (actor) (October 29, 2021) "A Field Guide to What We Do in the Shadows Energy Vampire"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Johnson, Sam (writer) & Fong, Tig (Director) (October 21, 2021). "A Farewell". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 9. FX.
- ↑ Morris, Iain (writer) & van Beek, Jackie (director) (May 1, 2019). "Baron's Night Out". What We Do in the Shadows. Episode 6. FX.
- ↑ "A Shadows Short: Non-Bat Form" - FX
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Johnson, Sam (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (October 28, 2021). "The Portrait". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 10. FX.
- ↑ Naftalis, Sarah (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (September 16, 2021). "The Casino". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 4. FX.
- ↑ Johnson, Sam (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (September 2, 2021). "The Cloak of Duplication". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 2. FX.
- ↑ Robinson, Stefani (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (October 14, 2021). "The Wellness Center". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 8. FX.
- ↑ Gohd, Shana (writer) & Gorskaya, Yana (director) (October 7, 2021). "The Siren". What We Do in the Shadows. Season 3 Episode 7. FX.