Into the Schwarzwald

The episode was viewed by 3.91 million people, earning a 0.9/3 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale, ranking third on its timeslot and ninth for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind Dateline NBC, Dr. Ken, The Amazing Race, 20/20, Last Man Standing, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, and Shark Tank.[3] This was a 9% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.26 million viewers with a 1.0/4.[4] This means that 0.9 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 3 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. With DVR factoring in, the episode was watched by 6.24 million viewers and had a 1.7 ratings share in the 18-49 demographics.[5]

"Into the Schwarzwald" received mostly positive reviews. Les Chappell from The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A" rating and wrote, "A proximity to the pilot also casts the events of Grimm's hundredth episode 'Into The Schwarzwald' in a different light. On its own it would be a noteworthy episode, full of major events and upheavals in the show's world. Yet none of those upheavals feel outside the norm. Everything that happens tonight is connected to things that have been part of this world since the beginning, and that have even greater significance when you look at how far they've come. It's the best kind of milestone episode, one that doesn't get bogged down in its own importance or mythology but one that remembers the story it's already told and the story yet to tell."[6]

Kathleen Wiedel from TV Fanatic, gave a 4.5 star rating out of 5, stating: "Well, now we know. I think. Maybe. Do we? I'm not sure. In Grimm Season 5 Episode 12, Nick and Monroe successfully retrieved the long-hidden Crusader treasure, the culmination of a mystery that was first introduced in the very beginning of the series, Grimm Season 1 Episode 1. But what was it that the seven Grimm knights thought was so important or dangerous or valuable that they hid in a mausoleum in the middle of the Black Forest? Apparently, a stick."[7]

Lindi Smith from EW wrote, "'Into the Schwarzwald' was hands down the best episode this season, which is saying a lot since every episode this season has been solid. From Nick and Monroe dodging danger and finding a less-than-expected treasure, to Adalind's startling discovery, this episode was action-packed."[8]

MaryAnn Sleasman from TV.com, wrote, "Grimm's 100th episode was nothing special—which is a shame, because it was obviously trying to be. We had biblical shit! And assassinations! Extortion! And biological imperatives! And yet... 'Into the Schwarzwald' played out like any other aggressively average episode of the series. Could we have gotten a basket of Easter eggs on this celebratory occasion? Maybe a throwback to Nick's awful floppy hair of the early seasons? No? I would have almost preferred a clip show."[9]

Christine Horton of Den of Geek wrote, "This week Grimm hit its much talked-about 100th episode, and in the main, it didn't disappoint. Show creators Jim Kouf and David Greenwalt had previously teased a big reveal to the four-and-a half-season-long storyline involving those damn keys, but they were still in no hurry to reveal their secrets."[10]