"The Campaign" is the fourth episode of the fifth season of the American mockumentary comedy horror television series What We Do in the Shadows, set in the franchise of the same name.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.268 million household viewers and gained a 0.11 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch) has decided to run for comptroller in Staten Island, as Sean (Anthony Atamanuik) was forced to drop out due to multiple DUI incidents.
However, Colin Robinson's place is questioned by his opponent Barbara Lazarro (Marceline Hugot), whom he will face in a debate.
Suddenly, the family praises Laszlo, as they believe him to be a reincarnation of a known "perverted oaf" tale and his presence means good luck.
After the debate's end, Colin Robinson and Evie are kidnapped and taken to a soulless office, where they are subjugated to an emergency meeting of the Supreme Council of Energy Vampires.
WWDITS took less time to find its feet than lots of TV comedies, but it still struggled at first with the perceived need to play by the rules of television — hang-ups the show has discarded, to gleeful effect, in subsequent years.
"[4] Katie Rife of Vulture gave the episode a 3 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "In terms of jokes, every character had a moment this week that made me laugh out loud.
"[5] Proma Khosla of IndieWire gave the episode an "A–" grade and wrote, "The debate scene is not only a master class in vampire power plays, but in Proksch and Bayer sucking the marrow from two roles that require meticulous patience and timing, with every pause and fumble captured expertly by Gorskaya's team.
Mark Proksch gets plenty of hysterical comedic beats, with the Supreme Council of Energy Vampires making their monotone debut and Laszlo proving he can befriend anyone as a master, ahem, cocksman.
The site wrote, "Mark Proksch is reliably hilarious as What We Do in the Shadows' resident energy vampire Colin Robinson, and he sunk his teeth into a meaty spotlight this week as Colin found the perfect setting for his lethally dull personality: politics.
Colin also reunited with his ex Evie, the emotional vampire played to perfection by guest star Vanessa Bayer, whose presence brought an extra pep to Proksch's step.