Viewers

The episode was viewed by 4.26 million people, earning a 1.0/4 in the 18-49 rating demographics on the Nielson ratings scale, ranking second on its timeslot and third for the night in the 18-49 demographics, behind a rerun of Shark Tank, and The Amazing Race.^[1] This was a 5% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 4.04 million viewers with a 0.9/3.^[2] This means that 1.0 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode, while 4 percent of all households watching television at that time watched it. With DVR factoring in, the episode was watched by 6.69 million viewers and had a 1.7 ratings share in the 18-49 demographics.^[3]

Critical reviews

"Key Move" received positive reviews. Les Chappell from The A.V. Club gave the episode an "A−" rating and wrote, "Regardless of how you feel about Grimm having an overabundance of stories to tell, there's no question that when it manages to make one of them pay off, it's typically worth the frustration. 'Map Of The Seven Knights' last week was able to reinvigorate what was at one time the central mystery of the show, and 'Key Move' keeps that momentum going by turning a lackluster plot into a gripping one. One bullet suddenly raises the stakes for everyone, and a shot in the chest turns into a narrative shot in the arm."^[4]

Kathleen Wiedel from TV Fanatic, gave a 4 star rating out of 5, stating: "Renard's subplot with the mayoral election finally paid off on Grimm Season 5 Episode 11, with a Black Claw assassin shooting would-be mayor Andrew Dixon as our heroes watched helplessly. It's moments like this that you want to shake them and shout that they are cops, with cop equipment, including radios! They are not, after all, the only ship in the quadrant! There would definitely have been other cops at the rally!"^[5]

Lindi Smith from EW wrote, "What is so important that this group of wesen would want to protect it? It's obviously not something that they can utilize — but rather something they don't want anyone else getting their hands on, especially a grimm. Could it be something used by a grimm to eradicate wesen, or maybe something that could make grimms stronger than ever? What if the missing keys were really important and would have warned Nick about a potential Aladdin situation where touching the forbidden treasure would fill the cave with molten lava? We'll have to wait until next week for the very special 100th episode of Grimm to find out! "^[6]

MaryAnn Sleasman from TV.com, wrote, "All griping about Grimm's increasing ridiculousness aside, 'Key Move' was entertaining and fun with just enough serious business plot to avoid becoming the dreaded 'filler.' If you don't think too hard about it and just roll with the cartoon punches, Grimm is still perfectly serviceable Friday night cannon fodder. Unfortunately, thinking too hard is in my job description and I know what Grimm used to be capable of. At least we get to finally find out what the freaking keys are for."^[7]

Christine Horton of Den of Geek wrote, "Last summer, the show's executive producers hinted that they had big plans for the show’s 100th episode, coming up next week. 'We're going to explain the damn keys,' Grimm co-creator David Greenwalt told a Comic-Con audience, before adding: 'We' still don't know what they do but by god we're going to explain it.' It looks like Greenwalt is keeping his word as we approach episode 100 with Nick and Monroe up to their necks in the forest – literally – being pursued by a bunch of bad guys with murder on their minds."^[8]