Everything came together on True Blood this week, in an episode penned by series creator Alan Ball. Now I almost understand why HBO waited a week to air this after the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Right off the bat, having Sookie and Bill play surrogate parents to the delightfully bratty Jessica on their trip to Dallas was clever indeed. It displayed a new side of the Sookie-Bill relationship, showing that they’re not just lovers making goo-goo eyes at each other — they can see each other’s strengths and flaws. Sookie may be a tough country gal, but she’s still naive about the nature of both evil and adolescence, and thus prone to being too permissive. (And, really, is there much difference between a teenager and a leeching vampire?) “Two travel coffins instead of one,” sighed Bill, ordering an additional for Jessica even as he knew knowing nothing good can come of this. (OK, beware, hereafter, SPOILERS LURK.)
A pivotal connection was made in this episode, as we found out that the people behind the attack on Sookie upon arrival in Dallas (with the limo driver played by Dean Norris, who’s so good in Breaking Bad), are the Soldiers of the Sun, the elite group of anti-vampire fanatics headed up by Rev. Steve Newlin and whose newest recruit is our dear sap Jason Stackhouse.
Other plot-points Ball was careful to hit during this hour: a recovering Lafayette denying comfort from a concerned Tara; Tara moving in with Sookie and leaving Maryann (“Go, flourish, don’t ever say ‘no’ to yourself” — lordy, I love Michelle Forbes!); and Maryann cranking up the orgy-dervish in Bon Temps to an explosive fervor.
There was some great dialogue scattered throughout. That debate among the Fellowship of the Sun stooges about who was the original vampire, Jesus, Lazarus, or Cain, was priceless, as was the Sookie-Bill exchange that parodied self-improvement cliches: “Hating yourself is a bad thing.” “I am a vampire; I’m supposed to be tormented.”
I also thoroughly enjoyed all the scenes involving Eric, not just because Alexander Skarsgard is such a fine, sly actor but also because, not having read the Charlaine Harris novels, I got a better understanding this evening of Eric’s place in vamp hierarchy and more clues to the nature of this Godric guy.
Oh, and my compliments once again to whoever is picking the country music: the use of Sammy Kershaw’s “Louisiana Hot Sauce” while the reverend’s wife wiggled for Jason was perfect.
In short, I felt this highly satisfying episode may have been the best one of the season so far.
What do you think?
Oh, and we’d also like your thoughts on another matter. I’ve been deputized by Must List major domos Dalton Ross and Jessica Shaw to direct you to the latest edition of Must List Live, where you can weigh in on this all-important question: Who’s hotter, Bill or Eric?
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i used to love lafayette’s character. but I’m kind of bummed to see him reduced to the black stud.
I have been waiting for the Must List Eric shout out. Team ERIC!
BILL is smoking hot. Though, what’s up with the heavy makeup? Why does Bill have to wear it and not Eric? Wear some sunscreen before next season, Mr. Moyer.
Bill is the hotness! However, what’s with the white caked on makeup this season? Bill is wearing it, but not Eric, and is thus paler than Eric. Maybe the gorgeous Stephen Moyer needs to wear a better sunscreen so he can look as hot as a vampire as he does in real life (or as he did in Season 1).
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Team Eric! Season one he had me, then I read all the books in a week and Eric had me again.. he is TRUE
hands down: Eric.
this episode packed a lot of content and didn’t flow quite as well as the others so far. however, it’s very intriguing…hooking, even. maybe it was all the sex…hmmmm…
I want more!!
I want more!!!
Mmmm, Bill Compton does it for me! I loved him tonight.
Bill is the hottest!
Its all about Eric! Also since I have read the books I know how awesome Eric can be so its no contest. This episode of awesome all the way through… and we got to meet Barry which made me happy.
Absolutely loved this week’s episode. The funny hit at just the right level, it was really neat to see all the way’s society had adapted to serve vampires up in Dallas, and the multiple cliffhangers this week were just plain cruel – but that’s the way we like it.
As for who’s hottest – you’re being mighty cruel to even make us choose. Up until this week I would have gone for Bill hands down, but seeing Eric leaning in the window offering Lafayette his super-charged blood…mmm…
A great episode–funny, sexy, scary and I finally see the brilliant way that he has brought the books together. Slightly different characters and action, but they get to the same place. Certainly one of the best episodes ever–and both Bill and Eric doing what they do best–and a lot of Sam, who is my favorite–even better.
TEAM ERIC. Why the mystery on Bill being so white and Eric not? Obviously if Eric is highlighting his hair…. he’s going to use bronzer too!! Duh!
Team ERIC all.the.way!!!
I watched the first season and was hooked. Then like someone else said, I read all of the books in 13 days and I can’t get enough. Eric is made of awesome.
SEASON 2 SUCKS (no pun intended)!!! There is too much sci-fi crap and not enough of the relationship stuff that got everyone hooked on Season 1. I now feel like I’m watching a bad B movie horror flick from the 50’s! Sooooooo disappointing!!!
Wonderful episode! Jason’s daydream was just hilarious, loved Eric giving blood to Lafayette (gee, like Eric was so excited) and adored this “have to fly” phrase, and Jessica is a hoot. And we meet Barry! Oh, so much more!
Team Eric all the way. Alexander is during a perfect job. And maybe Eric goes to tanning salons to look hip and cool?
I LOVE ALL THE CHARACTERS! HOWEVER, BILL IS MY FAV..NEXT TO SOOKIE. THEN, TARA, ERIC,LAYFAYETTE, BILL, JASON IS GREAT AS A NIM-KOM-POOP. MARYANN IS A 1ST CLASS SKANK. THE SHOW AS A WHOLE IS WONDERFUL!!!!MY FAV SERIES ON HBO THIS SEASON. SECOND ONLY TO “THE LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY”.
I can’t wait to see more of Barry!
love love love…True Blood. why cant it come on every night????
love Bill over Eric. Have not read the book..it might spoil it for me if i did.
This show is so hot: http://www.actressscene.com/2009/03/anna-paquin-in-true-blood-2.html
megan fox topless pics
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By volume, this show has the most attractive, sexiest men on TV. Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten and Mehcad Brooks (whose amazing bod was on full display tonight; thanks!), as a group, cannot be topped.
Great episode all around.
ERIC all the way. I read the first 4 books last week and I am going to get the others in the morning. After reading the books DEF. ERIC!
(Oh, and as for Lafayette’s character, it pretty mucvh had to be created for the show, as he really is not in the books much.)
I actually disagree with Ken Tucker. This week’s episode of True Blood was the weakest episode so far this season, even though it still had some standout moments. The pacing was entirely too slow at the beginning and never really picked up until the last five minutes. Id rank the episodes so far this season:
1. Episode 2 — One of the best of the entire series
2. Episode 1
3. Episode 3
4. Episode 4
I thought the episode was very good. The show is a bit lacking compared to last season. Don’t get me wrong I am all about Vampires, my bad guys of choice. Just something not quit clicking. I still love it thow. As to who is hotter I love Eric with long hair, who’s idea was it to cut his hair, he is a Viking for goodness sake. Long hair Eric is hottest, bring back the long hair.
An Old Hippie
There are no teams here, this is so NOT Twilight. That said, Bill is sexy beyond words.
Gotta say Team Eric here. Good lord is he hot. Sheesh. And the scene with Lafayette was the bomb. Last night was pretty awesome. I continue to love Jessica. She and Hoyt are ADORABLE. Thank you Alan Ball for giving me a reason to care about the Maryann thing. Did y’all see those claws? Dang. And Ryan as Jason continues to impress me. That “Jesus was the first vampire” thing? Gold.
I agree with the comment that there should be no teams. It is a win win for the audience having Bill, Eric, Sam, Eggs and Lafayette.
I found myself completely entranced more than usual, yet I could not say why. I think I am so literally into it, I cannot sit back and be objective. That is why I often don’t foresee obvious plot twists in movies.
did you notice that the main guy from the Light group was in a adult movie ad when Sookie was looking at the TV for something to watch. (he was in the middle )