“Frenzy,” the second-to-last episode of True Blood this season, is almost here. UPDATE: IT’S HERE. READ MY REVIEW NOW. We know we’re going to see Evan Rachel Wood as Sophie-Anne, the Vampire Queen of Louisiana. We know from this HBO clip that Tara is pretty distraught over something bad happening to Eggs:
As the season winds down/cranks up to a conclusion, let’s list the ways in which this second season surpassed the first, shall we? I’ll start with three, you take it from there:
• Producer-writer Alan Ball took the characters created by Charlaine Harris and, made bold by the ratings success of the first season, really ran with them — he’s made them his own.
• As a result, Ball’s True Blood has something in common with Ball’s Six Feet Under (something besides characters who spend time under the ground, that is): a predilection for embracing chance, love, chaos, desire, and possible self-destruction.
• Victims have taken control of their own destinties. Think about it: Sookie spent a lot of time last season at the mercy of her growing love for Bill without knowing how to harness her own powers. Her grandmother was murdered. Tara was put through the emotional wringer with her alcoholic mother and a lot of heartache when it came to men she was attracted to. Jason got suckered into the Fellowship of the Sun. But each of these characters has fought back, found reasons to become angry, cagey, and bursting with newfound power.
As we wait for “Frenzy,” please contribute below to the ways in which this season improved on the last. (That is, if you buy my premise. If you don’t, I’d like to hear why, too.)
How it’s been better: More Eric, no extended Jason sex scenes that serve almost no purpose to the plot, Michelle Forbes’s acting/Maryann (even though the story sort of drags a bit a times), Sookie is far less annoying, Godric, later Fellowship of the Sun storyline stuff
How it’s worse: Tara’s lost her edge, some of the love triangle stuff and how Sookie pretends she hates Eric is stupid, earlier Fellowship of the Sun storyline stuff, and EGGS (*snore*)
Overall, this season has been far better than Season 1.
that is pretty acurate
Agreed
you forgot about Jessica and Hoyt. i find their relationship interesting to say the least.
I concur with everything, including the addition of Jessica and Hoyt.
I can’t believe I forgot that. I love Jessica and Hoyt.
I didn’t like Jessica last season but love how her character now, especially when she’s with Hoyt.
Nick & Nick C. got it in “2″ posts! I agree w/ both of their summaries (and Ken’s). This season has rocked.
I think Sookie is way MORE annoying this season. Totally agree about the Jason sex scenes. Love this season due to the focus on supporting cast over Bill and Sookie (especially Godric, Eric, Lafayette, Jessica).
Thought the fellowship of the sun plot dragged as has the MaryAnn plot, and am also tired of seeing Eggs’ tongue everytime he makes out with Tara. Enough already. But overall have loved season 2.
no instead of extended Jason sex scenes we get a ton more extended orgy scenes with Maryann. SOOO waiting for this storyline to wrap it self up!
I totally agree with Shelli. The whole Maryanne thing makes me hate this season. Love everything else though.
I agree…do not like how different the storyline is from the book..MaryAnn is so annoying..wanted more Godric!!!
I agree. Eric is really the more interesting character this season. He should be given more to do. Maryann is great but the plot is draging. Tara and Eggs plot makes no sense and needs to wrap up fast.
i disagree i really enjoyed season one better as far as bill goes but in this season im liking eric more and more
one word: JESSICA.
Jessica and Hoyt are fabulous. Michelle Forbes make evil and wacky way cool. Sexy, sultry and powerful Eric makes the show, but where the heck is Pam?!!?!? Pam is awesome! Ryan Kwanten has made dumb as a box of rocks Jason Stackhouse loveable and likeable. Arlene and Terry are great too. Loved Arlene’s line about Terry being more peculiar than usual. If we thought Bon Temps was interesting just wait. I can’t wait to see if Alan Ball takes and uses what’s upcoming in book three. Andy Bellefleur has too much fun. “Piiiiiiig!”
Absolutely miss fun and funky Lafayette. I’m glad he’s still alive though. Need more Pam.
Oh yeah, we do need Pam. At least we will see her this Sunday. She is a wonderful spice of this amazing show, and her chem with Eric is just wonderful. In the other side of the spectrum, Eggs was a bore. Not that I wish we could fry, boil, or scramble him, but maybe just pouch him.
I so agree with you about everything you said, lol. The humor brought to the show by Jason, Arlene, Terry, and Andy has been fabulous this season. And another character that is overlooked, but has made me laugh a lot has been Jane Bodehouse (“Sam, do you know Peanut?”) and Mike “I sodomized a pine tree” Spencer.
I have absolutely loved getting more Eric this season (although it still really hasn’t been enough for me!) But we really need more PAM!
You mean Jason is “dumber than a box of hair,” at least according to [dead] Dawn.
The awesome Maryann (and the awesome Michelle Forbes who better get a nomination for best supporting next year), Jessica who is a great addition to the cast of crazy characters, and the writing and direction this season have been amazing. I can’t wait for whats in store for the finale as well as for season three!
I think its better because the actors are more comfortable with their characters. I don’t know it just everything is better this season and I love season 1 but this season is just flippin AWESOME. Oh and Pam will return in tomorrow’s episode can’t wait to see her…she’s one of my favorites!
I think introducing and developing the character Eric has made this season amazing! The love triangle brings so much to the show. Eric is such an interesting character. And of course Jessica has been great entertainment.
I have to agree with Sue. More Pam! And as much of Eric as possible.
More Eric and more humour…its made the weaker storylines more tolerable…
Need more Pam and a less “powerless” Bill – he’s looking hot as sin again in the promo pics.
I’ve got to agree. Seems like Bill is getting his mojo back. He looks just the way I like ‘em – ruggedly handsome. For this triangle to stay interesting they’ve got to give Bill back his swagger. And it looks like they have.
I agree, I liked Bill better in season 1 because he was powerful but it seems like he is coming back. Season 1 had me attatched to the Sookie/Bill relationship I don’t think I could bear if they are apart!
I liked Bill in season 1, he was handsome, sexy and his relationship with Sookie was really hot. I hope they stay together. Eric is sexy too, but Bill and Sookie belong together.
Love the new season, love the triangle between Bill,Eric and Sookie, but really miss Lafayette, and Sam and really want the Maryanne story to die!!!
Mad Men + True Blood = Best shows on tv!
I so agree with your favorite shows, I can’t believe how full my sunday nights are now. True Blood imo has only gotten better this season, but I would love for more of the old Lafayette and I think that will happen.
Totally agree!
great opening theme song too… and the music throughout, … top notch.
Amen!!!
Ill put it as simple as i can..
1)Maraynne
2) Jessica
3) Eric
EXACTLY
Season one was better, but that’s not to say that this hasn’t been a lot of fun, I imagine the cliffhanger will be a good one as well.
Season 2 is WAY BETTER than season 1. Even though Mary Ann is CRAZY AS HELL, she’s a great villain.
Though season two was enjoyable the writing and production design/makeup was all over the place. Lots of continuity issues and let’s not talk about the styling.
Rashad, I agree, season 2 is WAY better! Way, WAY better. I’ve been rewatching season 1 in between Sundays and it seems like it’s only point was to set up season 2. It was completely different, less supernatural. I mean, remember when SAM was weird? Now the idea of a shapeshifter is downright normal!
The fact that Eric, the character played by Alexander Skarsgard, has been given more screen time made season 2 a better season than season 1. He is a very talented actor and I enjoy the Eric storyline.
I absolutely agree. Alexander’s presence adds another dimension to this show. I love the entire cast but they couldn’t have picked a better actor to play Eric.
While there are some major differences from the book to the show–I have liked the changes. It has been entertaining to watch. I like how Sookie has come into her own. Bill is much sweeter to Sookie on the show than the books. I like Lafayette’s continued presence. I like Maryann and the “possessed” town folk. Jason is hilarious. We just need MORE Pam and Eric.
That being said, about Bill, I wonder how they will play out the Bill/Sookie storyline in season 3 because in the books there are other men in Sookie’s life after book 3. I do hope we get to meet Alcide in Season 3 and the whole Sookie going to rescue Bill is similar because that storyline is kind of essential to Sookie and Bill’s relationship. I definitely want more Pam because she and Sookie become good friends in the books, and there is a great storyline with Sookie and Eric in book 4!!!!!
More Eric definitely made season 2 much better, and the character itself has more depth to it. I just miss the old Lafayette. His spunk and rude honesty were just amazing and very funny.
I agree wholeheartedly, NKD. I miss the old Lafayette. He seems to be slowly coming back as the season draws to a close, but I miss his spunk. And as far as Eric is concerned, the whole show could be just about him and I wouldn’t get at all tired of it!
ABSOLUTELY!!! They chose the perfect Eric…love him!!!