Real Eric is back! And he still loves Sookie!
In "Burning Down the House," Sookie's built-in taser brought sardonic, brooding Eric back. And he remembers everything! Blush. Of course, now Sookie wants both Bill and Eric. This isn't very consistent with the romantic and intensely loyal nature of Sookie's character, but conflict is what keeps the lights on at the True Blood set, so maybe they can settle things with a three-person Narnia shower. Personally, I think it's a better choice than the books make: When Eric's memory is restored in the Sookie Stackhouse Novels, not only is Sookie not there to see it and not only does she have nothing to do with breaking the curse, but Eric doesn't remember any of their time together. Eric owning his vulnerable side provides a lot of levels to explore. Plus it's a little less date-rapey.
Also how exciting was this?
Kind of wanted them to pop out in fairyland and force-feed Marnie glowing pears. Next week's promo revealed they were merely transported to the spacious back-room of Moon Goddess Emporium, which Marntonia has decked out like a Sabrina the Teen-Age Witch-themed homeless shelter.
Which is about to get attacked by our Matrix-style vampire heroes. Did you laugh at the freeze frame? As usual, True Blood's comedic elements are more effective than those of most self-described comedies, because they are unexpected and also unacknowledged.
Much like a shifter or a hilarious werewolf, True Blood maintains a dual nature of compelling humanistic drama and supernatural camp. Last night's episode featured a huge turn between one pairing that perfectly exhibits this dynamic: Marnie and Antonia.
Marnie has disappeared since cutting herself and collapsing on the floor of Bill's private Gitmo, and given her gentle-vegan vibe, many of us might have assumed that she would not be thrilled with the leather jackets and harsh vengeance Antonia has been visiting on the town of Bon Temps. It was an unexpected turn that Antonia, the "evil spirit," wanted to call off the war with the vampires, and that Marnie goaded her back into a state of animosity.
It also rang exceptionally true: Marnie, in her own way, is far more marginalized than Antonia was. Antonia was a healer/midwife and kind of hot in her time; Marnie was the type who spent high school carving pentagrams into her Trapper Keeper while wearing a T-shirt that said "You laugh at me because I'm different I laugh because you're all the same" in spatter-font, courtesy of Hot Topic. Is there any more-maligned and dismissed genre of human than New-Age Impoverished Middle-Aged Person? The exchange made it clear that Marnie's interests in this crisis are far more personal and aggressive than self defense, and later when she and Jesús sat criss-cross apple sauce and almost high-fived, the message was clear: Marnie just loves power.
Although honestly, how do you think the world would work if New Age hippies took over? Worldwide, mandatory Burning Man with a sprinkling of Manson Family? It's not Marnie's New Age doofus quality that has allowed her to become the villain of this season, it's her personal lust for power. That's something every villain in storytelling history has in common (wanting control over others' lives), and it makes her irredeemable and gives the arc, which is gearing up for the big Halloween finale, a subtle undercurrent of good vs. evil. Will Sookie get the honor of offing her in the end?
Sookie, so far, is the only one who has broken a witch's spell. But she'd rather yell at Bill about not bombing the Moon Goddess Emporium than get cracking on busting up more enchantments. Stop nagging, start blasting, Sookie. Bill has had a stake inches from his heart about six times now, and is about to go sizzle in a jail cell for twelve hours. You're empowered enough to suggest alternative sexing arrangements but not to raid an antique store at noon? Granted, when she finally got to the store, it was surrounded by pain. Pain so strong you need to grow an ancient Mayan face over your own face to get through it.
It's always a treat, though, when they bring out that freaky demon. Speaking of treats, I was kissing my fingertips like a happy chef when Tommy decided to curl up and die. Sam and Alcide, hilariously, were totally supportive of that decision. In a world where there are magickal and medical ways to heal a fatal wound, Alcide and Sam decided to let Tommy bleed out on a pool table. Well done, bros!
I really hope Alcide and Sam become a two-man task force and start cleanin' up Shreveport, because that visual contrast is too delightful.
Just as much of a contrast: the acting styles of cousins Andy and Terry. Todd Lowe injects Terry with comedy and heart and looks damn fine doing it. To set his subtle portrayal of Terry across from Chris Bauer's Yosemite Sam impression for a prolonged scene elevated Lowe's performance but definitely moved Andy to the top of my kill list. Sam, Alcide, can you make it happen? Mention the angels.
Sam and Alcide are going to have more trash to talk on Marcus when he and Debbie hook up. She's back in the feather earrings and the Forever 21, which means she's about to get fun again. I would watch a spin-off show just about her Lady Wolf dramas, late-night fights with her pack, brushing her teeth with a bottle of Jack, Tik Tok, etc.
Finally, I've said it before and I'll say it again, the suspense of True Blood comes from putting the relationships in peril, not the characters, and one of the greatest sources of suspense for next episode will be how the Hoyt, Jessica, and Jason triangle develops. Jason asking Jessica to glamour him was both tragic and gross, and I don't think Jessica is completely over Hoyt—but at least part of the reason she won't glamour Jason is that she is still crushin' hard, and Jim Parrack is doing an incredible job making Hoyt tortured and sympathetic. It's a total Arthur/Guinevere/Lancelot triangle, if Lancelot had constantly brought up Arthur's most embarrassing childhood moments.
The rise of a villain, two engrossing love triangles, and no more Tommy. I couldn't have asked for more from an episode.
Questions:
… Wait, a kid can get so tall so fast that he has to use a cane to get around?
… Matrix vampires: "badass" or "hilarious"?
… If Antonia had been born in our time, would she have become less of an alienated healer woman and more of a fine women's apparel model?
… What's up with the demon face, is it based on ancient Mayan art?
… Should Jessica have glamoured Jason, or was it a faux pas that he even asked?
Yeah, a kid can get tall that fast. My uncle grew so fast that they almost put him in a body-cast when he was a teenager. Very weird, but true. Something to do with the bones growing a lot faster than the muscles - tends to happen in freakishly tall people.
Matrix vampires = RIDIIIIIC.
One of the best episodes of the season! Jessica was right not to glamour Jason, why should she suffer forever while he gets over it and moves on easy as pie? Marnie was disturbing in this episode and Jesus's Demon face is pretty cool, not sure if its Mayan inspired but possibly or Aztec perhaps.
That just looks like its gonna be good dude. WOw.
www.anon-toolz.se.tc
Fantastic review once again Lilly!!! I look forward to your review and reader comments as much as I do the show :)) keep up the good work!!!
Well, these episodes are dragging on and it is so crazy how the were-panthers just disappeared into thin air, I guess the writers forgot about them. When things are convoluted, that can happen. What the hell did the ghost with the baby have to do with anything, but a waste a time to establish LaFayette as a carrier for useless ghost and Jesus as a witch doctor, demon, Mayan, Aztec or whatever the hell he is, OH YEAH, mighty morphine. Love triangles, LOL!,,,True Blood is about ending relationships, except Arlene and DODO bird. Sookie wanna a threesome, and Jason screwing in the back of the truck, Hoyt was probably laying in Jason's house and Jason doing his XGF...SMH, what a friend, but then again, you gotta make it realistic, good job. Matrix vampires, it was hilarious, because it was like they were biting off of Matrix and not developing their own stuff, but the badazz was PAM, you go girl...kick some butt, especially that dang representative for the autority. If Antonia was born in our time, she would be Lady GAGA and making money and not worrying about a damn vampire. I wish someone would glamour Jessica, but then again she is 17 for the rest of eternity and i guess they forgot to make her into a virgin after having sex all the time, which made her cry and miserable a long time ago, because form what i remembered, it hurt her when she had sex with Hoyt....ijs,,,being a virgin over and over and over again is her destiny, the writers forgot about that one 2moreless
The werepanthers are still at Hotshot along with Crsytal, only because Jason wasn't turned doesn't mean they "just disappeared into thin air"
I am glad they are finally getting down to business. I am getting sick of villains that are unbeatable (like the last..two? seasons) it is getting tiring. I wasn't surprised so see that Marnie is the one pulling the strings, I thought that was obvious. (come on people, it's TV after all). Finally, the fact that Tara is being stupid (again) and falling for the villain (again) is getting tiring. can she either grow up or die? thxbye. Sad, I love True Blood but I have high expectations for the writers to get back from vacation and write some more bad-ass Matrix vampires ;)
Given that Jesus is Mexican, Aztec would be more consistent geographically than Mayan, but given that this is television, it's probably Mayan...
Matrix vampires=hilarious.
Jess should not glamour Jason-it's cowardly of him to ask that. He should be a man about it. Of course he did break one of the most important Man Laws (Bros before hoes)...
Paramilitary vampires! Love, love, love!
Eric telling Sookie he was still the same, only 'more'. Phwaoarr!
Marcus the greasy seducer! Grim, but very funny!
Like the idea of Alcide and Sam in a "Big wolf, little shifter" spin off. Hunting down rednecks and cajuns.
Loved this episode!
Brilliant review as ever Lily.
Loved that sam and alcide partnered up but what I don't understand is why the skinwalkers just don't turn into a grizzley or something like that when messing with the werewolves
Definitely laughed my ass off at the end when the vamp squad pulled up all slo-mo like ready to blow some shit up then walk slowly away from the explosions.
That needs to happen! :D
The screen cap with Sam and Alcide coupled with Sam's hilarious facial expression made me literally laugh out loud. I'd have to imagine that those actors hate having scenes with Alcide because, with the exception of Alexander, he makes average sized men look like pygmies.
The final shot looks the same as the final shot intro of Torchwood Season 1 and 2.
I gotta say this, though it breaks my heart: Tommy might not be dead. As a skinwalker, it might've just been a painful part of some kind of metamorphosis, so he could come back with kickass powers...and still be dumb as hell. It's not good writing when half your characters are morons. Anyhoo, it could just be that he's dead and they actually gave most of us what we wanted...but how often does that really happen?
Matrix vampires: awesome! especially with that version of "Burning Down the House". Cried when Tommy died, cause he was sorry. Jessica should glamour Jason then become like Pam. I can't believe Antonia let herself be talked into continuing by Marnie, hippie extraordinaire. come on!
Love your avatar!
Men becoming wolves! Very appropriate!
i read the books & Eric does eventually remember what happened between him & Sookie when he was under the spell. I think that it is dealt with better in the books as it takes a while for him to remember yet in some ways he knows that something has happened as there is a slight change in their relationship & the way they act with each other
I don't read the books, but from what I heard from a friend Eric DOES remember his time while cursed and let Sookie know. Then again I could be wrong.
I just LMAO'd at the Alcide/Sam screencap. Too funny! *still laughing*
Good episode, and I just want to mention that Todd Lowe (Terry) is a fine actor, and this episode showed it.
I really love reading this column. You bring out the best (and the funniest) moments in this series, Lily. Keep it up, Honey!
good episode.. I really really do miss Eric's long hair.. I won't ever get over that. He looks a lot less like a Viking now. sigh.
Don't you find it weird that Eric and Bill can successfully cut their hair, while Jessica keeps growing back her hymen?!
I agree! And he should have Pam dye his hair blonde again.
I'm starting to think I sat through that whole awful Hotshot storyline for nothing....
I didn't like it much myself but if they didn't do it then Jason wouldn't have needed Jessicas blood and then Jessica, Jason and Hoyt probably wouldn't have this 3 way drama. And who knows, maybe Jason is to become a pantherdaddy. But it's typical True blood to have these long stories that in the end seems kind of pointless.
T'was just a bad dream.
fun episode, and i am liking merlottes dark side
Again you use way too many pictures with extremely unfunny captions, keep up the terrible work Lily. OT; Tommy was such a piece of crap, what kind of person would steal from the person that teaches them to read?
Boo, whore.
No, jelly_donut_92, do not stoop to his level of subterranean insults. schlacko, you made a similar comment last week, yet here you are, wantonly criticizing once again. Here's a thought, if you don't like Lily's reviews, DON'T READ THEM. Personally, I think these reviews are hilarious. I mean come on, anybody who puts the caption "blast you mighty morphin power rangers!!!" on the picture of an ancient Mayan demon, knows her stuff. Someone should teach YOU to have a better sense of humor. Keep up the GREAT work Lily!
i liked Tommy :( .....
All I'm sayin' is I don't think Tommy is dead. It's disappointing but I have afeeling we haven't seen the last of the Skinwalker storyline. There's stuff we don't know about that mythology.
I'm thinking wendigo.
I wish thy would just throw Lafayette in there to get that ghost out and be done with it. The end will be Lafayette kicking some serious Marnie *ss and showing her what real power is. Lafayette is also being a pretty big wimp about everything. I like tough guy Lafayette better.
.....and what was up with that whole were-panther storyline? That went straight into the ground at 100 mph.....
Haha! Yeah, it's like the writers forgot that even happened.
Just like they forgot about Barry and the rest of the faeries caught in magical pear-land and any other sub-plot that wasn't important enough any more.
Prediction for next week-- Jason sees the vamps and tells them they can't blow up the magic shop cuz Sookie is inside. Bill and Eric agree about that, but argue about everything else. Pam and Jessica tell them to shut up, cuz Sookie's not even that hot... So basically, they have to come up with a much less cool plan that doesn't involve blowing sh.,,it up. There's your pre-song intro.
Loved the ending. That will be it. Sookie - out of the blue - is in ove with Bill again, Sam is still boring, Tara is still annoying.
I agree with you, the ending was ace!
I can sort of understand Sookie re-crushing on Bill. He is looking mighty hot in his new hair cut and kingly threads.
A nicely cut shirt and a shapely pant has done wonders for him.
I like Sam, and Tara needs something to do this season!
Great episode, only thing missing was an appearance by Shiva. For getting added to the cast there really hasn't been enough of the beautiful Janina Gavankar this season. Too much of the boys fighting over her and her daughter but simply not enough Shiva.
Debbie: Oh, Tiny Packmaster, you're soo smooth!
Tiny Packmaster: ...Always.
Typical 'true blood' ending... keeps me either wanting more from exitement or crying from laughing!
"blast you mighty morphin power rangers!!" So Effing funny You got me actually rolling on the bed laughing
Seriously how do you come up with THAT !!! GENIOUS just Genious