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True Blood Season 5 Episode 2

Authority Always Wins

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AIRED: Jun 17, 2012

8.5

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EPISODE REVIEWS
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Episode Summary

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In New Orleans, Eric and Bill get together with the ancient vampire Salome, a member of the Authority, and become familiar with how the Authority's does interrogation. Pam remembers to back when she was human and when Eric first came into her life. Alcide refuses to take over as the new packmaster. Sam and Luna deal with Marcus' mother who comes looking for Emma. Sookie acquires a system to protect her home should Russell show up. Terry's erratic behavior has Arlene concerned. Jessica receives an offer from Steve Newlin. Jason's life of numerous casual sexual affairs with women weighs heavy on him. Tara resurfaces in Bon Temps.

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TV.com Episode Review

193

True Blood: Addiction and Abandonment

You and me, my dears, are in a pretty pickle. Here we are, or at least I am, still in love with a show after five years, and kind of embarrassed about it.

By Lily Sparks, Jun 18, 2012

Fan Episode Reviews (8)

Authority Always Win

7.0

By thefanof, 3 days ago

Because we really think they will kill off Eric and Bill.

I don't think this is the right role for Christopher Meloni, or the right casting by True Blood, but at least they are trying something different. The show still feels a little stale though.
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Question Authority

7.5

By Neksmater, Jun 23, 2012

Eric and Bill and imprisoned, interrogated, and tortured by the Authority with UV lights and this makes for the single most interesting part of the episode. They are then brought before the Council that is the Authority which consists of about six elder vamps and their leader the Guardian (Christopher Meloni) who says that he wants them dead more than anything but Eric's sister's betrayal as an Emissary of the Authority is much more troubling. Bill offers them Russell Edgington in exchange for their lives which the Guardian grudgingly accepts and also lists the goods and bads that both Bill and Eric are guilty of for the past two seasons including the elimination of Marnie and Eric's bloodfeud with Russell. Sam and Luna have a falling out even after her saving his life over his not wanting Luna's daughter Emily be influenced by the werewolf pack run by Marcus's mother but since they're not sure whether Emily is a shifter or a werewolf (she's a werewolf we learn) the two are put at odds despite what they just went through. Jessica is confronted by Steve Newlin about buying Jason off of her and when she sexually describes him and Newlin gets "excited" she says that she wouldn't betray a friend but when her party is later crashed by Newlin she kicks them all out of her house. Jason is confronted by a kid whose mother he slept with and is punched. Andy makes a step in the right direction in terms of his addiction. Arlene confronts Patrick about Terry's tour in the Middle East and its effect on his life when she become worried about his mental state. Alcide rejects becoming the new pack master even though he killed Marcus resulting in a power vacuum in the pack. Hoyt refuses Jason's friendship yet again when he tries to apologize. Certainly much better than last week but the taming Tara while she goes bat$$it insane as a newborn was boring and consumed too much time. Here's to improvement.moreless
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The gospel according to the Authority...

9.0

By ionee24, Jun 22, 2012

Ever since the AVL's first debate on national TV, the show has been building up to this: the moment we met the men in black behind the men in black, the ones King Russell wanted to exterminate, the leaders the Magistrate died for, the people Nan Flanagan was scared of. And the Authority do NOT disappoint, you can see it in their eyes. From several frames of history, they have fought to adapt just as fiercely as they have fought for the vampires under their command. Its not an option, its a necessity. And defiance would not be tolerated: the war for tolerance begins with peaceful coexistance. Coming from natural predators, this makes you have hope for mankind.moreless
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next filler at least less boring please

4.0

By LucaMaltaglia, Jun 20, 2012

I really didn't think it could have been possible, but I got bored watching True Blood! and not just in one scene, but practically for the whole episode.

I understand that the authors are trying to juggle between many different storylines that have nothing in common and that need time to grow, but in this episode REALLY nothing happened. If you give just a couple of scenes for each storyline, at least make them meaningful!

Everything I saw was unengaging and slow, I didn't manage to get interested in anything I saw and the same things could have been said in half a time with better planning. Which makes me worry that the main storyline of this season is so thin that they had to stretch things to the extreme to fill all the episodes.

I hope it's just a boring filler before things heat up in the next episode. There are funny scenes here and there, but I expect more from True blood.moreless
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Okay supporting arcs and superfine Bill Eric III but the editor is a vegan raptor (Spoiler-free)

8.0

By jmw, Jun 20, 2012

I'm not a specially religious individual but when it comes to summer TV, I believe in True Blood ! Turn! * 3 was quite a weak way to begin the new season but this second installment was similar to season 4's second episode, You Smell Like Dinner. Indeed it seems I'll again spend the next weeks torturing the storybordeleditor (Bordel, from Old French : Mess, whorehouse) because if the show has one weakness, it's definitely "the thing" responsible for dislocating the arcs ! Scene 11 : Jason is at the police station. Scene 12 : Pam is in 1909. But it's already time to forget about what could ruin the show if it hadn't enough brute force and addictive flavors to both entertain and captivate us !

Successful episodes like Cold Grey Light of Dawn have proven that when it comes to turning your night into a televisual orgy of bloody fun well until further notice you can't do better than Jessica ? Censored, and even not for $20000 ! Billeric ? Oh, no ! It leads us to Jason because even if his moments were rare he still managed to make me laugh enough to acknowledge that humor is a mandatory part of the journey. As for Andy one of his decisions should definitely inspire you, even if he's slower than me when it comes to dodge spoilers. I'm also glad that he has evolved from a Sheriff Rosco-co-clone to a well pretty little Bellefleur. More seriously Pam's side was short but refreshing and despite the immersion killer I have already pointed out it at least had one smooth and well thought out transition to Bill Eric !

I could mention that Alcide and Sam deserve more attention because from the performers to the story their arc has undeniable potential. I could mention them, so I did. Do I make any sense ? Probably not but at E3 Far Cry 3 didn't either and its psychotropic presentation was praised. Now back to me, no to True Blood. What about Tara ? Well I have to admit that I'm not a big fan of her as a vampire but Rutina Wesley is both charming and charismatic so I'll keep my mind opened for now. Moreover you can't beat Pam as a maker and Lafayette's dilemna was interesting to witness. I cried, because he's Rembrandt Brown's spiritual son after all.

Last but not least (Finally !), let's judge King Bill Compton and Sir Eric Northman ! Beside the amoebitor I can't see a single viewer not giving the show a second chance after the mediocre premiere but if you haven't already seen Authority Always Wins well Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgrd are the only excuses you need. From the inevitable torture to crossed interviews their part represents the best of what True Blood is capable of. You care, you feel and you even think a lot (But not too much, thank "you know who"). Each season requires its set of freshly decayed ingredients and True Blood's fifth is no exception. Eclectic and freaky new characters ? Checked. Fascinating topics like religion covered in a controversial fashion ? Crossed out. A last minute offer and a gorgeous villain ? Double date !

Note : This review was first posted on Kritikenstein, my weblog.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Anna Paquin	Sookie Stackhouse
Stephen Moyer	Bill Compton
Sam Trammell	Sam Merlotte
Ryan Kwanten	Jason Stackhouse
Rutina Wesley	Tara Thornton
Alexander Skarsgård	Eric Northman

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Ken Luckey	Zander	Guest Star
Cherilyn Wilson	Cammy	Guest Star
Brian Geraghty	Brian Eller	Guest Star
Brendan McCarthy (III)	Nate	Recurring Role
Dale Dickey	Martha Bozeman	Recurring Role
Dale Raoul	Maxine Fortenberry	Recurring Role

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Episode Photos

Chris Meloni in True Blood from "Authori...

© 2012 Home Box Office Inc.
Peter Mensah in True Blood from "Authori...

© 2012 Home Box Office Inc.
Carolyn Hennesy in True Blood from "Auth...

© 2012 Home Box Office Inc.
Jacob Hopkins in True Blood from "Author...

© 2012 Home Box Office Inc.

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NOTES (4)
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- Original International Air Dates:
  United Kingdom - September 24, 2012 on FX/FX HD
  Czech Republic - October 9, 2012 on HBO
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- Featured Music:
  "Short Cut Down a Long Road" by Big Bad Johns (Jason and Andy talk in the squad car)
  "Coming For You" by Grant Langston (Terry starts a grease fire in Merlotte's kitchen)
  "Hang It Up" by Ting Tings (Steve Newlin crashes Jessica's keg party and offers her a deal)
  "The Authority Song" by Bosco Del Ray (closing credits)
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- With this episode Christopher Meloni (Roman Zimojic) and Valentina Cervi (Salome Agrippa) join the regular cast and Denis O'Hare (Russell Edgington) is added back to the opening credits as a series regular.
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- Although credited, Lauren Bowles (Holly Cleary) does not appear in this episode.
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