True Blood

Sparks Fly Out

Season 1, Episode 5, Aired 10/5/08

Episode Summary

At the Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting Bill is invited to talk about his life as a Confederate Soldier. Bill then has a question and answer session where one member of the DGD shows Bill a tintype of the Compton family. Sam, Sookie, Tara and Jason are also present at the Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting. Jason notices Tara while he is high on vampire blood.moreless

8.7

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Cast & Crew

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Anna Paquin

Sookie Stackhouse
Stephen Moyer

Bill Compton
Ryan Kwanten

Jason Stackhouse

Fan Episode Reviews (14)

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Bill's past explained at a Confederate Reminiscing Club

9.0

"Superb"

By Neksmater, Aug 11, 2010 Report Abuse

As Bill goes into his story as a confederate soldier and relives his past when he confronts his maker, the one who turned him into a vamp, in a cabin on his way home from the war and is bitten and turned and told he can never see her again. Sookie, Tara, Lafayette, and Jason (on V) attend said meeting and Jason finally notices Tara while high and promises he will be true to her but things don't turn out that well as she sees more than she would've like of him later that same night. And a shocking conclusion that those that didn't read the books never saw coming (I say this because I am part of that book).moreless

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1 0
Glorious Dead Written by Alexander Woo Directed by Daniel Minahan

9.0

"Superb"

By shawnlunn2002, Apr 12, 2010 Report Abuse

Gran (to everyone): We dont have anything to be frightened of. Mr Compton is the perfect gentleman.

Oh yes, Bill is perfect in every way but this was also the same episode that Sookie decided to stop seeing him, much to Bills obvious displeasure. I knew she was irritated by his attitude towards that officer but to side with Bill for a little bit, the officer had it coming.

It was the cop that tried to cause a scene by deliberately stopping Sookie and Bill, all because the latter is a vampire. Bill couldve picked a more socially acceptable way (by human standards) to have handled the situation but at the same time, Bill didnt hurt the guy.

Still Bills loss did end up being Sams temporary gain. Under any other circumstances, I think Sookie might have rejected Sams offer to take her to the Descendants Of The Glorious Dead meeting. Sookie clearly doesnt fancy Sam and I think her reason for going might have been for some normality after the last couple of nights.

Except that as an audience, its been established that Sam isnt actually normal. There is something about him and even Sookie later alluded to it. Sam immediately clammed up when she asked him about his parents. He even mentioned that he practically raised himself and Sookie noted that he thought differently to other people.

However that was nothing compared to Sams behaviour later. Kissing Sookie when she clearly wasnt ready for it was one thing but letting his jealousy regarding Bill out was certainly another. Sookie had every right to be pissed off with him. Why did Sam wait until Bill came into the picture to make a move?

Speaking of Bill, all it took was for him to talk openly about his war experiences at that meeting for Sookie to soften up to him. In some ways, its interesting to watch her grandmother almost encourage her to date a vampire while everyone else is disgusted by the very idea. Adelle seems to be the only cast regular outside of Sookie who actually likes Bill.

The meeting itself was fantastic. Having Bill talk of his war experiences was effectively touching and even seeing him choke up a little when the Mayor showed him an old picture of Bills family became more poignant in the last few scenes of the episode as well.

This episode in a lot of ways was Stephen Moyers for the taking. His performance here was by far his best. I liked seeing how Bills war experiences even had one person come up and talk to him being strong but more importantly, I adored the flashbacks that showed how Bill was made.

It took me the longest of times to cop on to the fact that Lorena was a vampire. When she failed to seduce Bill, she then turned him. For once, Bills noble intentions back fired on him in a big way. Lorena not only sentenced him to immortality but Bill was even denied seeing his family one last time.

However more shocking/intriguing that Bills flashbacks was the death of Adelle Stackhouse. Goddamn it, you lot couldnt have waited until the end of the season to have bumped her off? Sadly Adelle seemed to follow a statistic but her only crime was being sweet to Bill. Its not like shes screwing vampires left, right and centre and if Adelle can be targeted, then Sookie cant be far off.

Her relationship with Bill (and what are the odds that Adelles death wont bring her and Bill closer?) certainly puts her in trouble but also, this is the second time that Sookie has walked in on someone close to her thats been murdered in less than a week. How the hell are you supposed to cope with that?

More importantly, how are the police going to blame Jason for this one? Andys avowed hatred towards Jason and the previews for the next episode strongly suggested that Jason was going to be blamed for yet another murder he didnt obviously commit.

It would be nice at some point if we got an actual reason as to why Andy hates Jason so much. He tried to catch Sookie out on a lie about Jason and Tara and Sookie retaliated by reminding him that he had no evidence so to speak. She was also right to be slightly annoyed with Tara for lying for her brother.

Im betting though after this episode, a part of Tara will wish that she hadnt bothered lying for Jason. Most people when they have a nasty drug experience will either stay well clear from the substance in question or learn to use it in moderation. Lafayette tried to teach Jason how to use V in moderation. Lafayette wouldve stood a far better chance of a wall comprehending that information. No, seriously, Jason is that thick.

Sure his trippy little scenes make for some fun moments, the kind of moments I used to enjoy on Six Feet Under whenever a certain character got high but I wanted to smack Jason. He told Tara to give him a chance and then he shagged a girl (the one that Hoyt repulsed when she saw him sampling True Blood) in an alley and didnt stop even after Tara threw trash all over them. Damn, Jason, you are one cold bastard.

As for Lafayette, while I dont largely approve of his drug dealing/prostitute side of him to an extent, he earned a **** load of respect for the way he handed some much needed kick ass to a bunch of homophobic jerks. AIDS burgers? Further proof of how amazingly stupid beyond belief that some people are.

I loved Lafayette smacking them. If youre going to behave like that towards people you dont know, then dont be surprised if they decide to defend themselves in a more aggressive. Not that Lafayette has anything to be apologetic towards. Its not his fault hes more interesting that those stupid oafs.

Also in Sparks Fly Out

For once the first scene in the episode didnt continue from the last in the previous episode. Sam made it out of Dawns house without being caught.

Adelle: I didnt hear you come in last night.
Sookie: You went to bed early. You didnt wanna hear me.

Isnt it a bit strange that Andy seemed more sympathetic towards Bill than Bud did? I hope we get more on that.

Lafayette (to Jason): Listen; dont blame the Ferrari just because you dont know how to drive.

Tara (to Sookie): Not every detail of everyones personal life is your business, okay? Keep that girl away from me.

Taras lalalala when Sookie was reading her mind was hilarious. However what else could Tara be hiding that Sookie isnt aware of?

Bill (to everyone): As you can see, I do not burst into flames. We vampires are not minions of the devil.

Child (re Bill): Mama, hes so white.
Arlene: No, darling, were white, hes dead.

Arlene really does seem heavily intolerant of vampires. I think Rene is too, though as strongly as Arlene.

Maxine: You wont vanish in the photo?
Bill: Thats just a myth and one Ill be happy to disprove.

Tara: Oh my God, youre still high. Im gonna kill Lafayette.
Jason: No dont, Im not high. I am high but that doesnt mean that what I see aint real.

Tara was pouring water in one of Jasons trippy moments. He also talked about her sparking as he was seeing sparks fly out a few times in the episode.

Sam (re Bill): You kissed him?
Sookie: Thats none of your business.
Sam: What else did you do?
Sookie: Thats really none of your business.

Rene (to Jason, re Hoyt): Its like watching Animal Planet. Any second shes gonna bite his head off.

Standout music: Sparks Fly Out by Paul Birch and I Feel Alright by Steve Earle.

Bill: They are my family.
Lorena: They are as good as dead if theyre found harbouring a vampire.

Chronology: Still only less than a week since Strange Love.

Sparks Fly Out is truly a standout episode, very event worthy without feeling like an obvious event or sweep type of episode, if that makes sense. Ive also realised that Ive now become kind of addicted to this show and thats quick for me.moreless

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4 0
A-W-E-S-O-M-E

9.5

"Superb"

By Sarah_LOST, Nov 05, 2009 Report Abuse

At the Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting Bill is invited to talk about his life as a Confederate Soldier. Bill then has a question and answer session when one member of the DGD shows Bill a tintype of the Compton family.Sam, Sookie, Tara and Jason are also present at the Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting. Jason notices Tara while he is high on vampire blood. I love this show, no matter what happens in every episode I love it. The storyline is just so awesome, you can't hate it it's so addictive, the characters are probably the best characters ever, well more or less. This episode was amazing, however last weeks was better but still this was an awesome episode. I love the main characters and the like smaller ones too. I love the scene with Sam and Sookie so cute, I love Sam he is awesome. I thought the storyline with Tara and Jason was great, Tara is so cool. I love teh scene where Lafayette he is awesome, I love his and Jason relationship it's great. I loved learning how Bill became a vampire, what a gentleman, I loved it though. The ending was awesome - can't wait to see the next episode. I'm obsessed!moreless

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Revealing how Bill became a vampire

7.0

"Good"

By jaybee63, Sep 28, 2009 Report Abuse

Episodes reveals the past of Bill and the acceptance of some of the mortals. Jason is still taking a big risk with "v" not very wise. And than he spoils his chance with Tara by doing some bimbo behind the trash. The vision of Bill becoming a vampire by being bitt by a woman at the end of the war and the last sight of his beloved family on the porch is sad to see. Just as i am not amused by the explicite sex scenes(over the top really), the shocking end with the bloody body of grandma Stackhouse is forcing me to watch the next episode.moreless

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4 0
True Blood

9.0

"Superb"

By efc91, Aug 10, 2009 Report Abuse

After their encounter with the policeman, Sookie tells Bill that she won't be seeing him anymore. Bill keeps his promise to Sookie's Gran to speak at the monthly meeting of the Descendents of the Glorious Dead. He reminiscences about the Civil War and the Mayor gives him an old photo he found in the archives. He recalls the circumstances of how he became a vampire. Sookie's boss Sam Merlotte asks her out on a date but things don't go as he planned. Sookie is shocked by what she finds when she gets home. Jason gets more vampire blood from Lafayette and takes an interest in Tara after he hears she has a thing for him. Shocking end to another fantastic episode of True Blood. loving this TVshow.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Bill was First Lieutenant William Thomas Compton of the 28th Louisiana infantry formed in Monroe in 1862 under Colonel Henry Gray. Edit
- Vampire Mythology In this episode we learn that, contrary to some vampire lore, vampires will indeed appear in a photograph taken of them. Edit
Notes
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- Although credited, Alexander Skarsgård (Eric Northman) does not appear in this episode. Edit
- International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Začíná to jiskřit (It Begins To Spark) Edit
- This is one of the 3 episodes of this season that were nominated (together) for the 2009 Emmy Award for "Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series". Edit
Quotes
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- Sam: Sookie, you have no future with a vampire! Sookie: They don't die. I've got nothing but a future with one. Edit
- Tara: Giving vampire blood to Jason Stackhouse is like giving Ho Ho's to a diabetic. Edit
- Bill: I'm doing my best to mainstream. Sookie: Sucking the blood from a police officer is not mainstreaming. Neither is hosting orgies or listening to crazy chinese gargling. Bill: It's Tuvan throat singing. Sookie: Whatever. Tuvan? I don't even know where that is. Bill: Sookie, you cannot be frightened of everything you don't know in this world. Sookie: Well, my world's opening up mighty fast, and what I got here might be boring, but it's safe. And after the past couple of nights, safe sounds pretty good about now. Edit
Allusions
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