Here’s a quick synopsis of where we are now: Bill is near death (but will probably feast on Sookie and put her in a coma); Sookie is being eaten by a vampire that hates her (and probably Bill, see previous remark); Eric has abandoned the Queen and is working for the Mississippi King (although this is probably a long con, which ends with him getting vengeance on the King, who killed his dad);
Terry is moving in with Arlene (and his inner demons are coming too!); Arlene isn’t a natural redhead (probably); Jessica is working at Merlottes (and feasting on patrons); Hoyt is dating midgets (and has probably developed other odd sex fetishes); Jason wants to be a cop, but is mostly interested in banging this strange lady (who is probably a magical creature); Andy is still wearing his cast (and that’s not counting the one on his cock, whatever that means); Tara tried to kill Franklin (and probably failed), but was hilarious in the aftermath (to the point where I almost liked her); Alcie looks great naked and seems poised to rescue Sookie (but I still can’t understand why he likes trailer trash lady); Sam is trying to save his brother (who appears to be the property of Michael Vick); and Lafayette is failing to bang Jesus (not that Jesus, unless you’re thinking of the Spanish one, of which there are many).SO there it is in a nutshell. This season has been a little spread out, with way too much whining from Sookie, but there are many hidden gems in the show. I say hidden because the vast nature of the show’s stories makes it hard to appreciate what you’re seeing.
These diamonds in the rough include Eric’s role as a schemer. It appears that he is just going along for the ride or overtly making plans, but everything is below the surface. He’s at a simmer right now and has the potential to explode soon. On the comedic front I’ve enjoyed much of Jason’s antics as the new comic relief for the show. This is in addition to Andy and Terry, who are amazing pinch hitters off the bench.
I think this season has been a boon to Arlene, who has benefited from expanded exposure and the interplay with Jessica.
Unfortunately Jessica and Hoyt have been terribly mismanaged this season. Their love affair was cut right while it was beginning to blossom, and now the show is getting too cutesy with their devices to keep them apart. If Bill and Sookie keep coming back for each other it seems like Hoyt and Jessica should get second or third chances. Regarding Jessica, though, I was disappointed that her relationship with Pam didn’t get a chance to really flourish. Although I guess the magister holding Pam captive could be part of the reason for their distance.
A major disappointment is the failure of Sam's story to develop. It looked mildly promising when Tommy's dad appeared possessed and there might be an interesting back story, but it appears that all we have there is a bunch of dependent nuts who can't quit the people who cause them the most pain.
The breakout performance of the season has been Denis O’Hare as Russell Edington, the King of Mississippi.
He plays this diabolical villain with all the pomp and panache of a drag queen, yet retains an understated air of evilness and power. Every sentence that escapes his lips is dripped in a warm sing song quality that puts you to sleep when you know in your bones he is death. He is in many ways the worst of Eric, as he has cultivated a distance from his humanity so that it only manifests itself in his attempts to retain domestic bliss. Even with the dire consequences he presents, he still is hilarious as the gay king (who will probably be thwarted by Eric). I’m also in love with Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen. She has made this character her own, in a way that has been interesting and compelling. The other newbie standout has been James Frain as Franklin Mott, the Vampire detective. He is a whole bunch of crazy, which has been a pleasure to follow.
Alcide (Joe Manganiello) is still an unknown variable. He is hot, but that only gets you so far in my book. Yeah, he has great facial hair, but that doesn’t carry you past the goal line. Especially considering his devotion to the nutjob doesn’t make any sense and is a little bit annoying. With six episodes to go, I’m really looking for him to make some giant moves.
TRUE BLOOD is one of the smartest shows on television right now. It is what I imagine I’d be writing, which is essentially an inside joke for all the people smart enough to get it. (Editor’s note: Wow, does everyone else hate him as much I do right now? What a snob. Except he has nothing to feel special about. No one is actually reading this. It’s more just sad that I have to edit this. FML.) The show’s jokes are simple gags that are probably just writer room fodder that they throw in because they’re daring anyone else to beat their leftovers. The action itself is calculated and deliberate, in a fashion that mimics MAD MEN, except it is 457 seasons of that show trapped in one and the cocktail parties are blood filled sex orgies. Seriously, though, the narrative of TRUE BLOOD is like the most confusing map ever conceived and it is drawn out in a way that evokes every heightened emotion a fan can muster.
At its root the show is about sensationalism. Pushing boundaries for the sake of ridiculousness, with the whimsies of a twisted mind being granted the freedom to run wild. In its most complicated form, TRUE BLOOD is a high minded critique of a culture built on false narratives and a closed eye to reality. For me, though, it is enjoyed with friends (Alex and Whitney) and without any sense of propriety as I go along for this guilt trip.
“I don’t know what you done to me, but I know this much is true, I wanna do bad things with you. I wanna do really bad thing with you.”
P.S. There are Werewolves now.
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