This week's True Blood Recap - Who would have THUNK that one! *** spoilers ***

[LynneSin]

Really!

I've been raving about Christopher Meloni since the season started and even commented many many times how he's going to be a permanent fixture with TB since he was listed in the credits with the top tier actors of the show (Paquin, Moyer, Tramell, Kwanten, Wesley and Skarsgaard). Oh Roman, we hardly knew you but we did enjoy looking at you topless, that's for sure.

This week's episode picked up where it left off last week - with Sookie, Bill, Eric, and Alcide finding Russell frail and bedridden. Eric was all ready to stake Russell not just because he's a threat to Sookie but because it was Russell and his wolf-clan that killed his family over 1000 years ago; however, Bill said it was best to let the Authority have him else they (Bill & Eric) might be staked next if Russell wasn't brought to them alive. After a tussle with V-powered Were's from the Shreveport clan (Alcide recognized them), the Authority finally rushed in to silver Russell and bring him into custody. Chancellor Kibwe (that's the one from Africa) was with the vampire police and realized they had outsiders (non-vampires ie Sookie & Alcide) who were aware that Russell was alive. In order to protect Sookie and Alcide, Bill and Eric agreed to glamour them while Chancellor Kibwe took care of the other humans they found back in the morgue of the abandon hospital. Yes, we know Sookie can't be glamoured but since no one knew that Sookie was a fairy (and I have a gripe about that coming up) Bill did a fake glamour on Sookie while Eric glamoured Alcide. BTW, I did not realized that other supes like Weres could be glamoured. Did you noticed that Eric used his blood to Glamour Alcide - was he trying to get his blood into Alcide so he would be able to track him? But you have to appreciate how Eric is still trying to keep Sookie for himself when along with making Alcide forget what happened he also glamoured Alcide into protecting Sookie but being recoiled by her touch - hahahaha!

But the surprise for all of us was this - seems there are definitely more Sanguistas in the Authority. Knowing that the other humans and Doug (Alcide's co-worker that helped a sanguista unbury Russell) were witnesses to what happened and could identify those who were helping Russell. Chancellor Kibwe, instead of glamouring them or getting info from them, ended up killing all the other humans. Seems Kibwe is Sanguista too. We know Nora is Sanguista, and pretty much seems like Salome is Sanguista too. My guess as to who was NOT Sanguista in the Authority was that 9-year old vampire staked a few weeks ago. I'm guessing that was a setup to remove another mainstreamer from the Authority. But what do I know because ultimately I was wrong about Roman (Christopher Meloni).

Let's face it - Russell Edgington is really going to bring back the glory years of True Blood (Season #3 which is my personal favority). Denis O'Hare is just uber hip, quirky as hell and knows how to play Russell Edgington over the top without taking it too far. I have a feeling that the next 6 weeks are going to be a roller coaster ride for True Blood fans!!!

So in the end Bill & Eric had their iStakes removed and the Authority celebrated with a jug of 18-century austrian hemophiliac blood. I'd like to know what they used to preserve blood for that long but hey, it's True Blood, leave your beliefs suspended. It's so neat to see the differences between Bill and Eric. Bill will do anything to suck-up to the Authority, he's always been a bit of a kiss-ass; however, Eric will always been looking out for #1 which of course, is Eric. Sure he has a soft-spot for siblings, trying to convince Nora that all this religious mumbo-jumbo is bullshit, and Sookie but in general he's the same Eric we've grown to adore over these past 5 years.

But the question is this - who screwed up the iStake program when an iStake was attached to Russell. I mean geez, everytime they have a chance to kill this guy (when he was silvered in the Sunlight end of season #3, when Eric had a stake to a weakened Russell and Russell in front of the Authoriy) people just find ways to ensure this man will NOT die. Roman had no problems staking a 9 year old boy and be coated in blood but for some reason he had to switch to an iStake. Someone either didn't properly put the iStake on Russell or they tampered with the application so it would fail.

Peace is for Pussies

Classic True Blood!

BTW notice that Roman didn't explode into blood bits & pieces when he was staked. In fact his face looked like it was taking on a new form. Perhaps Roman isn't dead. Wishful thinking!

Ok Sookie/Faery Gripe. So according to the Faeries, the reason that Jason & Sookie's parents were murdered by vampires is because they could smell a bandaid in the backseat of the Stackhouse family car - a bandaid that child Sookie had worn. And even without bleeding, Faery (or part-faery's like Sookie) can be smelled by Vampires. Remember when Sookie found a naked Eric walking along the road with his memory erased - he commented on her smell. So seriously, how did Chancellor Kibwe not smell that there was a Faery in the room? I'm assuming this guy is a few hundred years old and probably has crossed paths with a faery of some form before. And I do believe he was aware that Alcide was a werewolf. Just saying.

Really, if the only way I'm going to see Steve Newlin each week is a cut-out of him at the local 'You Stake em' Vampire killing supply store, then why even bother having Newlin turned. Personally I can't wait for Newlin and Edgington to meet - 2 of the best characters created in True Blood and I think those 2 together would be a hoot!

Tara, Pam, Jessica & Hoyt
Pam still rocks it every week and I hope that the people deciding who is nominated for Emmy Awards consider Kristen Bauer for best supporting Actress. She has owned Pam for 5 years now, pretty good knowing that she didn't get her name in the opening credits until season #3 but she's one of the bright lights in the show. Her and Tara are always a hoot together (Tara was a hoot doing her 'Missy Pam' talk). That was a good fight with Tara and Jessica but honestly can we just glamour Hoyt and move on with him. Hoyt was one of those filler characters when the show start that lucked out finding good chemistry with baby vamp Jessica. But since they've pretty much ruined that romance I've found that Hoyt hasn't had much use for the show except as filler. And really, last time I saw a guy dress like Hoyt dressed last episode it was an 80's retro dance party here in Wilmington. No one dresses like that today. I mean season #3 Hoyt looked like he went from skinny kid to hottie with muscles. Now they made him skinny kid again. I doubt that Jessica and Jason would ever be a couple but Jessica seems more multi-dimensional when she's with someone like Jason.

Around Town

Who is killing the supes - who cares? Luna looked dead last week but somehow she made it alive this week. I stopped caring about this storyline the moment that Sam found those 2 shifter friends that disappeared after Season #4 Episode #2 and then suddenly appeared again 2 weeks ago. The ONLY good thing about this storyline was the reappearance of Mamma Martha Bozeman. She freaks me out but the really owns whatever scene she is in. The ONLY saving grace of this storyline is when Sam is with someone like Andy - like when they were investigating that Vampire Stake-Em supply store. Sam + Andy = Good True Blood TV. Sam + Luna = Time for a Bathroom Break for LynneSin.

I'm glad they are doing the storyline where Alcide fights for leadership of the Were pack. Seems that Russell went to the closest pack to get backup help at the abandon hospital and that was the Shreveport pack, a pack that Alcide disavowed after he caught the pack leader Marcus diddling his girlfriend. Technically Alcide was to be the new packleader since murdering a packleader makes you the new packleader, instead Alcide walked away from it.

Technically Alcide didn't remember that there were Shreveport Pack Wolves at the hospital, heck he didn't even remember the hospital since Eric had glamoured him the night before. But it seems that one of the nifty things that Faeries can do is reverse the glamour on someone. After Alcide recoiled, she realized Eric did something to him and was able to undo the Glamour. Alcide then remembered that JD, the wolf gunning to lead the Shreveport pack was there along with 2 others. My guess is any chance for sex between Sookie & Alcide has passed since Alcide's new 2nd for leadership was one of the hot female wolves in the pack.

Please more of Alfre Woodard!!! Normally I'm not keen on peole using the F-word in regards to GLBT but somehow knowing that this was an Alan Ball show with Alfre Woodward acting the lines did that homophobic bent really work. Ruby (Woodard) loves her Lala even if she considers him an Abomination but Jesus needs you and Jesus is in trouble - that whole spiel she did had me laughing my ass off! I wish they would make her a show regular because she is amazing. But I guess next week we'll see Jesus grandfather yet again and that guy is batshit crazy! But honestly, if Lafayette loses his ability to do that scary face then I'm good with that because honestly - too many supes. Brujo storyline needs ending soon.

Speaking of too many supes - Ifrit is already boring me. I know they are trying with Terry and Patrick and it's slightly better because Arlene isn't there whining. But let's wrap this one up and put Terry & Arlene on the backburner while Patrick sails off into the sunset. Only problem is *** spoilers *** it seems this problem can only be solved by Lafayette but I believe Lafayette has a trip to Mexico first. Ugh!!

I'm not sure what I think of the Faery storyline but it seems Sookie's faery power can be taken away. Let's face it - if she loses that she'll be boring.

Ok that's it for this week. I'm sure there are some things missed but these were the highlights

Let's here what you have to say

[siligut]

1. Thank you for the excellent recap and analysis

I can't keep up this season. I wouldn't have caught on that Kibwe was Sanguinista. I was still trying to figure out which of the brunette, female vampires let Russell out . . . I needed someone to outline it for me, so thank you.

I thought Hoyt looked a whole lot like Fred Flintstone in his sleeveless shirt and red tie, just goofy and really sad at the same time. I like Jason and Jessica together too, I hope that we see more of them.

Alfre's Ruby has to be my favorite character right now, she is a terrific actress and gives Ruby such heart.

I like the dancing in faeryland, otherwise, meh.

[LynneSin]

2. Remember right before Chancellor Drew was staked (the 9 year old kid)

Dieter asked to excuse the council and Roman said 'Not yet we're searching your rooms'

They showed Kibwe and he had a look of worry in his face.

[nolabear]

3. Okay, dork question here.

Why isn't Jason a fairy?

[siligut]

12. Genetics?

Jason got teh sexy and looks, but so far none of the sup powers or the blood. Though it does seem that vampires are fond of him, Pam seemed more tolerant than usual of Jason and we know Jessica likes him real good.

So maybe, Jason just didn't get those genes that differentiate fairies from humans in a major way, like Sookie did.

[Baitball Blogger]

13. I wonder if his horndogging with the ladies is part of that faery magic?

[siligut]

14. That is my impression

His finesse is almost described a mythical. I think that is why they had him hooking up with his old teacher, you know, to show he just has it.

[Baitball Blogger]

4. God bless you LynneSin.

I'll read it at my leisure and check back.

Meanwhile, there's a Greatest Page thread where a lot of mischief can be played.

Mitt Romney as Mr. Grey. Ka-huk. If that doesn't break the spell, nothing will.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002965726

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Great recap!

Nice catch with Kibwe not being able to smell Alcide and Sookie. That does seem weak writing. Though, I don't get the impression that Salome or the other Sanquinistas are unhappy with Bill and Eric. I don't know how Russell knew that Eric and Bill would eventually find them. And if Kibwe killed that bus load of people, why didn't they kill the human that carried Russell in the first place? Unless he was allowed to live because they wanted that loose end open for Sookie to follow Russell into that abandoned building? Though, I forget how they knew the human knew something at all.

[denbot]

6. Most excellent Re-capp Lynnesin.

Russell is a badass character. Now that he's downed Roman, and if he is among fellow sanguanistas, wouldn't that mean both Bill and Eric are in very deep shit?

If Russell is among allies, the only way out for Bill and Eric would be for Eric's sister to save them. Logically I don't think that Russell's character would give a damn over an ally's (Eric's sister) wishes to save Eric and Bill. Russell would take revenge on Eric for killing his lover, and Bill has interfered with Russell getting to Sookie. Lastly Russell damn sure knows what Sookie is..

I started watching True Blood a couple of months ago and I just now caught up. I thought that the 4th season was a bit off track, but the series seems to be picking up again.

As for the Southern Vampire book series I have read up to "Dead to the World" so I am current with the book/tv versions. The TV show is quickly diverging from the book story line, and my buddy thinks that the TV and book series will go in different directions from here. I will read "Dead as a Door Nail" (the next book) as soon as it appears on the shelf of my local used book store.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Do you want a spoiler of sorts?

If so, let me know.

[LynneSin]

8. Of course I do

geez bring it on!

[Behind the Aegis]

15. 4 letters....

I M D B

Take a peek!

[LynneSin]

16. and?

Really - either share it or don't. If you don't want to post it here then IM it.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Sorry. Didn't register you had spoilers in your title.

Go to IMDB, True Blood season #5, List of characters, find Roman (whatever)...when you click on it, it shows 13 episodes. He ain't dead, unless something big happened during production.

[LynneSin]

18. Oh that I know

I think someone posted it in another thread

[michreject]

9. I don't think Roman is dead

Not until I see him explode in a ball of blood and guts.

As to the Jessica/Tara fight, I though the older you were, the stronger you became. IMHO, Tara was whooping butt before it was broken up.

[LynneSin]

10. Remember Jessica is only a year old than Tara and Steve Newlin

So yes she is more powerful but not as much as if Tara wanted to go up against someone like Pam or Bill. Useless once you get to the Eric level.

[michreject]

11. I think that she's a little more than 2 years older

Remember they jumped ahead 13 months when Sookie got lost in Fairieland.

Maybe Tara could become the most powerful vamper over time. She definitely has an attitude with rage.

[LynneSin]

19. I don't think 2 years has passed since the show started

outside the 13 month jump between season #3 and #4 the show pretty much picks up where they left off yesterday with each season.

Season #1 after they resolved who killed everyone they did a fast forward of a few weeks - so that means Jess was about a month old at the end of season #1

Season #2 ended with Bill being kidnapped and I don't think more than a few weeks at best passed during the sesason so Jess would have been around 2 months

Season #3 ended with Sookie going to fairyland. Once again during season #3 I doubt more than a week or 2 happened during the season so let's put Jess at 3 months

Season #4 picked up 12.5 months later - so we have Jess up 15.5 months. The season probably lasted a few weeks so maybe 16.5 months

Season #5 picked up where season #4 left off with Nan being staked and Tara being shot. So at tops I would say that Jess is about 17 months.

And honestly I think that's a bit generous. Each episode seems to be about a day tops in the life of Bon Temps so with 12 episodes you'd be lucky if 2 full weeks passed during each season.

[michreject]

20. You're probable right

I looked at one season as one calendar year. Then in one season, they jumped ahead 13 months.

Following a timeline is not my strong suit.