Weekly True Blood Update - Spoilers for those who haven't figured that one out yet

[LynneSin]

Wow, can you believe there are only 4 episodes left until the season is completed for Season #4. The good news is Season #5 is a go - I mean this is one of HBO's highest rated TV shows, you better believe they are bringing it back for another season. I also read where Alan Ball is developing a new series this time based on an Amish Community. THAT could be very interesting - oh boy!

Really - do these 2 ever leave their bed?
Well what can I say about this week other than my once favorite couple is now one of the more annoying couples and that is Eric and Sookie. I guess this week's episode had the long promised shower scene from the book and well, I was extremely disappointed. Instead of hot sex in the shower they decided to have Sookie take a V-trip on Eric's blood and create some bizarro world where people have sex in a bed that is outdoors and it's snowing, oh and they're naked. Honestly, I never thought sex between Eric and Sookie could get boring but honestly makes me miss the days of Sookie and Bill. At least those 2 left the house or had massive arguments every once in awhile. These 2 are like 2 love-sick puppies experiencing their first love. BUT.....I know the writers, they want Sookie to be head over heels in love with this guy because you know when his memory comes back it's NOT going to be pretty.

Hottest Couple
Instead the hottest couple on True Blood goes to Jason & Jessica, which makes them a part of the most interesting 3-some of Jason, Jessica & Hoyt. I was a bit disappointed that the force Jason used to free himself from Bill's guards was not the power of faery light or were-panther strength but instead just good old fashioned gun power. But Jason saved Jessica which makes her even more endeared to Jason. Those 2 are just red-hot which leads me to believe that we may never see those crazy inbreeds from Hot Shots ever again! And most True Blood fans say "thank goodness" to that one. We know that the writers can't feasibly follow the books faithfully - there are 13 of them. I know that Jason & Crystal were a married couple and had a kid that lasted thru about 4 books (starting book #4) so it's easier for the writers to just eliminate the hicks and move on with the Jason/Jessica/Hoyt storyline. PLUS, on some of the boards there is a common complain that True Blood has too many characters and too many storylines going on that is starting to muddle the story. I have to agree with that statement and feel that perhaps the were-panthers should just disappear into a Meth Lab Haze forever into the sunset.

Back to Jason/Jessica/Hoyt - really, this is a well written triangle especially knowing that for Jessica and Hoyt this was first love for both of them. For a human Jessica this might have been enough for her but as a Vampire who could feasibly live forever, it starts to dull quickly. And I loved how Hoyt brought up Jessica's eternal virginity, I would suspect that gets old for him too. But the real blow to Jessica wasn't that Hoyt kicked her out of his house but in a shocker to all of us, Jason did the noble thing and also rescinded Jessica's invitation into his house. I doubt that will last very long but at least for a week Jason can go to Hoyt and say he did the right thing. But the crazy thing about this storyline and why it's the hottest going on in True Blood - I have no idea how this is going to end but I look forward to seeing these 3 each week on True Blood. Hoyt's pissed and you know he'll go crawling back to his Mama; the always entertaining Maxine Fortenberry, and Jason's horniness will battle his nobler side. Plus, you will always have in the back of your mind if Jason will possibly express either were-panther or faery traits - so you have that too.

Most improved supes - the Witches
I'm loving the Witches. I know I was the first to complain about the 'Keystone Kops' but the Witches have come on strong lead by the very talented Fiona Shaw as Martonia (the boards have been calling her that - a combo of Marnie and Antonia, the spirit that inhabits her). I loved how she got pissed that all that chanting netted her one dead vampire and even then it wasn't important. I think that Tara and Holly also started to get the idea that Martonia wasn't just putting a protective shroud around them but really wanted to wipe out all the vampires. I think one of the first great payoffs of this storyline was last night, when Bill, ever the politician, tried his best to negotiate peace with Martonia and the other witches. But you knew neither side was going to come to the graveyard emptyhand. It was great to see these 2 powers clash but even better was seeing 2 lifelong friends on opposite sides of the battle. Sookie pledged herself to protecting the vampires and using her skills to help them in battle but on the otherside was Tara, whose experience with vampires had left her with a very sour taste in her mouth. Because of those 2 it made the battle even more effective.

Thanks to Sookie, she knew immediately when Martonia was starting to cast her spell. She also had a chance to use her light spell when she was attacked by a witch (mind you just a peon in Martonia's circle). But what was most touching was Bill, when he finally had a chance to redeem himself for what he did to Tara last season. Pam finally had her chance to exact revenge on Tara since Tara was a part of the group that destroyed the one thing Pam loved - which of course is herself and her beauty. Tara would have been a goner if it wasn't for the fact that Bill not only intervened and stopped Tara from being harmed by Pam, but he also commanded Pam to never attack her again. That one moment there could be the turning point for the Vampires to finally defeat Martonia. Martonia only has strength in numbers and Tara was the leader in rallying the troops. If Tara backs away from the Witches I suspect others will follow and that would leave Martonia weaker to a large vampire attack.

But the highlight of the battle was that Sookie was shot. Since Sookie has the blood of not one but two vampires in the battle (Eric & Bill), you'd think one of them would rush to her and save her. And trust me, they both knew right away when she was shot. But unfortunately someone managed to silver Bill and Eric fell under the control of Martonia which left Sookie slumped over a tombstone with a bullet in the stomach. And her rescuer? None other than werewolf Alcide, who only earlier that night was told by his pack leader to stay out of the troubles of the Witches vs. the Vampire. That's easy enough unless you happen to be in love with one of the people in battle. However, wherever Alcide is, Debbie isn't that far behind protecting her wolfman. And you know before the season is finished, Sookie & Debbie are going to duke it out for a real catfight (well faery/wolf-fight).

Other Storylines
Seriously, where was Lafayette in last night's battle? Instead of keeping him with the storyline that works, he's off trotting around with the storyline that doesn't work - and it's that damn baby of Arlene & Terry. I'm sure by the end of the season something really big will come out of this and you folks will all say "I told you so" but for right now keep Lafayette with what works. HOWEVER... Wasn't Nelsan Ellis a real charm when he was playing Lafayette inhabited by that Mystery woman spirit. That guy is an amazing actor and I can't wait to have him do battle with Martonia. Whatever powers that Marnie has, Lafayette has too- I guess they are calling them Mediums, they are vessels for spirits to inhabit. Lafayette is a great character on True Blood - keep him in the spotlight instead of these annoying sidetrips.

How great was Andy Bellefleur when he was thisclose to scooping up dead vampire just so he could get high. But it really broke my heart when he told Jason why he needed the V. This is a man who has failed miserably thru life who just wanted a chance to finally be accepted by others for who he is. Remember season #1 when everyone just called him by his first name and no one would call him "Detective Bellefleur". There's alot of backstory about Andy that has yet to be explored but they have a very talented actor playing the part - I hope we see more of Andy.

Anyhow that's it for this week - your thoughts or discussions?

[solara]

1. I keep losing this thread of yours..

I think you called it perfectly yet again!

Although I am not as tired of Sookie and Eric as you are.. I have to admit the snowy bedroom scene was just a little too precious.. Sadly, though, with all that transpired in the graveyard, I think the Eric/Sookie love fest may be over.. poor Sookie..but she will be free to explore the Alcide connection perhaps. with, as you say, Debbie not far behind. So,I think you are right about setting Sookie up for a major heartbreak..which is over due..and will be vastly complicated by Alcide.. this could get really good..

I agree about the Jason/Jessica/Hoyt triangle, but I was blown away when Jason rescinded her welcome. I am with you, we will see how long that lasts. I think Hoyt and Tommy are destined to get into it, too.. especially when Hoyt finds out that Tommy stole his 'birthright'..

I am loving the witches and was very happy that Tara's whining was at a minimum this week..(that child works my last nerve). Maybe Ball is just developing things slowly..I mean I like how he tied the Bill/Tara end up so neatly and may have, as you suggest, actually turned the tide with that moment. I was getting a little tired of the constant and terrified "Oh my GOD the VAMPIRES are gonna KILL us ALL" meme -So I am glad Pam will be free to do other horrible things rather than chase and terrify poor messed up Tara. And, I SO agree about Lafayette.. what the hell was he doing? They are not going to be able to inject any kind of life into that tired evil baby story line no matter who they throw at it.. and they are wasting Lafayette..he needs to go back, as you say, to doing what he is so obviously meant to be doing.. channeling an ancient and powerful enemy to fight the witches wheeeee.

I hope they open things up for Andy too. You know for the calibre of acting that is on this show, I am a little disappointed in the writing this season. Seems like a lot of talent is being wasted.. Too many weak and obvious SLs..

[LynneSin]

2. I think for True Blood to not jump the shark they need to cut back on the cast

Like I said, one of the common complaints about this season is that there are too many characters on the table and it makes the show a bit cluttered. And if you follow the books next year there is suppose to be Weretigers added to the mix. I just think the number of supes out there have been tapped to the max.

It seems like Hot Shots and the Mickens have been cleared off the list and that frees up some time. Hopefully next year Arlene & Terry will go back to being secondary characters. I'm going to assume the only witches/wiccans that stick around next year will be the core characters of Tara & Lafayette and perhaps Holly and Jesus as secondary characters.

Next year is suppose to be a big storyline for the shifters so that should be interesting. But I think the weretigers should just be dropped and let Sookie and Alcide finally hook up (I don't think they ever hooked up in the books - just had bigtime crushes on each other). I think True Blood at its best is when they have 2 major storylines max like season #2 when people were either connected to the Maenad story or the Dallas/Fellowship storyline. Season #3 was the first time they started adding these lil extra storylines that got to be annoying after awhile (remember Jason's beef with the HS QB who was doing V - whatever happened to that?).

I can't believe the season is almost overwith. I almost wish they would have more than 12 episodes a season but I suspect Ball keeps it to that many episodes so the actors don't feel overcommitted to a TV series.