Oh True Blood, you remain so steadfastly silly even as we make the splash into the fifth season. How is it possible the show has gone on for so long? Set in the fictional Louisiana town of Bon Temps, we’ve gotten a build-up of supernatural elements that has recently covered witchcraft, Mexican black magic, various ‘were-beings’ (the panthers were completely wasted) and faeries. Yes it wasn’t enough to have your main character be psychic (believable enough), but then to play fairy card? Sigh, if you’ve read this far and watched to this point, these insights probably don’t matter so much.
The titular “Authority” refers to the small vampire council led by Roman (HBO alum Christopher Meloni) who essentially resorts to water boarding tactics to get Eric and Bill to turn on each other. While the ploy itself doesn’t work, and the two seem rather accepting of their looming ‘true deaths’ resulting from killing Nan Flanagan, Bill suddenly offers their services of reigning in Russell Edgington. Meanwhile the fate of Eric’s ‘sister’ (the smoking hot Nora), remains a mystery.
I thought I would like seeing Tara turned into a vampire—the thing she always hated the most, but of course she remains a b**** onscreen, tearing through the house like a rabid Tasmanian devil. While she actually spoke a little bit more this episode, it was frustratingly unclear if she was emerging from some sort of feral amnesic state or if she was just giving everyone the silent treatment.
same ‘ol same ‘ol
Pam remains a delight though, and seeing her backstory as a Madam in San Francisco during the early 20th century was interesting and not at all what I would have pictured given her current self. I do like when the show turns back the clock and you get a good idea of where the characters ideals originate, often not straying too far from their present day selves. It also makes you wonder if there is any place Eric hasn’t visited.
Jason gets to do his usual dumb thing, though must really feel bad about Hoyt as this is maybe the fifth time we’ve seen him go back and apologize only to get told off, though Hoyt’s mother’s reaction was priceless. Seeing Jason go back repeatedly is getting a little tiresome, as is Steve Newlin’s gay pursuit of Jason. His character began as a legitimately scary harbinger of hate when he was Reverend of the Fellowship of the Sun, and now he’s a complete joke. I get that the show is a trashy soap, but this sub-plot feels like it belongs in some sitcom spinoff.
I will say I do like Alcide, though am not sure the writers know what to do with him. He’s more fun to watch when he’s with Sookie and they’re fighting temptation. Rescuing Sam and politely rejecting offers/veiled threats to be pack leader are not so much. Especially when Sam’s shifter-friend-with-benefits kirks out for no reason. And as for Terry’s flashbacks and mysterious army buddy? Not interested. It was better when Arlene’s scenes were reserved to waitressing at Merlotte’s and Terry was more of a background character. There’s certainly more than enough characters to fill each week’s hour. Here’s hoping we get more of gleeful Russell and Eric and Bill misadventures in the coming weeks.
Final Grade: B-
TRR TV Revue by Jacob Aquino
