True Blood - Season 4 Concept Trailer

Blimey, I wasn't expecting HBO to do a concept trailer for Season 4 of True Blood but fair play to them for going there. The screen test one is excellent.

Tara Thornton: We've seen her getting gun happy in the trailer and we also see that she's involved in the witches arc as well, what with her siding with Marnie/Hallow over Pam. Not sure what else she'll be doing this season.

Jessica Hamby: Both her and Hoyt will have to deal with the fallout of Russell's public attacks as hostility towards vampires has reached fever pitch again.

Eric Northman: He falls victim to to witches and promptly has his memories erased, leaving him in a vulnerable position and also altering his relationship with Sookie.

Alcide Herveaux: He's got feelings of his own for Sookie and there's supposed to be more happenings with the wolves this season. Plus I wouldn't be surprised if Debbie reared her head to cause trouble.
Jason Stackhouse: Crystal turns his life upside when his involvement with the Hostshot crew takes another interesting turn.

Lafayette Reynolds: Last season, Jesus got him into the world of witches and this year, Lafayette will be joining a coven as more of his background is revealed.

Sam Merlotte: A new love interest with Luna aside, Sam will be finding neutral ground with estranged brother Tommy in the new season.

Sookie Stackhouse: She's spent a year with Claudine and the fairies and now that she's back in Bon Temps, not only is she contending with Eric, but she's also having to deal with the presence of witches in her town.

Pamela Swinford de Beaufort: With Eric not himself, it's up to Pam to keep things from descending into chaos as Marnie/Hallow grows in power.

Bill Compton: He's estranged from Sookie, managed to escape his brawl with Sophie-Anne and now he's also factoring into the witch storyline as well.

Season 4 Screen Test Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNuR7U6Ltys
Witches Vs. Vampires Promo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpPVwV2WeWE

Season 4 airs on HBO from June 26th, Sundays at 9pm.

True Blood - Season 4 Trailer

And with six weeks to go, HBO are finally giving us a trailer for the fourth season of True Blood. Here's hoping cast shots are next ...

I thought that was Jessica in that screencap but it turns out it's a character called Daisy, who Bill interrogates and who's also a part of Marnie's coven. I was disappointed with the lack of Marnie in the trailer.

Bill and his crazy hair. I love it. In fact if Bill and Sookie remain not a couple this season, I can imagine myself enjoying Bill a lot more. He's already well aware of the fact that there are witches out there that can control the dead.

Sookie and a shirtless Alcide here. Actually there's a lot with Sookie in this trailer, particularly as she's the one who finds an amnesiac Eric and punches him before realising that he's not faking it. Eric's also seen at the coven, Tara's seen with a gun and Pam fends off an attacker at the dungeon in Fangtasia.

Other bits that can be seen are Jason tied to a cot, Jessica getting her groove on, Hoyt punching a bigot, Sam and Luna getting rather close to each other and Bill and Sophie-Anne's scrap coming to an abrupt end.

Season 4 Trailer: http://www.foreverafangirl.com/2011/05/song-future-starts-slow-by-the-kills.html

Season 4 premieres on HBO, Sundays at 9pm from June 26th.

True Blood - More Waiting Sucks/Casting News

Games Of Thrones might be currently dominating HBO's Sunday schedule but in two months time, True Blood will be back to claim the crown again and here's some more of the recent stuff that's being leaked ...

Another Waiting Sucks has emerged this time with Terry and Arlene and strong indicators that their baby may be evil after all. Not sure how I feel about that but there's also a nice behind the scenes look where the cast talk about the witch invasion that is about to fall on Bon Temps and that really does have me excited.

Meanwhile when she isn't playing Sophie-Anne or popping up in Mildred Pierce, Evan Rachel Woods is discussing her sexuality in the latest issue of Esquire magazine. Meanwhile Daniel Buran has joined the series for seven episodes, playing the character of Raoul, the werewolf packmaster of Shreveport.

More Clips: http://www.youtube.com/user/trueblood

Season 4 airs Sundays at 9pm on HBO from June 26th.

True Blood - Season 4 Waiting Sucks Teasers

On June 26th, the fourth season of True Blood will debut on HBO and the cable station in the last month have been dutiful in releasing some teasers to get fans in the mood. Here are my thoughts on some of them. New Coven: Bill and Eric are together discussing the rise of a coven in Bon Temps that has the ability to control the dead. Bill seems more worried than Eric about it, which is ironic when you consider a fate that is about to fall on Eric in this season. I think this clip is from the opening episode, She's Not There. Naked And Memory Lost: Eric's in the woods, supposedly nude and bereft of his memories. Clearly this show is wisely going to pursue the amnesiac storyline from the fourth book and this clip is definitely from the second episode, You Smell Like Dinner. Chances of Marnie/Hallow being responsible? Totally! Rebirth: Jason's sweating and bound to a bed and thinks he's dying. Actually, according to Crystal, he's being reborn, so it's looking likely that he's going to become a werepanther this season. This clip is from the third episode, If You Love Me, Then Why Am I Dying? Jealous Boyfriend: Sam is comforting new character Luna and she warns him that not only is her ex-boyfriend a were, but he's also a pretty damn jealous guy, which probably should worry Sam to a degree. So far, he seems a little unfazed by it. This clip is from the fourth episode. Fix My Maker: Easily the most interesting one of the bunch. Pam's in the woods and she's pretty agressive in trying to get Marnie/Hallow into fixing Eric's current state. Interesting that Lafayette, Jesus and Tara seem more on Marnie/Hallow's side than they are Pam's. This one is from the fourth episode too.

Waiting Sucks Clips: http://www.youtube.com/user/trueblood

True Blood - Season 4 Paleyfest 2011 Spoilers

With summer only a few months away, it's finally nice to have some more gossip on the upcoming fourth season of True Blood. Paleyfest 2011 saw the main cast taking to the stage and also unleashing some particularly interesting spoilers as well in relation to their characters and respective arcs this season. Spoilers including ...

- Hoyt and Jessica are still on but Deborah Ann Woll did suggest that the fairytale can't last forever.
- Arlene and Terry's baby issues will be growing exponentially throughout the season, with Terry under the impression that the evil in the child can be corrected. Arlene on the other hand is doubtful.
- Jason will still have involvement with the police but there are strong hints that his role in the Hotshot crew could become similar to his fate in the books.
- Sookie and Bill will NOT be getting back together but there is definitely going to be stuff with Alcide and Eric for Sookie to be getting on with.
- Eric is definitely getting the amnesia plot. A clip was released of him naked in the woods with no memory of himself.
- Sookie will also be different after coming back from spending time with Claudine. Both her and Jason have different genetic gifts as well in relation to the fae lineage.
- Sam may be getting a love interest this season and Tommy will also continue to be around, so he's not dead. Did anyone really think he would be?
- Another clip was released of Hoyt, Jessica and Pam dealing with protesters outside Fangtasia, following the fallout of Russell's on air attack.
- Tara will definitely be in a different place when she returns to the series as well.
- Expect to see Godric in flashbacks and maybe some Eric/Pam flashbacks too but there will definitely flashbacks with Bill and Eric.
- Gary Cole, witches, more vampires, a handful of shifters,a new werewolf, a couple of humans and a child are also being promised this season.
- Nothing was mentioned about Hallow's character. I'm guessing they're holding onto her presence in Season 4 for a little longer. Russell on the other hand, will return and he will be pissed.

Cast Interviews: http://www.spoilertv.com/2011/03/true-blood-cast-interviews-from-paley.html
More Details/Exclusive Clip: http://community.livejournal.com/trueblood_tv/760936.html#cutid1
Tweets Spoilers/Eric Clip: http://community.livejournal.com/trueblood_tv/760777.html#cutid1

Overall, this is exciting stuff. I can't wait to see Season 4 during the summer.

My Review of "A Touch Of Dead"

Written by Charlaine Harris
Released in 2009

Niall: “Merry Christmas, Sookie.”

With this book franchise continuing to be popular for Charlaine Harris, I am delighted that she found the time to give us a book where we got a couple of short stories that decided to tie up some loose ends in between certain books.

The first story in this book, “Fairy Dust” gave an official introduction to Claude but more than that, it also saw the vain stripper and his sister Claudine rope Sookie in to find out who killed their sister, Claudette. Out of the three suspects, each of them had different motives – Jeff the bouncer, due to Claudette sabotaging his relationship with Claude, Barry the shaver for being spurned by Claudette and Rita the strip club owner over the possibility of losing one of her biggest assets. I won’t spoil the culprit but I can tell you that Claude and Claudette do have a very interesting method of getting their own back nonetheless and proves how ruthless a fairy can be in this verse.

Second story, “Dracula Night” finally confirmed something I had been wondering about in relation to this verse for a while now – the existence of Dracula. Not only does the Count in fact exist, but he also gets a day to himself and if a vampire bar is lucky enough, he might honour them with his presence. It’s a decent motive for explaining Eric’s panicky behaviour and while the bartender pretending to be the Count was a cop out, Sookie/Eric fans might enjoy the bouts of sexual tension between the pair in this one. Sadly, Bill and Pam are both rather underused in this one.

Third instalment, “One Word Answer” proves that even in short story form, we’ll never see Hadley alive (something I am grateful for the series doing then). It dances about the place with Sookie coming to the conclusion that albino vampire Waldo was responsible for her cousin’s death, even though that’s not technically true. However the real meat of the story is in Sookie’s brief but interesting encounter with vampire queen, Sophie-Anne. Now that’s something the series had better get over with in its upcoming fourth season already.

“Lucky” might be the fourth story in this bunch but it’s a bloody cracker. I’ve enjoyed Sookie and Amelia’s friendship in previous books and having the pair of them band together to find out who’s trying to ruin Greg Auburt’s business is definitely full of interesting twists and turns. The actual culprit itself is also a far better pay-off than the lists of presumed suspects that Sookie and Amelia have to wade through but points for the inclusion of Terry during this one as well.

However my favourite story is the fifth and final one, “Gift Wrap”. Being on her own, Sookie’s having a rotten Christmas, so great-grandfather Niall decided to give her the most unorthodox of presents. Sookie wasn’t speaking to Jason, so her brother loaned out her woods for a were pack, she loves helping and protecting others, so the rather delectable fairy Preston posed as a were and because Sookie hasn’t gotten laid in a while, Preston promptly seduces her before exiting. As presents go, it’s definitely memorable but while Niall was trying to be kind, it also showed the more manipulative side of the fae quite excellently too. Still, it’s the best of an impressive bunch of stories.

- Each of the stories are set at different points in the books but they’re all after “Dead To The World” and before “Dead And Gone”.
- Dracula drinks Royalty – very rare and part synthetic, part real blood. Well, only the best for the Count, eh?
- The cover for this book has lips with blood dripping down. It’s definitely one of my favourite covers.
- Sookie doesn’t approve massively of her great grandfather’s choice in ties and we’re told that Niall’s not Christian.

As a collection of short stories go, “A Touch Of Dead” is a lovely addition to this book verse. The stories all work wonderfully, add more layers to existing books and with any luck, maybe we’ll get another collection of short stories one day.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

True Blood - Season 4 Keeps Expanding

He's played Charlie's brother in Lost and Sean's brother in Nip/Tuck and while I wasn't fussed about either character, it does seem that Neil Hopkins will be playing a character in 2011 that I will be interested in. True Blood is pretty much expanding itself anyways for it's fourth season and given that we've already met Claudine (Lara Pulver), it makes sense that Claude is finally being added into the mix - the character that Neil Hopkins will be playing. Yup, everyone's favourite gay stripper/fairy will be a recurring presence in the fourth season and given that fairies drive vampires and humans wild alike, Claude and his sister won't be short of admirers. Other casting that's been announced has been The Good Wife's Chris Butler as Emory, a shapeshifter with an agenda of his own and Hawthorne's Christina Moore will be playing Texan WASP, Suzanne McKittrick with shapeshifter abilities of her own. Season 4 is currently being filmed as we speak.

True Blood - Season 4 Wishlist

Season 4 might be seven months away but here are a few things I'd like to see for the upcoming season. - We need a time jump. Let the first episode quickly resolve the Sam/Tommy and Bill/Sophie-Anne cliffhangers before jumping a couple of months - especially when Sookie returns from fairy world.
- Keep the focus on good fairies with a bad ones in the mix but more as a set up for Season 5. I want better development for Claudine as well.
- Flashbacks giving us Eric and Pam's history. Also for Pam to do more in Season 4 as well.
- Jessica and Hoyt to be happy but involved in the big bad storyline in some way. Same with Tara and Sam.
- More stuff from Hadley and Hunter but involving Jason as well as Sookie. Oh and involve Jason with the fairy plot as well, seeing as it should concern him to a degree.
- Maybe some stirring that the shapeshifters are next to come out to the public. Also plenty of Claudine in Bon Temps, being a positive influence on Sookie.

- Hallow/Marnie to totally kick ass and wreck havoc as a baddie. Oh and a team up with her and Russell in the latter half could be fun.
- Eric to get the amnesia plot but maybe towards the latter of the season and have the same change in relationship with Sookie as he did in the book.
- However I wouldn't mind some Sookie/Alcide stuff as well as Debbie returning to cause problems.
- If we have to lose a major vampire, I'm opting for Sophie-Anne, but only after her and Sookie finally interact.
- I would prefer no reunion between Sookie/Bill and for Bill to largely interact with other characters as well as consequences for his attempts of trying to kill Eric, Pam and Sophie-Anne.
- More insight into Arlene and Terry and Holly too, who I think will be roped into Hallow's plot.
- Better writing for the whole Crystal/Hotshot storyline as well as maybe Jason becoming a panther.
- For Sookie to actually work in Merlottes for most of the season as well as having her spend more time with Jason, Sam and Tara. And for more of Lafayette and Jesus too.

True Blood - Season 4 Big Bad Cast

It's going to be another seven months before the fourth season of True Blood arrives but the casting for Marnie (or is it Hallow?) has finally been made. Stage and film actress, Fiona Shaw has won the coveted role of the big bad for the fourth year and if the series follows the book, Dead To The World, Hallow/Marnie will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully casting for the likes of Naomi, Suzanne, Portia and Queen Mab will be announced soon.

My Review of "Dead In The Family"

Written by Charlaine Harris
Released in 2010

Eric: “You were right. This is just like the end of one of Shakespeare’s plays.”
Sookie: “We’re the people left standing, yay for us.”
Eric: “I’m free.”

I bought this book an hour after I watched the first episode for Season 3 and I decided that when I had seen and reviewed all of that season, I would then put up a review for the latest Sookie Stackhouse instalment in print. Was this book worth the wait? Um, yeah, I guess it was.

Keeping with the established fact that TV and book Sookie are two entirely different entities for the most part, this is a tale that will certainly please the Sookie/Eric shippers in their droves. No more skirting around the issues anymore as they are finally a proper couple in this book and it wouldn’t be without its hiccups, would it?

The arrival of Eric’s book maker Ocella and Alexei (who has something of an interesting family history) certainly throw the usual set of spanners into the works. It’s an interesting dynamic as Sookie (and Jason as well) finds sympathy for Alexei and just about manages to hold her hostility for the maker in question but sadly, something just doesn’t engage me.

I blame this on the second season’s depiction of Eric and Godric’s progeny and maker relationship which were so beautifully depicted and while it was wise for Charlaine Harris to take something of an opposite stance with Ocella; it still doesn’t make for an interesting read. Even the maker’s death towards the end as a crazed Alexei wrecks havoc disappointed in a way.

But Sookie and Eric’s relationship however is interesting enough. The writing still comes across as a little too fanfiction like at times but I’m beginning to warm more and more to them as a couple and it’s a credit that Sookie has enough going on in her life aside from Eric to keep this book interesting.

Her matey rapport with Pam after they’re attacked almost makes up for the departure of Amelia and the brief moments with a hugely pregnant Tara in the story but the odd couple house sharing of Sookie and Claude might take some getting used along with Dermot’s turnaround from dangerous fairy to misunderstood fairy.

Still, it’s these plots along with Sookie and Sam’s strengthened friendship and her realisation that trying to teach Hunter to handle his abilities are hard work also help make up for a weaker plot with Alcide. I get that he wanted to figure out who killed one of his wolves but I wished that hadn’t resorted in him getting Sookie drugged up as a result. Here’s hoping he gets a more engaging plot in the next book if he shows up in it.

- The cover I got for this issue was of the Season 3 cast shot for the series. Odd considering that Lafayette and Jessica aren’t part of the book world.
- Claudine made sure that Sookie was financially set up. The last scene with Claude and Dermot getting into Sookie’s bed was odd.
- Sam, Jason and Alcide were given other love interests in this book. Bill was also reunited with Lorena’s other progeny; Judith after Sookie tracked her down to cure Bill’s silver poisoning. Oh and Debbie Pelt’s body was uncovered as well.
- There were some mentioning in this book about weres and shifters aiming for the same kind of rights that vampires have been struggling to get.

Not a bad book as such but definitely one of the weaker ones of the bunch. I could easily re-read “Dead In The Family” again but after the fairy antics of the previous one, I don’t think the danger quotient was as satisfying in this one. Does that make me a sadist?

Rating: 8 out of 10.

My Review of True Blood's 3x12: "Evil Is Going On"

Written by Alan Ball
Directed by Anthony Hemingway

Sookie (to Bill): “Love? You don’t even get to use that word. I rescind my invitation.”

Okay, you could make the argument that if we hadn’t seen Sookie rescind Bill’s invitation back in the first season, the moment where she did it in this episode would’ve been more impacting but then there are the circumstances to consider as well.

Back in the first season, Bill’s only offence (apart from being forced into making Jessica into a vampire) had been to attack Sam but here, it got a lot worse. Bill has been lying to Sookie for quite some time and finally this was the episode where she had finally had enough and did the sensible thing by telling him to get out of her life, once and for all.

I bought that Bill was determined to silence everyone aware of Sookie’s fae heritage but the fact that he had arranged for the Rattrays to attack her so he could feed her his blood left a bad taste in my mouth. I believe that he does love her but I have to admit that Sookie should hate him for this, amongst other betrayals.

Eric’s motives for telling Sookie about this weren’t purely out of a sense that she needed to know the truth. I think Eric took complete pleasure in shattering whatever high esteem Sookie might have had left for Bill, even if he seemed sincere in hating the fact that he caused her pain by filling her in on Bill’s original motives for returning to Bon Temps in the first place.

The annoying part was that I wanted to see a more dramatic punch in Sookie rejecting Eric as well like we got in “Club Dead” and I felt that was where this lacked. All episode long she was either trying to save Eric and defying Bill at every turn that there should’ve been more of an impact when she turned on Eric too.

Sookie becoming fed up with vampires had been pretty much set up throughout this entire season and between the pair of them, I think she’s totally right to distance herself from both Bill and Eric. There was even a moment where it looked like she was going to consider Russell’s offer to kill the pair of them if she freed him.

I liked Sookie’s alone time with Russell because as much as he tried to goad her or condescend her, Sookie didn’t tolerate it one bit. I even laughed during the scene where she chucked Talbot’s remains down the garbage disposal and that was a surprisingly cruel thing for Sookie to do. No wonder Russell was even more determined to vow to kill her before getting his final comeuppance.

As for Sookie running away with Claudine at the end of this episode – it was definitely an interesting cliff-hanger to run. I was so expecting something else more closely to the book and presumably more integral to the next season but I have a feeling that time in fairyland isn’t going to be as rewarding for Sookie as she might want it to be.

Speaking of rewarding, what would’ve been a satisfying way of getting rid of Russell Edgington? Given the fact that both Rene and Maryann found themselves being killed in their respective finales, it’s admirable that Alan Ball wanted to do something different with Russell. Also entombing in concrete with only his thoughts of vengeance might drive him to become even more dangerous when he’s eventually released. If Pam can rescue Eric from a cement grave (bad Bill), there’s no reason why Russell won’t escape either.

When it comes to a cemented fate, I am still shocked that Bill would’ve believed that would’ve solved his Eric problem. Did he not actually think that Eric would’ve been smart enough to have gotten some way out of there, even if Pam hadn’t come to his aid? God, I hope both Eric and Pam kick his ass next season for this.

As for the showdown with Sophie-Anne, I definitely believe that neither her nor Bill will actually die. Bill, because he’ll always be a part of the show until its end and Sophie-Anne because I’m pretty sure that we’ll get at least one interaction between her and Sookie before she sees a true death. Also I wouldn’t mind seeing Sookie use some of her fairy powers on Sophie-Anne like she did with Russell in this episode.

I’m also delighted that with the issue of powers being raised further in this episode, Jesus admitted to Lafayette that he’s a witch. It’s not remotely shocking considering the stuff we’ve seen with Jesus in the last few episodes but at the same time, it’s nice to have it out of the way. On the minus side, he basically tricked Lafayette into consuming so that he could turn Lafayette into his own magic? Bad one, Jesus.

Still, given that next season will undoubtedly be all about witches and fairies like this season was to a degree about weres and shifters; it’ll be nice storyline for Lafayette next season as well. He was definitely getting some bad vibes off Sam and Arlene and it’ll be interesting to see what he picks up from Holly next year given that she’s also a witch.

Also, when we’re not dealing with magic in this episode, there was the nice moment of Sam telling Tara that he was a shape shifter. I really like the way that was handled. I wasn’t expecting Tara to be fine with it but I did understand where her needs to get away from anything supernatural came from and it did seem in this episode that she turned a particular corner.

She was reasonable with Sam, even forgave Lettie Mae for sleeping with a married man and more or less apologised to Sookie. Plus the scene where she started cutting her hair prior to leaving town was a nice little scene too. I don’t doubt that Tara will resurface next season but I certainly hope that when she does that she’s in a far better place emotionally than she has been this year, that’s all.

I also hope the same thing for Sam, especially given that he shot Tommy. Now that was another expected thing. I know Tommy stole from Sam but did he really deserve to be shot at by his own brother? If we’re lucky, Sam only injured him but even then, Sam is slipping further and further into a dark area that I don’t think I like seeing him in as a viewer. I preferred the nicer Sam rather than this volatile version.

Last but not least, I spent this entire season not caring about Hotshot and with this episode; I began too a little more. Calvin’s death did very little to move me, given that the writers destroyed the character but I do feel for the community and even Crystal, who had to go with Felton in order to protect everyone. It was noble of Jason to want to help but the problem is that he’s going to be out of his depth and I can’t help but feel that Andy was right as well.

Also in “Evil Is Going On”

The ghostly appearances of Godric were a nice touch to the episode but it did seem like he was asking a lot of Eric to forgive Russell. Why should Eric when Russell himself showed no repentance for his killings?

Bill: “Sookie.”
Sookie: “You do not own me.”

This was also another episode with Nan Flanagan and Steve Newlin duking it out on TV debating on vampires vs. humans. Is Steve ever going to wreak havoc again like in Season 2?

Tara: “I didn’t know you could cook.”
Sam: “I never made breakfast for you? Maybe that’s because you always snuck out before I woke up.”

Sookie: “I’m here to save you.”
Russell: “Aww, thank you Miss Stackhouse.”
Sookie: “Shut up.”

Although I think Jessica and Hoyt might be rushing moving in together, I really do hope that Maxine, post failed intervention does not succeed in her plans to split them up.

Maxine: “I am your mother.”
Hoyt: “You are a mean, prejudiced, old control freak.”

Calvin: “This don’t make no difference between you and me, boy.”
Jason: “Don’t you think it should? I’m trying to help your family.”

That line where one of the Hotshot lads referred to Calvin as his “uncle daddy” made me laugh.

Crystal: “I’m so sorry, Jason.”
Jason: “Don’t worry about your people, just stay safe.”

Russell (to Sookie): “Hear that, that’s my wolves coming to rescue me.”
Ginger: “Are you sure you’re not hungry? I can make you a peanut butter and butter sandwich.”

I bet Denis O’Hare was happy when this episode was done given that he was mostly tied up, charred to a crisp and then given a cemented burial. I’m still looking forward to seeing him again next season though.

Alcide: “You in trouble again?”
Sookie: “When am I not in trouble?”

Jesus: “I’m a witch.”
Lafayette: “You’re a witch who’s a nurse, who’s a dude?”

Alcide made it pretty clear in this episode that he wanted to pursue something with Sookie but she didn’t seem interested. Debbie’s also gone missing but undoubtedly she’ll be back next year as well.

Tara (re her haircut): “I just needed a change.”
Sookie: “Change is good.”

Jessica: “I love you so much; I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Hoyt: “Well, it’s lucky for you, you’d never have to find out.”

Standout music: Jace Everett and CC Adcock’s “Evil (Is Going On)”, which was written especially for this episode.

Claudine: “Sookie, you are not alone. Come with us.”

Chronology: From where “Fresh Blood” left off.

As a finale, “Evil Is Going On” is a strange one. It definitely feels like a finale but it’s also continued a trend of sorting the main baddie out reasonably early in the episode in order to build on setting things up for the next season. That being said, it’s certainly a strong ending for a largely enjoyable (and I might be in a minority there) third season.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of True Blood's 3x11: "Fresh Blood"

Written by Nancy Oliver
Directed by Daniel Minahan

Eric (to Russell): “Be brave. We’ll die together.”

And this viewer says ‘what’? Die together? Eric, are you out of fucking mind? I get the whole wanting to kill Russell because he offed your family but last time I checked, that could’ve easily been done without Eric handcuffing himself to the evil king in a bid to meet the true death by sunlight.

All Eric had to do was find a way to keep Russell restrained and in the sun long enough to burn up. I’m not sure why all of a sudden that Eric seems to have a death wish, even though in this episode he certainly had no problem in using Sookie’s fairy blood in order to lull Russell into a false sense of security.

I know a lot of fan girls might have felt like telling Sookie to put a sock in it because she wasn’t in the loop about Eric setting Russell up for a fall but honestly, do you blame her? Eric did imprison her and when she did manage to get loose with some help from Yvetta and Bill, it didn’t take him long enough to capture her again and drink from her along with Russell.

If anything, assuming that Bill does get to save Sookie in time, I have a feeling that Sookie will finally do the rational thing and put some distance between herself and the main vampires of the show. Now I like Eric, Bill and Pam plenty but each of them have all screwed Sookie over this season in ways that she shouldn’t instantly forgive.

Bill’s habitually lied to her about his real reasons for entering her life, Pam encouraged Eric to use Sookie in order to keep Russell away from him and Eric pretty much followed his progeny’s advice and then some. If Sookie doesn’t get mad at the lot of them in the finale, then she really isn’t the brightest button on the show.

That being said, I absolutely loved Eric and Pam this week. Eric might be self-serving but his affection for Pam (and hers for him) is definitely one of the most genuine relationships on the series and Pam was crying over the idea of losing her maker. Bill barely batted an eyelid Lorena was killed and he was largely annoying in this episode as well, sadly.

I sort of hated the conversation that both Bill and Sookie had in the car about what their lives would be like if they were normal people. Not because the whole thing was cheesy but because it was blatantly obvious that Sookie and Bill are heading for a fall. If those two are still together next season, then it will be some of a miracle/cop out, depending on your stance with them. I like the characters but they need to break up now.

As for Eric and Russell, I loved their confrontation at the museum. Russell’s been such a multi-faceted villain that his scenes with Eric highlight just how great he is. He reluctantly indulged the idea of drinking from Sookie to be able to walk in the sun and then found himself overcome with glee when it looked like it could work.

His comeuppance was certainly inevitability but I was sort of expecting this episode to end with him doing something monstrous instead of being tricked by Eric. However it does look like we’ll see him one more time and by the looks of it, if Eric doesn’t kill him, then Russell probably will end up wishing that he did meet the true death at the hands of sunlight.

Speaking of meetings, count me in on the Tara and Sam shipper train but only if this time around, it’s them as an actual couple rather than them being friends with benefits all over again. Right now, these two are exactly what the other needs but if I had to wager on who was more messed up this time, I would hedge my bets on Sam.

Tara has her flipping issues but Sam was the one who was lashing out at everyone in this episode. Normally I’d laugh at someone insulting Arlene but Sam had no right to call her and Holly bitches (cheers to Holly for telling him where to get off) and the way he treated both Terry and Tommy made me want to punch his lights out.

No matter how mad you are, you don’t attack someone as kind and fragile as Terry in the manner that Sam did. Mocking Terry’s shellshock was a below the belt comment from Sam and the cold way in which he treated Tommy actually made me feel sorry for the kid. Okay, Tommy got his own back by stealing from Sam but even still, I thought the way Sam treated him was nasty.

It was also a stark contrast to how Tara dealt with Andy over the Eggs situation. I won’t lie – I was expecting her to blow her off and really tear Andy a new one but the nuanced conversation she had with him instead was a better way of dealing with the matter. She certainly didn’t hold back in making Andy feel bad but she also listened to his side of the story as well and seemed to believe that he was genuinely sorry for Eggs’s death.

I can’t see Tara instantly forgiving either Jason or Andy anytime soon but I think it can be ruled out that she’s going to make their lives hell at the same. As for her and Sam – I loved the fact that both of them could analyse the other as well as themselves because right now, they’re the only two who get each other and their sex scene was pretty damn hot.

What wasn’t hot though was Lafayette’s hazy little drug state this week around. Given that he’s seeing all kind of creepy antics right now, this has to mean that a) Lafayette really is attuned to magic in some ways and b) if the head mask if anything to go by, I can assume that Jesus isn’t all that he seems. Too bad, I wanted Jesus as a good guy.

I guess with good guys, I’ll have settled for Hoyt in a way. I liked that Jessica opened up about the trucker incident and that it brought them closer but there are pros and cons to him now letting her drink from her – namely her self-control issues. That being said, Jessica/Hoyt are still the best vampire/human pairing on the show so far by a long shot.

As for Maxine being the reason why Summer was brought into the mix – it makes total sense but it’s also rather disturbing and if she’s this determined to control Hoyt, then I fear that she might do something more dangerous in order to get Jessica out of the picture.

Last but not least – Jason and Crystal, I’m still not really feeling this storyline but at least it’s progressed a bit and it didn’t take all that much on Crystal’s part to try and persuade Jason to help her family against the DEA. However the stuff with Kitch Maynard is beyond tedious. I don’t care if he’s using V to advance himself and I find it odd that Jason himself is all that bothered and besides, it’s adding nothing to the actual story itself, so what’s the point to it all?

Also in “Fresh Blood”

Pam used some silver spray on Bill during their scrap over Sookie. I noticed that we’ve been getting more fight scenes this season.

Bill (re Sookie): “If you try to keep her from me, I will kill you.”
Pam: “Get a grip, Bill, I’m not the enemy.”

Yvetta stole from Fangtasia in this episode, restrained Pam (what is it with female bondage this year?) and mentioned that she was a cardiologist in her own country. Pam also fed from Ginger, who screamed once again.

Crystal: “I’m just the same as I’ve always been. I told you I had secrets, you said you didn’t care.”
Jason: “I thought it was shoplifting or something. You could’ve given me a heads up.”

Hoyt: “I can’t do anything without you.”
Jessica: “I missed you so much.”
Hoyt: “I missed you too.”

Arlene enlisted Holly to try and get rid of the baby but despite bleeding out, the baby is still alive. What if the child isn’t evil?

Russell: “Life is absurd. Still, I’m excited to destroy you.”
Eric: “My loved one are dead and Talbot’s dead. We’re even.”
Russell: “Don’t beg for mercy, it’s such a bore.”

Sookie: “I don’t know if people can change, even if they try.”
Bill: “We can if we want to. Do you want to?”

I meant to say in my last review but congratulations to Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer who got married last month.

Summer (re Hoyt): “I even offered my virginity and he turned it down flat.”
Maxine: “Summer, I appreciate that, even if it broke God’s law.”

Sam: “I could use some help here.”
Tara: “I can see that. Too bad I ain’t working here tonight.”

The anti-vampire feeling has become rife as even Fangtasia had some nasty graffiti on it’s walls this week. Nan’s not doing great on the damage control front, is she?

Holly (re great mother): “Okay, she’s fine. You feel her?”
Arlene: “I feel something.”

Russell: “Don’t you see Miss Stackhouse? Your country’s begging to be conquered.”
Sookie: “You don’t know much about America.”

Standout music: Eels “Fresh Blood”, which was used in some of the earlier trailers for this season as well.

Sam: “Nobody knows me.”
Tara: “It’s not like you make it easy.”

Chronology: From where “I Smell A Rat” left off.

“Fresh Blood” is certainly an interesting penultimate episode but with the Russell mostly resolved, I have a feeling that the finale in two weeks will just follow suit and be a set up for more stuff in the next year than resolving this one.

Rating: 9 out of 10.

My Review of True Blood's 3x10: "I Smell A Rat"

Written by Kate Barnow And Elizabeth R. Finch
Directed by Michael Lehmann

Eric: “Do what you want; I won’t be around much longer anyway. I wish you the best, Sookie Stackhouse.”

And for those who have been frustrated that the majority of this season hasn’t been pandering to Sookie and Eric from a shipper perspective, this episode should make you happy and frustrated in equal measure. Eric Northman really does love Sookie Stackhouse but he’s got a terrible way of showing it.

I knew that as soon as Pam had told him to find a way of using Sookie due to Russell’s growing interest in the girl that Eric would resort to something reckless. Why the fuck couldn’t he just sit Sookie down and explain to her why Russell is so interested in her? It would’ve been a lot better than deciding to keep her prisoner in Fangtasia.

Also, in my eyes because of Eric’s actions, he’s every bit as bad as Bill if not worse in the matter. He loves Sookie but treats her like she’s something he’s got the right to imprison instead of actually trying to save himself in the process.

Russell’s not going to be won over if Eric handed Sookie to him on a platter right about now. The only way Russell won’t be a threat is if Eric mans up and just kills him already. Another thing that would have been better than keeping Sookie captive.

It’s annoying as well because Eric and Sookie do have an interesting chemistry. The blood bond and dreams aside, even I realise that there’s a part of Sookie that’s attracted to Eric of her own mind but Eric doesn’t make himself look like a very good choice when he treats Sookie in such a rotten manner to be honest.

The dream sequence and later, the very real kiss between Sookie and Eric wasn’t something I had been waiting for a long time to see. They were certainly highlights of the episode and while I understand Eric’s motive and genuinely believe that he doesn’t want to harm Sookie, it’s episodes like this that make it hard for me as a viewer to get behind an Eric/Sookie pairing.

Pam raised some good points about Eric making wills and being inactive and while her harsh words brought out the worst in Eric at the end, I did agree with her. Pam definitely cares for her maker a lot more than he seemed to care about his own survival at the start of the episode.

And then there’s the rivalry between Eric and Bill, which in this episode made the both of them come across as irritating assholes to the very end. I hate that Bill openly lied about Sophie-Anne’s motives and the extent of his own knowledge to Sookie on her fairy lineage but Eric’s actions at the end proved that he’s just as bad as Bill in that regard as well.

Also for some odd reason, it didn’t feel right that Bill was basically explaining to Sookie about who she was. I really felt that those scenes belonged to Claudine and if there was an episode that essentially needed her, it was this one. Claudine talked about protecting Sookie before, so now it’s about damn time we actually saw it onscreen for once.

When Sookie wasn’t getting an information dump on her family tree, wondering about Bill’s true feelings towards or being held prisoner, she had some interesting scenes with Jason and Tara. I loved that she finally copped onto the fact that Tara went through a horrid ordeal at the hands of Franklin and she was right to tell Jason to confess about shooting Eggs.

There was never going to be a good time for Tara to find out that Jason killed Eggs and while this was definitely one of the worst times to tell her, I’m still glad that she knew. I know it’s going to sour things between her and Jason after she tried to kiss him and praised him for saving her but Jason was genuinely trying to do the right thing and ease his conscience by telling her the truth about Eggs.

Tara fleeing was probably the only reaction she could’ve given at this point. She was tired and broken from everything else that had happened to her and judging by the preview for the next episode, it does look like Andy will bear a fair chunk of her anger. Whether or not Tara decides to send Jason to prison because of this will be an interesting thing. I hope she doesn’t though and at least gives Jason a chance to explain himself.

It’s amazing that Jason’s plot was more interesting this week but that’s because he worked better with his moments between Tara and Sookie than he has done with the Hotshot plot and Crystal. Also in a weird way, Crystal was actually a lot more interesting in this episode because she was largely kept away from Jason.

I felt bad for her when Calvin rejected her for not wanting to procreate with Felton and for him blaming her for Lafayette using V to save his pathetic existence but I was actually surprised that she revealed herself as a panther to Jason. After weeks of this plot going nowhere, it’s nice to actually get some bloody progression as well. Here’s hoping for Crystal’s sake that Jason doesn’t reject her after all.

Speaking of advance plotting, it’s typical that Russell’s on air slaughter of a news anchor gave slimy Steve Newlin further justification behind his anti-vampire stance and also furthered Arlene’s own bigotry as well. I know I should berate Jessica for slamming a pregnant woman in a corner but Arlene’s stupidity and downright selfishness never ceases to annoy me.

She finally plucked up the courage to tell Terry that the baby was Rene’s and when Terry insisted that he would love the child like his own, she decided to go to Holly to find a way to end her pregnancy. Was Arlene dropped on her head multiple times over as a kid or has the hot sun and hair dye sapped her brain because either way, her stupidity does defy logic at this point? I never liked Arlene all that much but I will hate her if she does get rid of the baby now.

As for Sam, I wasn’t expecting such a dark back-story but I am really interested given how well it’s being intertwined with his present day story. Past Sam didn’t mind pulling cons and killing the couple that screwed him over and present Sam is drinking himself into oblivion and seems on the verge of a major self-destruction, one that Tommy’s influence could end encouraging even more if Sam really takes any heed of his little brother.

I lost respect for Tommy in this episode anyways with his attempts to try it on with Jessica and attack Hoyt whilst in pit bull form. I absolutely loved Jessica tossing Tommy into the air and finally putting her doubts away and taking Hoyt back. It sure as hell took her long enough to do and there seemed to be a parallel with Jessica feeding Hoyt her own blood like Bill did with Sookie back in the first season.

Finally, Lafayette and Jesus are continuing to be a mixed couple for me. Great chemistry between the actors and I love that the V trip gave us some needed information on the fact that both Lafayette and Jesus each come with their own magical histories (which was more of a shocking than Sookie’s fairy lineage) but it doesn’t explain Jesus’s intentions towards Lafayette all that much either.

Also Russell had more of a low key appearance in this episode as well. All he did was pick up a prostitute that looked like Talbot, waxed lyrical about his dead husband and then impale the prostitute for his troubles. I guess I want the more commanding and scary Russell rather than the melancholy one in this episode.

Also in “I Smell A Rat”

We’ve gone from having no magical characters on this show to have three. As well as Lafayette and Jesus, Holly also mentioned to Sam that she was a Wiccan.

Sookie: “I’m a fairy? How fucking lame!”
Bill: “Fairy is one of the names.”

Sookie’s fairy lineage is seemingly consistent with the books – she’s intoxicating to vampires (who apparently have wiped out most of the fae kind) and it’s down to the fact that a fairy mated with a female relative. It’s gonna be Adelle, huh?

Sam: “What is this?”
Man: “This would be you getting screwed.”
Sam (to Woman): “Are you in on this?”

Sookie: “If my blood is so delicious, does that make your feelings for me based on ...”
Bill: “No! Oh, it definitely drew me to you at first but we grew into something much deeper. You must know that.”

The woman Sam was with looked very similar to Daphne and the flashbacks themselves took place in 2003.

Jessica (to Arlene): “Okay, we get it – you don’t like vampires. Well, I don’t like narrow minded, skinny bitches with bad dye jobs but at least I have the courtesy to keep my mouth shut about it, most of the time. I suggest you do the same.”

Lafayette (to Jesus): “Yesterday morning you made coffee. I thought today we’d graduate to juice and pancakes.”

Jesus’s grandfather was into the dark arts and we learned that Lafayette’s great grandmother was a conjurer.

Sookie: “Will your blood ever wear off? I’m tired of dreaming about you.”
Eric: “It’s not just the blood. You know you have feelings for me.”
Sookie: “Eww.”

Jason: “Tara, you know I ain’t that deep.”
Tara: “For some reason you like pretending that you’re too dumb to know better, do better.”

Jason got angry with Bill and rescinded his invitation during this episode. Hoyt also dumped Summer before declaring his feelings for Jessica again and Pam’s full name is Pamela Swynford de Beaufort.

Sookie: “What do you mean you’re not gonna be around much longer?”
Eric: “Don’t pretend you care about me, this is about Bill. Deep down you know you shouldn’t trust him.”

Jessica: “Hoyt, I love you too, now drink my blood.”

Standout music: Patty Griffin’s “I Smell A Rat”.

Russell (to Tony): “Talbot, you saved me from the world, from myself. I was a fool to trust him and I’m more sorry than I ever could say.”

Chronology: From where Sookie and Bill left off in “Everything Is Broken”.

“I Smell A Rat” isn’t one of the stronger episodes of the season but there’s enough ticking over to keep the hour moving at a nice pace. It’s also nice to see weaker plots such as Sam’s and the Hotshot stuff gather pace as well.

Rating: 8 out of 10.

True Blood Gets Racy For Rolling Stone

Like this show isn't raunchy enough, now three of the main actors are getting their bits out for Rolling Stone magazine.

Alexander Skargard, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer have bared plenty in three seasons worth of True Blood, so maybe it's not a shock that they do it for a magazine. It's also a hearthy reminder of how influential this show is becoming as well.

The Rolling Stone issue is out on September 2nd and there are some interesting bits from the actors and creator Alan Ball. Here's hoping for some hints for the fourth season as well.

My Review of True Blood's 3x09: "Everything Is Broken"

Written by Alexander Woo
Directed by Scott Winant

Russell: “Why would we seek equal rights? You are not our equals. We will eat you after we eat your children. Now time for the weather ... Tiffany?”

I hate joining bandwagons but if Denis O’Hare does not at least get an Emmy nomination next year for the role of Russell Edgington, then there is something seriously wrong with that system. Russell has been single handed the best villain on this show and the last three episodes of this season can only further that belief.

Why does Russell work so well, even above the likes of Rene Lerner, Maryann Forrester and the Fellowship Of The Sun? A lot of it is down to Denis O’Hare. He clearly relishes playing the bad guy in spite of mentioning recently that he hopes that he won’t get typecast and he practically has chemistry with every actor he’s worked with so far this season. He’s even made some of them up their game in some respects as well.

More than that, Russell is the first vampire on the show that has posed a danger on a massive scale. He’s not happy with draining a few people and unlike lower vampires; he also won’t content himself with sitting back in disgust over the idea of vampires becoming more socially acceptable to the human race.

Russell doesn’t seem to view anything outside of vampires as being equal. He openly expressed a few weeks ago that werewolves were no better than pets and his contempt for human dominance accelerated in this episode. The only difference was that this time around, Russell moved past the talking part and actually did something about it.

If Nan Flanagan and the Authority were hoping to keep Russell’s rogue activities on the down low, then they should’ve made more proactive measures into capturing him. Instead they focused their energies on trying to punish, scapegoat and berate Eric that Russell was able to take the most hostile action on television – human death.

I have to admit to flinching a little when Russell ripped out that news anchor’s spine out and the goriness didn’t stop there. Russell was happy to hold on to the spine while he told the whole human race that he intended to eat them and their children because vampires were the superior race. The best thing you can say about Russell is that he doesn’t mince his words.

The worst thing however is that his actions have given ammunition to every single vampire/supernatural hating fanatic out there. If Nan and the Authority thought their work was hard before, then I can’t wait to see what type of damage control they’re gonna have to pull in order to stop this one.

As for Russell actually succeeding in his vow to basically annihilate the human race, realistically, it ain’t gonna work. Sure, he’ll manage to slaughter/turn a few of them (even influential ones too) but truthfully, he’s living on borrowed time and he knows it. If Nan and the Authority don’t kill him, then maybe Eric will get lucky and do it. If so, Russell’s gonna be the first villain on this show to die that I will miss.

As for his reaction to Talbot’s death, I veered between actually feeling bad for him (how messed up is that?) and then finding myself snickering as he carried a glass urn of Talbot’s gooey remains around the place. However I still have that horrid piece of fear that Russell might try and settle the score with Eric by targeting either Pam or Sookie as a result of Talbot being killed.

With the surprising lack of Pam in the previous episode, this one actually made up for it in a way. Both she and Eric were forced into a lockdown thanks to Nan’s orders and there was also a wonderful exchange between the two of them. The fact that Eric wants Pam to make a vampire makes actual sense – he genuinely believes that Russell could kill him. More to the point, we are due a proper look into Pam’s backstory and it’s time that this season delivered on that note.

Speaking of delivering, the writers aren’t being particularly subtle over the fact that Sookie has fairy lineage. Much as I liked the reappearance of Claudine in this episode, I really hope that she actually comes into our world as well. Her presumption that Bill might have killed Sookie when he entered the fairy world was pretty fair, even if the reason for his entry was because he had ingested enough of Sookie’s blood to make it possible. Fairies don’t seem to have a particularly liking for vampires and Claudine herself seemed unsure of Bill.

At least until the moment where he actually managed to talk to her into telling him what Sookie happened to be. It’s nice that Bill got that information but he better do the right thing and enlighten Sookie as well. The fact that he lied about his reasons for compiling a dossier on her though was a major no-no. As if he’s going to be able to maintain, especially when Eric has been waiting and contriving to split Bill and Sookie up.

The post sex stuff with Bill and Sookie wasn’t that bad really. I know some fans viewed a certain scene between them as something that should’ve been with another vampire but I honestly didn’t care all that much to be honest. Though I did laugh when Sookie expressed that she would like not to have to be getting of corpses in her house.

However the best Sookie related stuff in this episode was with Hadley. I like that Hadley is seemingly getting more fleshed out as a character and I’m also willing to believe that she’s genuinely remorseful with ratting Sookie’s abilities to Sophie-Anne but it feels like all their scenes in this episode should’ve featured Jason in them as well.

The introduction of Hunter was a surprise move. I’m still getting used to reading him in the more recent of books but I did like the breezy way it was confirmed that Hunter was telepathic as well. Much as taking her child away from his father is wrong, I actually do side with Hadley wanting to protect him. It actually makes me admire her a little as well.

Hadley wasn’t the only mother with child issues in this episode as well. Even though I generally cannot stand Arlene, I really felt bad for her when she opened up to Holly about her fears of bringing an evil child into the world. Would this show really go there and actually be all Rosemary’s Baby on us? I think I’d almost prefer it to new pal/waitress Holly helping Arlene into aborting the baby. Terry could forgive Arlene for carrying another man’s child and lying about it but I don’t think he could forgive Arlene having an abortion.

As for Holly, if she’s not getting involved in Arlene’s baby problems, she’s also being there for Tara. The fact that Holly was a rape victim took me by surprise but it was nice that by sharing her story that there was something of a positive effect with Tara in the process. I loved that even though Tara wasn’t the one who staked Franklin (hello Jason and your wooden bullets), she still managed to stand up to the scary fecker before he became goo. Franklin’s been one of the most successful characters we’ve had this season but personally, I’m glad that he’s out of Tara’s life now.

In terms of least successful characters, I am growing impatient with this Hotshot crew more and more. Even Crystal is losing massive sympathy points with the way she kept playing both Jason and Felton off each other and while I could understand her distraught after Sam kicked the shit out of Calvin, I just wish they would forward the plot with her inbred family already.

Also in “Everything Is Broken”

How come we haven’t seen Sophie-Anne in the last two episodes? Given that she’s basically being kept against her will, it’s a little odd seeing as Hadley has come and gone twice.

Sookie: “Normal couples do not do this, Bill Compton.”
Bill: “I thought you’d given up on being like normal couples?”

I don’t really want to bash Bill here but why didn’t he check up on Jessica to see if she was alright? This maker thing really doesn’t come naturally to him, does it?

Jesus: “What is it this time?”
Lafayette: “I guess you can stay.”
Jesus: “Good answer.”

Jason: “Could you not make me a rapist?”
Crystal: “I’m sorry. It was the best I could think of.”

Jesus discussed jaguar tattoos in this episode, which is making think that he’s into or involved with either magic or shifters. Ruby Jean also made more allusions to Lafayette and power as well.

Eric (to Nan): “With all respect, I did not report Russell Edgington to you because I want him to die at my own hands and I have waited a thousand years for this.”

Andy: “I’ve got ulcers so big, coffee’s coming out of my belly button.”
Jason: “Is that even possible?”

Why was Andy keeping all that V in his desk? Don’t tell me he’s going to be the next person on this show to get hooked on the stuff? At this point, Arlene and Terry will be the only regulars that haven’t tried it.

Sookie: “You don’t have to be scared. Your momma loves you very much.”
Hunter: “Momma’s real scared too. Momma’s more scared than me.”

Arlene (to Holly): “I’ve got a time bomb inside me. Six and a half months left fooling myself and everybody else before the best man I’ve ever let through my door gets blown to smithereens. How am I supposed to live with that?”

Tommy was a prick to both Arlene and Sam in this episode and I hated that Sam might have attacked Calvin because Tommy cited him as a pushover. I also hate Hoyt being with Summer after admitting to Jessica that he can’t stand her.

Claudine: “You killed Sookie.”
Bill: “I haven’t.”
Claudine: “You’ve taken her blood. I can see it in you.”

Pam: “We’ve been through so much, so long. It can’t end this quickly.”
Eric: “Everything ends, even the immortal.”

Eric mentioned being a Virgo in this episode and Pam talked about with him for a 100 years. Claudine also indicated that she’s protected Sookie from past dangers as well.

Jesus: “A visit from the chef? Wow, it’s my lucky day.”
Lafayette: “I wanted to meet the sick fuck who ordered a veggie burger with bacon.”

Jessica (re Summer): “Does she at least make you happy?”
Hoyt: “I hate her. I fucking hate her.”

Franklin: “Why do you wanna die so much? Why do you want me to kill you?”
Tara: “Because the second I’m gone, I’m rid of you forever. I’ll be free and you’ll have nothing.”

Standout music: Bob Dylan’s “Everything Is Broken” and Los Infernos “Dead And Gone”.

Russell: “In the end we are nothing like you. We are immortal because we drink the true blood. Blood that is organic, living and human.”

Chronology: From where “Night On The Sun” left off.

Another stunning episode. “Everything Is Broken” might not be doing much to ignite that Hotshot plot but it’s certainly upping the ante with Russell’s machinations, Sookie’s origins, Lafayette’s new relationship and even moments with Tara and Sam help make this episode a classic one.

Rating: 10 out of 10.

My Review of True Blood's 3x08: "Night On The Sun"

Written by Raelle Tucker
Directed by Lesli Linka Glatter

Sookie: “Get out of my house, bitch!”
Debbie: “Fuck you.”
Sookie (after shooting a dollhouse): “Next time, I won’t miss.”

And this was an episode that came pretty close to no real misses at all, except for a few obvious ones. Oh, Alan Ball, what are we gonna do with you? I’m not gonna join on the Sookie/Bill suck bandwagon but its high time this relationship got some proper assessment.

In the hospital, Sookie had the most naturalistic reaction to scream her bloody lungs out when she clapped eyes on Bill. When they were alone, both of them even came to the painful realisation that they were due some time apart. However the episode ended with the two of them screwing their brains out and basically saying “fuck logic” to it all.

And that’s where the problem lies with these two. I know love is supposed to make you do the wacky but isn’t it time that both Sookie and Bill used some common sense and stick with it? I don’t think the sex at the end was meant to signal them getting back together but it still did seem like an unwise move on both of their parts.

Sookie’s felt betrayed by the stuff that Russell’s told her about Bill and Hadley certainly didn’t make it any better when she followed up on Eric’s message not to trust him but she still defended him against Tara and Jason. I understand that impulse of hers but she was also too quick to harshly judge them as well.

Tara probably shouldn’t have repeatedly referred to her as a dumb bitch but what Tara was saying about Bill made sense. I noticed that both Jason and Tara heavily alluded to Sookie behaving like a battered wife/enabler to Bill and partially, she was. This is why I don’t blame either Tara being angry with Sookie defending Bill or Jason wanting to kill him.

And then there’s the allusion that Bill knows even more about Sookie than we previously thought he did. He seemed to confirm in the next episode and if that doesn’t get Sookie to back off from him, what will? Bill had some pretty frustrating moments in this episode and not just with Sookie.

I almost wanted to stake him myself when he tried to release Jessica into the wild. I’ve tried giving Bill the benefit of the doubt but he really is an awful maker, isn’t he? I get that a part of his attempts of releasing Jessica were so that he didn’t fall into the same horrible pattern that Lorena was with him but right now, I believe Jessica needs Bill a lot more than Sookie does. Sookie herself needs to depend less on both Bill and Eric as far as I’m concerned.

One of the best moments of this episode was watching Bill and Jessica training up for the latter to defend herself against werewolves. If we could see this side to Bill more often, both he and the show would be miles better for it. Bill has the capability of being a good maker/paternal figure for Jessica and Jessica herself does need to learn more about the crazy world that she’s been dragged into, so in other words, more of this please.

Just seeing Bill and Jessica eventually fighting down werewolves was a treat in this episode. I absolutely loved the glee Jessica exuded when she was getting them to chase after her. Even when Russell drank from her and tossed her aside, I knew that she was going to best the wolf after her.

As for the fight scenes of this episode, Bill and Russell’s sparring took an interesting turn. Russell was happy to goad Bill on his uselessness but I think Bill made the more perceptive comments to be honest. Apart from directly killing the Magister last week, Russell has been using wolves to do his dirty work and I figure that it might get to a point when even they turn on him as well.

The best fight of the episode was between Sookie and Debbie in the former’s bedroom. I was looking forward to this even since the Comic Con trailer and it sure as hell lived up to my expectations and then some. Debbie’s blinded by revenge and certainly went full throttle towards Sookie but the best part was actually watching Sookie physically fight back. Sookie might have been juiced up on vampire blood but it was nice to see her handle Debbie, even to the point of using a scissor on the psychotic werewolf.

Debbie was certainly baying for blood in this episode and I knew that as soon as Alcide bolted out of town that she would come after Sookie. If Russell hadn’t been plotting to snare Sookie, then Debbie would’ve clearly disobeyed him and went after her. Debbie seems to hold Sookie responsible for Cooter’s death and I doubt that she’ll stop with this attack. Sookie’s going to need to be on her guard for the final four episodes.

Speaking of guards, anyone else think that Eric shouldn’t have let down his so quickly? For someone as calculating as Eric, I was actually surprised that he killed Talbot as openly as he did. I’d like to say that Talbot’s death made me feel sad but it didn’t. He was nice to look at but underdeveloped as hell and the whole sex scene between him and Eric whilst nice could’ve been given to Lafayette and Jesus instead.

Like Russell, Eric’s just gone and done something reckless and there’s a very good chance that it’s going to backfire on him. There’s no way that Russell can’t know that Eric killed Talbot and I actually fear that Pam will get caught in the crossfire again because of her maker. I hope Eric has a few aces up his sleeve because he’s definitely going to need them in the next few weeks.

Something I need however, is to know what the heck is up with Jesus? I wanted to believe that he’s a nice guy who likes Lafayette but now I firmly believe that there’s more to him than meets the eye. Jesus talked about Lafayette being powerful in a similar context to Ruby Jean and given that there are certain rumours flying around the place, I have a feeling where Lafayette is going to go next as a character and I’m not sure about it all that much.

Another thing I’m not sure about is Jason and Crystal. I want to get into this story but it’s the weakest of the bunch and I actually don’t like that Calvin is being written as a violent meth dealing thug. Felton, I don’t mind because not every Hotshot character needs to be noble but I’m disappointed with Calvin, except for the confrontation between him and Jason which showed some future storytelling potential.

As for Tara, when she wasn’t castigating Sookie, she was just about managing to deal with her own recent trauma. I really hope that she lets someone in on it. I don’t care if it’s Sookie, Lafayette or Sam but I want her to open up to at least one person about it. Potentially Sam, given that they had a nice moment in this episode.

Also in “Night On The Sun”

We got another pivotal character this week. New waitress Holly was able to tell that Arlene was pregnant and gave off some interesting vibes and Arlene had nightmares of Rene.

Bill: “Keep out of this!”
Alcide: “I don’t take orders from vamps.”

Alcide’s certainly fulfilling the wolf stereotype of disliking vampires but even I got his disdain for Bill in this episode.

Bill: “I want you to have the life you deserve and I can’t give it to you. I love you, Sookie Stackhouse and I will love you forever.”
Sookie: “I love you too.”

Russell: “The real question is, can I trust you? You turned on your own queen and now that I’ve freed your feisty little ward, how do I know you won’t sell me out as well?”
Eric: “Because I have been searching for you for a thousand years.”

Eric looked visibly pained when he spoke in a derogatory manner about Godric to pander to Russell. Now that’s some good acting on Alexander Skarsgard’s part.

Bill: “Look at me. As your maker, I release you.”
Jessica: “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Sookie: “Did you just call me a dumb bitch?”
Tara: “I’m sorry but if you go back to that vampire, that’s what you are.”

Ruby Jean seems to have the affectionate nickname of “Lala” for her son. I also loved her description of modern day TV.

Jason: “God damn. What is it about you, Crystal? Why do you make me feel like this way?”
Crystal: “What way?”

Ruby Jean (to Lafayette): “You got power, boy, you always have. That’s why they’re coming. I got to protect you but I can’t do it if you keep drugging me.”

How manipulative was it of Melinda to come to Sam as a dog? I’m glad he ran both her and Joe Lee out of him and Tommy’s lives. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Sookie: “If I knew what was best for me, I would’ve fallen in love with someone like you.”
Alcide: “Back atcha. It’s too bad we’re so stupid, huh?”

Hadley: “Sookie, if they find you, they’re gonna do horrible things, I’m so sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.”

Not surprising that Hadley told Sophie-Anne about Sookie, is it? I also enjoyed Sam and Tommy detecting that Calvin and Felton were shifters more than Tommy and Hoyt fighting over Jessica.

Jesus: “Ruby Jean’s got a flair for drama.”
Lafayette: “It runs in the family.”

Eric: “Checkmate.”
Talbot: “I’m bored. Take off your clothes.”

Standout music: Iron Horse’s “Night On The Sun” and Otep’s “Head”.

Sookie: “I’ve had vampire blood. Lots of it.”
Debbie: “Oh me too. Your boyfriend’s yummy.”

Chronology: Directly from where “Hitting The Ground” left off.

I actually loved this episode. I’d even go as far as to say that “Night On The Sun” is the best one from the season so far but truthfully, I don’t think Raelle Tucker’s written a duff on yet. It also feels like most of the storylines are advancing even more as well but the Jason/Crystal plot needs more attention on it.

Rating: 10 out of 10.

Sookie's Choice - Bill, Eric Or Alcide?

So we're past the halfway point of True Blood's third season and we're heading into something of a love quadrangle. Sookie Stackhouse has not one but three eligible men baying for her affections and while fangirls seem to think only one of the three of them is genuinely deserving of the telepathic waitress, I'm gonna delve into the pros and cons of all three suitors.

Bill Compton: They say you remember your first love but they rarely say that your first love is the one you're meant to be with. Bill may be devoted to Sookie but he was sent to Bon Temps at Sophie-Anne's behest and has been looking into Sookie's family history without her knowledge. Also in this week's episode, he literally drained Sookie dry and left her for dead, even if he did later bring her out of her coma. Plus as many fans have pointed out (and I'm inclined to agree), Sookie herself is often better when she isn't with Bill. There's a chemistry and love there but I don't think that's enough to see them through.

Eric Northman: At the risk of irating fangirls but I don't get the Eric love as madly as I possibly should. Yes, he's attractive, has an interesting history and probably does genuinely love Sookie but he's also controlling, manipulative and not above putting his own interests above everyone else. On the plus side, while he's got the horn for Sookie, it's refreshing to see that she isn't the be all and end all for him as well. The fact that he's got a score to settle with Russell and wanted to save Pam from the Magister made me like him more than anything involving Sookie. Plus, I don't like the way he tricked Sookie into drinking from him, something I've noticed that a lot of female fans tend to skim over, well most of them do. And these are the same ones who endlessly moan about Sookie when she so much as opens her mouth to speak.

Alcide Herveaux: This one is more complicated for me. Realistically, Sookie should be with Alcide because it's the only relationship between the three that could last and also because Alcide doesn't treat her like a child or a possession (unlike Bill/Eric) but given the fact that he's still got a rather toxic relationship with Debbie to contend with as well as his own duties being in a pack, it could raise the same amount of dangers to Sookie that her associations with Bill and Eric as well. I like Alcide a lot more than some people and he's certainly nice to look at but another negative on him is that he did seem to have more chemistry with Tara than Sookie in the last two episodes.

Overall Conclusion: Undecided but if forced at gunpoint, I'll say Alcide.

What are everyone else's views?