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LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 03:48 PM Jul 2012

True Blood Recap - You Light up my life!! *** spoilers *** (and Happy Bday Anna Paquin!)

Last edited Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:22 PM - Edit history (1)

Edit Note: Today is Anna Paquin's 30th birthday - Happy Birthday! I still remember her when she won that Oscar for the annoying kid in 'The Piano'.

What an interesting episode we had last Sunday for True Blood. This week’s episode was definitely a rollercoaster ride with either amazing highlights or absolutely ‘why are we even bothering with this’ low moments.

Let’s start with the absolutely best – Pam & Tara!

The writers have spent 4 seasons building up to create the absolutely best ‘couple’ on True Blood and that is Pam and Tara. Tara was always considered one of the main characters (She’s one of the 5 actors who’ve had their name listed in the beginning of the credits for all 5 seasons) but for 4 seasons they’ve made Tara’s life a living hell. This poor girl came from an abusive home with a drunk mother, I’m guessing no father and a massive chip on her shoulder. The first ‘boyfriend’ (Sam, season #1 actually they were more like fuck buddys) had a massive crush on her best friend Sookie. When she thought she found both a great boyfriend and a replacement mother figure in season #2 it turns out she was being used by Maenad Maryann and her boyfriend was killed by Andy/Jason. Season #3, grieving for the loss of that boyfriend she got caught up with a psychopathic vampire Franklin Mott and even the people who knew her like Sookie’s boyfriend Vampire Bill refused to help her (I’m sure he would of if he wasn’t in that awkward position with Russell Edgington and Lorena). Tara almost got a fresh start with season #4 when it turns out Tara was bisexual (something that took us all by surprise) but she returned anyways, got messed up with the Wiccans and had a vampire with a serious grudge against her – Pam. Tara was a broken soul and quite frankly her character was spent. Had she not been turned it would have probably be best to just have let Tara died in hopes she found peace in the afterlife.

Pam, on the other hand, has always been in the shadow of her maker Eric Northman. Kristen Bauer, who played Pam, actually started off as a bit character for 2 seasons, kinda a background filler at Fangstasia. But she started to shine in season #3, got her name in the opening credits and more air time and you saw just how devoted Pam was to her maker Eric and how wickedly delicious she was to everyone else. Season #4 brought tragedy when the witches messed with the one thing that Pam loved the most and well, that was Pam – her face was rotting away and Pam blamed Tara for being a part of that.

So somehow the writers managed to build this amazing backstory for 2 characters and then in season #5 finally brought them together and made one of the most interesting couples in True Blood although at this point they are only a couple as Maker and progeny. I don’t think Pam was really interested in being a maker and even less interested in having Tara as her progeny but by creating an interesting backstory for Pam we saw how she and Eric came together and it seems Eric wasn’t that interested in turning Pam into a Vampire until Pam gave him no choice (she slit her wrists and said either turn her or let her die). So I think ultimately Pam realized that maybe Tara would be fun to have hanging out with her and she finally had the power to control someone else.

Sunday’s episode we really saw just how far these 2 had come, especially Tara. Tara was all tressed up and working the stripper pole while Pam was sitting on the throne formerly used by her make Eric. I’ve watched this episode twice and I couldn’t figure out what Pam’s smile was about. Was it pride or was it lust? Because Pam looked like she was showing both. But the ultimately payoff for these 2 was when Tara’s mom Lettie Mae came to visiting Fangtasia. I swear everytime I see Lettie Mae she has the worst fitting wig on her head. Lettie Mae thinks she’s all special now because she’s sober and she married a preacher (in which she broke up the marriage). Lettie Mae came to tell Tara she was ‘dead to me’ since Lettie Mae thought it was wrong to be a preacher’s wife and have a child who was turned Vampire. Poor Tara, she has spent 20+ years just trying to have a mama to love and this just seemed like the final kick in the pants for Tara. But in a very tender moment between Pam & Tara, Pam reminded Tara that 100 years from now she wouldn’t even remember Lettie Mae. And then in an amazing moment, Tara gave Pam a hug. I don’t think Pam has had enough hugs in her lifetime, she looked a bit awkward at first, but I think Pam knows that Tara needs her as much as she needs Tara. Amazing writing, amazing pairing and honestly they could spinoff a show of ‘The Adventures of Pam & Tara’ – I would watch that!

Back to the Authority
The one thing that is saving this storyline is obviously Russell Edgington although we could use a bit more of Steve Newlin to boot. I guess we were all fooled by the idea that Christopher Meloni was a permanent part of the True Blood team. I know that many of us thought ‘But he didn’t explode last week’ well this week they show him all a big bloody pile of goo. But it turns out we were right that it was Salome that freed Russell but not because she was his prodigy but because she was following Eric & Bill to see if they were going to give Russell the True Death.

So after the death of Roman the remaining Authority (well mainly Salome and Nora) turned into these bible banger holy rollers that honestly, I’m just not getting and I kinda agreed with what Eric said calling the two of them as ‘Bible Banging c**ts (or as I will refer them as the BBCs). And Russell, he’s trying to act like he buys into that bible mumbo jumbo but honestly, Russell will side with anyone that benefits Russell.

From there it kinda got really weird. The BBCs just wanted to drink Lilith’s blood, that vial you’d see each week that Roman would speak to. And so they gathered up the remaining members of authority in which we know Kibwe is sided with the BBCs but Dieter shows that he still believes in mainstreaming which Russell solves by beheading him. I think the last one, the redhead, just sided with whatever would save her ass. So the remaining authority along with Russell, Steve Newlin (AT LAST!) and that weird guy that had a deform face along with Eric and Bill decide to drink from the vial that is Lillith’s blood.

Turns out drinking the blood of the original vampire is much like taking the brown acid at a Woodstock festival. We see the vampires tripping thru Bourbon Street, high as a kite and crazy as can be. I thought it was trip to see Eric piggybacking Bill on his back. But the highlight – when Russell decides to sing a duet with some human doing a karaoke of ‘You Light up my Life”. After that the scene turned into a vampire smorgasbord with a bunch of humans getting slaughtered and the vampires drinking blood like it’s going out of business. All this feeding frenzy and blood tripping finally brings us Lillith as she appears, totally naked, to everyone (and btw seems Lillith took the time to get a trim before she showed up).

Honestly, all of this was just fricking weird but fortunately it seems like there is sanity to the madness when Godric appeared to Eric and told him this was madness and that it needs to stop. We shall see what happens next.

AROUND BON TEMPS

Do we really care about anything with Arlene and Terry? Yeah I have to agree although next week could be interesting with Lafayette dealing with this smoke monster.

So we find out that the people killing supes were some random folks around Bon Temp (who we’ve never really met before) and now they’ve recruited Hoyt into their gang. They have to be the DUMBEST hate group I’ve ever seen and I’ve seen some Tea Party rallies on CSpan. But the best moment was when Sam was rolling around on the ground like a pooch in heat needing a belly rub – he was trying to sniff out who was doing this.

It was nice to see Bud Dearborn again but am I the only one thinking that perhaps Bud might have something to do with the people killing the supes? It was just odd they brought Bud back out of the blue (and what a perv = cheating on his wife using some male enhancing cream. But Bud never really liked supes so I’m thinking he’s the ring leader.

Did you hear they are doing another remake of the Karate Kid starting Joe Manginello. Really, what was with that annoying bandana around his head. And only a day after he almost scored with Sookie he’s hooking up with a were. It was boringly predictable and honestly, bad writing for what has been a good character on the show. But lets hope he deals with JD accordingly especially after JD tried to give V to a 10 year old kid.. What a jerk. It was great to see Martha Bozeman back, I do like her a lot.

Jason is at his best when he’s with Jessica even if they are just ‘friends with benefits’. That was a fun argument, after insulting each other (because it turns out Jason interrupted Jessica while she was feeding on some unknown man), Jessica bites Jason and then Jason shoots Jessica in the head. Can this friendship be saved? I thinking yes because I think Jessica is going to be kidnapped by those dumbass haters.

That’s all for this week – let’s hear your thoughts!

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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True Blood Recap - You Light up my life!! *** spoilers *** (and Happy Bday Anna Paquin!) (Original Post) LynneSin Jul 2012 OP
You are so thorough you leave little left to add. Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 #1
I'm starting to feel bad for Lafayette - he's the new Tara LynneSin Jul 2012 #2
Arlene makes me crazy. Liberal Veteran Jul 2012 #3
That's just Arlene every single time we see her LynneSin Jul 2012 #4
I think that Dieter death was hastily written into the script michreject Jul 2012 #5
I think at the end of the show, Sookie's light show caught the vamps' attention. Didn't she? Baitball Blogger Jul 2012 #6
It caught Jason's michreject Jul 2012 #7
I'm on the fence about the Supe Hit team LynneSin Jul 2012 #8
I think that Bud will be in the storyline all season michreject Jul 2012 #9

Baitball Blogger

(46,700 posts)
1. You are so thorough you leave little left to add.
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:05 PM
Jul 2012

Lilith's trim. Wasn't sure what that was because it must have been added graphically since it moved from one shot to the next.

Also, was that a scar on the edge of a brow and a pimple on her temple? She's so human! Except for the tootsie roll nipples, which I don't get at all.

"Break's over. It's time to hop back on that pole." I think we're just going to see a maternal-daughter relationship between Tara and Pam. I'm okay with that.

I want to see Lafayette come back into relevance. Really can't wait to find out what the story is for the bruja that cut his lip binding.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
2. I'm starting to feel bad for Lafayette - he's the new Tara
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:07 PM
Jul 2012

Being dumped on by everyone and meant to suffer.

Why can't Lala just find some happiness!

Liberal Veteran

(22,239 posts)
3. Arlene makes me crazy.
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:17 PM
Jul 2012

With all the supernatural shit that has gone down in Bon Temps, an Ifrit makes her incredulous?

Really?

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
4. That's just Arlene every single time we see her
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:19 PM
Jul 2012

I'm hoping Ifrit engulfs both Arlene and Terry and then takes over parenting Arlene's kids and waiting tables at Merlottes. Could be an improvement!

michreject

(4,378 posts)
5. I think that Dieter death was hastily written into the script
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 04:55 PM
Jul 2012

He's a supporting character on "Hell on Wheels". The season 2 taping schedule was moved up 5 months and he got caught in a pinch.

It premiered in Jan of this year and season 2 starts in 3 weeks. I don't think that was know when he started TB.

I don't like where this supe hit team is going. It's dumb.

Tara looked hot on the pole.

I don't know about Sookie trying to use up her fairy mojo, leaving her normal. That part of her is as impotraint as her character.

LynneSin

(95,337 posts)
8. I'm on the fence about the Supe Hit team
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 05:12 PM
Jul 2012

My problem right now is up until Sunday's episode these were people who we didn't have any connection with that were killing the Supes. And even with Hoyt joining them, it's just Hoyt and a bunch of people they brought in to create a storyline - still weak.

True Blood shines when they build a character up properly - like Jesus. He was just a bit character with the hots for Lafayette in season #3 but by the time season #4 came around he was a fan favorite (and now sorely missed in season #5). Even with people I hate I still had a chance to know them before I formed an opinion.

Now...if, what I suspect, Bud Dearborn is part of this it could be a good storyline. I liked Bud Dearborn even if he was a bit of a bigoted old coot. He was a good character for the show and represented the people who have issues with those who are different. I think Bud Dearborn could save this storyline else might as well just end it yesterday.

michreject

(4,378 posts)
9. I think that Bud will be in the storyline all season
Tue Jul 24, 2012, 05:28 PM
Jul 2012

Over the years, TB has created some boneheaded story lines but let them run their course.

I didn't like the Marnie character or focus, but it helped establish the character of Jesus, which was good and brought Pam's character to center stage.

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