True Blood Mid-season Review ** yes spoilers**

[LynneSin]

First the non-vampire stories.

Sam and the Mickens: I do like the brotherly chemistry between Sam and Tommy; I do hope that Tommy sticks around in future seasons. But I think I can speak for the rest of TB fans when I say that this whole Dog-fighting storyline is done and over. Please make Melinda and Joe-Lee disappear. Actually I think there is some hope for Melinda but I think Joe-Lee is just a drunken ass that needs to be mauled to death by all the dogs from that dog fight.

Jason Stackhouse: Can they seriously make any charactor more stupid than Jason Stackhouse. I realize that Crystal & Jason were a major part of the books but honestly - giving Meth to a jailbird just to find out his secrets? And this whole "I wanna be a cop but just to nab bad guys and not actually learn the job" is just downright beyond stupid for someone as dimwitted as Jason.

Hoyt, Jessica & Summer: Oh come on, one of the best storylines last year was the young love of Hoyt & Jessica. Jessica is now nothing more than a bit part waitressing at Merlottes and Summer seems like a potential girlfriend from hell. The only saving grace to this story is if Summer brings back to us Mama Fortenberry. That woman was a hoot and you know she would love biscut-baking Summer over Baby Vamp Jessica any day of the week. And I still think there is a potential for this storyline to pick up if they toss Tommy Mickens into this mess.

Alcide, Debbie, Cooter and the Werewolves: I think the introduction of werewolves has been a bit rough for True Blood standards but I am liking them. I still can't figure out why the person playing Alcide doesn't get his name in the opening credits, go figure. I think they have worked well for the most part opening up the divisions between the various 'Supes' on this planet which makes the partnership between Vampire Bigwig Russell and the bad wolves an even better storyline. I was sad to see Cooter killed - I liked him! But Debbie has alot of potential, she has done trailerpark trash better than anyone. But did you catch the reason why Debbie dumped Alcide (and the fact that she still loves him) - Alcide didn't want to create any more wolves in this world. Interesting and I could see why Debbie was pissed to be denied having babies with the love of her life. It'll be interesting to see what happens to Debbie and if she ever gets herself cleaned-up off the "V".

Franklin: I'm guessing after Tara saw the mess that was Lorena she's gonna realize that her psychopathic 'boyfriend' Franklin is still alive. And what's worse, she drank his blood so now he'll have a lifetime connection to her like Sookie has with both Bill and Eric. I think most True Blood fans can agree that Franklin has been probably the brightest addition to the cast this season and I hope we see more of this superfast texting vamp down the line.

Russell & Talbot: Best True Blood Couple this year. Could you imagine spending 700 years with a boyfriend like Talbot? Stake me now! But seeing those 2 together is so much fun and joy! I'm just dying to see Talbot and Queen Sophie-Ann hanging out together at the old mansion - that should be fun fun fun. But clearly Russell's egotistical ways will probably end up getting him a stake because it seems Russell wants to take over control of all vampires and I'm guessing that 'stick-up-the-ass' VDL lawyer Nan is NOT going to like that just one bit. And Eric wants his revenge on Russell and the V-Wolves - should be good!

The "Who or what is Sookie" storyline: It was a bit slow to start and I suppose if I hear Sookie scream one more time "Not without my Bill" I'm going to barf. But ultimately the story is going to expose alot of interesting secrets including who/what is Sookie. I'm guessing that 'light' that Sookie has in her protected Bill from being killed by the sun. I mean he did suck away half of her blood - no wonder he didn't burst into flames when Tara gave him the boot. But seriously Sookie, take a long-hard-look at what Bill has done to your life and the concept that it was no accident that you met him. Kick him to the streets NOW!!!!

And let's hope that season #4 brings Tara a nice, normal boyfriend that isn't a Supe or connections to a Supe. Tara deserves some lovin'

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. what was that garden? where Sookie went in the hospital.

Bill is the dark side and Sookie drank the light.

[LynneSin]

2. Well the books have said that Sookie is Faerie or at least part Faerie

I'm guessing that the Faeries are opposite of the Vampires. Faeries go to the light and Vamps go to the dark. And because they are opposite of each other well you know what they say of opposites - they attract!

You know something that they talked more about in the book but only eluded to it in the show was how Sookie loved to tan and lay out in the sun. Although i realize so do millions of other people, I'm guessing that was something that first hinted she was a faery.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

3. why doesn't this stuff happen to Jason?

did you read the books?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. From what I have read online --

Jason has only the fairy characteristic of being super attractive to people. Heck, even Andy told Jason he was prettier than most girls. :D

[Tuesday Afternoon]

6. I thought it was interesting about Sookie's birth and Jason saw it.

I do not read any on line stuff and I have not read the books. I like watching this unfold on Sunday night.

I think I am the only one still rooting for Bill and Sookie. I still like Bill.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

29. Also interesting: Sookie's parents --

weren't killed by drowning after all! Claudine revealed that little fact -- kinda slipped it in there. Curiousor and curiousor.

[LynneSin]

8. I've only read 3 of the books, didn't like them as much as the series

the books really was all about Sookie and very little into the other characters (Remember Lafayette was suppose to die at the end of the first season according to the books).

[dalaigh lllama]

18. Then you should read one more -- Book 4 was the best one in the series

I've read all the books, and the only bone I have to pick with the TV series are the motivations -- or lack thereof -- of the TV characters. Bill's claim to fame is procuring??? Eric and the NOLA queen are V dealers??? Debbie Pelt has a sane reason for dumping Alcide???

I also wish the TV Sookie showed more brains and humor like the book Sookie.

But...I'm still watching True Blood. :P

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. Though we viewers have been watching now for three seasons --

I think we often forget that only a few months have passed for the characters! So, when I remind myself about that, I tend to do things like give Sookie a bit of slack over her Bill obsession. :D

What I loved about this episode:

Tara getting her grove back and kicking Bill's ass to the curb, literally! :D I also loved seeing her haul Bill's body into the truck, but hated that the writers felt they had to add a line explaining her strength. They need to trust the fans know/remember that stuff. Yup, poor Tara has a Franklin GPS device in her now -- and you KNOW he's going to be making a reappearance. I love love love the character, but have a hard time seeing how they will keep him on the show in the long run. As for Sookie's lineage, I am always glad to see a new part of the Sookieverse exposed. Interesting how Claudine warned Sopokie against Bill -- I wonder if Sookie will have any lasting memory of this "dream".

Alcide putting his arm around Tara when they got news of Sookie's condition. Just that little gesture showed a great deal about the character. Also, him calling Debbie "sweetheart" -- it is clear they really did love each other and, yes, it was very interesting to find out the reason she went elswhere. It also says a lot about how Alcide feels about himself. :( OK, is it obvious I am crushing on Alcide?? :D

Lorena getting staked. How the hell could I find myself actually feeling sorry for her at the end??? She was certainly a character you loved to hate, but, at the end, I found myself kind of understanding where she came from and feeling she really did love Bill in her own fucked up way. Eventually she chose true death over being responsible for Bill's death. I also loved the postmortem featuring the twos "greatest hits" -- way too funny.

Other odds and ends:

All hell is about to break loose. Between the nuptuals, the killing of the Magister, and the murders of Cooter/Lorena there is going to be a whole lotta pissed of/vengeful supes ready to ape all over some asses. The Magisters killing is especally going to cause shock waves through the vamp community. Once the Authority is challenged in that manner, they will have to have a serious clampdown or risk a general uprising and vamp chaos.

I think the addition of O'Hare and Frain have been the biggest successes of "True Blood" to date. Those actors have amped up the acting chops to stellar levels and elevated the series overall. Some of the series regulars have been able to keep up while others have not -- I think Frain's appearance has really shown the cracks in Rutina's skills. :(

I will not be unhappy to see the Mickens exit -- I think we got all we need from them -- though Daddy sure showed how to completely creep out an audience just be wearing the "right" kind of undies -- kudos to the wardrobe/actor for that inspired choice. :D I am finding myself indifferent to the Jason storyline right now -- I hope it will lead to something interesting down the line.

We are now seeing sooo many characters and storylines -- some like Hoyt and Jessica appear to be getting short shrift right now, but I have every confidence that in time we will get further development from them we can be happy with. That is one of the potential dangers with a show like this that is based on a whole series of books -- characters are constantly being introduced or eliminated, and moving in and out of the main focus of the story -- as TV viewers we are used to seeing a stock set of characters a show revolves around. With this show we have been introduced to so many characters with good future storyline potential/appearances (Barry the telepath, the Newlins, Godric, the crazy vamp doctor, Debbie, to name a few) that we love when they sow up but hate it when we miss our old friends.

[LynneSin]

7. OMG I about spewed my milk all over the monitor over that "Franklin GPS"

:scared:

That's one GPS I wouldn't want to own. Not with that psychopath. Frain is an amazing actor and a great addition to True Blood. Maybe we'll see a Franklin/Tara/Alcide triangle amp up.

[one_voice]

9. I don't know why...

But Jason looks younger (to me) this season. I'm so glad Lorena is dead, and I'm glad Sookie did it. I love Talbot, he makes me laugh.

No doubt, Franklin is coming after Tara. Poor Tara.

I didn't read any of the books so I don't know how the series stacks up against them. I'm lovin' the series, though.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

11. Talbot is one of my --

favorite new characters. :loveya: He makes me laugh like hell. I think he is much more than just a tempermental companion -- he is very smart, is equally as political as Russell, and wouldn't have lasted 700 years as consort if he were only a good decorator.

I read an article that talked about how the two actors playing Russell and Talbot met in advance of shooting and worked out a complete history of their characters relationship, and how to convey its depth and range. That kind of work really shows up onscreen.

[uncommon]

10. Wait, you don't like Talbot??????

I think he's fantastic.

[LynneSin]

12. I love Talbot - I called Russell and Talbot the best couple in True Blood

But seriously, think if he was your boyfriend for the last 700 years. Talbot is so bitchy at times that he really entertains me when he's on the screen but I couldn't imagine living with him for that long.

[uncommon]

43. Ah, well Russell deserves it lol.

He is such a d-bag. An entertaining one, but still.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. Another very interesting reveal --

from this episode: Enough blood from Sookie (a fairy?) can stop a vamp from getting burnt to a crisp in sunlight. From Bill's look of surprise this was not something known to him -- perhaps this was not even know to the Queen? Or was it known and this is the real reason for the Queen's interest in Sookie?

[LynneSin]

14. The Queen might already know - she does have Hadley as her companion

And I found an interesting contrast that Russell had converted his love (Talbot) but Sophie-Anne hasn't (Hadley).

[Hell Hath No Fury]

30. Hadley hasn't been with the Queen --

all that long, has she? I am trying to remember back to season one when Sookie was talking about when she had gone missing -- didn't think it was much more than a few years. :shrug: And Eric making a comment about about how long the Queen had kept Hadley around make it sound like the Queen rarely kept anyone around for long. Plus, once a vamp is turned, they can't feed off each other anymore -- perhaps the Queen prefers the delicious feeding to the actual company.

I think Franklin and Lorena may be the only vamps desperate enough to turn someone after only a few "dates". :D

[LynneSin]

40. But remember last Sunday when Eric tried to extract information from Sophie by draining Hadley

Eric even said "you've kept this one a long time"

I mean it wasn't 700 years long like Russell has with Talbot but I guess for a human/faery Hadley was around longer than the other human pets.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

39. maybe it is because Russell actually had love for Talbot where Sophie-Anne

is only using Hadley :shrug:

[Duer 157099]

15. I have to admit I love seeing Franklin in this series

but I also have to admit that it's very disconcerting after having watched him play Thomas Cromwell, the archrival of my beloved Sir Thomas More, in The Tudors.

I like him much better as a skanky psychopath who *knows* how skanky he is.

[LynneSin]

16. James Frain has always been more of a classical style actor

He's an English actor so doing these parts with things like "The Tudors" and "Elizabeth" is just right up his alley. I thought he was horribly out of place his one time doing an American Rom-Com with "Where the Heart is" with Natalie Portman (she wasn't much better playing a girl trying to escape her white trash background who has a baby in a Wal-mart).

But watching him do Franklin Mott - well the man was just born to be Franklin. The Emmy/Golden Globe folks really need to take a long look at his acting on True Blood because he just owns that part and has made him the most interesting person in True Blood these days.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

31. I think it would be criminal if Frain or O'Hare --

weren't nominated for their work -- they have both been standouts.

[maxsolomon]

17. Frankly, I'm growing weary of the entire edifice

i really enjoy the nudity, but, like Twin Peaks, the more plotlines, the more subplots, the less compelling each one becomes.

the idea that a 700 year old viking, or a 3000 year old vampire would choose to live in BonTemps or Jackson Mississippi, is preposterous. i want Eric and Bill to kill them all, and soon. including Jason.

bring back Deadwood & Rome!

[LynneSin]

19. Remember Vampires don't see the states the way we do

They have their own system of justice and politics. So living in a particular state may happen for many reasons. Perhaps Russell was able to gain control of Mississippi and therefore he became king of that state.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

21. also, isn't Bon Temps Bill's home town?

before he was made a vampire, right?

[LynneSin]

23. Yes he is from Bon Temp. The Bellfleurs (Andy and Terry) are distant relatives of his

:D

[Touchdown]

37. They also have cold blood and don't sweat, so Ms and La aren't that bad to vamps.

:shrug:

[one_voice]

22. I agree...

bring back Deadwood and Rome. But don't cancel True Blood. :-)

[midnight armadillo]

20. ARGH stupid TIVO!

Ok, I did not read anything posted above since Tivo and my cable box (damn you FIOS) conspired to not record TB this past Sunday...and I have to wait til Wednesday to watch it.

Carry on.

[nuxvomica]

24. I swear the guy that plays Jason is doing a Dubya impression

Seriously.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

32. Many on the TWOP True Blood board --

have commented on his physical similarity to W (I kind kind of see it in the eyes) but it is RK's characterization that points more to W for me. :D

I think Ryan is wildly underrated as a acter on TB because he is playing a "dumb" character. To bring someone who is equally stupid, charming, hotheaded, and childlike to life is a hard task -- to make him still watchable and outright funny as a character takes some serious skill.

I loved his line about not being smart enough to get depressed was wildly self-aware on Jason's part.

[nuxvomica]

35. I think he's one of the better actors on the show

Him, Sookie, Tara and the guy who plays the King of Mississippi. The others seem to be doing soap-opera level acting.

[xchrom]

25. don't be baggin on my honey jason stackhouse, now. nt

[LynneSin]

26. Oh Jason is definately eye candy

He just needs to take his shirt off and keep his mouth shut!

[xchrom]

27. ...

:spray:

[xchrom]

28. for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKRTNfx3Ms8

[Hell Hath No Fury]

33. Found this little Eric tidbit ---

From a AS interview"

"What can we expect from Eric in season three?

AS: It’s all about vengeance. You find out pretty early on that something happened a thousand years ago, that Eric lost someone, and now he’s getting the opportunity to avenge that person’s death. So he’s going to try to do that, and it’s not easy. And I’ve got a very, very graphic scene coming up that I shot with a man."

He then mentions he will be nekkid in that scene. Hmmmmm, so, is it going to be Talbot or Russell do you think??

[LaurenG]

34. Russell and he'll seduce him to try and kill him.

This should be good.

[Touchdown]

36. You don't know Cooter's been killed. The bullets may not be silver.

They didn't mention that. I assume on purpose.

Sookie will find out what she (and Jason) is before the end of the season. Considering how Russell is consolidating power, she just may need to know how to control that pixie dust of hers. It'll take more than a shovel blade to put him down.

And they are writing Jason too stupid to be believable. To be even a HS quarterback, you do have to have some control over your muscles and a bit of coordination. Playing with the fingerprint ink and getting it all over his face? Is he 3 years old?

Tommy is supposed to get into Jessica in a little bit.

Lafayette's new stud will be back. Jesus is attracted to much more in Bon Temps than just getting into Lafayette's pants. What he wants is rumored to be dangerous. This story is not in the books, since Lafayette was killed in book 1.

I don't know whether you know yet or not, but Crystal is a Where Cat (a panther specifically), and she'll seduce Jason into being her scratching post. She's no Natasia Kinsky, but I think she's got the panther appeal down.

Tara will always have a broken heart. But she will get satisfaction in staking Franklin.

[LynneSin]

38. I hope Cooter is still alive - he's the 2nd best new character this season

But then again remember that Debbie had the gun first so she probably knows about them silver bullets. But then again Debbie ain't much brighter than Jason.

ANd know what Crystal and her gang is. They already interviewed Ryan Kwatan (Jason) and he said working with the Panthers was much cooler than the wolves.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

41. so Crystal and her "kind" turn into panthers...?

cool.

[LynneSin]

42. Yep and just like with the Wolves - Alan Ball is using real panthers

I love how he uses the real animals and not try to fake us out with the computer generated ones.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

44. yes, I am getting burned out on CGI.