TRUE BLOOD: SEASON 3, EPISODE 5 – 9 TROUBLE

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Ep. 29: Trouble - Preview

True Blood dared to go even more over-the-top than usual this week, with amusing, clever, ultimately exhilarating results; and most of the action took place @ Russell’s big house. That’s where Franklin brought Tara, tied her to a bed, and showed her his INTERESTING side.  Proof of this is when Russell told him he is HUGE freak. It’s also where Bill had an excellent, violent freak-out when Cooter told him Sookie was consorting with Alcide.

It was at Russell’s, as well, that Eric came to try and lie his way out of trouble, but ended up admitting he was selling V for the Queen. And it was in Russell’s abode that Eric had a flashback to his Viking past-life. I LOVE the flashbacks for this show! The one in this episode was was VERY emotional, as we witnessed Eric’s parents and their death-by-werewolf, with Eric’s dad pledging him to vengeance.

In each of these plot strands, the scenes tended to start out with humor but ended by amping up the drama. Both of the big Tara-Franklin moments were superb, peaking with Franklin’s promise to take a starving Tara to “a Shoney’s in Vicksburg” and then proposing… to turn her: “Will you be my vampire bride?” This may be a horror to Tara, but it’s a great development for her character, and for us.

The theme of this season’s True Blood, it seems at this point, is that families always cause you trouble. This week, that notion played out in various ways, most obviously (and mysteriously) with Sam and the Mickens clan. I’m as baffled as Sam is as to what the deal is between Joe Lee and Tommy (“Iown him!”), but I’m thoroughly intrigued. 

The closing scene, in which Bill and Sookie were reunited only to have Bill tell her she had to go, was summed up by Russell: “Fantastic!” The way Sookie repelled her attackers with that flashing power from her hand — Sookie is officially no longer a squawking, running-around whiner this season.

How about these tidbits:

• The flirtation between Lafayette and Jesus was very sweet.

• Loved Jessica hypnotizing Merlotte’s patrons with the command, “Do not tip your waitress” (i.e., Arlene).

• Less cute: Terry and Arlene moving in together. Stretching out the pregnancy storyline. We know nothing good is going to come of this; I just wish they’d get to it faster.

• Even less cute: Jason goofing around in police headquarters, sight-gags with the paperclip chain and the fingerprint kit. 

• Thank goodness Jason finally caught up with Crystal, his mystery girl and she looks promising, doesn’t she?

What did you think about last night's episode of True Blood?