True Blood season 4 ep 12

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I've been away since Friday and am going away again this Friday, so unfortunately don't have time to go back and check my flist. Please link me to anything interesting I might have missed.

I've been busy this morning too, but have at last found an hour in which to watch the season finale of True Blood. Thoughts on that within. Lots of spoilers.



First and foremost, I'm quite upset about Jesus. I really liked him and thought he and Lafayette were very sweet together. It sucks to be right sometimes. On the other hand, I'd relaxed about Tara. I thought that after a season in which she had buggerall to do except become a lesbian, she was very unlikely to die. And then, right at the end there - dammit, she'd better not be dead, that's all. I'm hoping for Bill and Eric to hear Sookie's desperate cries for help and come and heal Tara for her.

Speaking of Bill and Eric, I'm enjoying those two as a double act enormously. Their relationship becomes more like AtS season 5 Spike and Angel all the time, right down to them backing each other up while snarking. Loved their scene with Nan Flanagan (though I'll miss her too), and found their matching dresssing gowns hilarious. If Alan Ball wants to let Bill and Eric get over Sookie with each other, that would be fine by me.

I thought this was a really good finale, doing what True Blood finales usually do of tidying up the loose ends of the major plot of the season while introducing lots of new elements. Among those new elements, Reverend Steve Newlin as a vampire is probably the most entertaining, along with the probable reappearance of Mad, Bad King Russell. Can't wait to see more of him and how that feeds into the vampire politics storyline - and the Nan Flanagan death scene hinted at a lot of intriguing stuff going on there.

I'm not so sure about Terry's old comrade as a new element. His arrival is bound to be major trouble for Terry and Arlene down the line, even if Arlene shouldn't really believe everything a dead serial killer tells her (nice cameo from Rene, though). But whatever happens, I'm sure it'll be better than the Tommy Mickens plot, of which the final scene - the graveside conversation between Sam and Maxine Fortenberry - was probably the best ever.

But anyway, with Terry's old comrade, Rev Newlin, King Russell, Bill and Eric vs the Authority, there's plenty to look forward to.

As for the witch plot, though I'm sorry about Jesus, I thought his final scene with Lafayette was very touching (and interesting that all the ghosts who've successfully passed on - Jesus, Sookie's gran etc - had become rather distanced from those left behind), and I did think Antonia and Gran's talking down of Marnie worked pretty well. I'm happy with how that wrapped up. Very sad for Lafayette, though, and will be even sadder if Tara is dead. I just don't think she can be. I think if the character weren't coming back, they wouldn't have left it as a big cliffhanger for a whole year. That's what I'm going to tell myself anyway.

I think season 4 was better than season 3. Less bitty (once the Hotshot bunch were disposed of), and more focused on the characters that people actually care about. Also, Fiona Shaw as Marnie was a terrific villain. More of that next season please - and please can we have a Pam/Eric reconciliation scene? Nice though it was to see Ginger have more to do than just scream, it's sad to see Pam reduced to crying on her shoulder.

Comments

[diebirchen.livejournal.com]

I adore Russell!

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Yes, he's lots of fun.

[eilowyn.livejournal.com]

This season of True Blood . . . kinda bored me? Where it wasn't an imperative to see the episodes after Sookie and Eric had the V-laces snow boink, I kinda tuned out and didn't watch. But the finale sounds exciting and anything with Russell returning has to be golden.

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The finale was very exciting, though I'll change my view of it if Tara really is dead, but I don't think she is.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

But... they blew out her brains. I don't see how she can be alive (not that being alive is necessary for this show. They could do something else so dead =/= gone necessarily. But I do think she's dead.)

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:( If that's true I'll have to revise my opinion of the finale. I guess they sort of flagged it, but this is TB. There could still be a twist.


:clutches at straws:

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Went searching for news and found this in the Hollywood Reporter. Rutina Wesley apparently still doesn't know if Tara is dead for good or not. The other actors whose characters died do know they've been written out, so that does give me a little hope.

Surely if Tara wasn't coming back, they would have told Rutina she should be looking for another job?

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I hope so. I'd be terribly sad if they got rid of Tara. I'm sad they got rid of Jesus, but I can see how it gives Lafayette story, and with Lafayette being a medium I could see some sort of cameo in the future. But if Tara is dead, I'll just think it's a waste.

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But if Tara is dead, I'll just think it's a waste.

Same here, though I suppose she has the ghost option too. But I'd rather they didn't go there. Plus, poor Lafayette. He just lost his lover. Taking Tara away too would be just too much.

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Well, I found confirmation that Tara will be back here, but even Rutina Wesley doesn't know in what capacity. So semi-good news.

[willowgreen.livejournal.com]

I was pretty freaked out by that final scene. And my spouse had fallen asleep, so I didn't even have anyone to talk it over with. I'm pretty sure it gave me bad dreams, although I can't quite remember them at this point.

I don't know what I think about it -- I hate to see Tara die, because Rutina Wesley is an amazing actress, but it seems like the writers don't have any idea what to do with her. And I'm so sad about Jesus. He was so cute with his wobbly lower lip. There've been an awful lot of murders in the past few episodes -- Marnie, Marcus, Jesus, and now apparently Tara and Debbie (I'm not even including Nan Flanagan, as IMO vampire-on-vampire killings don't count) -- and I'm wondering if the police are ever going to get involved. Or are the Bon Temps cops so used to disappearances and random bodies that they don't even bother investigating anymore? What even happened to Jesus, anyway? Is his body still tied up in that chair? Icky.

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I don't know what I think about it -- I hate to see Tara die, because Rutina Wesley is an amazing actress, but it seems like the writers don't have any idea what to do with her. And I'm so sad about Jesus. He was so cute with his wobbly lower lip.

I shall miss Jesus a lot. I don't like that he died, but I did like his final scene with Lafayette. As for Tara, I know her character has basically been coasting, but I really hope they wouldn't choose to kill her off like that. If season 5 opens with her funeral I shall be very upset indeed.

As for the Bon Temps police, I think they quit some time ago. Andy and Jason hardly count.

[whichclothes.livejournal.com]

I was very sad about Jesus, too, and I also love the Bill/Eric scenes. That entire scene with the matching dressing gowns was perfect. I'd be fine with it, too, if Sookie moves on to the Brawny paper towel man or someone else, and Eric and Bill console one another.

I agree that Marnie was great, and I've been struck lately by how good a job the actress who plays Arlene does.

Oh, and regarding newly opened plot lines, don't forget Andy's glowy fairy finger.

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That entire scene with the matching dressing gowns was perfect. I'd be fine with it, too, if Sookie moves on to the Brawny paper towel man or someone else, and Eric and Bill console one another.

:)

And I'd forgotten about the glowing fairy finger. What on earth was that all about?

[lyr]

I'm sad about Jesus, too! I guess it's good that his ghost is sticking around, but I liked him and Lafayette together. I'm worried that the magic and demon Marnie stole from Jesus are probably still bound to Lafayette's body, though, which is surely going to cause problems.

And I agree about Tara. The first thing I thought (well, after a surprised ack!) was that a Faery blood bound to two vampires screaming for help on Samhain night is bound to attract some kind of help for Tara. Eric or Bill is probably most likely, but I think spirits or Faery powers could also do the trick.

I''m also going to go out on a limb and predict that Steve Newlin is Russell's child. Only a child of his should be able to find him, after all, and the timing is too convenient.

I actually suspected we might be going the OT3 route with the Sookie/Eric/Bill triangle, which I thought was a brave and novel choice. It's about time writers started trying that as an option instead of the same tired ways of resolving love triangles. But sadly, not this time. Not that I can blame Sookie for thinking that both Bill and Eric are too much trouble. Though I agree that Bill and Eric were playing off each other adorably in this episode.

And that graveside conversation between Sam and Maxine? That was great! I love that as awful as Maxine is, there's some heart under there somewhere. Even if it is expressed in pork rind casseroles.

And lastly, I am worried for poor Terry. I think that soldier who came to see him was probably a ghost, but I doubt that makes anything better. I suspect some hard things are probably coming his way next season.

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I'm sad about Jesus, too! I guess it's good that his ghost is sticking around, but I liked him and Lafayette together

Me too. In the Hollywood Reporter article I linked to above, Kevin Alejandro says he was told it was nothing to do with him. It's just that 'happy couples are boring.' :( Anyway, you could well be right about Jesus's magic. I doubt we've seen the last of it.

As for Tara, I found another article - linked it to shipperx above - in which Rutina Wesley says her contract has been picked up and Tara will definitely be back, but she doesn't know in what capacity. She could be a ghost, I suppose, but I hope not.

I''m also going to go out on a limb and predict that Steve Newlin is Russell's child. Only a child of his should be able to find him, after all, and the timing is too convenient.

Ooh, nice idea! One thing, though, Russell would have had to sire Newlin some time ago - there've been all those 'Where is Rev Newlin?' teasers, haven't there? - so if you're right it could all tie in with whatever is going on with Nan Flanagan/the Authority etc.

Not that I can blame Sookie for thinking that both Bill and Eric are too much trouble. Though I agree that Bill and Eric were playing off each other adorably in this episode.

I agree it's a pity they decided not to go there, but it could still happen down the line. I don't see Sookie staying away from them forever. I just hope she doesn't hook up with Alcide because I'm afraid I find him really bland and annoying. As for Eric and Bill, maybe they'll go on the run from the Authority together. That could be fun.

Also, I hadn't thought that Terry's old comrade could be a ghost. You could well be right. It's surely no coincidence that he turned up on Halloween.

[lyr]

Happy couples are boring? I hate that attitude. As if relationships are only worthwhile in the beginning, and sustaining them is nothing but dull work. There's a lovely, imaginative message.

I'm glad to hear Tara will be back in some form! I'm going to lay my bet on vampire. There's lots of angst to mine there, after all. She'd be so conflicted!

I bet Russell sired Newlin quite some time ago, and was possibly pulling his strings even before that. If Russell wanted to mess with Nan/the Authority, Newlin was a good way to do it---not to mention, Newlin's influence directly led to Godric, one of the few vampires old enough to challenge Russell, killing himself. These things make me deeply suspicious.

I would love the Eric & Bill rebellion show. I do fear Sookie is being set up for at least a fling with Alcide, though. Things seemed to be headed that direction.

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Happy couples are boring? I hate that attitude. As if relationships are only worthwhile in the beginning, and sustaining them is nothing but dull work. There's a lovely, imaginative message.

It's odd how many TV types parrot this message. It's really got to the stage where the last thing a happy couple is is boring because everyone's expecting the usual boring old angst and drama.

I'm going to lay my bet on vampire. There's lots of angst to mine there, after all. She'd be so conflicted!

Yes, she would. I quite like that idea, have to say. I'd rather she was a vampire than a ghost.

These things make me deeply suspicious.

I hope you're right re: Newlin and Russell. I'd love to think they've planned that well in advance. And sadly you're probably right about Sookie and Alcide.

:yawns in anticipation:

[ash-carpenter.livejournal.com]

I just watched the finale and I was like "OMG!" - and there's no-one here for me to make incoherent exclamations at! I just...don't think I was expecting anything like that.

Death and mayhem, good Lord.

I'm SO sad about Jesus (and I have to say that the Hollywood Reporter article quote - happy couples are boring - is kinda sad, isn't it? *sigh*). I really think you've hit the nail on the head about the departed being distant with the living. It worked rather well, I thought.

I was totally shocked about Tara, and also hope that she's not dead. Such a waste, if so.

Eric and Bill are much more fun without Sookie there. And more...themselves? You're right about it being reminiscent of Spike and Angel in s5.

And vampire!revered! And Russell! And mutiny against the shady Authority - hurrah!

Anyway, definitely an exciting wrap-up to a season that I enjoyed far more than the last one. Sorry for babbling at you - I'm full of "GAH!" and just had to share!

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I just watched the finale and I was like "OMG!" - and there's no-one here for me to make incoherent exclamations at! I just...don't think I was expecting anything like that.

It was good, wasn't it? At least, I thought so.

I was totally shocked about Tara, and also hope that she's not dead. Such a waste, if so.

She may well be dead, but according to Rutina Wesley she isn't gone. It's just not clear yet in what capacity she'll be back. I hope not as a ghost.

Eric and Bill are much more fun without Sookie there. And more...themselves? You're right about it being reminiscent of Spike and Angel in s5.

:) They have the snark and the 'I don't like you' while they watch each other's backs down pat. Mind you, I'll like it even more if they stop doing it for Sookie's sake and just do if for each other.

Anyway, definitely an exciting wrap-up to a season that I enjoyed far more than the last one. Sorry for babbling at you - I'm full of "GAH!" and just had to share!

That's okay. I'm just glad to know some people enjoyed it.

[ash-carpenter.livejournal.com]

You know, if Tara's dead...depending on how they play it, I guess she could come back as a vamp (you know, if Bill and Eric come rushing to the rescue and say that turning her is the only way to save her).

That would be an interesting storyline, because she hates vampires. Hrm.

Better than a ghost, at any rate!

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I agree that Vampire Tara could be very interesting. She already has a huge bucket of self-loathing, but who knows? Maybe being vamped would help her get over it?

[ash-carpenter.livejournal.com]

Heh, maybe! Getting vamped: better than Prozac... ;-)