True Blood season 3 - ep9
Aug. 16th, 2010 01:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shapinglightA quick review before I have to rush off out.
Spoilers within, of course.
Just watched the ep and was completely riveted by it. Some wonderful stuff, though everything, apart from Eric's tender little scene with Pam, paled into insignificance next to King Russell's wonderful piece of TV grandstanding, which has probably put the kibosh on the Vampire Rights Act. His last line - "And now to Tiffany for the weather," - was just brilliant. I would not like to be Eric when Russell finally catches up with him, because Russell is very powerful, very, very angry, and possibly slightly insane.
Speaking of insane - though 'slightly' doesn't come into it - I was sort of sad to see the final demise of Franklin-Just-Call-Me-Psychopath Mott. However, after the turn Tara's story took in this episode, with the scene in the support group, there was no other way it could go, because the character wasn't really fun any more. Tara's angry words to Franklin stripped all that away, laying bare what he really is. After that, he had to go. I'm just glad Tara got to say her piece first.
A terrific scene with Arlene and the weird new waitress too. I'm hopeful that this character will turn out to be something benevolent, in spite of the fact that the actress looks so odd. She has such a huge mouth and eyes. I keep expecting her to turn into some kind of giant lizard.
Other minor characters also got great scenes, including Hoyt and Jessica (loved Hoyt's confession that he 'can't fucking stand' Summer. I can't either. She makes my teeth hurt). However, I'm still very miffed with Bill for not making sure Jessica was all right after Russell's visitation last week, and the trailer for next week has me worried about her all over again. Bill is really not a good vampire parent if he leaves her to face up to that all by herself.
Elsewhere, Lafayette and Jesus had some wonderful scenes, including the one with Lafayette's mum. I know there's more to Jesus than there seems, though, just as there is more to Crystal (though I'm afraid I find Crystal really boring and can't understand what Jason sees in her). It was nice to see Kenya again too, though she didn't have much to do. And has William Sanderson left for good? His name is still on the cast list.
Not a lot to say about Bill and Sookie this ep, though Bill's little trip to Fairyland(?) amused me. Still as cheesy as a 1970s porn film. Oh, boy was it! And maybe next week we'll finally learn what Sookie is, since it seems like Eric is going to have to use that knowledge to get himself out of a very tight situation.
Something tells me that the Eric/Sookie 'shippers among the people who prefer the books to the show will not like what Alan Ball does with this plotline. We'll see.
A fun episode, which brought one plotline (the Tara/Franklin one) to a close, and sent all the others spiralling towards the finale. It will be interesting to see which plots get resolved and which are left hanging fire for a whole year! Aaargh!
Spoilers within, of course.
Just watched the ep and was completely riveted by it. Some wonderful stuff, though everything, apart from Eric's tender little scene with Pam, paled into insignificance next to King Russell's wonderful piece of TV grandstanding, which has probably put the kibosh on the Vampire Rights Act. His last line - "And now to Tiffany for the weather," - was just brilliant. I would not like to be Eric when Russell finally catches up with him, because Russell is very powerful, very, very angry, and possibly slightly insane.
Speaking of insane - though 'slightly' doesn't come into it - I was sort of sad to see the final demise of Franklin-Just-Call-Me-Psychopath Mott. However, after the turn Tara's story took in this episode, with the scene in the support group, there was no other way it could go, because the character wasn't really fun any more. Tara's angry words to Franklin stripped all that away, laying bare what he really is. After that, he had to go. I'm just glad Tara got to say her piece first.
A terrific scene with Arlene and the weird new waitress too. I'm hopeful that this character will turn out to be something benevolent, in spite of the fact that the actress looks so odd. She has such a huge mouth and eyes. I keep expecting her to turn into some kind of giant lizard.
Other minor characters also got great scenes, including Hoyt and Jessica (loved Hoyt's confession that he 'can't fucking stand' Summer. I can't either. She makes my teeth hurt). However, I'm still very miffed with Bill for not making sure Jessica was all right after Russell's visitation last week, and the trailer for next week has me worried about her all over again. Bill is really not a good vampire parent if he leaves her to face up to that all by herself.
Elsewhere, Lafayette and Jesus had some wonderful scenes, including the one with Lafayette's mum. I know there's more to Jesus than there seems, though, just as there is more to Crystal (though I'm afraid I find Crystal really boring and can't understand what Jason sees in her). It was nice to see Kenya again too, though she didn't have much to do. And has William Sanderson left for good? His name is still on the cast list.
Not a lot to say about Bill and Sookie this ep, though Bill's little trip to Fairyland(?) amused me. Still as cheesy as a 1970s porn film. Oh, boy was it! And maybe next week we'll finally learn what Sookie is, since it seems like Eric is going to have to use that knowledge to get himself out of a very tight situation.
Something tells me that the Eric/Sookie 'shippers among the people who prefer the books to the show will not like what Alan Ball does with this plotline. We'll see.
A fun episode, which brought one plotline (the Tara/Franklin one) to a close, and sent all the others spiralling towards the finale. It will be interesting to see which plots get resolved and which are left hanging fire for a whole year! Aaargh!
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no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 12:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 02:36 pm (UTC)I'm very glad they made him blame the vampire authorities for Talbot's death, otherwise Eric would most likely be toast.
Stuff like this is why I prefer the show to the books, they go so much more crazier there.
I thought Mott's demise was nicely done, though it made me wonder if they'll revisit Tara/Jason at some point.
Hoyt and Jessica were adorable again.
I think Holly might be a witch, but that's only a vague theory. If she is, she'd probably be one of the good guys.
Not sure how much I like the idea that they drag in Eric on the "what is Sookie" business but fortunately shipping is the least of my interests on that show.
Have a theory on Jesus now and it could be fun.
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Date: 2010-08-16 02:59 pm (UTC)Although it's always sad to see such an insanely 'good' character as Franklin go, seeing Tara so angry and brave was intensely satisfying :)
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:10 pm (UTC)And I've now read about 90% of Book IV of the book series and GUH. I won't be reading the rest of them. Also, I still don't get Eric/Sookie or why they would be attracted to one another. I know that places me in the minority of fandom, but I just don't see how these two characters relate.
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:14 pm (UTC)LOL! That was priceless in a completely absurd way! There was something pythonesque about it... The way they changed the tone of that scene to, well, something completely different, in a blink of an eye. :) Hmmm, now that Russell's gone public, could it be that Eric might now have some "extra resources" at his disposal afterall?
"in spite of the fact that the actress looks so odd"
And here I thought I was alone in thinking that. Her eyebrows are annoyingly distracting! :D
It was a little sad to see Franklin go, but I was so proud of Tara that all I'm going to say is 'Good Riddance!'.
Also, Pam was there! Yay!
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:28 pm (UTC)We'll see anyway. Eric is an interesting enough character in the show that it doesn't matter that much. He'll always be very important.
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:36 pm (UTC)It was terrific, wasn't it? And
Stuff like this is why I prefer the show to the books, they go so much more crazier there. :)
I thought Mott's demise was nicely done, though it made me wonder if they'll revisit Tara/Jason at some point.
I doubt we'll get Tara/Jason, unfortunately. I think we're stuck with Crystal. :( As for Mott, I agree his death was well handled, but the whole storyline did make me all kinds of uncomfortable at times, because I know there are people out there who think it differs in no way whatsoever to Spike/Buffy.
I think Holly might be a witch, but that's only a vague theory. If she is, she'd probably be one of the good guys.
Ah. I could see Tara becoming a witch. It would be a good way to take control of her life. Also, I do hope that her story in season 4 will be a bit less traumatic for the character.
Not sure how much I like the idea that they drag in Eric on the "what is Sookie" business but fortunately shipping is the least of my interests on that show.
Since I've never seen anyone mention Eric in relation to the Bill spying on Sookie thing, I thought it must be exclusive to the show. I think it's probably Alan Ball's way of keeping Bill/Sookie going (though someone should perhaps tell him that blood really isn't sexy, unless you're a vampire).
What's your theory on Jesus?
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:38 pm (UTC)Although it's always sad to see such an insanely 'good' character as Franklin go, seeing Tara so angry and brave was intensely satisfying :)
Yes, I agree. I do rather wish they hadn't gone quite so far, though. Then Franklin could have stuck around. As it was, he really had to go.
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:39 pm (UTC)Hee! Yes. I really need a King Russell icon. What a great villain.
As for Eric/Sookie, I wouldn't mind seeing it. I think the actors have chemistry (unlike Sookie and Alcide) and it would make a nice change. Pretty sure it'll be Bill/Sookie in the end, though.
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:40 pm (UTC)You never know. One thing's for sure, the Vampire Rights Act is finished. And seconds your Yay!Pam. I loved her scene with Eric.
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Date: 2010-08-16 04:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 04:52 pm (UTC)I think he would probably appreciate the gesture, if not the accompanying aesthetic. :)
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Date: 2010-08-16 05:12 pm (UTC)Can we just get rid of Bill now? Please?
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Date: 2010-08-16 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 05:29 pm (UTC)Slightly insane? Franklin looks sane compared to Russell.
Holly actually appears later than this in the books so it's going to be interesting to see what AB has planned for this version.
I'm still rooting for Hoyt/Jessica although I suspect Summer will try and keep Hoyt away from Jessica.
no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 05:30 pm (UTC)Scary icon. It's very...pink.
Awesome Vampires are Awesome! And Bill kinda sucks. He is not awesome.
Date: 2010-08-16 05:31 pm (UTC)everything, apart from Eric's tender little scene with Pam, paled into insignificance next to King Russell's wonderful piece of TV grandstanding
In an episode with so many pieces of awesome (Lafayette and Jesus! Jessica and Hoyt! Nan Flanagan! Russel talking to Bloody Urn!Talbot!), these were the two stand-out moments. Pam and Eric had the most tender of many tender moments in this episode, and really showed how vampires are still so capable of human emotion, even if the way they go about expressing it seems off to us ("you need to become a maker" has the same emotional resonance as a dying man finding his immortality in his children, though it does entail the death of some random person). This is actually in direct contrast to the point Russel's grandstanding made: they do have things that equate to humans.
Russel's grandstanding by itself? The definition of the TV Trope Crowning Moment of Awesome.
The brief return and final demise of crazy Franklin did indeed put a lid to his being fun. I am constantly impressed by how a show with such silly, OTT plotlines can have such serious, heartwrenching moments such as Tara in the support group and Arlene talking to Holly, though I hope Holly is benevolent, too. I have a theory about her, and expect her to play a large, Maryann sized role next season, because it feels like the same set up to season 2 Maryann got in season 1.
Still curious about the truth about Jesus and Crystal. Jesus and Lafayette were the far more entertaining couple, but you know there's more to both love interests than meets the eye. With three episodes left this season, we should find out what's up soon.
Really, really disliked Bill's venture into the 70's porn fairyland. Allowing him there felt as inappropriate and as full of white-washing as allowing Twangel into the Twilight dimension. Can't see two more undeserving twats. And how gross was the shower scene! For gosh sakes, I was eating breakfast, and I found that a more disturbing morning meal accompaniment than the Dexter opening credits!
I kinda wish the show revolved around Hadley, if Hadley had been a bit more developed into an awesome character. Would have been a bit like The Sarah Connor Chronicles, but with Vampires.
Jessica was heart breakingly awesome this episode. Jason kinda sucked. Was actually bored by him, and wanted to go back to the more emotionally resonant scenes than my go-to guy for fun.
And can Tommy please go away? If he takes Bill with him, I'll be very greatful.
And I still think Sookie could evolve into a far more interesting character if we got her away from Bill.
Yep. Bill's on my shitlist this week. Still so not cool with him, if you hadn't guessed.
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Date: 2010-08-16 05:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 05:33 pm (UTC)Holly actually appears later than this in the books so it's going to be interesting to see what AB has planned for this version.
Ah. She certainly played a very important role in this ep, so I'm interested to see more of her, though still somewhat spooked by her very odd appearance.
I'm still rooting for Hoyt/Jessica although I suspect Summer will try and keep Hoyt away from Jessica.
Agreed. She'll probably try to win him over with more
biscuitsscones.:roots for Hoyt and Jessica along with you:
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Date: 2010-08-16 05:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 05:39 pm (UTC)Awww, the Russell icon is brilliant!
I agree, Eric's still in deep trouble, but now he stands a fighting change. Russell is completely crazy and pisses off everyone. He's getting very reckless, so Eric might actually get him.
I doubt we'll get Tara/Jason, unfortunately. I think we're stuck with Crystal.
If they go by the books she'l be around a while...
As for Mott, I agree his death was well handled, but the whole storyline did make me all kinds of uncomfortable at times, because I know there are people out there who think it differs in no way whatsoever to Spike/Buffy.
I guess there's no difference to what a certain fraction of fandom wanted to see in spike/Buffy, while closing their eyes, putting their hands over their ears and singing lalalalala.
Ah. I could see Tara becoming a witch. It would be a good way to take control of her life. Also, I do hope that her story in season 4 will be a bit less traumatic for the character.
yep, I'd really like that. + There is a storyline for a witch that is sookie's best friend in the next books that couls easily go over to Tara.
Since I've never seen anyone mention Eric in relation to the Bill spying on Sookie thing, I thought it must be exclusive to the show. I think it's probably Alan Ball's way of keeping Bill/Sookie going
I think so too. My recollection of the books is a bit vague, but I think in the books Eric had nothing to do with Bill's spying and if he knew about it, he never pretended to have more than a selfish interest in sookie's abilities in the beginning.
That it is Eric who triggered sophie Anne's interest rather than Headly is new for sure.
What's your theory on Jesus?
In the books there is a weretiger later on, who's a love interest for Sookie. She has way to many of those, so I pretty much love the idea that they just moved one of hers to Lafayette, who is much more deserving :).
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Date: 2010-08-16 05:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-16 05:55 pm (UTC)Ooh! Fun with Jesus! I wanna hear!
I have a theory about Holly, but I'm too depressed at the thought of something keeping Bill and Sookie together next season (isn't book four when Eric/Sookie becomes big?) to be too excited about it.
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Date: 2010-08-16 08:34 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-17 01:19 am (UTC)I love this show far more than is good for me. :)
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Date: 2010-08-22 11:20 pm (UTC)I do love this show, but not enough to, you know, ship anyone.
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Date: 2010-08-23 04:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 04:26 pm (UTC)After watching ep 10, I think I know how Eric's going to do it too. Roll on next week.
I doubt we'll get Tara/Jason, unfortunately. I think we're stuck with Crystal.
If they go by the books she'l be around a while...
:( I was even more bored by her after ep 10, whereas I've fallen in love with the idea of Tara/Jason.
There is a storyline for a witch that is sookie's best friend in the next books that couls easily go over to Tara.
That would be great, and at this point, Tara really, really needs something to make her feel empowered again - even though she dealt with Franklin in a pretty powerful way.
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Date: 2010-08-23 04:27 pm (UTC)Or not. After all, Stephen Moyer and Anna Paquin just got married.
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Date: 2010-08-23 04:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 04:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 04:28 pm (UTC)Re: Awesome Vampires are Awesome! And Bill kinda sucks. He is not awesome.
Date: 2010-08-23 04:31 pm (UTC)I really loved Pam and Eric's scenes together in ep 9, which continued in 10. I like the way TB manages to make the relationship between vampire 'parent' and 'child' so complex in the show. I know you're not keen on Bill, but I love his scenes with Jessica. They're probably my favourite Bill scenes of all.
And Jason was -unusually - a bit boring in ep 9. Not so ep 10, though.
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Date: 2010-08-23 04:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 04:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 04:34 pm (UTC)I fear so, though I don't know how bitter they are compared to the Buffyverse ones. I've steered well clear. Not doing that again. :)
I do love this show, but not enough to, you know, ship anyone.
I adore it to quite stupid lengths now, but still not enough to get involved in the 'shipping stuff. That way lies madness. :)
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Date: 2010-08-23 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-08-23 09:35 pm (UTC)