Ah, True Blood, you are as addictive as V, moving in surprising and powerful ways and occasionally just a bit scattered in your southern charm. Episode two, "Beautifully Broken," showcases the series' strengths and weaknesses, fortunately with the balance heavily weighted to the positive. With new characters popping up everywhere to introduce themselves, usually with gallant charm but occasionally with sly malevolence, and a breakneck pace to the well written plot, this episode continues season three's strong opening.
Let me begin by clearly stating I love the show in general and enjoyed this particular episode. I surrendered without protest as character upon character and plot upon plot raced by, ratcheting up the stakes for familiar characters and newbies alike. I laughed and jumped in surprise and was moved, sometimes all at the same time. That's Alan Ball at his best, thinking up the most outlandish plots that nevertheless work perfectly in his world and reveal layer upon layer in his characters. However, some of the issues from last season do appear to be hovering over this one, and I hope Ball manages to steer clear as the season unfolds.
I'll start with some of those potential problems, before getting to the strengths of the episode. Last season, the show had a pacing problem, as the writers developed two separate story lines which didn't come together until the final three episodes. The maenad story thread, despite the excellent Michelle Forbes, had to spin its wheels in the middle of the season as some of its key players had headed off to Dallas for the riveting Eric/Godric storyline. When the maenad story picked up again, it did so largely without Eric, despite how compelling he had just been in Dallas. The soggy middle and underuse of key characters did not improve the maenad story and I hoped we would see a more integrated third season with more even pacing. "Beautifully Broken" is a little disappointing in that respect.
Though each separate plot piece is well written and acted and pushes the characters further into trouble as they look into their pasts, the pieces together do not form a seamless whole. Instead, the seams are clearly visible, because at this point the different stories do not hook together. And the multitude of new characters, though each very intriguing, means each segment is very choppy, as the show cuts back and forth among the story lines. That's an issue, because we need to care about the characters. We need to invest in what they desire, vicariously feeling their fear and their joy. That is a little hard to do even with some of the strongest segments, never mind the ones with Tara, Jason and Sam, which are taking their time getting going.
Article comments
1 - Eric
Really, I hate myself for watching this show, just like I did with re-runs of "Dark Shadows". It would be cool if True Blood could get Johnathan Frid (Barnabas) to do a cameo.
BTW: I would pay more for a DVD of the out-takes of this show than for the show itself--you know that the "OH SOOKIE" Anna Paquin burps at Ryan in the kitchen scene didn't just "appear". The set must be hilarious.
2 - Gerry
I indulge without a twinge of guilt, but I know what you mean about what a hoot the set must be at times! The actors play the scenes so earnestly--it must be tempting to get a fellow actor to corpse (hee). Though maybe not in television--breakneck pace and all.
3 - Jo
glowing review, could not agree more with you, especially on the alternation between the stories that since the previous episode has been bothering me. There are many characters, stories that somehow must be connected at, which to me sounds forced to me the main characters are: Eric, Sookie, Bill. I can not connect with the other characters, except for Laffayette and Jessica, the rest for me not sounds interesting. And the story of Sam definitely not work for me, maybe if it were in another series, not one that was supposed to be about vampires (for me more interesting).
I like all the actors, but I feel the need to meet the different characters are sacrificing the story much more interesting to me that they are vampires. After all they are only 12 episodes per year is very little to so many characters.
4 - Cynth
You couldn't root for Tara beating the crap out of racist rednecks who pissed on a dead man's grave?
5 - Silas Kain
Alan Ball is a genius. This show and its many layers are such a metaphor for life in America today. That's what I love most. Beneath the surface, Ball has skillfully taken the American condition and assigned aspects to characters.
All involved with the show promise True Blood's Season 3 to be the most explosive, controversial and mind boggling yet. And now that HBO has picked it up for Season 4, Bon Temps is the destination for summer viewing.
P.S. The "taste" of Bill and Sam together leaves me waiting with baited breath.
6 - aqua
I agree with most of this review. I've never been a big Tara fan, but I can barely tolerate her anymore. I would not be upset if she disappears. Same goes with Sam for me.
I have liked Bill mostly in these 2 episodes which is shocking since he normally bores me. Although, I think we are in for more of victim Bill, always with an outlet to blame his actions on. This season it will be to protect Sookie and b/c of whatever Russell and Lorena do to him. That being said, I loved the reveal of the secret Sookie folder in his house. I was beginning to think Ball would not include that book s/l in the show (and yes, I know it will probably be completely different).
Eric and Sookie--They are the best part of TB for me. Anna and Alexander have great chemistry, and their acting blends well. I actually *like* Sookie for the first time since early season 1. It's nice to see Eric's feelings and protectiveness of Sookie onscreen. The big, bad 1000 year old vampire being changed by a human woman is a powerful and huge arc in the books, and I'm loving seeing it onscreen, finally!!
7 - Silas Kain
But is Sookie really human? What do the books say?
8 - Gerry
Wow, nice to have you all stop by and post!
Cynth, I could root for Tara to an extent, but though I certainly sympathised with her rage at the racist men, I have reservations on how healthy beating the tar out of them while they are being held down is going to be. And I'd like to see Tara start to deal with her problems, as Lafayette suggested. She's been so out of control for so long, it's time she found some.
Silas, I agree, the show is addictive and not just popcorn fun, though it is certainly that. I think we'll get more on Sookie's background this season. I'm trying my best not to get too spoiled. (-:
Acqua, I'm enjoying Bill much more this season, too. He's been great fun with the werewolves and the King. Denis O'Hare feels like he's always been part of the show--he just fits right in. I also very much like how Sookie and Eric are unfolding. I wasn't sure how the writers would bring about a real bond between them, because last year, Sookie did not seem willing to see anything positive in Eric, but this season it feels right that she remembers him losing Godric. Sometimes I forget that time is moving much more slowly in Bon Temps than in my living room. Everything has taken place in only a couple of months.