Eric's scenes with Sookie and Godric are again the most intriguing, with Skarsgard's subtle performance forcing us to puzzle out what is self-interest and what is not as Eric reveals part of his past to Sookie. Eric and Sookie have had a very antagonistic relationship to date, but the writers are skillfully playing upon Sookie's compassion for Eric's loss of Godric as the two characters begin to forge a bond that is based on more than shared blood. Eric cannot turn away from his debt to Sookie, despite his discomfort with her feelings and perhaps his own. He also cannot turn away from a rage he feels toward the Nazi werewolves, revealed in a flashback that also brings back Godric (Allan Hyde) for a brief and welcome appearance.
That flashback is the source of my only caveat on how wonderful this story line is. Flashbacks are a clunky narrative device and therefore have to be used very sparingly and have a big payoff. Eric and Godric together is definitely a big enough payoff, but not if we hardly see Godric and get little of their relationship. Because of the multitude of storylines, the flashback was packed with exposition instead of emotion, though Skarsgard and Hyde are so good together, they find ways to suggest Eric's vulnerability and Godric's care. Still, in any future flashbacks, the emphasis should be on what we learn about character, not back-story.
But that's a small nitpick in the rich tapestry of Sookie and Eric's scenes. Paquin does an excellent job of recovering Sookie's combination of gentleness and strength we saw in the first season, as she tries to engage Eric's help through his emotions. These two characters, apparently so dissimilar, communicate on a level that resonates through their differences. Sookie defiantly tells Eric, "Don't underestimate me," to which Eric swiftly replies, "Don't underestimate yourself!" and the whole exchange recalls last season's equally charged conversation between the two about knowing the meaning of love.
The air remains charged as Sookie tries to see past Eric's flirtatiousness to discern if he really wants to help and Eric uses his naughty temptations to cloak how protective he feels about Sookie. The cloak drops as Eric catches scent of a werewolf in Sookie's house and demands again that Sookie invite him in. Sookie realizes Eric is in earnest and the episode ends with the line of Bill's nightmares: "Mr. Northman, won't you please come in?" And despite any flaws in the structure of the episode, I know I am hooked as Eric steps through the door to confront a wolf.
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.