TV Review: True Blood - "I Smell A Rat"

This week's installment of True Blood is another slower paced episode which doesn't further the "Russell Is Going to Rule The World" plot much, but does ask the question of just who is the biggest rat on the show and what exactly is unforgiveable.

"I Smell A Rat" opens with the question of what Sookie is finally answered as Sookie exclaims in not exactly delighted surprise, "I'm a fairy?" I wasn't exactly delighted, either, as 1) this revelation has dragged on entirely too long this season, and 2) I do not want any more visits to Ball's Fairyland, thanks very much. Fortunately, everyone stays in either Bon Temps or Fangtasia this episode, and I hope it stays that way.

The scene between Sookie and Bill is nicely layered with hints of unspoken secrets as Bill tells Sookie he got to Fairyland courtesy of almost killing her, and Claudine had a nice chat with him because he only wants to protect Sookie. Sookie is a little surprised because Claudine appeared to hate Bill last they talked and warned her he wanted to steal her light. She sternly tells Bill, "If you don't tell me the truth, Bill Compton, I swear to God, I will know it." Despite Bill swearing to her he loves her for herself and not for her fairy blood, she is left with misgivings at some level, which I can understand because Bill always sounds very genuine, but somehow what exactly he was doing in Bon Temps when he met her never comes up in conversation. I don't believe he was there because he was concerned about Eric's interest in her. Eric at that point didn't know Sookie existed.

Eric is, of course, interested in Sookie, despite his denials, and he shows up at her house to wring some truths out of Bill. The two vampires have a marvelous scene together as they both circle around their true motivations and past misdeeds. Eric pushes Bill to reveal what his relationship with Sophie Ann is, while Bill accuses Eric of having no feelings for Sookie because he left her to die at Russell's. The writers are going to leave us to decide who is the biggest rat, as both accusations have some weight and both leave out salient points. Bill does care for Sookie, but he also is lying to her at some fundamental level, and Eric is willing to use Sookie, but he had as little choice in not helping her at Russell's as Bill did Tara, and Bill isn't losing any sleep over Tara. Whether Eric wants to help Sookie is still in question.

Article Author: Gerry Weaver

Gerry loves film, books, a few television shows(True Blood and Supernatural come to mind), and writing about them.

Visit Gerry Weaver's author page — Gerry Weaver's Blog