Second time's the charm? After an hour-and-a-half writing up my review, cyberspace ate it...and just like that, poof (!), it vanished into the ethernet. (vile swearing under breath ensues)
I tell you, it is not vampires that are evil--it is technology. It swallowed up my time, energy and effort because of some unknown nuance that not even the most qualified of computer scientists could foresee or prevent. Stupid computers...but back to reality, and, the review:
My how time flies...and vampires! We're less than two weeks from the big season finale. And though True Blood was nominated for Best Drama at this year's Emmys, which aired simultaneously to the 11th episode, there's always next year....
Denis O'Hare is mesmerizing on screen. His visciously vital Russell Edgington certainly does have an edge through O'Hare's masterful performance. If I were an agent or TV producer or director, I would snatch him up for his own series in a hot minute. Man, that man is talented! No Emmy nods this year for O'Hare but damn those Emmy people to vampire hell if they don't give Denis O'Hare his due in 2011. He deserves it--weeping with joy at the prospect of seeing the sun after 3,000 years of darkness. Bravo, sir, bravo.
Eric, the Viking vamp with the mostest, tricks Russell into going into the light by handcuffing himself to the vampire king while they both burn. Oh no! Will Eric die??? Set your minds at rest, dearest Truebies. Eric has yet unfinished business with Miss Sookie Stackhouse.
Sam has a break down--and he is, after all, a "broken" person. Take it from another "broken" individual, it's difficult not to become overwhelmed when circumstances beyond your control keep popping up. Of course, the bad part of Sam's break down wasn't just the angry, co-dependent sex he and Tara were engaging in, but the betrayal of Tommy--who had JUST gotten some normalcy in his life. Well played by actor, Marshall Allman. The 26-year old actor's defiant face washed with innocence as his new-found older brother, Sam, emotionally betrayed the vulnerable Tommy. But that dog don't hunt, Sam...and I have a feeling it will come back to bite you. Too bad the writers took Sam's evolution in this direction; I would have liked to have seen the beaten-up, beaten-down Sam Merlotte take a different path.
Arlene's witchy abortion attempt goes south...literally. She fears she's carrying the evil spawn of a serial killer, not having any memory of her earlier orgy-exploits with Terry from season two. But the doctor keeps referring to Arlene's baby as a "critter"--it may be more than just Southern charm talking...stay tuned!
Jason and Crystal(meth)...it's a head-shaker. "Let's go back to your Deliverance-esque town full of werepanthers to "save" them from a fictional DEA raid that was only a brief possibility an episode ago." Oy. In the books, Jason is kidnapped by a jealous werepanther who repeatedly inflicts bite-wounds on Jason to share the curse. Jason, unlike the other residents of Hotshot, is not a full werepanther but turns into a half-man, half-panther creature after the heinous attack. How will this be translated in True Blood? I have a feeling we'll find out in season four....
Jaguar Jesus...more than meets the eye? "La-la" played by my fav Nelsan Ellis has enhanced intuition after his V-induced exploits through he and Jesus's magical pasts. The symbolism was beautifully done--Jesus wears a masque in real life, revealed by a masque of his true visage on screen. But is Jesus really evil? My money is on "yes."
Jessica Hamby, my favorite can-do girl-vamp, is practically predatorial as she climbs Hoyt's chest toward her first taste of his true blood. New relationships are complicated enough without adding in the sucking of life-blood...we'll have to wait and see where this goes. But it is True Blood after all--so we can be sure the "fun" will side
with dys-fun-ctional.
Count down the days, Truebies! It's September 1st--only eleven more days until we see the finale. And only nine more months until season four premieres.... ;)
Stay thirsty for the True Blood, my friends!
PS: True Blood & Philosophy: We Wanna THINK Bad Things with You (Wiley 2010) is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon, and all major bookstores everywhere! Pick up your copy today. Fan of other vamps, too? Check out Twilight & Philosophy: Vampires, Vegetarians and the Pursuit of Immortality (Wiley 2009) on sale WORLD-WIDE and online at all major book sellers and in seven languages! Loving your Nook or iPad or e-book reader??? Buy Twilight & Philosophy or True Blood & Philosophy as an e-book! Audio version of Twilight & Philosophy is also available through Audible, an Amazon company (see the pics of my readings in the recording studio on the "Pics!" page).