True Blood: Sunset

"Kind of strange to hear you were sold to a vampire 300 years ago..."

Much of this penultimate episode consists of Lilith appearing to Bill and various other chancellors, tempting them to drink her blood and... then what?

Bill, it seems, no longer cares about Sookie, Jason or indeed any humans; the exist only as food. Jessica is tested to

see if she agrees, being sent to sire Jason, something which we instantly know she isn't going to actually do. And we get more exposition about the scroll, and Sookie having been promised to a vampire called Warlow. 

Incidentally, "Stackhouse" isn't a very Gallic name. Could there have been Stackhouses in the Louisiana of the Sun King himself back in 1702?

The increasingly deranged Sanguinista council declare ware against the USA by killing a general, not something that can be reset easily; this will have permanent consequences. Roman's dire predictions of the consequences of not mainstreaming may well come true. 

On a much nicer note, Pam decides to sacrifice her life for Tara and take the blame for the killing of the nasty new sheriff of Area 51. She may not always show it, being grumpy old Pam, but her character arc to becoming a loving mother is now complete. Aaaah.

We end with the dairy club in dire peril as Russell Edgington approaches. An eventful and exciting episodes but I wonder, yet again, if this may be concealing the possibility that the series may be past its peak and over-reliant on its own mythology.

True Blood: Burning Down the House

"You were the best part of my life..."

A lot of things are upended in an episode which sees Tommy's tragic ebbing away with Sam at his side while everything starts to gear up for the season finale.

But first we have all the chaos and confusion as Antonia/Marcie attacks Bill's reconciliation event. One early consequence is Sookie zapping Eric with her powers, causing his memories to come back; that's goodbye to the innocent Eric of recent episodes. The question of whether he loves her as much hangs in the air. It's a nicely simmering will-they-won't-they dynamic.

Jessica is having a hard time of it; she dumped Hoyt for him but Jason is not only siding with his friend but wants her to glamour away his feelings for her. Ouch. It's not a good day for Nan Flanagan either as Bill tells her flatly that she's no longer in charge. Politics again.

Eric insists he still loves Sookie, but she's unsure. He's less reassuring to Pam, his own offspring, which seems ominous. So does Bill's determination to confront Antonia, even if this means the death of Tara and all other hostages. Bill is slowly becoming less and less likeable and I think this is deliberate. He's no longer the romantic lead, a brave move.

There's hope, though, as Terry helps Andy to kick his V addiction. There's also shock, as Antonia and Marcie clash: Marnie is horrified by what they've done. It's Marnie who's the true monster. 

Things are at fever pitch as we end the episode about to start the final confrontation. This excellent season is nearing its end...

True Blood: Night on the Sun

"This is Holly, your new waitress. Don't sleep with her."

So, after last week, it's all doom and gloom for Sookie's and Bill's relationship. This is it. Definitely. It's over.

I give them two episodes to get back together, tops.

There's also a rather big domestic between Russell and Talbot, fallout from Russell's impulsive killing of the Magister, something which needs to be hushed up rather sharpish. Can he trust Eric to keep schtum?

Bill returns home and unexpectedly releases Jessica: he has no time for her in his complex life right now. She's upset about this, but at least they part with a hug. 

Alcide, meanwhile, is staying with Sookie. Hmm. Not good for Bill. Neither is the fact that both Andy and Jason want her to press charges against Bill. Tara continues to deal with her recent trauma, and Crystal turns up at Jason's unexpectedly; Felton is beating her up and it seems she and Jason are together again. Oh, and Merlotte's has a new waitress.

Crystal was "promised" to Felton at the age of four- what kind of people are these? On a happier note, it looks as though Lafayette and Jesus are back together. 

We end with Russell going after Sookie, with Bill and Jessica there to protect her. Meanwhile, though, Eric is finally exacting revenge for his family by fucking and then killing Talbot. The King is not amused...

That's True Blood for you. Every week the stakes get raised again.