True Blood: I Will Rise Up
Really, I've been pleased as punch with this season as whole, but I felt like this one, quality-wise, belonged with an average S1 ep. Which isn't to say I didn't enjoy it, I just felt that it was a lot of water treading.
But as for what actually worked, they hit it out of the ballpark. It was such a simple, sweet scene, but I loved watching Sookie and Jason reconnect. (Ryan Kwaustralianhottie really oughta get an Emmy nod.)
And Godric's death was one of the most powerful moments of the show, something that I think will be remembered as one of True Blood's most iconic scenes. There, it touches on all these thematic elements that are at the core of the series, even if they aren't addressed directly or literally all of the time: what it means to be human, mortality, family, the nature of love -- all that high-falutin' stuff. All actors involved, even Anna Paquin who I don't think gets enough love, did some incredible work.
Poor, poor Sam. If I were him, I would have morphed out of that jail a lot sooner. You know you're officially fucked when Andy Bellefleur is the only person you can turn to for help. I hope he gets to be a little more alpha next year.
On to the meh: I'm officially over Hoyt and Jessica, even if I thought they were the bee's knees a week ago. I've complained that we've seen the Bill/Sookie/Eric triangle play out in BtVS, and I feel like this is even more played out. Tragic love, mom doesn't approve, two different worlds, SNORE. Hurry up and end tragically but with tons of gore, already!
I've liked the Mary Ann storyline for the most part - she's sort of like Glory but with less fabulous clothes and no brain-sucking. But this was the week when I finally agreed that this storyline is moving a little too slowly. Let me summarize her storyline this week: pretentious hippie/drug talk, some mojo-inducing seizures, Tara/Eggs do their best Sid and Nancy, shit -- I gotta finally kill Sam. Bleh. I am interested in seeing what's going to happen now that Lafayette and Tara's mom kidnapped her, but the payoff better kick ass on this. For my money, the resolution of the Fellowship of the Sun subplot was as good as any of the best BtVS finales, so they have a lot to live up to when it comes to finishing the season out with a bang. Although to be fair, the preview gives me lots of hope.
For next week: I'm a little worried for Jason. Oh sure, he was able to kick ass when matched against the (less than) elite Fellowship of the Sun quasi-soldiers, but I think that the crazy ass Mary Ann zombies might be a little too much for him to handle. I'm also wondering how or if the "Lafayette is selling V again" plot element is going to be revisited this season, or if they're going to let that simmer until next year. Oh, and GIVE US MORE PAM, ALREADY!!!