True Blood Review – “Night on the Sun”

The site’s back up and running, and thus, so are the True Blood reviews/recaps.  The past few weeks of True Blood have been as entertaining as ever, and we’re finally starting to learn just exactly who – or what – Sookie really is.  Last week, Bill flipped out and nearly killed Sookie after drinking from her neck (only to later save her with his blood), Sookie had a bizarre out-of-body experience, and Eric continued his scheming with Russell.  This week, Bill and Sookie continue their ups and downs, Jason finds out more about the mysterious Crystal, and Eric delivers what can be described as “the ultimate donkey punch.”  Keep reading for the full review and, as always, there will be spoilers.

The episode begins with Sookie awakened from her coma, shrieking and freaking the eff out when she sees the guy who caused it, Mr. Bill Compton.  After settling down and convincing her friends to leave her and Bill alone, Sookie discusses her future with Bill.  Sookie explains that she keeps waiting to start her life with Bill, but things are always interrupted by violence and killing and blood and…well, everything that’s gone on since she met him.  Bill understands that as an immortal vampire, he can’t give Sookie the life he believes she deserves and so, with bloody tears running down his cheeks, he leaves her alone.  This was a pretty powerful way to start the show, especially since most episodes begin with something shocking or dynamic.  It’s about time Bill and Sookie broke up – especially with her obvious attraction to Alcide and Eric – but unfortunately, the split was pretty short-lived.

Sookie and Bill each go home – Sookie to wallow in sorrow alone and, occasionally, with the support of Tara, and Bill to free Jessica.  Only Jessica doesn’t want to be freed, insistent that she’s still helpless and needs Bill’s guidance.  Bill reluctantly agrees and instead of teaching her how to control herself while drinking blood, he spars with her to sharpen her up for combat.

Tara has stepped up in a big way this season.  I’ve mentioned before how she’s had her haters, but she’s shown her strength, loyalty, and courage all season long.  Ever since she bashed in Franklin’s head, I’ve looked at her in a new light.  Speaking of Franklin, I still think he’s dead, but because she drank his blood, Tara is starting to have vivid dreams and visions of her former captor.  As if she didn’t have enough to deal with already.

Meanwhile, back at Russell’s mansion, Debbie is flipping out that her werewolf fiance Coot got shot and killed.  She wants revenge on Sookie and begs Russell to let her go and kill her, but Russell explains that Sookie is too valuable to kill.  All the while, Talbot is flipping out due to Queen Sophie-Anne’s moving into the mansion, so Russell calms him down by pairing him off with Eric for entertainment.  And entertain Talbot he does – not all the graphic sex on True Blood is reserved for members of the opposite sex, and it didn’t take long for a chess game between Eric and Talbot to devolve into hot homo-vampire sex.  Of course, Eric is faking his attraction to Talbot (and men), and his sexual encounter shows just how far he is willing to go to kill Russell and avenge his father.  In one of the most memorable scenes in the show’s brief history, while behind Talbot, Eric steaks him through the heart.  I wonder if he actually got a few thrusts in beforehand.

While Debbie, a few werewolves, and Russell are fighting Bill and Jessica in order to get to Sookie (by the way, I keep accidentally tying “Snookie” and I couldn’t be more disappointed in myself), Russell senses the death of his lover Talbot and, in anguish, leaves Bill on the road after working him over pretty easily in their fight.  After being stabbed by Sookie, Debbie turns into a white wolf and runs off.  My question is: Why didn’t Debbie turn into a wolf before attacking Sookie?  Wouldn’t that have made it an easier fight for her?  Ah well, it’s not like Debbie comes off as particularly bright.

As for the latest adventures of cop-in-training Jason Stackhouse, Crystal shows up at his home with a bruise under her eye, looking for help.  Jason is all too happy to protect Crystal, who warns Jason that he doesn’t know what he’s dealing with.  While Crystal is showering, Jason drives off to investigate her home.  After finding a naked teen devouring some sort of animal and getting blood everywhere, Jason runs into Crystal’s (I am presuming) father and boyfriend.  In yet another classic Jason moment, he threatens the men, waving around a shotgun and claiming to be a soon-to-be cop while doing so.  His “you feel me?” cracked me up; I wonder if it was ad-libbed.

Of course, the meth dealers that Jason threatened aren’t likely to be human, as they can detect Crystal’s scent in the air.  Later, when they come into Merlotte’s looking for Crystal, they are sniffing the air.  Sam and Tommy know that there’s something off with these guys, and the men know that Sam is a shifter.  Are they wolves?  Are they the same as Crystal?

Lafayette had a decent amount of screen time this week (always a good thing), and it looks like Jesus is warming up to him again.  Meanwhile, Arlene is starting to have visions of Rene, the murderer who is the father of her baby.

Finally, it’s worth noting that Eric has involved Sookie’s cousin in his master plan of revenge, telling her to deliver a message to Sookie.  The message is to prepare for an attack by Russell and his wolves but, just as important, to not trust Bill.  Based on her and Bill fornicating at the episode’s end, it’s clear she is disregarding this advice.

What happens to Bill now, though?  Since Russell married the Queen, he as “acquired” Louisiana, and so Bill is sort of screwed.  Maybe he’ll team up with Eric, but I don’t think Eric would want Bill’s help.

This was a slower episode – a sort of bridge, I guess – and there weren’t any big reveals, but it was still enjoyable.  I am guessing we’ll learn more about Sookie next week, and I’m looking forward to see Russell’s plan now that he has been betrayed and Talbot is dead.  What did you guys think?

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14 Comments

  1. I thought it was pretty lame that Sookie and Bill broke up and made up in a matter of one episode. She needs some alone time. And how awesome is Alcide? I mean, if it’s a looks contest, he’d win hands-down. Plus, he didn’t try to kill her.

    I wonder why Eric is telling Sookie not to trust Bill. Is it because he was investigating her and her family tree? That he was working for the King but isn’t anymore? I was wondering. Also Eric was bleeding from the ears and nose when he talked to Hadley, what was up with that? Was it daylight or had he not fed or something?

    1. I think Eric was bleeding from the ears because he hasn’t slept in a looong time, what with scheming to kill Russell and all. Pretty sure it was mentioned that vamps bleed from the ears if they don’t get enough sleep.

      And I’m with you; I wanted them to stay broken up.

  2. I have to agree – I think it would make for a much more interesting dynamic if Sookie decided to start something up with either Eric or Alcide. But then again, when the flip side involves more naked Anna Paquin…let’s just say I’m not going to complain a whole lot.

  3. How come all the vampires look cool whent hey cry except Bill? He had like puddles under his eyes….I found it distracting.

    How on Earth is Eric going to get himself out of this one?? It’d be awesome if he found a way to blame Sophie-Anne but yeah…I think he’s #1 on the hitlist now.

  4. The eyes and ears bleeding thing was first in an episode in Season 2 when Lorena held Bill hostage in the hotel room. I think Bill called it something like “the bleeds.” In my opinion Eric’s staying awake through the day despite it obviously being bad for him proves that he really does care about Sookie’s wellbeing.

    I have a theory on the Franklin situation. In the last episode when Tara saw Bill covered in blood she said “leave him Sookie, he’s dead.” Sookie replied “this is what a vampire looks like when they’re dead” and held up some Lorena guts, and Tara had this nervous look on her face. Like she’s worried because when she left Franklin he wasn’t in that state. So I think maybe he’ll be back.

    I’m really interested to see the Eric and Russell situation next week. There’s no way Eric can lie about his intentions now.

  5. So this episode had one of the worst pieces of dialogue I’ve heard in a show for awhile now… it actually made me cringe.

    Bill: Sookie and I and done.
    Jessica: No way!
    Bill: Way.

    Where the hell did that writing come from lol.

    1. I think the show doesn’t always take itself too seriously and likes to have fun and be silly – this was one of those moments. The best example is when Eric had foils in his hair in Season 2.

  6. I like the non-seriousness of the show at times (the foils in his hair were great), but this just felt bleh to me. I haven’t heard anyone say that since the 90s. Maybe it was meant to show that Bill loved the 90s a lot. 😛

  7. The episode was kinda of dull but when they showed Hoyt driving down the road I thought for sure they would pan over to Jessica being killed by wolves but was very happy to see her killing the werewolf. Jessica is one of the only reasons I watch the show.

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