Air Date: Sunday, July 7, 2013, 9/8c on HBO
RATING:
“Death is not the end.” – Eric Northman
I see True Blood (TB) is still using song titles to highlight their episodes. They tend to have some deeper meaning when you search for it, but a song can also just be a song. In the case of “At Last,” I’m not feeling that is the sense. Etta James’ well known hit can be heard at weddings the world round. So why is it being used in this episode? The song refers to two lovers finally being together, belonging to one another. Could the meaning behind the song be more sinister for TB purposes? Let’s discuss.
Observations and thoughts:
Aww Sookie, Sookie Now!
Sookie (Anna Paquin) has finally figured some things out. She knows she’s been fooled and is now aware of the evil Warlow. She tries her best to get him to come right out and say what he’s hiding, but oh no, it doesn’t go down like that. I love seeing Sookie use her feminine wiles to get a man to do what she wants. Yeah, because reading his mind wouldn’t work. Darn telepathy! I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t watched “At Last” yet, but Warlow is a familiar face. I was surprised when he was revealed, shocked even at what he does to the faerie king, Niall (Rutger Hauer), but kind of expected it. You know that saying, “Keep your friends close, your enemies closer?” It rings true here for the Stackhouses. I’d love to know why the fae can’t sense their enemies. Everyone else, from Weres to shifters and vampires can sniff out their prey. But the fae, they just get taken by surprise and eaten. Are these powerful creatures maybe not such hot stuff?
One More Vampire Mouth To Feed
I predict Willa will bring Eric nothing but trouble.
Speaking of vampires, Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) does the unexpected. In what can be described as a disgusting scene, he creates a new child with the hopes of putting an end to the vampire/human war. I wonder how Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) will feel about this when she finds out. I get Eric’s motives, but I don’t like how it was done. Not only that, it seemed a bit ridiculous. Did he have to stab himself with Willa’s (Amelia Rose Blaire) cross to pierce his skin? Is the hole he digs for the two of them (which was more like the foundation for a new house) supposed to be for real? I remember when Pam turned Tara (Rutina Wesley) and barely dug a hole big enough for both of them to fit in.
Waste Not, Want Not
Also, I can’t help nitpicking about how much blood is wasted when vampires feed. True Blood isn’t being manufactured anymore so why all the waste? Doesn’t Eric have the finesse and expertise of someone who’s been around for a millennium to know how to feed without spilling any blood? Or, is the amount of blood purely to satisfy TB’s fans? I mean, the vampire Lestat never spilled a drop! How about the care with which Eric removes his shirt—unrolling the sleeves, untucking it from his pants, and unbuttoning it before taking it off. Is this supposed to show his soft side? You know, the side of Eric we don’t get to see when he’s barking orders and yelling in rage. (Hate that depiction of him, by the way). I relate this change in demeanor to something we’ve never seen before on TB. We know the circumstances under which Pam was turned, but we didn’t see the actual event. I wonder if Eric was as tender with her. What’s the point of showing he isn’t a monster?
Lala has found his place. It’s being Sam’s sidekick. Ugh.
I was more than pleased with Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) being shown in such a great light. He’s more than a flamboyant chef. He’s smart, thinks on his feet, and knows how to get out of a sticky situation in a pinch. Thank you, writers for using the character to his potential and not the obvious.
Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Sheriff?
Kudos to Tara for standing up to Eric. She seems to have taken after Pam more than I thought. I guess her loathing of vampires hasn’t waned since becoming one. Governor Burrell (Arliss Howard) remains my favorite character this season. He cracks me up without meaning to, and isn’t easily swayed from his endgame. He might be a formidable foe, except where his daughter is concerned. Howard has fallen into the role of devious governor and portrays Burrell with a sickening precision. You can’t help hating and liking him all at the same time. He is charismatic, is he not?
Smart This Was Not
Bill (Stephen Moyer) is working toward some master plan. I don’t know the specifics but have a clue what he’s up to. While I don’t think it will work like he’s expecting it to, it’s good of him to try. Even if he can provide all the vampires in Louisiana with a fae-blood substitute to keep them from burning in the sun, how will he keep it up? His source has been obliterated thanks to the tender, sweet Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll). How could Bill have thought she was mature enough to handle being locked in a room with four delicious smelling faebies? I was sure she would crack much sooner than she does. What is Billith to do now?
Final Thoughts
Jessica has been a naughty baby vamp. I bet Bill is rethinking his last words to Sookie.
My disappointment in “At Last” isn’t quite as strong as it was while watching the episode. I’m left a little flabbergasted because storylines seem to have come to a halt. I don’t even want to mention that Luna (Janina Gavankar) was killed only three episodes ago (about two days in TV time), and Sam (Sam Trammell) is shoving his tongue down someone else’s throat already. Talk about too soon. Is this what we’re to expect from season six? If so, I think I’ll be even more lost by the time TB comes to an end.
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Photo Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO ©2013 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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