The Tides Are Turning. Review: True Blood – “In the Evening”

Season 6, Episode 67

Air Date: Sunday, July 28, 2013, 9/8c on HBO

RATING: ★★★★★

“I know that being charitable isn’t real vampirelike, but don’t we want to save our kind?” – Willa Burrell

As I think back over the episodes this season, I realize I’ve been missing the big picture. There was foreshadowing for what was to come, but I paid it no mind. You know why? The episodes sucked. I wasn’t drawn into the story or plot. I wasn’t interested in what would happen next. I think the writers of True Blood like to toy with my emotions. I guess I’ll be paying much closer attention from now on.

Observations and thoughts:

The vampire/human war reaches its peak. Not only is a plan set in place to eradicate the creatures of the night from the face of the earth, it is going through with no delay. Why didn’t I see Governor Burrell (Arliss Howard) planning to murder all vampires when he bought a bottling company? Why didn’t I think more about why he wanted to start re-manufacturing True Blood? It’s damn smart too. But I have to confess, for those of us who’ve read the Sookie Stackhouse novels, we know this ‘plot’ is one that isn’t original. Or maybe it’s from a fanfic story I read? But getting the vamps where it hurts—their food supply—is about the best way to take them out in one fell swoop. Of course, our resident vampires won’t let that happen. Now they are taking on the thought that a few can die for the cause to save most. So let’s not go telling everyone True Blood is poisoned.

Sorry, but if I find the head of the man I love removed from his body, I’m going to freak out. There’s no calm “oh my goodness what happened here” type of reaction. I’m screaming, running around, and probably passing out. How does the ever poised Sarah Newlin (Anna Camp) keep her composure? I’m certain it has to do with the fact she wasn’t in love with Governor Burrell. Shocked? No, of course you aren’t. Sarah is a woman who knows how to get what she wants by using her best assets. She doesn’t care what level she has to stoop to either. I don’t know whether to applaud her tenacity or cringe in fear. Hell hath no fury and all that…

Is Eric too in touch with his emotions?

I don’t know how I feel about Eric’s (Alexander Skarsgård) reaction to Nora’s (Lucy Griffiths) melting in his arms. I hate to say it, but I couldn’t watch the scene. It was too reminiscent of Eric losing Godric yet, not all too convincing. I have it in mind that Eric is a 1,000 year old vampire and is hardened to the point of not giving in to his emotions. He’s supposed to be a big, badass Viking that people fear. I know loving Sookie (Anna Paquin) has put him in touch with what it means to be human and to feel, but the tears and screaming were a bit overkill. I didn’t see Nora meaning that much to Eric. Not that long ago he wanted nothing to do with her and now he’s falling apart over her death? What more is there to this story we don’t know about?

And Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten). I know she’s smart. I know she knows what she’s doing. But the thing with her shrink makes me shake my head. I don’t get it. I don’t see how he can do anything for her. I just don’t understand the chain of hierarchy in the vampire prison. It would be nice to have that explained to us.

I’m amazed at how Sookie goes from a partial to full-fledged fairy in a matter of glowing minutes. Seriously, folks, how does this work? And did she really expect anything different from Warlow (Rob Kazinsky)? Being half vampire, he’s going to have the possessive streak they all do. If she didn’t want to go there with him, she shouldn’t have hopped onto his glow stick and created fireworks. I could have done without that image, thank you very much.

Someone’s god-complex is going to his head.

Bill (Stephen Moyer) is starting to freak me out. He’s freaking everyone out, to be honest. Walking around in the daytime is giving him too much power. The other thing about this ‘miracle’ is he’s using Warlow’s synthesized blood. Is that possible? Unless I missed Bill ingesting tons of Warlow’s blood. Wouldn’t the essential spark be missing? How could a scientist manufacture the magic that makes faeries and vampires what they are? Right, he couldn’t. I’m guessing Moyer was tired of having to stay out of the sun (the man likes his beach time) and wanted a change of pace with his character. Too bad those in a position to care about vampires walking in the sun don’t know it’s possible yet. That’s a reveal I’m looking forward to. Can’t you just picture Sarah’s face as Bill walks up to her on a bright, sunny day, and then rips her head off? Poetic justice.

Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and the vampire James (Luke Grimes) intrigue me. I can’t say I saw her reaction to him coming, but yeah, I kind of did. She’s been around humans so much she’s been acting like one. Now she’s getting a taste of what it means to be vampire. I think this will awaken her to her true potential and we might see a significant change in Jessica. Or, it’s just another gratuitous sex scene that’s not necessary to the plot but fun for titillation and what not.

I have to take one second to mention Arlene’s (Carrie Preston) blatant prejudice against Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) in a fit of rage. Was it necessary? No. considering True Blood has taken off from the plot line in the novels, why now the return to a characters original nature? Arlene isn’t a nice person. She’s never been a nice person. On the show, she’s a great friend for Sookie and I’ve been happy to see her progression in the fictional world of Bon Temps. But calling Lala a “voodoo practicing queer” is over the top. Then, of course, with some alcohol in her system, all is forgiven. I call bullshit.

And why didn't Tara say Jason was hers? Poor boy.

I guess Tara can’t have more than one prison bitch.

Will Billith rescue all the doomed vamps set to meet the sun? Will Warlow make an appearance in time to end the vampire/human war once and for all? Will Eric tell Sookie how much she’s hurt him by hopping into bed with the next available Faepire? Do you care? Drop me a line in the comments or tweet me with your thoughts @ellemoe. Until next Sunday night, folks.

Tune in to True Blood Sundays at 9PM ET/PT on HBO. For more on the show, visit the official site.

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Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle