 by snicks
Video Blogs
TV Shows:
Find Articles On:
Who's onlineThere are currently 16 members and 620 guests online.
|
IMHO "True Blood" (2.9): I Shall Rise Up
Best.Episode.Ever. Well, it certainly ranks up there with the best episodes of the series, with a kick-ass Lafayette, some juicy developments in the Bill/Sookie/Eric triangle, and the ending ... which is hands down the best scene this show has ever given us. See the top ten reasons why this episode earns a huge up arrow! 10. I loved the quiet scene with Sookie and Jason in the hotel, as they left behind their own individual baggage and were just "brother & sister" for a few minutes, and talked about Gran and what she would think about what was happening (It's easy to forget that in the timeline of the series, it hasn't been that long since her death). I've missed the Sookie/Jason interaction this season, and it was nice to see again. 9. The short TV battle with Vampire Nan and Reverend Steve and Sarah. Best throwaway line of the night is courtesy of Sarah: I hate your hair!.
8. I know a lot of people have had real problems with the Maryann storyline, but it hasn't bothered me. First, because I adore Michelle Forbes so much it's a joy to watch her loopy performance, and secondly because the show has been working up to the big "battle of the supernaturals" at the end of the season, so I've been willing to let it take its time. I thought last night's Maryann scenes were particularly strong, as we learn that she can exert control over just about anyone in town (except a certain fierce frycook). 7. Second best throwaway line of the night is courtesy of a tearful Arlene towards Terry: Please quit being so much more peculiar than you usually are!.
6. Lafayette! This is the Lafayette I've been waiting for all season, the no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is, "don't make me take my earrings off" force of nature. When he finds out that Tara has been abused, he kicks it into high gear, and conspires with Lettie Mae to remove her from Maryann's grasp. It's interesting that Lafayette seemed to be able to see right through Maryann, and could instantly tell she was bad news. And the only thing that could have made his thrashing of Eggs any better would have been if he had delivered a one liner along with the beat down ... something like Eggs, over easy! 5. Sam is getting better at shapeshifting into winged creatures. This time it's a fly, and he manages to overhear what's happening with Maryann before showing up at Andy's door (I was going to mention Andy being totally unsurprised that a naked Sam knocked on his door ... but then I remembered that everyone is pretty much used to seeing naked Sam popping up all over town). 4. Hoyt and Jessica continue their love affair, with Hoyt standing up in a big way to his absolute monster of a mother. At dinner at Merlotte's, she and Jessica bare their fangs at each other (of course, one was literal), before she manages a gut punch to Jessica by mentioning that she can't have babies.
3. It's official: I love Eric. What he does this week was low, underhanded, and completely unfair to Sookie ... and I laughed my ass off. After the big bang, with human and vampire entrails strewn all over, Bill comes in to find Eric splayed on top of Sookie, with him exclaiming "she's okay, I covered her". While Bill rushes out to confront the human attackers, Eric convinces Sookie that the silver bullets he's been struck with are killing him, and he'll die unless she helps him. Sookie believes him. *Sigh ... Oh, Sookie*. He tells her she needs to suck the bullets out before they kill him, and she agrees. This scene is flat-out hilarious, because while Alexander Skarsgard is a wonderful actor, Eric is not, and how Sookie can fall for his B.S. is a mystery. When Bill comes back in, he explains to Sookie that Eric has forced her to drink his blood, which means they're now ... connected. He can sense her emotions, and she may start feeling sexually attracted to him. She calls Eric a "big doody head" or "big lying A-hole" or something, but the damage is done. 2. Later at the hotel, Sookie has a dream sequence that involves a naked Eric. 'Nuff said?
1.: How can I explain how powerful the final scene is? It's not only the best scene of this series, it's one of the finest TV scenes of the year. Everything from the music, to the cinematography, to the performances is stellar, as Godric decides enough is enough, and it's time to end it. From Eric's sobbing plea, to Godric and Sookie's conversation about God, it was wonderfully done (and Anna Paquin is magnificent in those final moments, even if she is wearing a Pizza Hut tablecloth). I've heard that some people think Sookie had a Dorothy Gale look going on, with the dress and look, and it's an intriguing idea. What do you think? I seriously don't know how they're going to top this week's episode, but next week's looks fun, as everyone returns to find a Bon Temps in ruin. And we'll get to see Jason wielding a chainsaw! Can't. Wait! What did you think of this week's episode? Submitted by on Mon, 2009-08-17 11:50. |
 Recent Comments
Recent blog posts
|
Welcome to AfterElton.com!
- Login
- Join Now!
News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media
The final scene made me tear up.
...it was beautiful.
I will say though...it didn't sit well for the whole vampire community as the gay community metaphor. At the last moment he's pondering if god will forgive him for his wicked ways...and if he even deserves forgiveness.
It's too bad he won't be around...I really liked the character.
"It's hard to be 'straight-acting' when you're kissing other boys."
not everything is a metaphor
I cried. I cried for two
I cried.
I cried for two hours like a baby.
Eric's pleading to Godric broke my heart. His such obvious love for him though he's so unwilling to admit it.
Allan Hyde and Alexander Skarsgard are some of the best actors I've seen on TV lately. They totally rocked that scene. It could have gone completely flat or been hilariously hokey. But they made it real.
Eric's trickery was lovely and the dream sequence was very, very nice.
Lafayette is on this season.
But Godric... Oh. Four episodes this season and he left such an impact on me. He'll be missed.
What an exit!
Totally agree. Fantastic episode for all those reasons.
Also liked how we got to see other sides of Eric.
I was right last week about Sam assuming a form that bars would not stop.
Loved the Lafayette toss over the shoulder snatch of Tara. I suspect that Lafayette got something from Eric's blood that lets him sense how "wrong" Maryann is. After all he is bonded to Eric.
More Vampire scenes.... less Maryann
I'm really saddened by the death of Godric's character.... although it was a powerful ending. I guess I had hoped that, like the book, Godric remained gay. He and Eric would have made a dynamic couple as witnessed by Eric's gut-wrenching pleas to Godric. He will definitely be missed.
IMHO the series should concentrate more on the vampires, and the other storylines lessened. I believe that the other storylines are benefitting from the excellence of the vampire storyline.... hence the name TrueBlood.
Must be in the minority - More Maryann, less vampires
I don't know, maybe because I've read the books and I knew the contours of the whole Dallas/Temple of the Sun plotline, but I just found that whole Dallas jaunt (and the characters introduced for it) boring as hell.
Meanwhile, I'm in real suspense for poor Sam, and Michelle Forbes as MaryAnn is scary and scary good. I would be interested in the vampires going up against her. Fingers crossed that's what happens next.
Oh, also loving Hoyt and Jessica storyline - that regenerating hymen plot complication is sorta genius.
Recurring Hymen
I agree totally.... Jessica's regenerating hymen is genius. I never saw that coming (pardoning the pun).
Also agree that Michelle Forbes is scary good -- maybe the climax between the supernaturals will grab me. So far, I'm lukewarm at best.
There went my Godric/Eric fantasies
And the show is drained of any semblance of homoeroticism among the vampire characters.
Lafayette is nice and all, but ain't nothing sexual happening with him. It's all straight sexuality ;(
Couldn't Godric have at least given Eric a goobye kiss, at least to the forehead or hand, or vice-versa?
I like Maryanne. Unlike most, I love all the balancing of supernaturals. I believe we might just see a big throwdown between the upcoming Vampire Queen and Maryanne.
But, yeah, Alan Ball could throw his own a bone with all the straight sex scenes we've had to put up with.
I agree.
This is still my favorite show on television right now, by far, but I can't help but be miffed over the way the show has been completely de-gayed this season.
We're 3/4 in and so far the only gay content have been throw-away lines (The redneck who let his bunk-mate blow him, Lafayette's fib about the cruise, etc.), that cameo from a gay pornstar walking down the hall past Sookie & Barry while bleeding from the neck and the doe-eyed way Eric mooned over Godric (and they even managed to temper that into some weird familial thing with all that "Father. Brother. Son." mess).
I find it really difficult to believe that a walking sex-bomb like Eric would sob like a baby at the thought of losing someone and then just up and walk away without so much as a kiss or hug or something!
They've also developed a disparity in the nudity, this season. Season 1 was buns-tastic, but this season not so much. In season 2, I've seen Anna Paquin's nipples almost as often as I've seen my own, but the only male nudity we've had is a little shirtlessness from the principles and wide-framed shots of faceless day players. What gives?
I'm watching this show with
I'm watching this show with three hetero dudes and we're all wondering when Lafayette is getting some real action. We all know he can get it, so why don't we see it? It just makes no sense if you look at his character that he would be the only one in that town to not have had sex. Ok, he was imprisoned for a couple of episodes, but still, first season didn't have any visible action for Lafayette. Weird for a show that otherwise has no reservations whatsoever about nudity and sex.
I'm trying out this blogthing: http://vladivos.wordpress.com/
Orgy Scenes
i think giving a goodbye
i think giving a goodbye kiss would've been ridiculous. that is something you'd find in a romantic movie. it would be typical and doesn't fit their personality much you know not showing your weaknesses.
book spoiler
there is a king who is gay that appears in the later books and he is kind of important but i've only skimmed through them. it is when bill gets tortured and sookie gets staked. who knows if they'll keep that in though.
True Blood
Yup it was the best of the show so far (would have been better if they had just forgotten the Maryann scenes... not a fan and it's getting worse each week).
I agree this episode is emmy worthy for just about every category. Best Actor, Actress, Supporting actor/actress, writing, directing.... it was great.
tru blood
YES!
I love Maryann
Really good episode--the show's definitely rallying
I loved Godric's final moments too--beautifully written and played. And smokin' hot sexy Erik scene!!
The only thing missing was when Sam turns up after his fly transformation; I was waiting for him to say something like, "Do you have any healthy food lying around? You have no idea what I've eaten in the past 24 hours."
gone too soon :(
More True Blood than True Love?
Damn.
That would have been nice
That would have been a nice touch if Godric would have kissed him. I kinda thought it was going to happen but unfortunatly it didn't. Despite that it was one of the best scenes so far on the show and very emotional. The love between them was undeniable.
I wish we had Blood Work Recap for this episode.
I wish we had Blood Work
I wish we had Blood Work Recap for this episode.
Here you go: http://campblood.org/Newblog/?paged=2
Not again....
I am so unbelievably pissed that Godric is dead. Almost every time I fall in love with a character on one of my favorite shows that is the signal that they are temporary.
It happened with Tasha Yar...it happened with K'Ehleyr...it happened with Jadzia Dax. Wait...maybe it only happens on Star Trek.
Anyway, I really wish we could have seen more of the 'thing' between Eric and Godric (and that's not a euphamism...I meant their chemistry, not their junk. Okay, I meant that, too.)
Jessica/Hoyt--LOVE THEM.
Eric/Godric/Bill--am I crazy in thinking there is SOMETHING between Bill and Eric?
Lafayette--he's getting his groove back after his major ass-whooping at the beginning of the season.
Maryann--Michelle Forbes is one of my favorite actors of all time and everybody that has commented about how amazing she has been is absolutely right.
Sam--uh, I love Sam Tramell, but his character is really boring the hell out of me this season. Let's amp that up, I think.
Nan Flannigan--Loved Jessica Tuck ever since she was on One Life to Live...but Nan is such a bureaucratic bitch.
Jason--I don't think he's going to get to 'become smart' but he's sure nice to look at.
Season Two rocks hardcore for me and I have loved every minute of it!
What a shame
I would have loved to see more of Godric, but his end was true to his kind nature. I cried during that scene. It was so powerful, and the best scene of the series. I feel for the writers, as they are going to have to work overtime to top that scene.
Eric and Sookie.....eww. Jus tthe thought of it makes my skin crawl. I love Eric, but I'm a Bookie all the way. Nothing better touch my Bill and Sookie. Eric needs to find someone else to "love."
Speaking of Eric and Sookie, if the way vampires sense danger happening to "their humans," would that include those that do V? Or does it have to be fresh from the kettle, so to speak?And that makes Lafayette Eric's human, right? Excuse me while I squee with joy at that thought!
vampire blood
That's true. Jason almost
I think it's because Sookie
I think it's because Sookie is a telepath that she is not as affected by the effects of vampire blood as Jason would be and as Lafayette drunk it while injured he might be less effected this time. We don't know how Lafayette ended up spending the night after the blood though and he was pretty effected as we could see with his humping of the furniture :)
Maybe the blood has to be given voluntary and purposefull to create the bloodbond?
Maryanne fan
I to am a big fan of Maryanne. Not so much her as Michelle Forbes performance. She's an evil souless bitch but boy does she have gusto, and she's funny as hell.
I also like the fact that there is something out there that is as powerful as the vampires. I still don't see how you could date someone that thinks of you as food.
Oh by the way. Layfayette kicks ass!
De-gayed
This show hasn't had much gay content at all actually. Even season one was pretty non-gay.
Alan Ball should be called to task for that. This is HBO. There is no excuse.
"Called to task?"
It's not because the show
It's not because the show has a gay writer (which I didn't know) but there should be more gay content because there is a gay character in the show and he's the only one who does not have sex on screen. We have seen pretty much every character on the show have a sex life except the gay character, we have seen more boobs and butts then I care to remember with the exclusion of the one completely out gay man and because it's getting too obvious that he is literally the only one of the regular cast who is left out of the action everyone else gets.
If we go by the book...
It's not nearly as explicit as the straight scenese we keep seeing. Even strangers get to show boobs while having simulated straight sex while THE GAY PROSTITUTE can't be even shown with an attractive client getting it on.
If you also go by the foundation of the series, the taste of your maker's blood, as per the latest episode, will give you extreme attraction to him. If Eric's blood had a sexual effect on Sookie, because he's a powerful vampire, imagine the supposed effect of the blood from a vampire twice his age. The relationship is obviously sexual, and I recall someone mentioning Godric might have been gay in the book.
But, yeah, back to the point: Why do they keep showing gratuitous straight sex from supposedly conservative characters but utterly skirt away from depicting a gay prostitute's plentiful sexual encounters?
In fact, the show is entirely lopsided in accentuating female sexuality. They show boobs like nothing else, but God forbid they emphasize a male body.
theherald, in the books,
In the books Godric didn't
First of all how can you not
First of all how can you not like Michelle Forbes,she plays evil sooo good its uncanny.
Second, Layfayette just came from being lunch for a group of vampires and now his cousin is possessed i think he has bigger issues to deal with.Also i think he is not the boyfriend kind of guy anyway.
Alexander Skarsgard is really earning his actingchops lately i cried like a baby when he fell to his knees to plead Godric not to kill himself.
One of the best episodes ever,i wish this show had more epi's
Male Nudity and Other Stuff
What a wicked ending!!!!
It was a very nice episode
It was a very nice episode with a truly fantastic scene at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxJWwYYHaX0&feature=related
Heartbreaking, I just love it, been seeing it over and over yesterday. :P
I still like/love the show. But there are some points that I cannot help but feel they alienate few of the reasons I liked the show in the first place. Of course maybe it’s just me.
I mean, is Bill becoming a very aged man who cannot actually do anything?
This season (probably intentional) Bill has done nothing in the saving department. All from Eric. And that’s not bad, that’s cool, the Eric/Sookie thing is building up for a lot of episodes anyway and I like it, as I really, really like Eric and the actor portraying him.
I guess what is most weird, is the many subplots that the show has splinted into thus giving less time for any major development. Not that there isn’t any development, each episode is like so many things have happened. It took me some time to understand that Godric only played for two episodes, two episodes... wow, they sure looked far more.
Oh Godric. Now that is a character death that we will miss and feel the loss, because you can see how his pro-human and co-existence quality has been taken somewhat abruptly from this universe, but nonetheless it was handled logical and perfectly character driven. (yes, I am making a huge mention on Children of Earth and how awful that death was used in the plot…this is loss over a death and an awful knowing that a character’s future would never come to be).
Oh and two things.
Personally I like Maryann. I like this godlike, evil/good persona. Her talk of chaos in this episode I believe epitomizes her view of the world.
I wonder what will happen in the later episodes with the ‘battle’ is it?
And the last thing.
I don’t know what happened in the books with Godric/Eric but I believe their situation was a full-full one. I would say its obvious when they lean very close and the whole thing. Was it de-gayed? Unfortunately if their relationship is de-gayed on screen in the future, maybe they were. But for now, I can feel the ‘gay’ in those. Especially in the ‘faith and love’ Godric speaks of. Lastly, I was cheering for a last kiss also…but I have to accept it would seem so melodramatic and human-want for two vampires both over millenniums.
I like this ‘straight(?)’ approach of ultimate love and not a physical show.
[or maybe Sookie shouldn’t have seen a kiss, cause that would prove problematic with her future feelings with Eric??? I hope that’s not the case. :P ]