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?