TRUE BLOOD
Season Two, Episode Four
"Shake and Fingerpop"
Written by Alan Ball
(Warning: Spoilers abound from this point forwards)
One of the hallmarks of this episode is great lines. Literally, I could fill this review with nothing but the great little bits of dialogue. Like…
“If you die, I’m gonna be pissed.” “That makes two’a’us.”
“Oh, I have no intention of drinking it.”
“I’ve always loved these. They’re like booze for dolls.”
“I don’t believe him for a minute.”
“Jessica! What did you do to this man?” “I’m on the phone!”
“I know what you are.”
“She’s new.”
Honestly, the above evoked quite the emotional gamut for yours truly – from guffaws to shock to one line that inspired a little “awwwww.”
For what it is worth, Bill and Sookie and Jessica are on their way to being something of a genuine family. It was nice, incidentally, to learn Bill’s rage can simply be for effect rather than a genuine temper tantrum. And it means a lot that he recognizes one problem he has with Jessica – namely, that he envies her. When turned, he had to live outside of society, a predator forced to look upon humans as nothing but prey. As food. Sookie is right. These two can be good for each other.
Jason’s hormones of course are kicking in, and the tantalizing presence of the Reverend’s hot wife is doing nothing for his not-exactly-grade-A-decision-making skills.
Yep, he’s still at the Fellowship leadership conference and after an afternoon of target shooting it is becoming just what kind of “leadership” they’re talking about. The Reverend in question comes across as a thoroughly sick person, all-too-clearly turned on upon learning Jason actually saw a vampire die. Exactly what his wife is up to remains a mystery. Is she interested in Jason? Does she just want him to think she might be? Do both of them want Jason to join them in bed?
Vampire Bill goes with Sookie to Texas, Jessica in tow, and it turns out someone was hired to kidnap Sookie.
The poor schmuck doesn’t stand a chance against Bill, and is soon glamoured out of his brain – first by Bill then by Jessica who seems to have quite a talent in that direction (as well as an understandably juvenile sense of humor). Amidst this is an interesting detail I’m not sure very many caught. She steals the would-be kidnapper’s cellphone (well, hypnotizes him into giving it to her) which will probably figure in the plot sooner or later. But when she uses it later, to whom is she speaking? My bet? Hoyt. I swear, those two are adorable together and I’ve high hopes for them.
They’re probably doomed.
But humans in Texas might be doomed as well. According to Erik, the vampires of that state are liable to react in a very Texan (i.e. cowboy crazy) way if their Sheriff Godric doesn’t turn up again.
Erik reveals all this after a truly hilarious bit when he visits the still-sick Lafayette. The vampire’s former prisoner’s wound is becoming infected (so he says). Erik offers him blood to heal. Why? He says he likes him, which Lafayette doesn’t buy. But then admits it all has to do with Sookie. Is that the truth? Or are both things true? Or something else altogether? I dunno, but poor (?) Lafayette is used to a drop or two of a new vampire’s blood. Erik is a thousand years old, and to heal that bullet wound Lafayette swallows a few mouthfuls. His reaction is – entertaining. To say the least.
Meanwhile Tara decides to move in to Sookie’s house, and gets the birthday part of her life, organized by Mary Anne and Eggs. Said party is a major event, and in many ways. For one thing, there is the heart-rending bit where Lettie Mae gives a present to Sam to give to her daughter. For another, there can no be little doubt who attacked Sookie that night. Amid what looks like a really intense bacchanalle (smearing cake on each other, one girl eating dirt, while Tara and Eggs make the beast with two backs in Sookie’s bed upstairs), Mary Anne walks off and does the vibrating thing. Her hands change, into a pair of only-too-familiar three-taloned claws!
But even bigger than that is a passionate kiss shared between Daphne and Sam, with the former whispering a genuine shocker in his ear.
All of this might eclipse what Detective Andy Bellefleur is putting together. He’s belligerent and an alcoholic and stubborn as hell, but the fact is Andy remains a good detective. He’s the one who’s figured out there’s more to Sam than he’s been letting on.
Now, he’s starting to put together clues about Mary Anne. Of course, doing so he alienates his own boss big time. Some folks manage to be stupid and smart at the exact same moment. Well, most of us sooner or later. For Detective Andy it is something of a lifestyle.
To wrap up, one simply has to mention the vampire hotel in Texas. Named the Carmilla (which any fan of vampires should get without trying) it comes across as slick and high end with just a touch of tacky. Like many a human hotel of a certain price, frankly. Sookie’s reaction to the adult channel on t.v. (with titles like “My First Fang-Banger”) is priceless, as is the whole bit about room service. Seems Jessica ordered brunette, straight and B Positive.
But what really sticks out was this week’s cliffhanger. No violence or threat of same. No snarling vampires ripping rednecks into little pieces or mysterious scars. This was something new, something very intriguing indeed.
Sookie meets another mind-reader.
TO BE CONTINUED IN EPISODE FIVE
