TRUE BLOOD: Scratches

Ahh, another week, another wonderful episode of “True Blood.” Before we get started, a quick reminder that if you want to catch up on the season or get started if you haven’t yet, HBO will be showing the first three episodes of the second season next week in lieu of a new episode. So, if you’re up-to-date you get a week off to watch some fireworks, have a beer (or bottle of Tru Blood) and enjoy Independence Day.

Sookie, Bill and Eric

Bill spared the lives of Jessica’s family, but didn’t let up on Sookie on the way home. After a long fight in which Bill called Sookie a child, Sookie leaves. While in the woods, she is attacked by a big, horned…umm…thing. Bill’s blood won’t cure her, so he takes her to Fangtasia. We find out that the poison is similar to a Komodo Dragon’s venom, but works much more quickly. After being healed, Sookie wakes up and finds out about Lafayette in the basement. She makes a deal: Lafayette’s release in exchange for Sookie, along with Bill, to go with Eric to Dallas to investigate the disappearance of Godrick, another sheriff who has disappeared…as well as $10,000. After all, Sookie needs a new driveway.

This part of the season is a mixed bag for me, honestly. I LOVE the fact that Eric is taking a bigger role in things and that perhaps the mystery of Godrick will be a constant thread and the prospect of a road trip with Bill, Sookie and Eric in a car together would be pretty fantastic. Does anyone else smell a road trip?

A giant horned beast running through the woods of Bon Temps pushes the limits of what I love about the show. While it can be cheeky and campy and sexy, “True Blood” has always been, to me, a look at outsiders in America and how all parts of a society deal with them. Where does a big giant beast play into that? I hope it becomes clearer in the week ahead.

Jessica and Hoyt

After Bill drops her off at the house and takes Sookie to Fangtasia, Jessica wakes up and finds no one at the house. She decides to go to Merlotte’s and gets hit on by Hoyt. Not being afraid of her new vampirity (I think I just made up a word), she takes Hoyt back to Bill’s and they begin to make love before they are interrupted by Bill at the end of the episode.

Last season, Hoyt was a peripheral character that made Jason look either dumb or less dumb, depending on the situation. I hope that he can be brought into the fold. Also, I loved seeing Jessica happy and a little more comfortable in her new vampire skin.

Tara, Eggs and Maryann

Maryann lies to Tara about Sam, saying that she has no idea why Sam is mad at her. Maryann throws a huge party with all of the people from Merlotte’s the previous night which turns in to a massive orgy. As Tara and Eggs get closer, Tara storms off, saying if Eggs is in to the swinger scene, there is no place for her in his life.

I’m still so in the dark on the Maryann storyline that I don’t know what to even say about it. I will be interesting, in a couple of weeks, to see how Maryann really reacts if Tara wants to move in with Sookie.

Sam

Sam is going to leave and, presumably, get away from Maryann. He asks Terry to take over the bar while he’s gone, but immediately begins to question his decision. On his last night in Bon Temps, he goes running with his old dog friend. When he jumps into the river, he is met by Daphne, the new struggling waitress, who has the same scratch marks Sookie had from the horned beast thing.

Jason

Last, but certainly not least, is my favorite storyline so far. Jason has a dream about Eddie and prays to God for some direction. He later admits to the camp everything, about Eddie, Sookie and Bill, etc. At the point where he is ready to leave, Sarah Newlin chases him down and tells him that, like him, vampires were her friends until someone close to her, her sister, was taken away by vampires. They pray together and she brings Jason closer into the Newlins’ circle of friendship. After all, Sarah Newlin doesn’t whip out her pudding for just anyone.

What the heck was that thing? Happy Independence Day next weekend, everyone!

Philboy is a Midwesterner just trying to find a job and live his entertainment-obsessed life. His can’t miss shows are “24”, “HIMYM” and “True Blood”. His thought for the week is, “I wish I had more room to talk about this show,” and “I wonder if there’s room for a column on ‘The Next Food Network Star!?!”