TRUE BLOOD: Frenzy

This week, we had everything: a little sex, a little blood, a little blackmail and, most importantly, a little bit of information on how Maryann might be taken down. Before we get started, a quick reminder that the season finale won’t be for a couple of weeks. Take the week off, rest up, and make sure you feed before the big Yahtzee game…I mean the big season finale.

To the Queen’s credit, Yahtzee can be very exhausting.

First off, we started things by seeing the Queen (Evan Rachel Wood) in her always sunny, Gatsby-like estate. I couldn’t help but thinking of Fitzgerald’s classic and of the Queen as the title character. Gatsby built this grand illusion for himself and couldn’t survive without it, nor can the Queen, with her constantly tropical landscape keeping the drama and danger of the real world, especially Bon Temps, at bay. Wood did an excellent job as, what I thought at first was stilted acting, was actually living in ignorant bliss, truly not knowing or caring about the Maryann situation. It wasn’t until Bill was going to leave and Eric was there to entertain her that she gave him any information at all.

As I said, I was at first a little worried about Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen. She’s beautiful and has the classic looks to carry the role, but her delivery was off at the beginning, in my opinion. It wasn’t until later I learned that this was, at least seemingly, intentional. Now, I’m really looking forward to seeing more of her.

But, we couldn’t spend all episode lounging by the pool and feeding. There was stuff going on back in Bon Temps. One thing I’m finding is that this season’s theme is finally forming in my mind. Last season, aside from setting up the ever-changing parameters under which everyone must operate, “True Blood” told a tale of outsiders trying to make it in the world and coming up against all sorts of hurdles. This season, with Jason’s journey in and out of the Fellowship and Maryann’s manipulation of people, we are seeing a look at how belief in anything greater than ourselves can help or harm us. Maybe it’s the film major and philosophy geek in me, but that’s is what is redeeming to me about the whole Maryann storyline.

With Maryann controlling everyone, it is difficult to tell when people are telling the truth, lying just for fun, or lying to get something. We saw all varieties of behaviors tonight, mainly in Tara. As she plead with everyone to release her from the furry handcuffs (Oh, Lafayette, you can’t turn evil or die on me. You’re just too awesome.) I became extremely hesitant in believing her. I was a witness to her genuine moments with Eggs at the beginning of the season, but that doesn’t mean that they were genuine for both of them. Remember, people lied and betrayed in Bon Temps long before Maryann came in to town. But, for Tara’s mother, Tara’s love proved to be too powerful. You just never quite knew, and I guess we still don’t know, what her true motives were. I’m really starting to think that some mind control is taking place in Tara even when she isn’t all dark-eyed. Let’s face it, she’s easily manipulated. Anyway, her and Lafayette both possessed is going to make things a whole lot harder in a couple of weeks.

Hoyt and Jessica split up because Jessica bit Hoyt’s mom’s neck. Typical relationship issues, you know. Anyway, Hoyt’s mom started spouting off about how Hoyt’s been pretty much living a lie since he was a kid. Again, you don’t really know how much stock to put in that, but we’ll see if that confession brings him back to Jessica (fingers crossed).

I’m really starting to think about the repercussions that all of these events will have on Bon Temps after Maryann has left or been defeated or whatever. Even though no one will remember what they did, there are witnesses who can attest to it and the evidence will surround them. I think that next season will probably focus on that, but I can’t help but starting wondering about it now. It’s almost like the beginning of season one all over again: you take a bunch of people in a known situation, drop something huge and different into their environment, and see how they react.

All in all, we learned this most important kernel of information: Maryann can only be killed when she thinks that Dionysus has visited her and taken her gift. Shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Will Sam have to die for Maryann to go away? Will the Queen have to visit Bon Temps to help save the town she seems to care so little about?

Philboy is a Midwesterner who spends his days doing PR for a small Catholic university. His can’t miss shows are “24”, “HIMYM” and “True Blood”. His thoughts for the week are, “GLEE returns this week!” and “I can’t believe I watched the ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ movie and, not only enjoyed it, but was kind of moved and riveted as well.”