Director: Marcos Siega
The southern vampire drama has really found its footing in the past month. Is it because the writers have the backbone of Charlaine Harris' source novels to work from? There's definitely a feeling of every episode unfolding like a chapter in a book, as we enter the second half of this captivating story…"Burning House Of Love" finds Sookie (Anna Paquin) losing her virginity to vampire Bill (Stephen Moyer), then having to cope with the disparaging looks and cynical remarks (both verbal and mental) from the people of Bon Temp, once her popped cherry is publicly revealed by Sam (Sam Trammell). While the sprightly waitress feels a whole new, sexual world has opened up for her, small-town fears have clearly not dissolved since Bill's meet-and-greet at the local church. To paraphrase her brother's opinion: is Sookie just another "fang-banger" being taken for a ride?
Meanwhile, Tara (Rutina Wesley) has returned home to live with her mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter), who still believes an evil demon has been the root cause of her alcoholism. Resolving to end her mother's torment, whatever the cost and her own personal feelings, Tara agrees to finance a trip to a local "priestess" who claims she can perform an exorcism -- by drawing out the demon with stones and chants, then forcing the spirit into a caged possum that she'll then drown.
It's not 100% clear if the priestess is a con artist preying on weak-minded religious locals, although the exorcism looked quite effective and her insight into Tara's mental state seemed accurate. In a series with one foot firmly in the supernatural world, I'm assuming there's some truth in all this. So is Lettie Mae cured? Is mention of Tara's own demon just hogwash?
Jason's (Ryan Kwanten) addiction storyline really hits its stride here, as the dopey nymphomaniac stoops to stealing his dead grandmother's belongings to fuel his drug habit, then travels to the out-of-town Fangtasia bar to try and procure more "V". Inside, he meets a young neo-pagan called Amy Burley (Lizzy Caplan), who is clearly more experienced and connected when it comes to fixing people up with vampire blood -- so it's not long before Jason is indulging his twin addictions (sex and drugs) with the hottie hippie. Cue the series' best attempt to visualize the hallucinogenic qualities of V, and more shots of naked breasts viewers are OD'ing on just recently!
The arrival of another character was welcome and, despite being a slight cliché as a dippy New Ager, Caplan is an agreeable and beautiful presence. Hopefully Amy won't be just another notch on Jason's bedpost, but another perspective on the vampire subculture. A return trip to Fangtasia was also a great idea, although I'm disappointed by how bland thousand-year-old vampire Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) appears to be. I'm not sensing much threat or charisma from him yet, just a lot of pretension. Who sits on a throne in their own nightclub?
This week's big cliffhanger is borne from another fracas at Merlotte's, when the three troublemaking vamps led by Malcolm (Andrew Rothenberg) make an unwelcome return (and it seems vampire lore only requires them to be invited into private residences.) For the first time, the threat the vamps pose is less cloak-and-dagger in public, and the only way Bill can persuade them to leave is by agreeing to go with them. The experience stokes the fires of vengeance in some redneck barflies, who head to the vampire's "nest" in broad daylight the next day and set fire to it with molotov cocktails…
Overall, there's plenty going on in this seventh episode to keep you actively engaged and interested, even if the overarching murder-mystery is never quite as prevalent as I think it should be. It sometimes feels like everyone forgets there's a serial-killer on the loose, until another death reminds them for a day or two.
The Sookie/Bill romance is now public knowledge (for better or worse), so it will be interesting to see if they can maintain a relationship under scrutiny, and if one's even possible in the long-term for a human and vampire. Unlike some other TV shows (like the recent Moonlight) you really do get a clear sense of how difficult a human/vampire coupling would be in reality. Nigh impossible if you're squeamish about blood or like to be in bed by nine o'clock, actually!
Jason and Tara's subplots were enjoyable, but I was mildly frustrated to see the mystery over Uncle Bartlett wrapped up so quickly. The wheelchair-bound creep was only introduced last week, but within minutes we learn he molested Sookie as a little girl (seen in an uncomfortable flashback, with Sookie listening in on her uncle's unsavoury sexual thoughts as she's perched on his lap), and his misdemeanor is avenged by Bill. I can't help thinking that storyline should have been allowed to breathe a bit, but the writers obviously only introduced Uncle Bartlett to demonstrate how protective Bill feels about Sookie's well-being.
Another slight concern is a massive clue regarding Sam, who is spotted running naked across a field by Andy Bellefleur (Chris Bauer). The visual has such a strong tradition in werewolf movies that I'd be very surprised if that wasn't the answer. It would also explain Sam's kinship with the mysterious dog (which we learn he's the owner of), and the infamous bed-sniffing scene from awhile back. So, was too much information imparted to the viewer? Or is it red herring? I can't be the only one who thinks a werewolf would be the prime suspect for the spate of unexplained, bloody murders across Bon Temps. Just correlate the crime dates with the lunar calendar, Sheriff…
19 October 2008
HBO, 9/8c
Cast: Anna Paquin (Sookie), Stephen Moyer (Bill), Rutina Wesley (Tara), Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette), Sam Trammell (Sam), Carrie Preston (Arlene Fowler), Ryan Kwanten (Jason), Lizzy Caplan (Amy Burley), Chris Bauer (Andy Bellefleur), Danielle James (Randi Sue), Adina Porter (Lettie Mae Thornton), James B. McDaniel (Onlooker), Caleb Moody (Royce), Jeremy Denzlinger (Wayne), Graham Shiels (Liam), Michael Raymond-James (Rene Lenier), Alexander Skarsgard (Eric), Raoul Trujillo (Longshadow) & Zenali Turner (Young Sookie)
