True Blood Sucker Punch: Episode 12

Welcome to Sucker Punch, the only blog post that ranks the gaudiest moments on this week's episode of True Blood.

(Warning: Spoilers Ahead)

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Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that Miss Jeanette was lying dead in the back seat of Andy Bellefleur's car, and now Eggs is lying dead next to Andy Bellefleur's car.

But hey... seasons can't go on forever, and "Beyond Here Lies' Nothin'" sends True Blood out in style.

First, I tip my hat to Alexander Woo for writing such satisfying scenes for Queen Sophie-Anne. After her first appearance, I figured I'd be sending her No Thank You cards, but Woo really turned it around.

In this episode, Sophie-Anne is actually invested in what's happening. She's commanding Eric to sell her blood to humans, and she's making a big show of her power over him. Combine that with her casual references to her disdain for every living thing, and she suddenly seems like someone whose immortality has made her a cruel and disinterested god. She's bored by her existence -- hence all the board games -- so she amuses herself by making the world her plaything.

More to the point, Sophie-Anne is exactly what Godric chastised Lorena for being -- a creature who has gotten more petulant with age. But since Sophie-Anne is so powerful, her childishness makes her dangerous, like a howler monkey with a handgun.

I also appreciate that this week's episode suggests last week's Sophie-Anne was a put-on ... that all the stuff she told Bill about Maryann was intentionally confusing. If that scene was convoluted on purpose, then it's a lot more interesting.

Still, this episode has some head-scratchers. Like, when did Sam see a giant white bull? If he didn't, then how did he turn into one? I'm not saying I don't dig the scene where he kills Maryann by sticking his horn/arm into her black, dusty heart, but I wish it had been more logical.

Also, I'm not sure I accept Maryann's sudden vulnerability. I mean, maybe a little, since she thought she was giving herself over to her god and all ... but still. I guess any resolution to this interminable storyline was going to feel underwhelming.

But while I do have reservations about Maryann's last moment, I've got nothing but kisses for the scenes leading up to it. When Maryann asks Sookie what she is, and Sookie says, "I'm a waitress, what the f*** are you?," I could die.

Once again, Michelle Forbes' performance is superb. Take the moment when Sookie tries to do the ole' white-hand-lightning trick, but it doesn't work, so she pushes Maryann in frustration. Maryann responds by saying, "That's hitting me. You're not committing to this at all," and Forbes chews that line so hard that juice runs down her chin. The fact that she can muster that kind of schoolmarmish disapproval, even on the night when Bacchus is coming, is hilarious, and it's one of the reasons I like this show. There's always time for a sassy little joke, no matter whose heart is getting cut out.

Speaking of the white-magic scene, I've got to give it up to Anna Paquin, who does great work playing righteous indignation (at Maryann), self-doubting terror (after Bill proposes), and emotional release (when she decides to accept Bill's offer.) It's nice to see Sookie written and performed so vividly.

It's also nice to see Bill have something to do. The plan he concocts with Sam is dramatic and compelling. It also delivers a Sucker Punch nominee. Watching Sam get gutted by that giant knife is awful.

But it's not unexpected, so it can't win the prize.

Ditto for the egg-licking scene. By now, we're so used to Maryann treating crazy rituals like common sense that her antics are as comfortable as old slippers. It's still campy-fabulous, however, when she glares at Sookie and says, "You're the maid of honor. You have to lick the egg." If you're getting married in the next few months, I double-dog dare you to say that to your maid of honor. While holding, like, an Egg McMuffin.

Ultimately, the most scandalous and unexpected moment of this episode comes near the end, when Jason shoots Eggs in the head and Andy takes the blame. Jason tries be a hero, but his actions could haunt him forever, and Andy does a noble thing, but the consequences could be severe. Now these former enemies are united by blood. What will happen next?

And what will become of Jessica now that she's a truckstop hooker-murderer? And who kidnapped Bill? And who are Sam's real parents? All good questions that will keep me anticipating season three.

For now, though, let's say goodbye to season two. The writing got confusing sometimes, and there were a whole lot of stories that didn't go anywhere (how's it going, Steve and Sarah Newlin?), but on the whole, this was a stylish, sexy, and entertaining summer of fun. I'm glad I had the chance to discuss it with you!

Follow Mark Blankenship on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CritCondition

Comments

[JimLarkin]

friends , brahma bulls are quite common in bayou country, they adapt well to the climate around here for the same reasons that pigs dont do so well. maybe sookie's neighbors have a herd of great whites...just a thought.

[atienne]

I've seen a lot of people comment on where Sam saw the bull-Sam and Bill both knew Maryanne's 'god' was a horned god. I'm pretty sure they went in with a plan, a dangerous one but a plan nonetheless thst wasn't necessary to see since we wouldn't freak out at Sam being stabbed (which was awful!) Sam knew he had to shift so why would it be so crazy to shift to a bull? How do we know Sam hasn't seen one before? He said seeing it helps him shift easier. Sam is a true shifter, meaning he can take any form he wants

[scotia626]

I love the show but I think the season finale was lame and predictable. I hope its not a sign of things to come.

[sgodawind]

What I noticed was that Bill was nearly drained dry by Sam> So, now they are
linked like Eric and Lafayette>

When Sam said> sometimes it was better to face the truth than hide it> How
guilty Bill looked and then the rush to propose to Sookie.

What better animal to represent a God than a Brahma Bull! MaryAnne was
expecting a bull and Brahma's are so powerful and it looked Majestic.

[nicoleqv]

When Bill walks up all weak from letting Sam suck his blood, Sookie says to him "Bill, bury the body." Does anybody else find that hilarious?

[Fudgefase]

Yes, I laughed at that too. Poor guy was dropping and here, have a shovel and get digging!

[scorpioleidy]

I have seen every single episode of TB - what a mind trip! - but, IMO, "Frenzy" and this last one "Beyond Here ... " were the worst. I'm glad (hope) that Eggs is gone, and as much fun as Maryann was, I'm glad this character is finished, too. Can't wait for the next season!

[TJinSoCal]

I think you're gushing over this a bit too much... I was glad they finally, finally killed the Maryanne story line, though I'm disappointed that there will be no more Michelle Forbes. But this season has been too scattershot. In the books, Sookie comes across as a more resourceful and strong character. I don't like that the tv show has her as a damsel in distress every other episode, requiring rescue.

On the plus side, I'm really liking Sam's character more and Jessica has gained a lot of potential for next season.

Here's hoping for less Queen-of-the-Bland.

And introduce Bubba! Best.. Vampire.. Ever..

[Fudgefase]

What a shame Michelle couldn't have been the vampire queen. Now there's a lady who can exude sex, menace and comedy! I appreciate the character is younger in the books but would that have made a huge difference?
I can totally see her by the pool, playing an evil game of yahtzee and it actually being a bit scary because it was so sinister.

[Isis N]

As Alan Ball SPECIFICALLY said at the Comic-Con True Blood panel, THERE WILL BE NO BUBBA! It would be corny, and could cause financial issues for the show... Just can't be brought from book to show. Sorry.

[Fudgefase]

What's Bubba?

[michigan em]

Did anyone else notice the calf in the woods after Sam killed MaryAnn? I thought it might be one of the kids and that we would learn that there were more shifters, but it never became anything. Maybe a lead up to something next year? Or Sam reflecting on his lost childhood? Any ideas?

[Steamboater]

Maybe that deer was one of Sam's biological parents keeping an eye out for him.

[scorpioleidy]

I saw that. I thought he was reminiscing about Daphne.

[njlach]

Same here, I thought it reminded him of Daphne, although the deer seemed to be staring back at him...

[lenzorizzo]

the last time we saw Eric, he was promising the Queen to take care of Bill personally.
Hmmmm. There were gloves on the hands that took Bill with the silver choker. Hmmm. And he seems to've gotten Bill out of the way in the nick of time to continue his pursuit of Sookie.

[scorpioleidy]

Noticed that (gloves) - exactly what I was thinking - it had to be Eric!

[Fudgefase]

Smallish hands though.

[mikeodd]

"I love the smell of nail polish in the morning!" -Jason
What an explosive ending to an explosive season!
The first half hour was breathlessly paced and MA's gory demise was satisfying -especially at Sam's hand/horn. Unsure of exactly what animal it was at the time(Brahma bull thanks to astute SP'ers) I chalked up Sam's ability to conjure it to his drinking of Bill's blood and the subsequent amplification of powers, like Sookie's. Bug-eyed, Lafayette was as menacing as he usually is hilarious, ditto for Jason (above declaration excluded) so once again kudos to Nelsan Ellis and Ryan Kwanten for bringing their A-game.
ERW got to kick it up a notch as the Queen but falters in comparison to Michelle Forbes's usual smoldering performance. Next season, she'll hopefully fare better with a concrete role.
Poor Eggs but...that last card Lafayette held while reading Tara's cards did say JUSTICE.
It's gonna be hard but after a season of Curb and Big Love we'll be back in Bon Temps and hopefully the SP. Cheers!

[Mark Blankenship - Huffpost Blogger]

Hey everyone! I was M.I.A. all day, but it was treat to come back to so many comments.

The whole bull/ram error has been corrected. I was thinking "bull" and typed "ram." You know how it goes.

But still... after they've been so careful all season to make sure we understand that Sam sees the creatures he becomes (fly, bird, etc.), I found it really frustrating that he didn't actually see a bull before becoming one. Yes? No?

Again, though, just a minor hiccup for me.

[CynAnne]

Welcome back, Mark! As you see, we're question-happy posters this evening (lol). As for the question you've just posed..perhaps a mental image, concentrated upon, would suffice for a shift? For all we know, Sam keeps an "Animal Encyclopedia" in his library, just in case of 'emergency situations'..? ;) ...

[mredder4]

I think you may be confusing Sam's power a bit. Perhaps he only needs to see an animal once, not at the moment of transformation. That might mean any animal that he's seen becomes part of a "bank" of options. We didn't exactly see a fly go by his head when he was "smoted" by the Jason-God, but I'm pretty sure that's what he used to disappear like he did. That would mean that the writers would be hard-pressed to explain every animal he becomes, but it might be an explanation.

[Fudgefase]

Anyone else wondering if Sam is now going to have erotic dreams about Bill......?

[Isis N]

Yes, and I'm all for the hilarity that would ensue because of such dreams!

[Sunnynala]

The Maryann resolution made no sense at all. I don't know what Ball was playing at, but he dropped the ball on the mythology of the maenad.

I know the queen told Eric she might have given Bill a load of gorilla sh*t, but she was obviously lying to Eric to keep him from running to Sookie's rescue. Sookie is of huge interest to the queen so she would want Bill to have correct info to deal with the maenad.

WHY did Maryann think her god had come in the first place? She told Sookie that her "husband will love it" speaking of the heart of the vessel, Sam. "It's the *very thing* that gives him life". Yet, she didn't HAVE Sam's heart . Her ritual was in shambles, yet as the queen told Bill maenads had been "perfecting" their "recipe" for centuries and would only believe the god will come if everything goes according to plan. Death at the hands of her god, after being ravished by him, was what she was truly seeking. It seems to me the *ONLY* way she should have been killed was for her to have had a successful ritual, and then to believe absolutely that her god had come. The god who comes, or somebody she believed with all her heart WAS the god who comes, was the only one who should have been able to kill her, not a shape shifter who revealed himself to her at the last minute.

[Fudgefase]

I know, I know. But I doubt if even Bill's blood could bring back someone whose heart had been ripped out.

[Veronica]

Obviously, she did believe with all her heart that the bull was the god who comes, and she believed it so strongly that she was distracted from her anger over the ruined ritual. It's feasible to me that she would be thrown off by actually seeing a bull appear before her after so many centuries of trying.

And if it weren't for Sookie breaking the egg, they probably would have cut out Sam's heart in short order. The distraction saved him and he was able to convince Maryann that he was the god.

And who says the Queen had it exactly right, anyway? That's not a plot hole -- perhaps Sophie Ann was just wrong about part of it.

[sabrinatee]

This was a totally lame finale, full of filler scenes and idiotic WTF? moments. Sam's and Hoyt's scenes were the only mildly interesting ones - Bill and Sookie have been boring as hell for weeks, and I for one was glad when he was snatched from that utterly false proposal scene. Make it STOP! I am really disappointed in the alternately ridiculous and dull way this season ended, especially when the Godric/Eric episodes were so affecting and well-written. This finale was a mess.

[PainDiva]

Mark...Google dude! That was not a ram, that was a Brahma Bull.
The Queen was more of a Prom Queen than a Vamp Queen.
There had been a couple of scenes but myself, I felt let down....
I sure hope AB and his writers really pull together and give us more Pam...Sam, love interests who don't die for Tara and Sam and Jason.
This finale show would have been better for a regular show.

[jugiebeans]

I think that it is Lorena who had Bill kidnapped and maybe with the help of Eric..The 3rd book details how Bill is tortured by Lorena and it is Eric who helps Sookie get him back. I watched the last episode 3 times and it's much better after you see it again. I was waiting for the end that I didn't see so much or pick up on much. I had to see it again because there was so much that I missed. I loved when Sam gorged her as a bull and then changed to himself and pulled her heart out! I can't wait til next season in which I hope that Eric has a much bigger part then he did this year! Is it me or did all the characters look a lot sexier this year than last. Eric was way HOTTER and even Bill looks younger and way better looking this year than last. Sookie looks older and nuch more mature this year too!

[Steamboater]

Thanks for giving away what happens. :(

[Fudgefase]

I think the books are rough guidelines only. According to the folk who read them, the storyline isn't following the book exactly.

[Chantal7399]

no fear...i'm pretty sure Alan is going to deviate a lot from the books. sure bill will get kidnapped like in the books, but the rest will probably be totally different in the hands of Alan Ball (just like the whole thing with the maenad - TOTALLY different than the books).

[CynAnne]

It was be most appreciated, jugiebeans, if, when about to reveal a plot point possibly unknown to others, one would post a *SPOILER AHEAD* warning, so those who wish to remain mystified can skim over the paragraph..thanks in advance. ;) ...

[TaraP]

I am not impressed with Evan Rachel Wood. Her performance seems too rehearsed. She rattles off everything too fast. She just doesn't fit in with the rest of the cast. Their portrayals are much more realistic. I'd never seen her act before, only knew of her because she dated that freak Marilyn Manson. I hope her character doesn't stay around too long. Not loving it.