True Blood Sucker Punch: Episode 10
Note: This post contains spoilers
Welcome to Sucker Punch, the only blog post that ranks the gaudiest moments on this week's episode of True Blood.
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Hey everyone! Before we begin, I want to thank you for the great discussion about last week's episode, "I Will Rise Up." Many of you disagreed with my assessment of Godric as a half-finished character who is more intellectually intriguing than emotionally involving, and you defended your positions with elegant analysis. I'm proud to be part of our ongoing conversation about True Blood, because week after week, it produces comments that make me think.
But no matter how we feel about Godric, can we agree that Episode 10, "New World in My View," serves up a flaky batch of awesomeness biscuits?
I mean, as someone who loves this season for its wild action and surprising character development, I can't ask for more. There are so many Sucker Punch moments in Episode 10 that I scarcely know where to begin...
... so let's start with the first scene. Sookie's naughty dream about Eric is striking because it's so tender. Before he bites her, Eric lets Sookie kiss his face. We see them interacting with kind-hearted concern, suggesting that Eric (whom I assume is manipulating this dream) wants an actual connectionwith Sookie, and not just a scromp-fest. Every revelation about his emotional life just deepens our understanding of what vampires can be. Is it possible that, given the proper conditions, they could all be as thoughtful and gentle as Godric?
Maybe... but lest we get too sentimental, this episode counters Eric's sensitivity with Jessica's rage. I'll bet some of us cheer when Jessica, tired of being called a slut, goes crazy on Hoyt's mama's neck. It's like watching a mother-in-law revenge fantasy.
Even better, writers Kate Barnow and Elisabeth Finch let Hoyt's mother act like a hateful cow without quite reducing her to a stereotype. Since she has black eyes, you see, we know she isn't really herself. She's a puppet, designed to say things that will stoke the basest urges in everyone around her. So when Jessica attacks, it's more like she attacking the worst parts of Hoyt's mom... and not so much assaulting the woman herself.
Here's the way I see it: Maryann makes people act on their nastiest impulses, and since they're controlled by their ids, they recklessly provoke the people around them. Hoyt's mama, for instance, says nasty things when she's normal, but even she has limits. Under Maryann's spell, however, she not only unleashes her most vicious thoughts, but also uses them like weapons. She intentionally pushes Jessica's buttons until the poor vampire snaps. That adds to the chaos that Maryann loves. (Tara tries to do the same thing to Sookie when she tells her that she ought to commit suicide. Tara probably has thought such a thing in a hidden part of her mind, but Maryann's influence brings that cruelty to the surface.)
With that perspective in mind, I have a new respect for Maryann's presence on the show. More than just a movie-of-the-week monster, she's the engine for a sweeping allegory about a person's secret corners. She's both a positive message and a cautionary tale.
Because there are parts of Maryann's influence that are good, you know? She inspires confidence. She eliminates sexual shame. She gives people permission to be themselves.
But she also demonstrates that liberation can lead to catastrophe.
So what do we do with that? How do we read a character that does terrible things, but also has wisdom to share?
In this episode, part of the answer comes from Sam, who tells Andy that killing the black-eyed people would be wrong, because they are still the citizens of Bon Temps. In other words, we can't destroy people just for having wild streaks. When they succumb to vice, we can't cast them aside.
Lafayette embodies part of the answer, too. He's a great example of someone who celebrates his id, but who knows how to keep it in check. He sees the boundary that Maryann wants people to miss.
This is a big idea I'm working through, and it's possible that the last two episodes will upend it altogether. But right now, I'm liking the notion that Season Two is an allegory for learning to balance all the parts of ourselves. Let's table this for now, though.
In other news, Sookie rocks when she discovers her new "magic hands" power. That's a strong Sucker Punch candidate, since her ability is so surprising and cool.
Another front-runner? The revelation that Nintendo Wii controls Hoyt's mama. How awesome that in True Blood, violent video games make life better.
This week's runner-up spot goes to Maryann's meat tree, because... eww. It's bad enough that she wants to sacrifice Sam. Sacrificing him on a tree full of rotting cold cuts is just gross.
This week's winner is Jason's crazy appearance as Fake Bacchus. First, he chooses to trick Maryann's followers into believing he's their god... but before he does it, he takes off his shirt. Then, he gets tongue-tied while he's praising his followers for bringing him Sam Merlotte. Then, he gets some broke-down horns, courtesy of Andy Bellfleur, and realizes he can't hear what Sam is saying because of his gas-mask headpiece. It's all just... awesomely ridiculous.
This scene truly becomes our Sucker Punch, though, after Sam disappears... then returns wielding a fire extinguisher and wearing nothing but an apron. When we see his bare butt, the show gets so trashy that you have to bow down.
Next week... Evan Rachel Wood as the vampire queen. Delicious!
For more, please join me at The Critical Condition.
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I wonder is Sookie will be Maryann's next target for Season three since she's now been turned on to Sookies special never before seen powers.
I know when these seasons start coming out on DVD, I'll be the first in line to buy them! I watch them over and over online every week, because I don't have HBO - so I have to wait until Monday morning to watch the new episodes.
Season 1 is out and is the best selling DVD, or was, just a few short weeks ago.
Episode 10 provided another of those hours that I don't think I took a single breath. The entire show was too wild and over the top to believe. I agree that just the thought of that nasty smelling, rotting sacrificial tree was 'sucker punch'. Loved the insistence from Maryanne that only the very expensive beef be used for her special sacrifice.
When Bill walked into the room with THE Queen, and then the credits started rolling, both me and Mr. looked at each other and said, "NO WAY!" We really needed more. It was then I realized I must have been holding my breath; I felt like I needed a bag to blow into.
Jason's Bacchus scene, with Andy behind him holding up a big tree twig for horns was bring-you-to-your-knees funny.
Thanks for the great review of this wild episode, Mark. You make me think of things I'd otherwise probably not consider.
Can't wait for the last two shows. /TotallyAmazed
Impossible for me to add anything to this already great discussion of what is hands down the best thing on TV right now. Props to your folks.
But I will suggest that if you really like Erik and Det Andy you may want to see them in another HBO context.
Andy played a really good role in the 2nd season of the Wire.....a union leader trying to keep his union upright.
Erik plays a hard but understanding and very professional USMC Recon Team leader on the HBO series Generation Kill.
Andy had a wacky son named Ziggy. Erik had a driver. They are both played by the same actor. An actor that would have fit right into TBlood very well.
Worth checking out if you have not.
Don't forget Eric as Meekus in Zoolander...
orange mocha frappuccinos!
OMG, I'm going to have to watch Zoolander again! Oh, and vampire queen vs. evil maenad b*tch, I can't wait!
Also gotta love this episode for Terry Bellefleur who has evolved from an PTSD-wracked vet into the de facto general of the black-eyed troops.
It's great writing that despite being in sexed-up ultraviolent frenzy, it is still possible to communicate with them on a certain level. The fact that its not impenetrable, as shown by Tara's successful intervention and Terry's concern for Arlene, gives Sam, Sookie, Jason and the vampires a fighting chance at dealing with Maryanne.
I've got my eye on Andy who was impervious to her hoodoo afew episodes back. "The One-Eyed Man is King" parable has got to be foreshadowing something huge with his character. Is he a supernatural too?? Can't wait to find out!
Very insightful. I was wondering about why Terry was "reachable" on some level, but still black eyed. Hadn't stopped to think about it, still trying to soak it all in, even though I've watched it twice now. I just cannot believe that there are only two, two! episodes left. I am so going to go into withdrawal.
Eric isn't able to manipulate Sookie's dreams any more than she can influence his "dreams" or whatever it is vamps have, so Eric doesn't have any say over what she dreams. I am getting tired of: "it's the bllooooddd making her do it" argument. People are forgetting Bill did the same thing to Sookie with his blood in Season 1.
I would have loved for 2 mins of the missing 10 be devoted to seeing how Eric is actually doing. With all the power and drama of the last scene of ep 9, to not get any follow-up on how he is handling Godric's vampicide was disappointing.
I thought Terry and Jason rocked this episode, although I find it sad that Terry is at his most "sane" when he is crazy. Loved the LOL moments, esp Jason and Andy when Jason is pretending to be "God." I loved Ryan in this ep. So damn funny.
Terry's NOT crazy. He's just jumpy from the PTSD. If he and Arlene ever do get together --- without the Maryann influence --- he might be just fine. He's actually one of my favorite characters and I'd like to see him get more screen time and a real storyline.
If you have read the books and foreshadow things to come, type SPOILER at the beginning of the post! I end up reading things that I don't want to read!!!
Sam letting it all hang out to prevent a fire sums up the situation in Bon Temps and delivered a bonified Sucker Punch. Jason's subterfuge as "THE GOD WHO COMES!!!" is an instant classic as are practically all of Lafayette's lines in this episode. The fact that it clocked in at around 45 minutes was a sucker punch itself but what are you gonna do? HBO has got a fall lineup to sell and the final scene was screwy enough to raise expectations yet even further.
Masterful musical choices as well serving to augment the already bizarre surroundings -(what was) Sookie's house and the Queen's Lair.
The symbolism of Maryanne is a loaded question that we'll have plenty of time to ponder once everything plays out but you're definitely onto something, Mark and the timeliness of it is astonishing.
Lafayette all the way! Loved that we got to see more of him in this episode. I would be happy to just watch him the whole time ~ well maybe with a bit of Sookie & Bill's steamy chemistry thrown in.
Oh, and oddly enough, Andy is growing on me, too. He and Sam work really well together. Can't wait to see ERW as the Vampire Queen. What great casting!
If Sookie turns out to be the sacrifice fo Maryanne, I think Eric will appear very quickly besides whoever Bill is rallying. Can't wait. Love Lafayette, Sam, Jason, Eric, Bill.......and everybody else (except Maryanne). I am having a great time. I can't stand to think I have to wait for this to come back next season. I guess I'll re-read the books and really picture everybody naked this time...especially Eric.
My favorites this episode were Jason and Terry. Jason saying, "What's the matter with you people?" when they weren't afraid of him "BS, G*d has horns" from Terry, Jason saying "I am the G*d who comes". and, "I smite thee Sam Merlotte". Sookie touching MaryAnn,MaryAnn asking what they allare asking, "What are you?" Lafayette reciting scripture and verse. Loved his line about "Jesus and him seeing other people..." All the actors are terrific and I love the show more than ever.
I've used the "I am the God who comes..and I am here!" line twice today, marijam, with friends..only one of them 'got it', though (and then asked who I "..was smiting today..?"). Jason is just too darn cute (not always a 'deep thinker'..but so cute). And Terry's feelings for Arlene somehow breaking through Maryann's hoo-doo..curious, but perhaps a sign of hope that the residents of Bon Temps may have the strength within themselves to assist in defeating Maryann..and her 'God', who's "..coming, and he's gonna kill us all.." (the sound of Tara's voice when she hissed that line at her mother..whew)..! ;) ...
The opening scene w/ Eric & Sookie was yummy. I don't know if Sookie is creating this personification of Eric, but I'm liking where it's going, but then again I'm more "team Eric" than "team Bill." Although I know it will be Bill + Sookie in the end this is a nice distraction!
Maryanne is gonna get defeated...I'm betting on Sookie's magical touch & Sam to finish her off. His bare butt in the apron had me laffing till I cried. Jason deciding taking on the crowd at Merlotte's was nice, the orgy scene overdone. The "smite" me" scene was keeping in total character with Jason. A tad goofy and a tad endearing. Poor guy is just trying to do the right thing.
Lafayette continues to keep everyone in check! I love his characater and I love that the writers portray him as funny, witty, and edgy w/o being some kind of stereotype! His line about him and "God seeing other people", "if there was any time to listen to a white man", and "worst intervention" were hands down the best "moments" of the show!!!!
Finally, poor Bill. I think he trys so hard not to be upstaged by Eric, but he's lost some of his sexy shimmer for me. I do think he still has some more evil to show us, which I think makes him more appealing than his attempts to be the hero.
And thankfully, we will see more Eric next week! Yeaa...
How can you Eric fans NOT see that there is NO chemistry like that between Skarsgard and Paquin??? I mean, I see that sexual chemistry between Moyer and Paquin EVERY time they're together on screen! Same went when Anna was in her late teens and was in X-Men with Hugh Jackman. Those two SPARKED! I have yet to find such a connection between her and Skarsgard. All I see is a deep friendship and respect, but no sexual *punch* that makes you sit up and take notice!
I agree whole-heartedly, although I am admittedly more of a "team Eric" kind of girl, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer's chemistry is undeniable and I absolutely want to see Sookie and Bill go the distance. As a viewer I am endlessly rooting for their true love, which could possibly be due to their real life romance, which I also root for.
However, I do basically want Eric to be having some sort of sex in every episode. I don't really care who with. As long as he's naked and making out with someone I'll be happy.
"Lafayette embodies part of the answer, too. He's a great example of someone who celebrates his id, but who knows how to keep it in check. He sees the boundary that Maryann wants people to miss."
-So true... Lafayette is easily the most self aware character on the show! Even after his kidnapping he has retained his self but keeping it real with his new level of... weariness (for lack of a better word). He recognized he wasn't there for Tara. And when he pulled her outta the house after whooping Egg's butt! Pure TV gold!
I thought this week's episode would have given us more of Rev. Steve and Sarah too but nothing. Just a thought, maybe that blood drenched figure on the throne at the end isn't the queen after all but the queen's victim and maybe it's Leona or Maryanne????
Yeah, how could the Sucker Punch this week not be the criminally short episode length? What, 45 or 46 minutes? Is this episode pre-destined for syndication, so it was created small to make room for all the future commercials? The entire viewing experience was ruined by a faster-than-expected ending, and THAT is what a sucker punch feels like.
I totally agree... the sucker punch we were all talking about was the shorter than usual episode.
Ditto that point. I looked at the clock and it was about 30 minutes in so I lean back thinking what had been a bit of a mess of an episode was raring up for a crescendo when 15 minutes later, credits. Whoa? Given how much is going on and how borderline silly it is, it sure felt like they could have worked it a little further, something that 7-10 minutes more would have hopefully accomplished. For what's been a really good season, I thought this episode was poorly executed.
Don't understand the point of the editing that cuts off 5-8min of time for this episode. Also hunkered down for a few more revelations about the Marianne character and, how much help Bill could be against this creature.
Gotta say, this maybe the best written tv series currently airing. Have not read the novels, so don't know how faithful this is to those stories, but tremendous dialog and character development.
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