True Blood Sucker Punch: Episode 4
Warning: 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.
I'd probably have guessed that series creator Alan Ball wrote this installment, "Shake and Fingerpop," even if I hadn't seen his name in the credits. Like American Beauty and many episodes of Six Feet Under, it unites multiple plot lines with a single theme.
In this case, the theme is "unexpected vulnerability." Almost all the major characters are weakened in some way, which creates a queasily exciting energy: We can sense a bomb's about to drop, but we can't quite tell where it's going to fall.
It makes sense for everyone to be vulnerable, of course, since we're entering the second quarter of the season. The first three episodes defined this year's major arc -- Maryann is powerful, there's a beast ripping out hearts, etc. -- and the next three will probably prepare everyone for the climactic conflicts in episodes six through twelve.
In other words... now that we know something crazy's going on, we need to understand that the Bon Tempians are susceptible to it.
And so we get Jason moving in with Reverend Steve and Slutty Sarah. We're clear on the Newlin's pure-yet-vicious personae, and we've seen how they use them to fuel both vampire hatred and their seduction of Jason the Golden Boy.
And in this episode, Jason takes the bait. The scene where he fantasizes that Sarah is fellating a beer bottle totally makes him vulnerable to whatever mind and/or sex game the Newlins want play on him. Suddenly, in the very place he thought he could escape them, Jason is tempted by his horndog impulses, and that makes him a target. The next time he takes off his shirt, he may get "Fellowship of the Sun" branded on his abs.
Jason's fantasy sequence is a strong contender for Sucker Punch, as is the, um, "practical joke" that starts the episode. I mean, seriously: Luke pounces on Jason and threatens to have sex with him and kill him, only then he says it's all just a joke, ha-ha-ha. That's so... dirty. And sick. And weirdly hot. Thanks, Alan Ball. I'm sending you the therapy bill.
Sookie has an over-the-top moment, too, when she learns that she's not the only one who can hear thoughts. Who is Barry? And why is working in a hotel? Is he spying on Sookie for the Fellowship? Whatever he's up to, he certainly makes our heroine vulnerable in a new way.
And speaking of "I know who you are," I'm frothing to find out who Daphne is. Why doesn't she care that Sam sees the claw marks on her back? And why does her "aw-shucks-I'm-a-bad-waitress" personality disappear when she sexy whispers that she knows Sam is a shape-shifter? His triple vulnerability -- Daphne knows his secret and she's seen his softer side and she's seen him naked -- makes Sam a candidate for something unpleasant.
It's also interesting that Daphne has suddenly gone from bumbling barmaid to one one of the few characters with power. At the moment, she knows more about other people than they know about her, which gives her the upper hand.
Personally, I think she's in cahoots with Maryann, who's newly-revealed Krazy Klaws suggest she is the one who slashed Sookie in the woods.
Things also get trashy after Lafayette agrees to drink Eric's blood, then starts dancing like a freak machine. Now Lafayette is tethered to a vampire with an agenda.
But isn't it interesting that Eric is vulnerable, too? When he tells Bill about Godric being kidnapped, he expresses real fear and raises serious questions. How did a human capture such a powerful vamp? And what will that mean for the rest of the undead?
(Sidebar: Eric mentions a vampire queen. Can we cast Rue McLanahan now, or do we need to dummy up an audition process before handing her the role?) (Update: Thanks to the readers who pointed out that Evan Rachel Wood will play the queen. She's cool, too.)
The silver Sucker Punch medal goes to the scenes between Bill and Jessica, who are acting out a charming family comedy. I love watching Bill show fatherly pride when Jessica learns how to glamor, and I double-love seeing Jessica abuse that power to make her glamored human shout rumors about a trampy girl who went to Jessica's church. Those are just such human moments, you know? Of course a teenager is going to push limits, just like she's going to swoon for the first boy she kisses.
But as weirdly sweet as those scenes are, the Sucker Punch comes from Tara and Eggs Benedict. As I said in the comments for Episode Three, I do not trust Eggs at all. At all! He's just too perfect to be real. And in this episode, it's clearer than ever that he's in cahoots with Maryann to exploit Tara's loneliness. It's so creepy when they show up at Sookie's house, where Tara is crying, and just happen to have a wedding cake.
And boy, does Tara fall for it! The Sucker Punch comes when she and Eggs have lusty sex in Sookie's place, while outside, Maryann whips the townsfolk into such an orgy that they screw, fight, and eat dirt. The whole montage reeks of terrible consequences, namely because on television, no one gets to party that hard without getting impregnated with a Greek god's baby. Here's to seeing the aftermath!
For more, please join me at The Critical Condition
Follow Mark Blankenship on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CritCondition
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
-- Since Mark is a bit late with tonight's "Sucker Punch", this may be a tiny spoiler ahead -- I knew it! *triumph dansen* I knew Daphne was a shape-shifter, and that's why she wasn't made as terribly ill as Sookie was when she got her 'stripes'.
Of course, I saved lots of juicy stuff for Mark to write about, my fellow HuffPos. I love reading Mark's take on each episode, just as much as the rest of you..! ;) ...
Who's the pig??? It's not Maryann. Could it be egg? could it be daphne?
Who cares? It's stupid. Get rid of that whole Maryanne plot. It is ruining the show. Maybe the pig is the Minotaur. That's how ridiculous it is. Get back to vampires and get rid of this greek mythology crap.
Is that a hog or a pig? It's quite large and black so it might be a hog and it might be Eggs after all. Hmmmm...an
This gets more complicated all the time LOL.
"no one gets to party that hard without getting impregnated with a Greek god's baby. Here's to seeing the aftermath!"
Aftermath - dude! I want to see them make that baby. We aren't getting nearly enough full frontal nudity anymore - not like Season One. They did that to us with Rome, too - Season One showcased gorgeous penises. That's the last we saw of them, too.
HBO can be such a tease.
Irony of ironies, something like that announcement that Texas is the only Vampire Friendly State. LOL
Maryann's character is getting a little tiring. OK, we know she's this ancient Greek goddess or some the half-human half-bull of Minos and it's been done and done over. Get on with it already. Have we ever seen Maryann and Daphne together or alone together in a room? I don't remember? Are they one in the same? I never trusted Eggs either. As to who attacked Sookie, I still think it was Maryann.
As to Jason, now that he's a soldier of the sun, he'll do like Jason of Jason and the Argonauts did and turn on them and destroy the very ones who have brought him into this cult.
Alan Ball is the best writer on TV and this episode, IMO, was one of the best of TB. He cleverly interwove the character's story lines and delved a bit deeper into their vulnerabilities, human or otherwise. There were a few moments that stood out.
1. Bill's compassionate, fatherly look at Jessica when she commented about her fangs coming out when she was turned on and his admission of his envy of her freedom.
2. Tipsy Sookie out of her element in Dallas and her amazement at finding another telepath.
3. Jason's hurt when accused of being Sarah's sex plaything.
4. Layfayette's hilarious dance.
5. Marianne continues to be dangerous manipulative being, preying on our own cravings. I love how Alan Ball is pushing this theme into our over indulged collective faces.
Again, I have to ask:
When Sookie is scanning the pornos on the TV, is Pastor Steve one of the stars; or am I imagining things. I don't have a PVR.
My theory is that either Pastor Steve will make a pass at Jason (I get the gay vibes from him), or that they're going to suggest a threesome.
My Gaydar doesn't give me Steve making a pass at Jason, although it did tell me the guy Jason punched in the nose wanted Jason when they first met on that bus.
I know this sounds off the wall but here's a possible take on eveything. Pastor Steve is the Vampire Queen trying to gain power over all the vampires and destroy Eric and what better way to think he could that to garner an army of soldiers in the form of this sun cult. We've seen it time and again in films, how the devil is very deceptive and will making others believe one thing in order to get them in his cluches etc. Just a possibility.
Originally I thought the guy who introduced Eric to Steve was the one who really killed Steve's father but now I think it was Steve.
Yes I noticed too, I have a DVR I played it back and my husband agreed that Paster Steve might be 'moonlighting', not only that but have you noticed the way he looks at his wife? Also are we absolutely positively sure that his 'parents' were 'murdered' by vampires? Remember he said his 'Dad' sister and his Dad's wife, so maybe he had to get his stepmother out of the way in order to inherit what he considered rightfully his?
Mark,
The snarkiest comment wasn't even a line..it was a throwaway visual from Alan Ball. As Jason and the Rev are paintballin' vamp targets, did you notice their baseball caps? Light of Day Institute = LODI. I spewed soda at that one...!
For all you non-Californians, Lodi (which is physically not that far from San Fran) is one of the most anti-gay places in this state...th
I thought it was one of the cleverest background comments yet...
Oh and I haven't gone back to re-watch the episode but wasn't that upscale Vamp Hotel called The Hotel Carmilla or something like that)?
http://en.
Yes! And the airline that they flew to Dallas on what called Anubis Air - Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife
http://en.
In my mind's eye, I saw Bill as a Johnny Depp type while I read the books. I am disappointed in
the Bill on the show. Try as I might, I just can't like him and looked forward to Sookie's interest in Eric.
Then I learned that might not happen. But I thought there were some fireworks in Sookie and Eric 's
scene where they argued and she slapped him. I absolutely love this show . They have a group of super talented actors. I enjoy reading this blog , you and other readers, caught things that I missed. I go back and watch the show again with a new perspective, looking foward to next week!
Try as I might, I just can't connect with Bill.
I haven't read the books, but I was really excited to read some earlier posters mention the possibility of a Sookie/Eric storyline!
Yummy!!!!
Oh, that would be awesome. Eric is HOT and Bill gets annoying. Many of the characters get annoying come to think of it, but yet week after week, we keep watching it.
If you are really getting into the T-Blood- there is a very good Recap and forum on Television Without Pity. Really detailed and very polite commentary.
1) Eggs is hot, but I don't trust him
2) I am digging how Andy will not let go of the 'pig' clue. Circe in the Odyssey turns Odysseus' men into swine. I personally Carl the manservant is a pig and Andy is going to stab the pig and end up with it being Carl dead.
3)Loving Jason. Poor guy-he is just trying so hard to do the right thing for SOMEONE
4)'Get out! Or I will have to throw you out. Through a window. Which is closed" Bill is getting more dad-like all the time
5)Jessica is a charm.
Agreed, ReesieKitty - especially with your 5th comment. I felt so bad for poor Jess, trying to get out of her silver-grey container (at the airport), only to go thumping to the floor like a sack of cement. I think she's just too, too darn cute (I guess I'm like Sookie, wanting to "..dress her up and play with her, like a doll..", as Bill so aptly groused a couple episodes ago).. ;) ...
I thought the Jessica plot would be totally predictable and annoying, but now its one of my favorites. She is bringing the much needed comedy to things- and I really think its sweet that she and Hoyt have a crush on each other! The whole 'mom and dad come home and find you necking on the couch' scenario was really priceless. All evening my fiancee kept saying in Bill voice " Or I will have to throw you out. Through a window. Which is closed." LOL much more fun than grumpy arguing Bill+Sookie
Jessica has bloomed into such a beauty. I knew she'd hunt down Hoyt and have her nasty way with him, even before she was introduced. (He made a comment in season one about being willing to date a vampire - if he met one - and I thought, "Uh oh. That boy's gonna get himself into trouble.") I'm loving it.
I loved the first season, and I still love most of this one...but I really hate the whole Mary Ann storyline. All of it, her weird thing with Tara, these weird sex parties. I just am not digging it. I really like that Eric is becoming a bigger character, and especially the interaction between Bill and Jessica, and basically everything else that's going on. But I just can't wait for Mary Ann to get out of the picture.
Word.
I think Maryann feeds on the sexual energy.
I LOVE this show, and here are my thoughts :)
I'm not loving this whole MaryAnne storyline. I would much rather see more of Eric and his ilk.
Thrilled to hear there is going to be a Vampire Queen!! How very Buffy!
I'm finally feeling a bond with Bill, watching him deal with Jessica (who is awesome).
More Jessica, please!
Was that a picture of Pastor Steve on a porno-ad???
Either find something for Lafayette to do, or kill him off. He's too good to just sit around.
Isn't Sookie wondering what Jason's been up to all this time?
I'm worried that there are too many new characters. The first season seemed more like a family of people; now there's alot of extras. Why are they there?
Why are so many of these comments pouring the Hater-ade all over True Blood? This blog is for people who love the show...go someplace else to kvetch!
Mark, thanks for your work...and could we get a moment of love for the bar scene in the chi-chi Boutique Vampire Hotel where Bill orders a $45 bottle of True Blood? "I'm not going to drink it," he tells Eric. "I just want to see you pay for it."
Vampires? Really?
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
