'True Blood': What would we do, baby, without us?

"Family ties" may as well have been the theme of tonight's "True Blood," "Night on the Sun," which slowed the plot way down in favor of scenes where characters who haven't spent a lot of time together this season got to check in with each other, while other connections were forged and broken. It was also quite a come-down after the last two blisteringly paced episodes, though I suppose that sort of thing is inevitable. I just wish that the whole episode hadn't been a long journey to a place we already knew we were going back to and that it hadn't undid one of its most interesting plot developments within the same exact episode. It makes it seem like the writers don't have a great deal of confidence in their characters to sustain interest, outside of the way we first came to know them.

Here's what I'm complaining about, less obliquely: In the first scene of the episode, Sookie breaks it off with Bill. Then, in the last scene, the two are back together again and having ravenous sex. I suspect that this is a part of a general motif in the episode, of people going back to things they should know are wrong for them, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating to have the show dangle a potentially interesting storyline -- let's see what Sookie and Bill are like apart, instead of together -- then take it away from us within the same episode. Anyone who's ever watched TV ever is going to know that these two are going to end up back together again by the end of the series. It's just the way the medium works. But along the way, we should get some interesting stories of what they're like both separate and apart. This episode is frustrating in that regard, though, again, it seems possible that this is all set-up for a more permanent break-up down the road.

Let's turn to the one genuinely awesome plot development this episode: Eric seduced Talbot so that he could stake him in the midst of post-coital bliss, the better to get his revenge on Russell. After a pretty sleepy episode, this was a genuinely shocking turn, and it explained just why Eric was so suddenly interested in Talbot. (I don't mind Eric's gleeful pan-sexuality, but I don't like it when characters are suddenly interested in other characters for no apparent reason.) On the other hand, it was easy to see why Talbot was weak enough to fall for Eric's trick, what with his lover marrying a woman to further his political gains and his sense that Russell was slipping away from him. It was a great moment and an unexpected twist, and it lived up to "True Blood" at its absolute best.

Sadly, the rest of the episode just didn't do as well. It makes sense that the show needs to slow things down before it flies off the rails (every roller coaster needs the eventual uphill climb), but "True Blood" almost always seems to do these things perfunctorily, as though it knows that it needs to do a slower episode now and again but can't be bothered to fill them with the same wit and verve that fill the more exciting episodes. At its best, "True Blood" is making you gasp and laugh and feel emotional whiplash. In these slower episodes, however, the show seems incapable of anything of the sort, instead settling for a sort of prolonged sulk, where everyone talks about their feelings, and it's as if everyone involved in the show is just marking time. Sadly, "Night on the Sun" is just such an episode.

Take, for instance, Jason meeting up with Crystal again. This storyline seemed to hit the same beats over and over, precisely because it's too early for the writers to tell us the story behind her and because there's really nothing more to her story than her secret. Well, she wants to escape her cruel family, so Jason helps her take care of that, but it's pretty much a nothing story with only one plot point. It was fun to see the guy going all Sawney Beane on that deer, but too much of this storyline felt like the show saying the same things over and over. The same goes for the Sam storyline, which has been hitting the same one or two points all season long and shows no signs of stopping. I still like the idea of Sam reconnecting with his family, and Sam Trammell is playing these moments well, but there's so little to the story that it can't sustain the slow down.

Really, that's the way I feel about "True Blood" storylines in general some of the time. Unless they're uncovering more of the world of the show, it sometimes feels as though they're so shallow that they suffer when they're not used to just propel us on to the next thing. This isn't a bad approach when the show is going full steam ahead (as it was in the last two weeks), but it definitely hurts the show when it stops to take stock of where it's been and where it's going. Even the more interesting and complex plots of the season -- like Russell's plot to take over Louisiana -- were hurt by the fact that this was an episode that didn't seem designed to move from point A to point B, but, rather, to stay at point A for as long as humanly possible.

I get that it's hard to write an episode like this. There are only so many ways you can do a "nothing happens!" episode on a show that's designed to make sure that things happen (frequently and excitingly) on a weekly basis. The world of "True Blood" is so rich and fascinating that it can't help but patch over some of these rougher spots, but this episode didn't even have that, preferring to spend most of its time in Bon Temps, where the storytelling has been like molasses this season. "Night on the Sun" didn't drive me nuts like some of the show's earliest episodes -- it did, after all, have that pretty terrifying assault on Sookie's house by the werewolves and some fun scenes where Bill tries to teach Jessica about her new powers -- but it was easily the least of this season so far. If nothing is going to happen in an episode of "True Blood," better make sure that nothing happens in a fun and fascinating way. This episode didn't pass that test.

Some other thoughts:

• * Lafayette and Tara's scene was fairly sweet, and while I'm still not sure what the deal is with his mom (and/or Jesus), it's providing for lots of fun speculation. It helps that Alfre Woodard is such a stitch in the role of mom.
• * It sure seems like there are a lot of people in the opening credits who were never there before, like the actress who plays Crystal. Have I just not noticed this all season? I'm a pretty big credits geek, so I'd normally see something like this.
• * The dead also returned to wreak havoc on the living (in a different way than they usually do on this show), as Franklin turned up while Tara was showering to sink his teeth into her and Rene turned up while Terry was singing to Arlene's baby belly. Both were dream (or hallucination) sequences, but both carried that sense that menace was just around the corner that the show does so well.
• * In general, it was a good episode for Tara, who also got to tell Sookie that if she takes Bill back, she's just like a woman in a country song, and women in those kinds of songs usually end up dead.
• * I don't know if you saw "True Blood" Saturday, but if you've read the books, please, please don't spoil what happens next for those of us who haven't. We appreciate it!
• * The quote selection is paltry this week both because it wasn't the funniest of episodes and because so many of the funniest lines can't be reprinted here.
• * Drop me a line via e-mail or Twitter or post in the comments if you have thoughts and want to tell me that I'm wrong and this was the best episode EVER.
• * "Where am I supposed to put my birds?!"
• * "No way." "Way." (Here, the line is funny because of the way Stephen Moyer delivers, "Way.")
• * "Got a black eye cuz she's so clumsy she walked into a wall." (Again, the delivery here is funnier than the line on paper.)

--Todd VanDerWerff (follow me on Twitter at @tvoti)

Photo: I still have no idea what's up with HBO's press site, so here's a fairly nondescript picture of Tara (Rutina Wesley). (Credit: HBO)

Related articles:

'True Blood' Saturdays: Let's talk about spoilers

With 'Game of Thrones,' HBO is playing for another 'True Blood'

Complete Show Tracker 'True Blood' coverage

---

Clicking on Green Links will take you to a third-party e-commerce site. These sites are not operated by the Los Angeles Times. The Times Editorial staff is not involved in any way with Green Links or with these third-party sites.

---

Comments

[Miriam]

I don't agree that this episode was about nothing, I think in terms of character development it worked well. Tara just went through this terrifying experience and we're finally seeing her react to it. The fact that she's grappling with a very real fear and at the same time a sexual attraction to Franklin is finally being displayed. This was a vampire that she was initially attracted to and then he turned out to be this monster who kidnapped her, and while her fantasies are because of the V, it doesn't change that she was initially attracted to him. What I liked about this episode is the contradictions in feelings and logic that these characters displayed. Sookie did the right thing for once, she finally put herself first and though she ended up in his arms at the end of the episode that doesn't change that she's become aware that he's a threat to her safety and that happily ever after doesn't exist for them. So we're seeing in these characters the complexity that we should expect. It isn't always about guts and gore, the characters are complex and that's one thing I like about this show and in particular this last episode.

[sookie fan]

I have no idea why they are plannning to give Lafayette special powers as indicated in this episode...

[Meg]

I definately think the end scene of this episode was the last hoorah for all the sookie n bill fans out there. They r definately gna break up.

[Christine]

this is going to be the most boring comment ever . i just wanted to thank you for writing these recaps and analysis. i only started watching TB this year - and have a lot of catch up to do. i read every one of your articles -and you keep getting better at this. thanks.

(the one thing i now understand is why a friend of mine is so lost when i talk about season 3. she watched 1 and 2 on netflix - and i was thinking did she not pay attention? she did not know 1/2 he actors i was talking about. now i get it. )

[Elizabeth]

It's funny how differently episodes strike different people. I think this may have been my favorite overall episode of the season.

So many great moments! In retrospect Talbot's murder was certainly foreshadowed, but it still really shocked me. The moment between Sookie and Alcide was like warm molasses. The first shot of Tara in the shower was beautiful. The fight-training with Jessica was fun--I wish it had been longer, but I'm sure it took hours to shoot as it was. The brilliant casting of that dog as Sam's mother--it had exactly that same whipped sweetness she lays on so heavily. Lafayette's gesture at "It runs in the family" was genius and Jesus' ability to control Ruby Jean was very intriguing. "Ain't nothing on but hos and [something]...where's the clicker?" cracked me up. Time after time, this episode surprised and entertained me.

On the other hand, the line about Crystal having walked into a door wasn't funny at all to me--maybe that's a girl thing.

So much mayhem and destruction. How you could perceive it as nothing happening is a mystery to me, but clearly we're seeing something different.

[talktrueblood]

I hated this episode for many of the same reasons that your described. WHY HAVE HER GO BACK TO BILL WHY? Why add some stupid superfluous hate sex to the end...just to made everyone that doesn't like Bill hate you more?? Which you do realize that about 3/4 of the audience is tired of Bill and we are really pissed you you messed with us like that?!

[Niki]

I don't get why everyone says Bill is bad for Sookie but they want Sookie to be with Eric. Being with Eric won't make Sookie safer. Bill truly loves Sookie and Sookie truly loves Bill, he's genuine(unlike Bill in the books). The characters in the books and the ones written for the show are so different. In my opinion, Book Bill is a total jerk but I absolutely adore Book Eric. He and Sookie's chemistry is off the charts and they connect really well. Although, Series Eric is quite the looker *drools*, I don't see how Sookie could really love him like she loves Bill. The series is loosely....very loosely based on the books. We should just take it for what it is. This is Alan Ball's vision for True Blood. I actually prefer the series to the books, although I am a big fan of the books mainly because of Sookie and Eric's connection.

P.S. I thought the episode was pretty great and I can't wait for Franklin to be back! James Frain is insanely genius as Franklin and I'm (not so secretly) hoping that they'll make him a series regular. Haha.

[Dina]

Thoughts about this episode...

Good things:
Jason's arc with Crystal and the Hotshot group heating up
Introduction of Holly (the waitress interviewee)
Debbie Pelt not killed off prematurely

Ugh things:
Bill. Sookie. Bill and Sookie. Break up for more than 10 minutes, OK?
Eric's revenge diversion (although his er... involvement w/Talbot was sorta interesting)
What was the point of Eric sending Hadley to warn Sookie?

[Kristin]

I disagree with your review of this episode. I really liked it and was happy that it slowed down a little bit and concentrated on the characters not like the previous action packed episodes that jumped from scene to scene. I loved that Sookie and Bill reunited and their scenes were awesome. I liked this episode the most from the entire season.

[Blade]

Au Contraire, this entire season is turning into a big, giant bust. Every move has been telegraphed from -episodes- away, it's mostly one big giant yawner. Absolutely nothing has happened except for moving Eric's plot forward, and introducing more new characters than the thing has episodes. At this point, I've lost track of who more than half the new characters are.

(btw, a little head bashing shouldn't have done Franklin in, although his head did squish WAY too easily ...)

All in all, the series is suffering very quickly from the same problem that HEROES suffered from starting with about the 5th episode -- introduction of more characters than they can handle.

[mm]

Love the episode.

Sookie continues to tear up her grandma's house! SMH

[E]

Totally agree with you on the Bill and Sookie deal. I wanted to see them apart for a longer period of time. Especially after that er...goodbye...sequence between Sookie and Alcide. Anyone else catch that??? Man, thought he was going to ravage her right then and there. She obviously has some kind of feelings for other men (i.e- whenever Eric's in the room she's immediately drawn to him, despite her hate for him as well).

Highlights of this episode that I thought made it awesome and not lame:
1. Eric without his shirt- that would make any slow episode worth it to me.
2. Eric and Talbot have a little fun and then Eric stakes him- definitely shocked me!
3. Jesus coming back into the picture- I think he could be good for Lafayette.
4. More of a parental side of Bill with Jessica- this made me smile.
5. Teaching Jessica about her superhuman abilities- :)
6. Alcide saying goodbye to Sookie- Oh that left me wanting more...
7. Tara and Lafayette show cousinly love- cute.
8. Rene comes back into the picture- I love how much he creeps me out.
9. The line- "They killed my cooter"- priceless!
10. The end battle and then make up sex- good fun! But wish Sookie would've stayed away from Bill for a while longer...

Things that sucked in this episode (and season in general):
1. Sam's family reunion story- it's stupid and boring and needs to end or take a turn for the crazy. I'm so done with this storyline.
2. Crystal and Jason- lame. She's ugly (compared with his other lovers) and a drug addict and somehow his long lost soulmate. I don't get it. There's no valid interaction between them- Jason saw her and loved her immediately. Dumb. She's got a secret tho--- yea, so does everyone else in this show! Especially Sookie! And I'd rather they spend some time uncovering that than focus on this creepy girl.

[Jordan]

I have to disagree with thinking that Franklin is dead. I think he'll definitely come back. His head sure got smashed up but he didnt explode into a big, gooey, bloody mess so I think he's most definitely still alive.

[RCC]

I have to respectfully disagree with Mr. VanDerWerff about this episode. I didn't find it slow moving or think of it as a 'filler' episode at all. There was so much going on! Tara & Sookie's disagreement; Alcide (mmmm...Alcide!)sorry- and Sookie's almost-kiss; all of the Eric/Talbot/Russell stuff was gold. Also, I realize I may be the minority, but I really like the Jason/Crystal/Hot Shot story. Especially now that it looks like Tommy & Sam are going to get involved (based on their fight with Calvin & Felton at the bar). And OMG the Bill/Jessica stuff was awesome! I thought it was fast paced and action packed.

[M]

As someone who has read the books, I'd like to say that I've been pleasantly surprised how the show has departed from the books in many ways. While I THINK I know what's going to happen, I'm not really too certain because the writers have added and changed the plot and characters in many ways. Some of the major things, like what Sookie is, probably will stay the same, but I'm loving how the writers of the show have decided to reveal it versus the way it played out in the books. The show is much better written, cleverer, and the characters are a million times more complex and real then what was in the books. So while I have to agree that Sundays wasn't the best episode, I still love and revel in True Blood's worst episodes.

[Caitlin]

I actually really liked this episode. I feel sometimes as though TB throws in so much craziness just to be crazy. This felt more character driven to me.

[Shel]

I am frustrated with how weak they are making Sookie's character. Bill cheated on her and then almost killed her and she still goes back to him as though nothing happened. She can forgive him but not exactly the basis for a healthy relationship. Co-dependent much?

[Chales Davies]

For all those people who say, Oh this is just another Buffy I say: NO! you are so, so wrong. This show is actually revolutionary, in my view - a point also shown in the whole Snoop affair, as noted here: http://bit.ly/bQ1gf5 - in its desire to avoid the tired old methods of drawing in an audience, and its deployment of characters and plot; also, Eric may be the finest invention on television today.