Fresh Out of the Oven: True Blood 2×2 & 2×3
by Altaira on Jun.30, 2009, under True Blood
Back with 2 episodes of True Blood to review! ***Some spoilers follow if you haven’t read the Sookie Stackhouse novels.***
The 2nd episode of True Blood was delightfully more exciting than the 1st in my opinion. The 1st episode was a great starter episode, but the 2nd really started to reinvest us in the new troubles of our Bon Temps residents. Since I’m really comparing the episodes to the books, I didn’t have a lot to say about this particular episode. There is almost nothing in the episode to compare to the book. Simple changes in the 1st season and the opening of this season, have created a Sookie Stackhouse alternate reality of sorts.
The story of LaFayette was cut short at his death, and since his death has become the death of Ms. Jeanette, his entire story from now on is completely new to fans of the books. This is probably because of how popular his character is. I’m more than happy to go along with this, not only because I’m a huge LaFayette fan, but because it gives me something new, that’s not in the books to look forward too.
The other change from the 1st season is the death of Long Shadow. Originally, the hero that swoops in to save Sookie was Eric. Whether Eric saved her out of a selfish desire for vengeance against the vampire who had stolen from him, or other reasons, is debatable. But one thing is for sure, the Stackhouse universe has been completely transformed (at least in these first 3 episodes) by the presence of Jessica. And Jessica wouldn’t even be here if they hadn’t changed Long Shadow’s murderer to Bill, who created Jessica as part of his punishment for killing another vampire. So, Sookie running around with Jessica to help her deal with her new vampirism and meeting her folks, is all very entertaining, but does nothing to advance the plot of Living Dead in Dallas. Better news is that Eric is finally showing up enough to keep me happy.
The 3rd episode hits the ground running with the attack on Sookie. Finally, something inspired by the books! I say inspired by the books because it seems that is the only way to watch the show. The show not only adds but subtracts and makes far too many changes to actually be directly written from them. It’s more like the show was written by someone who had read the books years ago and tried their best to recall as many bits as they could. But “Scratches” finally finds some familiar territory for the book fans.
Sookies attack is a great interpretation of the book. The way it’s shot is very suspenseful and it’s a great way to keep the attacker’s identity a mystery. The injuries are wicked gross, especially when Dr. Ludwig starts digging around in them! I was disappointed by the healing process. Dr. Ludwig sprinkles something on Sookie that makes her skin burn and smolder, and the doctor finishes off the cure by having Bill give Sookie some blood. This is a huge and fairly distressing departure from the book. In the book, Sookie’s poisoned blood is drained by Eric, Bill, Pam, and Chow. Followed by a transfusion of human blood. I suppose the reason this is so distressing to me is this is the first real glimpse at how much Eric wants Sookie - and Bill’s jealousy over the whole thing. As long as they make up for the specifics with something else that gets the same point across, I’ll be okay. I was just hoping they would do it sooner rather than later.
The last thing I have to say is how great the Jason Stackhouse plot line is. I love his story, especially this season, because of the much needed comic relief Jason ussually provides. Ryan Kwanten does a great job, and his southern accent masks his Australian one flawlessly. I think this plot line with the Fellowship of the Sun is a great addition. Jason Stackhouse has almost nothing to do until the fourth book, and giving the viewers a more in depth view of this extremist church is a great idea.
The next episode “Let’s Take a Trip Together” is July 12th, at 8:00 pm cst Sunday on HBO.
