I was hoping we'd find out how FOTS captured Godric in the first place. He seemed a bit too familiar with Gabe before he broke his neck, so I thought that maybe Godric didn't have it so bad as Eric thought. And what happened to Barry? Who nabbed him at the vampire hotel? I hope the blast didn't kill Godric.

EW's recap:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New "True Blood" blows up real good
by Ken Tucker

It’s great the way nearly every episode of "True Blood" this season picks up right where the last one left off. Thus in the opening seconds this week, we heard Gabe’s neck make a celery-crisp snap-sound in the hands of Godric, who’d come to Sookie’s rescue.

Yet oddly enough, the increased presence of Godric in this week’s episode actually decreased some of the suspense for me. As the hour proceeded, I realized that nothing drastic was really going to occur — none of the central characters was ever in real danger — because they were in the presence of Godric, who could whirl over super-fast and save whoever needed saving. Which is not to say the hour was dull; not when a vampire says to a human, “You’re no more than a blood-bag!”

Speaking of saving, Rev. Steve risked his mortal soul defying Godric. You have to hand it to Steve; he’s been cuckolded and paintballed by Jason; he saw a mighty display of power by Godric, Eric, and a passel of vampires led by a black-hatted cowboy, all right inside his own church; and he still had the nerve to proclaim to Sookie, hilariously, “The war has begun, you evil whore of Satan!”

This edition, directed by John Dahl, was primarily a Bill-Sookie-Eric-Jason affair, with a side-dish of Sam barely simmering. The only other tale of note was the extravagantly creepy Maryann subplot. At this point, Maryann is always good for creepiness, and this time out, she baked dead Daphne’s heart into a “hunter’s souffle” and served it to an unwitting Tara and Eggs. Their reaction was effectively disturbing: their ravenous eating of the dead soul’s heart led to a mixture of pleasure and pain. The couple had the hots for each other and wanted to smack the bejesus out of each other at the same time, as Maryann looked on in malicious glee.

Indeed, the theme of this episode was about power: unleashed and constrained. Bill finally freed himself from his maker, Lorena, but not before, as she so amusingly put it later, “hit me with a 52-inch plasma television . . . such shenanigans.” Bill’s arrival at Sookie’s side came a little too late for an angry Sookie, who had to be grateful to Eric for arriving before Bill to try and rescue her. And it was a great episode for Eric, wasn’t it? Alexander Skarsgard is excellent at playing barely-restrained contempt for any kind of order or command, whether it’s coming from someone he doesn’t respect (Sookie, Steve) or worships (Godric).

And hands-down the funniest moment of the season occurred when Jason took Bill aside to apologize and give the moody vampire a big hug. “Was that OK for you?” asked Jason, as Bill looked even more pale than usual, this time with embarrassment at this public display of male affection.

The joke was a fine one for a series populated most copiously with handsome male stars. And tonally, it was a perfect contrast to the night’s cliffhanger: Luke — idiotic, deluded, hunky Luke — showing up at the vampire shindig, his body rigged with enough time-bombs to make someone in "The Hurt Locker" start sweating nervously.

What do you think will happen when the bombs go boom? Will they go boom, or will Godric waft over swiftly and snuff them out? And what were your favorite moments of this week’s "True Blood"?

quote:

Originally posted by Atypical:
I was hoping we'd find out how FOTS captured Godric in the first place. He seemed a bit too familiar with Gabe before he broke his neck

I thought the same thing...Gabe was too comfortable with him. Godric obviously wanted to be captured, but why?

What an episode. What an ending! First of all I'm amazed at the fact that I even enjoy this show, but week after week I enjoy it a little more than I did the episode before. I agree with what everyone else is saying in that it has a little bit of everything mixed together.

The beginning of the episode with the Fellowship of the Sun showdown was just as edge-of-your-seat exciting as that last scene with Luke.

I'm glad the Lorena stuff seems to be over at least for now. I didn't enjoy her character at all the two previous episodes, but I am glad they did give her that final farewell scene with Bill outside. That sort of redeemed her for me. I liked that scene.

Hoyt and Jessica. Awesome. Love the two of them but I am sort of glad we didn't get a lot of them(and Sam and Tara's story) because the Sookie/Bill/Eric/Jason/Godric/FOTS stuff was just too damn good.

Btw, I'll say it again. Jason is a riot and Kwanten is awesome. I thought he was MVP last night and I still say MVP of this show period. How hilarious were his scenes with apologizing to Bill and being completely confused with Sara.

Sara: you're worse than Judas
Jason: why what did he do to you?

ALso a couple of the comments above are confusing me regarding Godric and Barry. Wasn't Lorena the one to kidnapped Barry at the hotel? And didn't Godric say that he could've easily not been captured by the FOTS, but chose not to fight because he wanted to show that vampires and humans could co-exist and not be violent. There was that whole scene about that. Is that not what you guys mean?

Anyway great episode. Only gour left this season already. bummer.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Pats12Fan,

quote:

Originally posted by RichterScale:
-Romance (How thick was the sexual tension between Eric & Sookie tonight?)

Gotta say, I like them together more than I like Bill & Sookie.

quote:

Originally posted by uncreativename:

quote:

Originally posted by RichterScale:
-Romance (How thick was the sexual tension between Eric & Sookie tonight?)

Gotta say, I like them together more than I like Bill & Sookie.

OH HELL YEAH.

Bill annoys me 95% of the time. Mostly due to Stephen Moyer's horrendous "acting".

Eric + Sookie FTW!!!

Glad to see Ken Tucker/EW noted who directed this episode (which is important information, and should be included in any analysis good bad or indifferent.)

John Dahl of course broke through with one of the sexiest films of recent year, The Last Seduction.

Like most interesting mid-level veteran directors today, he is making his way into cable TV. It's one of the big reasons episode cable is getting to be so much better than most US theatrical film - they are getting the good directors more and more, and with good directors, the quality of the shows is improving.

Episode Title: "I Will Rise Up"

Synopsis: A wounded Eric plays Sookie for a sucker, to Bill's dismay, and ends up getting inside her head; Sookie and Jason reflect on their recent adventure and end up bonding at the feuding Newlins' expense; blaming Eggs for Tara's bruises and bizarre behavior, Lafayette and Lettie Mae try to figure out a way to pry their kin from Maryann's clutches; Hoyt defends his relationship with Jessica to Maxine over lunch, to no avail; jailed by Bud along with a group of Bon Temps revelers, Sam finds a novel way to escape his cell -- and avoid capture by an increasingly obsessed Maryann; in Dallas, Eric and the vampires defend their recent actions to Nan Flanagan, and are shocked when Godric decides to take the fall for their PR disaster.

Discuss.

That ending was incredibly sad. But I'm glad the Dallas storyline is over. That went on way too long.

Looks like the Maryann story is finally going to go all out. Bring it!

B+

Godric's last scenes were stunning. Wow. Allan Hyde was amazing tonight. What an impression he made on this series.

Alexander Skarsgård, Anna Paquin, Carrie Preston, and Allan Hyde were all brilliant tonight. I'm glad to see Anna back on her A game. But it is probably because she wasn't really working with Stephen Moyer tonight as much as Skargard and Hyde. End scene was absolutely breath taking.

Also, Carrie Preston (Arlene) has a good submission with tonight's episode.

Best. Episode. Ever.

When the episode started I was frankly annoyed: the explosion and the fallout were handled so abruptly it felt like there were scenes or shots missing, and Eric ploy to have Sookie drink his blood -- brilliantly morbid -- ended with that silly shot of Eric staring right into the camera.

But then the episode took off and never let up. A good, long, emotionally rich scene between Sookie and Jason that has been long in coming for characters who have spent most of the season apart. An exquisitely shot dream sequence between Eric and Sookie that was sensuous, erotic, and foreboding all at once. And though I don't fully understand Godric's sacrifice -- atoning for the events leading up to the bombing, his two millennia of evil deeds, or a bit of both? -- his farewell scene was exquisite, re-imagining Christian ideology for a world filled with vampires capable of goodness. Back in Louisiana, Michelle Forbes continues to prove that she elevates any show just by her presence. Hoyt and Jessica's romance, which could be an absurd bit of romantic comedy, instead provides the show with a wonderful warmth that balances the graphic debauchery and violence.

This show grew on me in its first season, but in season two it is establishing itself as one of television's great dramas. On paper, this jumble of supernatural fantasy, romance, Southern Gothic, sex, and politics should collapse, but there's sublime madness to it, creative abandon, and yet impeccable confidence and control in its making. I get a feeling of giddy anticipation before each new episode that is rare. This is one of the best shows of the year.

quote:

Originally posted by 742:
Best. Episode. Ever.

When the episode started I was frankly annoyed: the explosion and the fallout were handled so abruptly it felt like there were scenes or shots missing, and Eric ploy to have Sookie drink his blood -- brilliantly morbid -- ended with that silly shot of Eric staring right into the camera.

But then the episode took off and never let up. A good, long, emotionally rich scene between Sookie and Jason that has been long in coming for characters who have spent most of the season apart. An exquisitely shot dream sequence between Eric and Sookie that was sensuous, erotic, and foreboding all at once. And though I don't fully understand Godric's sacrifice -- atoning for the events leading up to the bombing, his two millennia of evil deeds, or a bit of both? -- his farewell scene was exquisite, re-imagining Christian ideology for a world filled with vampires capable of goodness. Back in Louisiana, Michelle Forbes continues to prove that she elevates any show just by her presence. Hoyt and Jessica's romance, which could be an absurd bit of romantic comedy, instead provides the show with a wonderful warmth that balances the graphic debauchery and violence.

This show grew on me in its first season, but in season two it is establishing itself as one of television's great dramas. On paper, this jumble of supernatural fantasy, romance, Southern Gothic, sex, and politics should collapse, but there's sublime madness to it, creative abandon, and yet impeccable confidence and control in its making. I get a feeling of giddy anticipation before each new episode that is rare. This is one of the best shows of the year.

I agree with almost everything you have written. This is the show that currently thrills me most and like you I had a lot of problems with the first season.

One of the best things that this episode showed was how strong the ensemble could be in separate storylines. Lesser shows would need their ensembles intact to put their best face forward at all times, but here, any of the side storylines more than keep the interest and forward momentum of the episode going. Eric finally connecting with Sookie was a long time coming, and though it was fairly vile how it all came about, the dream sequence with Eric and Sookie in bed together with Lorena in the background taunting Sookie was insanely compelling and erotic, and it leaves so much to the imagination as to where they're going to go with Eric and Sookie and what that means for her and Bill. It was great when Bill sucker-punched Eric for what he did like that. I've already mentioned how amazing Allan Hyde was tonight as Godric. His death scene was exquisite, as was Eric's reaction to it all happening outside of his control. Hyde made a huge impression as Godric in this short guest run.

Jason and Sookie's heart-to-heart was a close second for best scene of the episode. Anna Paquin once again showed that Emmy potential she displayed in "Cold Ground" there, and Ryan Kwanten has never been better or more heartfelt. I'm glad that the both of them reminisced about Gran. Lafayette and Lettie Mae's intervention scene with Tara was great, and everyone more than rose to the occasion there. Michelle Forbes is just too much for words right now and Emmy-worthy here once again. Loved that speech she gave to Tara and Eggs about the positives of losing control. I can't wait to see how they conclude this Maryann arc once the rest of the group gets back from Dallas, b/c it really seems like she has a strong grip over Bon Temps that she won't let go of. Poor Luke and his hand. LoL. The Newlins bickering on the news show was fun, and I love how bitchy the PR vampire lady is. Sam getting out of jail and getting Andy to help him will hopefully go somewhere good next week. Jessica meeting Hoyt's mother was funny and tense. Their romance has really been a bright spot of this season, and Deborah Ann Woll has greatly endeared herself as Jessica since season 1. Nancy Oliver delivered big time with this episode. Good for her.

Grade for "I Will Rise Up": A

PAGING ANNA PAQUIN & ALEXANDER SKARSGARD!!! YOU NOW HAVE YOUR EMMY EPISODES!!!

Damn this show! I just saw the episode for the third time, and that last scene still kills me! I cried all three times!

Anna Paquin is one of the most inconsistent actresses on the face of this planet, but hey, she was AMAZING tonight! From sucking silver out of Eric, to her tender scene with Jason, to that final scene with Godric, she was great!

Alexander Skarsgard has constantly been a scene-stealer. He always had the best one-liners, and he deadpan delivery was always perfect. BUT FRICKIN HELL, he absolutely stunned me tonight!!!!!

And Allan Hyde definitely deserves to be recognized for the subtle, quiet, and strong work he delivered over the last 2 weeks.

Terrific episode!

Oh, and can I just say...

With the entire ensemble giving top-notch performances this week, it only gives more emphasis to what a lousy "actor" Stephen Moyer is.

I mean, when the bit players act better than you do, that's saying something.

EW's recap:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
New "True Blood": Sookie bites Eric, and "I'm full of joy, I want to burn!"
by Ken Tucker

Beginning with a bang and ending in a whimper, this week’s "True Blood" turned out to be one of the more delicate, nuanced episodes of the season, and if that’s not your official SPOILER ALERT, I don’t know what is.

Taking up where we left off last week, a be-bombed Luke blew up himself and the vampire’s lair. There were a number of deaths, both human and vampire, and as Nan Flanagan, the TV talking-head for the American Vampire League said privately to her vampires, this public explosion is “a P.R. mess.”

But this “mess” was not without its deep "Blood" pleasures. Eric shielded Sookie from flying debris, probably saving her life. In return, he lay wounded, and Sookie felt obliged to help him in his request for her to remove shards of silver shrapnel stuck in his body. “It’s too gross; it’s too . . . you!” protested Sookie, disgusted. But she did it anyway, chomping and sucking until Bill came upon them and told Sookie she’d been suckered by Eric, that the silver bullets would have pushed themselves out, and that “this means you’re connected; he’ll be able to sense your emotions.”

For his part, Eric just lay back and smiled, saying, “She was superb.” The metaphor for receiving a sexual favor from Sookie was all too clear. “You big, lying a-hole!” squawked Sookie. It was funny, but also ominous. “Don’t be surprised if you feel some attraction to him,” said Bill, adding, “sexual.” As if we didn’t know that. (Sometimes Bill is so inactive and so stating-the-obvious, he becomes less appealing as the series’ key vampire. But this also requires a more subtle range of acting, and adds to the complexity of vampire-human relations.)

There were, of course, other subplots. The Jessica-Hoyt affair continues to be comic relief, complete with an awkward dinner between the couple and Hoyt’s hoity-toity mother.

But the bigger subplot was Maryann’s increasing power over Tara and Eggs, her striding into the jail and demanding to see Sam, and setting free the rest of the pleasure-addled citizen-prisoners. Sam escaped – he was a fly on the wall (er, table) when Maryann went to Tara’s house. Maryann has pretty much given up trying to hide her pleasure-principle powers, her let’s-party mood replaced by impatience and cruelty, as when she tried to lure Tara’s sober mom to relapse with a nice, chilled bottle of vodka.

Ultimately, the episode moved "True Blood"’s narrative ahead most forcefully in revealing to us just how much hitherto unknown influence Nan Flanagan holds in the vampire world. She was able to relieve no less than Godric of his status and power within these ranks. In the midst of this dead-serious stuff, "Blood" still had time for an excellent joke. Eric tells Nan, “You don’t have that kind of power.” Sneers Nan, “Hey, I’m on TV – try me.”

Yes, TV exerts a great and terrible power, doesn’t it, making us helplessly in thrall to "True Blood." There was a beautiful moment when Eric cries as Godric explains he must die to atone for his sins. The love between the two men was palpable: “There are centuries of faith and love between us,” said Godric, trying to comfort an agonized Eric.

In the closing moments, a now-chastened, eager-to-atone Godric went up on a roof to see the killing sunrise. Sookie, ever the forgiving Christian, tried to comfort him, but Godric’s different faith surpassed even hers in welcoming either final death or a soul brought to ultimate justice: “I’m full of joy . . . I want to burn!” Godric cried in final ecstasy.

The mixture of Christian and pagan faith; same-sex and hetero-sex love; and Sookie in a red gingham dress looking like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz" . . . it was another genre-bending, mind-expanding edition of "True Blood."

Am I right? Wrong?

It was the least eventful episode but it was not filler because it yielded some of the best performances out of the cast over the past 2 seasons.

Alexander, Anna, Ryan and Michelle were all great.

Can anyone answer this question for me regarding True Blood:

Has the show been faithful towards the series of novels by Charlaine Harris? I haven't read any of the novels yet, but I got this bit of info from another messageboard:

--Lafayette's suppose to be dead by now, but he isn't.

--Sam and the maenad don't get along on the show, in the books they had a sexual relationship.

--Godric wasn't Eric's maker, nor was he the Sheriff in that area of Dallas in the books, on the show he is both things. He was a pedo/child molester who preyed on children.

--Tara was a white woman in the books and Lafayette was not her cousin, on the show Tara is black and her cousin is Lafayette. Just like in the books however, she's under the maenad's thrall.

So anyway, is any of this true, if so, do you guys think these chances have made the show better?

By the way, what will happen to Bill and Sookie towards the end of the novels, anyway?what will happen to Bill and Sookie towards the end of the novels, anyway?

quote:

Originally posted by Billow12345:
Can anyone answer this question for me regarding True Blood:

1.) True. And we thank Alan Ball for it.
2.) They did when Sam was a teenager. No, they don't get along.
3.) Um, what? In the series Godric is Eric's maker and the (now former) Dallas sheriff. Not much else about his past has been revealed; certainly NOT that he is/was a child molester.
4.) Yes, in the series, Tara is black and Lafayette is her cousin. Yes, the maenad (Maryann in the series) has Tara under her spell.

Haven't read any of the books; I may read the first two once this season wraps, just for comparison's sake.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Turtle,