“It’s done; I’m a part of her now. Get out of the way.” Delivered almost as if he feels sorry for him. NOW we have a love triangle!

First the explosion. I loved seeing Bill after the poor hapless FOTS fools. “We didn’t really think he’d do it!” “Too late.” Now that is the response of a vampire. Although, in the literary counterpart, he did not stop at a warning. The fact that he did here, feels like one more way that the show backs down from anything they fear may complicate their characters psychic, moral or emotional structures. This is disappointing for me, because the more complex and layered they are, the more I want to watch them. Last year Bill killed Sookie’s uncle with no more than a few words from her, adding an element of danger to every casual conversation she may have with him. This year they have backed away from Bill the vampire nearly entirely, and I was glad that they gave Stephen Moyer at least a moment of justifiable rage to play.

Now, the Eric/Sookie blood exchange. Ohhhh, Eric, you little scamp you. My favorite line from the whole exchange “Bill your right; I believe I can sense her emotions.” One little quibble. I do not believe that any fully functioning woman would find it difficult to be powerfully attracted to both these delicious men without the aid of magic blood. I feel like this is another way that the show seems determined to remove their characters self-determination. They seem terrified to have the audience, in any way, think badly of these characters. The result of that fear is that they undermine our ability to process inner conflicts and relate to and love the characters more for them. Is it so hard to imagine that a woman could be in love with one man and simultaneously fear and want another? I mean Eric is funny and hot. I cannot even imagine what it would be like to have two such remarkable specimens fighting over me…Oh wait, yes I can. I’m sorry, you were saying?

The dream. If you did not find this beyond sexy, I plead with you to tell me why. Part of the fun of this show is that flavor of feminine-geared soft core, and this was for me this is the hottest scene since season one. I also felt like they were speaking for me with this exchange “I used to think you had no sense of humor.” “I used to think you were made of cold hard stone and empty inside.” They bring something out in each other, something each of them, though they may not know it, desperately needs. I must admit that having the sense of humor of a fourteen year old boy I did have a couple of “that’s what she said moments. Ahem, “you’re deep.” Well maybe that was more of a “God I hope so” moment. Now, I know there will be some strong disagreement on this one BUT the one line I could have done without in the exchange is “Only for Sookie”.  First, why does everyone on this show feel it necessary to address her by her name on such a consistent basis? Really, wouldn’t the appropriate phrase be “only for you?” Are they afraid she may forget her own name and therefore is in need of constant reminders? Additionally, it makes her seem sort of self-involved (it is her dream!). Finally, I feel it undermines the development that we have seen in Eric to date. I would have preferred something more ambiguous, humorous, more Eric like in that moment. If we want heartfelt declarations of undying love – well that is what Bill is for. Also on a personal note, were I in that position (don’t I wish ;) ) my response to that line would be something along the lines of “Ok…let’s stop with the talking.”

I also feel that this scene was a great testament to the actor’s abilities. The chemistry was stronger than I initially imagined it would be. I also was surprised by how compelled I was by Godric’s final scene with Eric and Sookie. This could have easily slipped into difficult to watch melodrama, but what I felt was compassion for each being involved. Eric’s pain and confusion, Godric’s saddened realization “I told a lie, as it turns out.” And Sookies compassion and faith. “God doesn’t punish, God forgives.” I think that is indeed what many of us hope.

I officially, love Hoyt. Sexual fantasies aside, of all the characters on the show, he is the one I would actually want to date in reality. He is a good man. A genuinely good man. I think what impresses me most about this actor is his ability to authentically deliver lines that have the potential to make me feel proselytized to read as insincere. “No such thing.” In response to Jessica’s “you’re too good for me.” was done with just the right amount of casual sincerity for me to believe that he simply, believes that. His exchange with his mother was one of my favorite scenes of the season. In a show that touches on the idea of good and evil in sometimes heavy handed and polarizing ways, he does so in the most subtle, real and relatable manner. His goodness is simple, as is his mother’s evil. Hers is the most insidious form of hate. Insidious and pervasive, and sadly all too human. I love his gentle confrontation with her. His goading her to confront the genesis of a life filled with hate and abusive control of her son. How many times have we seen this woman in reality? The constant judger, the devouring mother. More times than I’d like to think about. This scene played with humor and sincerity and the most believable kind of love. I also really enjoyed her “shh that’s a secret” and that he ended up taking his grilled cheese sandwich with him after his emotional declaration of his own manhood.

As to unabashed evil, I have been more than ready for the Maryann story to complete, but Michelle Forbes is such a compelling actress that she managed to suck me back in! I found myself thought provoked by her speech on states of ecstasy. It was the first moment I had any sympathy at all for her character. I’ve actually done some reading on states of spiritual ecstasy and in nearly every faith tradition, they do look like moments of total loss of conscious control, Sufi whirling Dervishes, Catholic ecstatic trances, southern snake handling and speaking in tongues – the tie that binds is the giving over of the ego and conscious mind. There was something sincere enough in this moment for me to pause and go, wait this woman truly believes she is doing right by her God. She does not simply dig evil. I enjoy that a rough parallel to the Steve and Sara Newlan/Fellowship of the sun storyline. The lengths that people will go to when their perspective gets distorted by imbalanced fervor. Although she was back to strait up evil for the remainder of the episode and the bar scene was a bit over the top for my tastes.

I loved the scene with Jason and Sookie. His character has come so far this season; I continue to be impressed with Ryan Kwanten’s ability to bring such depths to such a simple man. And the writers willingness to take him further. I look forward to seeing much more of Jason in the coming seasons.

Glad to see Lafayette with some sass and vigor back. I will say once again, that the fight for the soul of Tara and all the other townspeople would be more compelling were it more the result of their own internal conflict rather than simply the result of Maryann’s mindful control.

I did enjoy the Nan Flannigan scene quite a little bit. “I’m on TV, try me”. And quite on point in terms of the hierarchal structure in our society.

This was, all things being equal, my favorite episode of the season, and a great indicator of things to come. I’d love to hear what you guys think, so please post your comments below.

- Roth

TBblogs2ep9

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