True Blood - S3e1 - Bad Blood - Recap

Waiting Sucks, as the HBO marketing department has been drilling in our heads for the past few weeks. The wait is over and the real fun can now begin. True Blood fixes everything Twilight did to ruin the vampire genre, infusing (or transfusing?) it with the sexiness, intrigue and violence that we've been raised to expect with our vampires.

After the jump, I will give a quick plot summary of the main plot points, and will recap the Previously on True Blood in a broad strokes to get you up to speed.

So, if you are ready to feed, prepare to do bad things.



When we last saw the residents of Bon Temps, Sam Merlotte had killed the Maryann the Maenad, Godric was rescued from the Fellowship of the Sun and his immortality, and Bill, moments after proposing to Sookie, is attacked with a silver chain and abducted.

We are granted a strong return: Violence, Nudity, Adult Content and Adult Language. The plot points we should be aware of, as suggested by the Previously on True Blood, reminds us of the creation of Jessica, Vampire of Sanguine Locks, the Maenad, the relationship between Tara and Eggs, Jason's time with Soldiers of the Sun, Lafayette's time held hostage by Eric and ultimate deal to sell V, the history between Maryann and Sam, Bill and Eric saving Sookie's life, Godric's disappearance and the Fellowship of the Sun, Godric burning in the sunlight, Maryann's influence on the townsfolk, Sam killing the Maenad, Bill threatening Eric over him selling V through Lafayette, Eggs asking Sookie for help understanding his missing time, Hoyt and Jessica's relationship, Eggs confesses to Andy Bellefleur, who forgives him for not making the decisions of his free will, Jason mistakes this for something else from a distance and shoots and kills Eggs, Bill proposes, and is then attacked and abducted...

Bad Blood Begins

Sookie runs from the restaurant shouting after Bill. A girl comes from the restaurant, Sookie tells her bill is missing, and she exclaims "Fucking Vampires! It’s always nothing but shit..."

Sam Merlotte is driving. A note hangs from his dashboard reading "Melinda + Joe Lee Mickens last known in Magnolia, Ark I'm Sorry"

Jason runs home, grabs and chugs a beer. He has a flashback to shooting Eggs and tosses the bottle across the room. He sinks to his knees in the open refrigerator.

Tara cries over the body of Eggs as it is covered in a sheet. Blood comes through at the wound, and Lafayette wraps her shoulders in a jacket.

Jessica returns home to Bill's house to find roses awaiting her on the porch. She hugs them close and invokes Hoyt's name. She opens the door and pulls a dead body into the house.

Bill is in the back seat of a speeding car wrapped in silver. Four additional men surround him. A call from Sookie comes in on his cell phone. His captors toss it out the window and introduce themselves as 'The Fuck You Crew.'

♫ ♫ I want to do Bad Things to you... ♫ ♫

Sookie is interviewed by Deputy Jones outside the restaurant. Sookie is indignant about the lack of action by the police force. Dpt. Jones suggests the crime scene looks like a man that lost his temper over frequent embarrassment and hastily departed. She tells Sookie to wait 48 hours before she can file a report, and then offers to ride her back to town.

At Merlotte's, Arlene is being interviewed by Sheriff Bud. Andy sits in a booth where Terry approaches and sits with him. He tells him he knows about the feeling of the first kill, and he gives him words of compassion to help him through. Andy thanks him, before Sheriff Bud calls upon him for a statement. Arlene says she respects what the law enforcement officers do, being good for society, and Tara responds with a burst of sadness brought on by Eggs' death. An argument ensues over Egg's guilt, Tara saying it wasn't his responsibility, with Arlene asking why not? because of society? slavery? Lafayette grabs a bottle of tequila and takes it, along with Tara, to Sookie's, inviting the police to follow if they want a statement. As they leave, Tara and Arlene share some parting words over racism.

Jessica tried to nurse the man she fed upon back to health. He calls her a whore, and she acknowledges this with remorse. Sookie comes in, and Jessica, wiping blood tears from her face comes to greet/halt her in the foyer. She lies about the tears being over Hoyt while Sookie fills her in on Bill's disappearance. She asks her to call her if Bill comes in, even if as her master he prohibits it. She agrees, and Sookie exits to continue her search. Jessica has a freak out over the close call with her prey, and tried to roust him. Seeing him lying without life, she bites into her wrist, hoping her blood will save the dying man.

Back on the open road with 'The Fuck You Crew,' one of the men feeds from Bill. The men are V addicts. The driver refuses to stop the car, so the men feed each other like birds feed their young, spitting it from one mouth to the other. Bill tells them that if they are under orders to bring him wherever they are taking him alive, they are going to fail, since the rate they are draining him is getting him close to dead.

At his house, Jason is cleaning broken glass on the floor when Andy enters, startling him into cutting his finger. Andy and Jason talk about how Tara is doing. Andy tells Jason that he told Sheriff Bud he shot Eggs, and Jason needs to adhere to that story, full of holes as it is. Andy tells Jason to man-up and take the ride for them. Andy tells him Sheriff Bud is old and misses the details, so the holes shouldn't be insurmountable, provided they keep operating as if nothing is different. For Jason, Andy says it means getting tail as he urges Jason to return to his favorite pass time. Jason tells him he wants to be a New Jason Stackhouse. Andy tells him "Conscience OFF, Dick ON!" and makes Jason repeat the words. Andy reminds Jason he wasn't there as he walks out.

Sookie walks into Fangtasia. Pam approaches her, compliments her on her dress color, and Sookie replies "I'm in no mood for Lesbian weirdness." She asks after Bill, whom Pam denies knowledge of his whereabouts. She asks after Eric, to which Pam replies he is indisposed. Sookie takes this as an invitation, and enters the basement. Pam follows her offering perfunctory words of protest allowing Sookie to walk in on Eric in flagrante delicto. Sookie exclaims "Holy S!" Eric dismisses Pam, and introduces his consort, Yvetta, a new dancer. Sookie accuses Eric of having something to do with Bill's disappearance. She asks about his alibi, to which replies he was doing what she caught him doing. Sookie is incredulous over the length of his lovemaking session, impugning Bill's manhood at the same time. He tells her that if Bill is missing, by human or vampire hands, as Sheriff of the region, he is duty-bound to find him, even if he wants what is his. Sookie tasks him with that presently, and as she departs, reminds Eric that he owes her $10,000.

The V addicts speed down the highway, with one riding the top of the car like a luge. Bill takes the advantage of one less adversary and makes an attack. The addict on the roof is thrown from the car as it jigs off road, flipping over and down a hill. Bill pulls his battered body out of the car, and he mentally calls out to Jessica for help, awakening her with a start.

Lafayette and Tara sit in Sookie's living room. They had drunk much of the bottle of tequila they had taken earlier. Lafayette tells Tara that Klonopin and tequila will ease the pain. Sookie enters and runs to embrace Tara. Lafayette and Tara tell her how Eggs died, and Sookie admits to Tara that she helped Eggs remember his lost time. Tara attacks Sookie, blaming her for Eggs death. Lafayette separates the two, and Sookie informs them that Bill is missing. Tara storms out.

In the basement of Fangtasia, Eric paces, on a bluetooth earpiece with a Mr. Rubin, while Pam stands idly by. Rubin informs Eric that when they got to the restaurant to get Bill, he was already missing and there was cop car outside. Eric threatens Mr. Rubin with imminent death if he doesn't succeed in bringing him Bill Compton, or find a day walker to do it for him. Pam tells Eric to go to the Queen, and Eric protests. If the Queen learns the one vampire that can link her to the selling of vampire blood has disappeared, she will not be happy. Pam insists Eric calls her, and Eric denies her advice.

Sam sits in a motel room in Arkansas, circling the Mickers name in phonebook. Bill knocks on the door. Sam is surprised, but Bill reminds him that he has had his blood, a sizable amount. Sam invites Bill inside, and Bill asks to use the shower. He asks if Sam has an extra shirt, to which he replies he didn't pack anything for the impromptu road trip. He offers the shirt off his back, which Bill accepts. As he disrobes, Bill gives him an odd look of approval and even voices a "Nice." Eye contact ensues, and Bill invites Sam to join him in a shower. A cell phone rings in the background. Sam goes to answer, but Bill keeps his attention. As the two men are about to kiss, Sam awakens from his dream to the sight of his cell phone ringing on his nightstand. He answers to find Audrey, a member of the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, on the other end. She provides him with information on the Mickers, who were evicted from their recent residence only three years prior. He laments their eviction, and asks Audrey is she believes they've moved on. Audrey, not to tell secrets out of school, tells Sam about Tommy, the Mickers' son, who works over at the local Tire shop. She continues talking as Sam gets up and begins dressing. She complains about Tommy's scruples, as he sold her bald tires. Sam makes mental note not to mess with the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce.

Hoyt and Jason are talking at work on the road crew. Hoyt complains about his mother's deceit; Jason asks if Hoyt wasn't happier thinking his father was killed by a robber and not a suicide. Hoyt says when he believed the lie, his mother controlled him; but the truth has set him free. Jason warns Hoyt that it all sounds like same religious dogma he heard elsewhere. He believes truth to be poison. Hoyt hints around the bush about his life going south, losing his girlfriend and living out of his car. Jason, thick as the day is long, doesn't get the insinuation, and Hoyt flat out asks him if he can crash with him. Jason says yes, but is shocked over the method in which the question was posed.

Lettie Mae, Tara's mother, arrives at Tara's house as Lafayette is walking out. She asks how Tara is doing, and Lafayette fills her in. He tells her that this wasn't about them, it was about Tara. Lafayette is off to work, but tells her that Tara has been asking after her all day, and that she better be there for her daughter. Lettie Mae apologizes to Lafayette for pulling a gun on him, and Lafayette says the bridge between them isn't going to happen as he drives off to work.

Sookie visits Sheriff Bud in his office. She inquires both about his awareness of the situation with Bill, and the response from Dpt. Jones. Sookie complains that Kenya refused to take a missing person's report. Sheriff Bud questions her ability to file the report, when in fact; Bill isn't even a real person. Sookie responds and admonishes the Sheriff in one swift sentence. She quotes Southern Manners, Rule #1: Respect Your Elders, calling upon Bill's extended age to Bud, reminding him that Bill is a century his elder. A brief silence falls between them until Sookie breaks it to cast aspersions upon another vampire, Lorena Krasiki, believing her to be the one that took Bill. Sheriff Bud tells Sookie that human bodies are piling up all around, and he can't justify using the budget following up on hunches into vampire-nappings. Sookie says that the love she shares with Bill is the same as the love Bud shares with his wife, kids and grandkids, and she doesn't understand why it would be considered a waste of funds.

Sam finds Tommy Mickers at the tire shop. The young man at the tire shop says he isn't Tommy Mickens, he's Tommy Harmon. He tells him that Tommy Mickens picked up and split about six or seven months ago, and they're the better off for it, as he was a real piece of shit. Sam tries to goad him on, saying he hears that about the whole family. Tommy shows no rise, and Sam remarks he might return for some tires before leaving town. He tells the Tommy his name as he departs.

Tara and Lettie Mae sit in Tara's living room with Reverend Daniels. Rev. Daniels preaches that the devil woman shouldn't be allowed to come between her and her mama. Lettie Mae soothes Tara in her lap.

Bill slowly climbs from ground in a field somewhere. He pulls himself up and along with his forearms, grunting. Jessica awakens with a start to the sound of a cell phone in the crawlspace back at Bill's house. The man she killed lies rotting besides her. She laments the odor and the fact that feeding him her blood didn't work. She runs to answer the phone, thinking it to be Bill; she finds Hoyt on the other end, asking about the flowers he left for her. He tells her of his haircut, and how he thinks he looks badass now. She abruptly hangs up with him, and he falls to his seat in sadness. Jessica clutches the flowers close to her chest.

Eric sits on stage at Fangtasia, a dancer twirls on a pole. The Queen and the Magister arrive. The Magister reminds us we met him before at the trial of Bill Compton. The Queen tells Eric he should close up so they could talk. Eric offers his office for conference, but the Queen denies, admitting to Eric that she bugged his office, but all it gained her was knowledge that her trust was wall placed in Eric. She clears the bar, telling the new dancer to stay. The Magister denies the request, stating he needs their undivided attention. The Magister has come to Eric and The Queen to discuss the increased amount of V trafficking in the region. We get a glimpse into vampire politics here, as he espouses that vampire blood should only be used for reproduction, all other use is blasphemy. He asks them if they had noticed the increase, which they deny. The Magister tells them that every other Sheriff he approached was aware of the increase, being so drastic as to call to question if a vampire was not in fact responsible. The Queen calls that act shameful and reprehensible, while Eric asks the Magister to explain his logic. If, he supposes, run of the mill drainers were to blame, they would have noticed missing vampires. As no vampires are missing in the area, logic dictates that they are self-mutilating for profit.

Arlene questions Lafayette about his chili being different. He explains he added a pinch of... 'Cinnamon?' they say in unison. He asks her how she knew, as it was 1/2 teaspoon for the whole pot. She quickly realizes she must be pregnant, and angrily walks off in a fit. Across the room, Hoyt returns to the table where Jason is sitting with Missy and Jen, two recent NYU graduates, in the midst of a cross country road trip across the south to California. The two girls giggle and flirt with Hoyt, and insist he joins them. He protests, but Jason pulls him into a seat. Across the restaurant, Andy serves witness to the exchange. Back at the table the girls tell the guys about veterinary school, and how they plan on focusing on canine psychology; dogs feelings are like ours, just harder to figure out they tell the guys. Jason figures this one out quickly; "dogs can't talk" he says. They try to read Hoyt's sadness, and as he starts pining over Jessica, Jason steps in and like a good wingman, he fixes the course of the conversation. He asks the girls to tell him what kind of dog he would be, and they tell him a Lab. He then asks them to tell him what he is thinking, to which they reply about going back to his place and getting crazy. Hoyt is apprehensive, but Jason tells him that as his roommate, he should expect some level of "pussy overflow" that he will have to deal with. Andy approves from his vantage point.

Back at Fangtasia, The Queen asks The Magister about what the punishment would be for the guilty vampire. The Magister replies that the guilty would need to be made a public demonstration of, to prevent future acts of moral anarchy. The Magister departs, and once gone, The Queen states her boredom in living by the law, and how moral anarchy IS the point. Eric disagrees, but she dismisses his thoughts. She tells Eric she needs money to appease the IRS, and he should move the V however he can to get her money quickly. He tries to deny the request, and she threatens him and his manhood. He informs her of Bill's disappearance, and she tells him to move the blood despite this fact. He tells her that Bill knows about his involvement, and she advises him to let him rot.

Sookie gets off the phone with Isabelle. Pam arrives at Sookie's house, and delivers a check to Sookie for more than the agreed $10,000. She also takes a moment to compliment the new decor, courtesy of Maryann. She shivers, and Sookie asks her what it was all about. Pam informs Sookie that it was merely Eric calling her, and she leaves to check in. Sookie realizes that Jessica might be connected to Bill.

Terry walks into the back room to find Arlene. He asks her if they are still going to get together after work, and Arlene leaves, upset and crying about caring for her own kids. Lafayette is the walk-in fridge, talks with Pam. She tells Lafayette to move the V anyway he can, and when he balks, she pins him in the corner.

Bill slowly walks through the woods; in the distance we see a trailer, a beacon of light in the dark woods.

Sookie arrives at Bill's and Jessica tells her that advance notice would be nice in the future. Sookie tells her about Pam's shiver and how it was a call from Eric. Jessica tells her she experienced it the previous night, and it made her feel sick. She tells Sookie she also felt a place, and Sookie insists she take her there.

Bill comes upon the house in the woods. An elderly woman opens the door, mistakes Bill for her son Stanley. She recognizes her folly, sees Bill looks hungry, and invites him inside. He asks to use her phone, and she tells him she has none. She explains that she had to decide between oxygen and a phone, and as no one calls her, oxygen seemed the better decision. Missing family, no one that checks on her... Bill makes a quick decision, and when she asks what she can offer him to eat, he bares his fangs.

Lettie Mae and Rev. Daniels talk while Tara lies on the couch. As the Rev. is preparing to leave Lettie gets a bit flirtatious with the Rev. who quickly rebuffs her. Tara decides to shower up, says good night and retires to the bathroom. Indistinct voices can be heard from the living room as Tara runs bath water and sits on the toilet forlornly looking into the distance.

Sam follows Tommy back to his house. Tommy enters the house, and we hear voices coming from the house. Sam checks the mailbox and sees an envelope addressed to Mrs. Melinda Mickers. He walks forward and looks towards the house.

Jason is in the middle of being serviced by one of the NYU girls, though the flesh seems unwilling. As she complains, he imagines a bullet hole in the middle of her forehead. He offers to do her instead. The other NYU girl enters the room complaining that Hoyt is too hung up on Jessica to even watch her. She joins them on the bed, and after looking at Jason's flaccid member, asks her friend in a series of halted questions what happened thus far. Jason suggests they focus on each other, but failing to get a response this way, admits to them his imagined bullet holes in their foreheads. The girls get freaked out by this and hastily depart.

Bill talks with the elderly woman, who introduces herself as Olivia. He glamours her to forget he was ever there, or what he had done to her. As he leaves, he hands her money, telling her it was from her Stanley, and asks her where he is; learning he is in Copiah County, Mississippi.

Lafayette returns home to Tara's house to find Lettie Mae on the couch, reading Men's Health magazine. He asks her where Tara is, and when he learns Tara was alone in the shower he tries to kick in the door. Inside the bathroom we see Tara ingest a bottle of pills.

Jessica and Sookie drive down a dark road, and Jessica tells her she is getting the same feeling as she had the prior night. Sookie sees a car in the woods, and tells Jessica to stop the car. Sookie runs to the car finds a body, when he removes it from the car she sees he isn't Bill. Jessica searches the body for signs as to his identity. They find no phone or wallet, but they do find a symbol tattooed on his neck. The symbol looks like the "Sig" ruin, with an additional vertical hash through the center. The girls look it up on a cell phone and discover this to be connected to something called "Operation Werewolf."

We follow Bill as he runs quickly through the woods. He enters a clearing and finds himself surrounded by wolves. Bill bears his fangs and says "I should warn you, I've fed."