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Last Sunday, True Blood continued its final season with “Fire in the Hole”. It was a very good episode, a bit under the last two previous episodes. I've read on the internet many complains about the second episode being one of the worst episode ever and this final season being weak. I don’t agree with that, I think True Blood has finally found back its first magic, it once lost about season 3 or 4.
This year the story is more focused on the characters, and all the storylines are merging in one direction. The writing is funny as hell (I’m laughing at every Pam’s lines). True Blood never has been a serious show, it has its own silliness and it has finally embraced it.
Final seasons always feel a bit weird, and True Blood is no exception. It feels like the writers wants to give closure to the characters, and in the same time they’re always stuck with some unresolved stories from past seasons (I’m thinking of you, Sookie and Bill). And, the writers also want to make the viewers happy, by bringing some faces from the past (It’s been a long time Nan Flanagan), making references of previous episodes (Bill calling Sookie a “vampire prey” in season one) and killing some useless characters (Maxine… and Alcide) but it doesn't always feel natural or even logical in the story.
“Fire in the Hole” mainly focused on Sookie’s plan with Bill and the aftermath of the people of Bon Temps taking matter into their own armed hands. It was fun, but a bit weird at the end when the two groups collided. The writing of True Blood is quite funny, but since Alan Ball’s departure, it has become really less delicate. Sometimes, the writing feels a bit forced, like the scenes between Sookie and Bill. Clearly, Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer have a great and intense chemistry but the lines felt forced and rushed. I got the feeling the scenes were written only to make us understand Sookie and Bill belong together after all. Bill’s revelation of being a new vampire since he lost all his blood and got transfused was one of the big step towards that idea. I don’t mind Sookie and Bill together, I do think they belong together but I’d appreciate if it came more subtlety.
Anyways, Sookie and Bill got closer, Bill made his revelation, they shared some sweet memories from the past and finally Sookie made her own revelation ; she doesn’t love Alcide as much as he loves her… Shocker. Everybody knew it, Sookie doesn’t love Alcide, she loves being loved by Alcide. They’re not a great couple, Alcide always felt like a second choice. But, it clearly looks like Sookie and Bill are finding their ways back to each other and it's sweet… It was so tragic when Sookie said she didn’t want anyone else to die because of her. I’m not sure about Bill’s fate for the series finale. Every men around Sookie Stackhouse dies.
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But before saving Sookie, Andy, Jason, Jess, Violet, Holly, Alcide and Sam ran into a lot of troubles, all because of the normal people of Bon Temps, so tired of the supernatural being in their town, they started to shoot them up. They first attacked Sam and his vampire, who finally met his true death. Sam had no choice, since he just had been pushed out of his Mayor job and betrayed by his former opponent, but to finally show Bon Temps who he really is : a shapeshifter… And there are not many great shooters in Bon Temps, since Owl Sam got away, not touched by the guns.
Jessica and Andy came to rescue of Adilyn and Wade at the police station and strictly went to Jason for help. They interrupted one of the greatest fight in True Blood. I really loved Violet and Jason relationship, she’s really the most interesting girlfriend Jason ever has. Her speech about how she hates modern men and what she expects from a real man was so funny because it's so old fashioned and a bit sexist but it was very well written and acted. It suited both of them very well. I really hope they’ll end up together as the season ends.
That little group was on their way to save Sookie when they met up with the crazy people in Bon Temps, waiting to shoot anyone that doesn’t look like them. Of course, when Maxine saw Jessica she wanted her dead, because of what she did to Hoyt. And she actually shot her ! I was shocked ! I’ve never expected Jessica to get shot. And why did not she heal right away ? Crazy old bitch ! Luckily, Violet finally did what I dreamt of for 7 years : she took Maxine’s heart out. Yeah ! Violet is becoming my favorite new character.
But honestly, how dumb are the people of Bon Temps ? They’re just 20 people against two vampires and two police officers. Why didn’t they shot Jess and Violet like they shot Sam’s vampire ? Why did they run when Violet killed Maxine ? Why not shot Violet ? The writing felt a bit weak there…
The worst part was the H Vampires’ attack on Sookie. Alcide and Sam came out of nowhere ; Andy, Jason and friends shot the sick vampires around Sookie, and fortunately they managed to avoid shoting Sookie (I don't know how by the way they were shooting away). And suddenly, while fighting off with Bill about Sookie one more time, Alcide got shot in the head, and then in the chest. Wow… It was shocking, but it felt a bit weak. I wish the editing was better. I wanted to see Alcide getting shot to death.
Still, it was sad to see Joe Manganiello go. I’ve never been a big fan of Alcide, werewolves never were quite interesting in the True Blood universe. Anyways, Alcide was very nice to look at, I liked that he died naked. Yummm... I'll miss your hot body Alcide.
Eric and Pam were reunited last episode, with Pam discovering Eric’ sickness. Eric is sick and he is giving up, waiting for his true death, just like Godric and Nora had. Poor Pam was devastated, first Tara died (I’m still grieving) and now Eric is going to die.
We got to learn about Eric, and who the hell was Sylvie. The flashback scenes set in France in the 19th Century were very interesting. I liked Sylvie (maybe because it’s my mother’s name), she was sweet with Eric and really suited him. They were a great couple, she was soft but she had her character. Of course he couldn’t choose her over Pam (those Yakimono Corp guys didn’t joke with vampires who were not hiding) and so she was killed in front of Eric.
The most interesting part of the episode was Eric and Pam first meeting with Nan Flanagan. I was glad to see the bitch back, knowing she is dead now. It was fun, just to have that first dynamic, her being the boss and pissing Eric and Pam off. Just like in the good days.
But, finally, Pam found one reason to bring Eric back : Sarah Newlin ! Yeah, she’s alive, since Jason didn’t kill her and she was taking her sweet time in LA, practicing yoga and fucking with her yoga teacher… until the Yakimono Corp (once again) came in and killed the teacher. Poor Sarah, that is what happens when you create a deadly virus, and piss off strong vampires and a Japanese Corp. You’re going to die soon… Finally.
“Fire in the Hole” wasn’t the best installment of True Blood that is for sure, but still it was a pretty solid episode. It has some flaws, sometimes it felt rushed, sometimes it felt too long (like Bill’s flashback with his wife and daughters) but in overall it was a good set up for the rest of the season : Eric is coming back, Sookie and Bill are getting closer and all the characters are united against two threats : H Vampires and crazy people of Bon Temps. I just want to see what is next !
Vampires notes :
• Each Pam’s lines cracked me up. I can’t pick a favorite : “you know how I hate the Russian people” / “what size shoe do you wear ?” / “I am a big fan as French vagina as you but she’s just a human” /
• Alexander Skarsgård French is excellent ! For once, it was a pleasure to hear French in an American show.
• Willa and the Reverend conversation was one the highlight of the episode; I’ve never expected a scene from them to be such interesting. Comparing V blood to Alcohol for Tar’s mother was a brilliant idea, and now Willa is set free. She can finally rejoins Eric and Pam, when they get back to kill that Sarah Newlin.
• Lafayette and James got stoned together. It was fun and nice to watch them getting closer, getting high and sharing storiess. I just wish they could give something more to do to Lafayette.... Just contact Tara so she can give closure to her mother. I like it better as a medium.
• Holly and her prisoners friends tried some magic. Finally, it felt like since Marnie died the writers totally forgot Holly is a witch. It was time she tried witchcraft again. Too bad it didn't work. And now Holly is out, and she can tell everyone about Fangtasia !
So, what did you think of “Fire in the Hole” ? Did you enjoy it or was it a weak episode for you ? Are you sad about Alcide ? Hit the comments !
