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New ‘True Blood’ Season Five Trailer Is Spoiler-Heavy And Bloody

Travis Woods — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:54:30 +0000

After releasing a slew of new character posters, True Blood has finally dropped the trailer for its upcoming fifth season. Set to premiere on June 10 on HBO, True Blood’s new season five trailer is pretty heavy on the bloody spoilers. So be warned: if you want to go into season five blind, you might want to think twice before you peep the trailer after the jump. As for everyone else, check it out!

The trailer, accompanied the appropriately generic “dramatic trailer music!” theme, features Law & Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni appearing as the new character Roman, the big bad who will be leading the mysterious Vampire Authority. The Vampire Authority, by the way, isn’t exactly happy with what’s happening in the world of Bon Temps, and Roman intends to enact some heavy changes to restore order to the chaos that he sees there.

Oh, and just to make things complicated, season three baddie Russell Edington (Denis O’Hare) appears as if he’s no longer imprisoned, and plans on making some waves.

And then there’s the prerequisite blood sucking and weird sexual fetishizing of vampirism, but hey—at least no one is sparkling, or battling crudely CGI’d teenage werewolf clans. Be thankful for that, True Blood fans.

What do you think of the new trailer?

Source: Entertainment Weekly

News Roundup: New ‘True Blood’ Character Posters, A New ‘Madea’ One-Sheet, The Best Heroes For ‘Avengers 2,’ And More

Laura Aguirre — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:00:30 +0000

This week, Tyler Perry revealed the poster for his upcoming movie Madea’s Witness Protection. HBO also released a set of 12 character posters for True Blood‘s fifth season. We’ve also got a new website we’d like you to check out–we promise it’ll help you make your Netflix experience so much easier. All that and more after the jump.

Serious Comedians: Few comedians have the gift of being both funny and serious on screen. Unreality Magazine put together a list of Comedians Who Did Well In Serious Rolls. Their list includes talented funnymen like Robin Williams, Jim Carrey, and Eddie Murphy.
A Better Queue: Thanks to /film, yesterday I discovered a wonderful website called A Better Queue. Basically what it is, is a simple but useful program that references both Netflix and Rotten Tomatoes to help you narrow down which movies you’d like to watch. This is helpful for those of us who don’t necessary like the ‘Top 10′ that Netflix puts forth on our home page. Do check it out, you might be pleasantly surprised.
15 Avengers: With the news that The Avengers 2 is on the way, Screenrant put together a cool list of 15 Avengers We Want to see in Avengers 2 & Beyond. Check that out.

Photos:

Tyler Perry Teaser Poster: Tyler Perry’s alter ego is returning to the screen in Madea’s Witness Protection. Below we have a teaser poster for the director’s latest movie. It’s got a sort of New York-vibe to it.
True Blood Gallery: HBO has unveiled 12 new character posters for True Blood season 5. The new season begins June 10th, so mark your calendars. Go to Shock Til You Drop to see the complete gallery.

That’s the end of our round-up. Keep checking back at ScreenCrave for more entertainment news and features.

What are you excited for?

Interview: Evan Rachel Wood on Ides of March

Damon Houx — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:55:03 +0000

Evan Rachel Wood started playing a rebellious young girl in Thirteen, and that role has lingered over her for much of her career. Wood talks about having some “crazy” years, but now she’s in George Clooney’s Ides of March, and she feels like she’s on track again. We talked about her work in the movie, Clooney and Ryan Gosling, her work on True Blood and Justin Bieber. Check it out…

How much back story did you create for this character? You’re obviously the daughter of the Chair of the DNC. Was she sleeping around before with people of power? Do you think that was her thing?

I think, you know, her father’s a politician. I’m sure she’s been raised in this world with a very male dominated arena so I think she’s not phased by it. She’s not intimidated at all. I think that’s what’s cool is she’s throwing all these guys off their game. I’m sure this isn’t anything new. But I don’t think she’s in it to gain anything. I think she’s really just having fun. She’s pretty innocent about it and she’s very honest about it.

Maybe getting back at Daddy a little bit?

I’m sure. She’s got a lot. She was raised Catholic with a political father. I’m sure she’s got a lot of stuff to work out.

Can you talk a little bit about working with George Clooney, director?

He’s wonderful. We had some rehearsal time blocked out beforehand. We used that to – it was mainly him, Ryan and I – just getting to know each other and hanging out more than going over the script. We were very comfortable. And then, on the day, George really let us play and improvise and it made it easier that he’s an actor, I think, because he knows what to say to get what he wants out of you. He just took care of his cast and crew.

Is it easier working with a director who’s done some acting than someone who hasn’t?

It is because sometimes it’s hard to communicate the same way and to speak the same language, so you have to run around trying to figure out what the other person is trying to say. It’s hard with artists. They have such crazy minds and a very certain way of seeing things and then communicating it is something totally different. So it really helps.

You described your character as a little naïve at times. Do you feel like there’s any active manipulation on her part? Do you ever feel like she’s being an idealist or an opportunist?

I don’t think so. I think she’s savvy to the way that world works. I think that’s why, if she was an opportunist, then she would have used her situation to her advantage completely. But, she’s terrified because she knows what that means for everyone involved and I think she really didn’t mean to or expect to be put there. She was naïve because she was just having fun. She was living in the moment and now she’s screwed and she’s scared to death, literally scared to death. It’s sad.

What was it about this character that initially drew you into the project?

Everything. I loved her. I loved her confidence. I loved how subtle she was, how direct she was and I kind of based her on George in a weird way.

How so?

He was explaining the character to me and just his kind of vibe. In a lot of roles that he’s played, he’s always been very subtle and very cool and collected and he doesn’t need a big show to get across his point. He just is so I just based her off of him.

Do you pay a lot of attention to politics or did you do some research on the political system?

George gave us some great documentaries to watch about the behind the scenes and the campaign trails and the press.

The War Room?

Yeah, I’d never seem that side of it. For the most part, I try to stay informed and involved about politics but it’s really hard. I get frustrated and emotionally worked up so I have to disengage. It’s a weird world.

Can you talk a bit more about working with Ryan Gosling because you spend most of your screen time alongside him?

You can’t ask for a better leading man right now. He’s extremely talented but he’s also a cool, interesting guy and he’s fun to hang out with. It makes your job easier when you’re doing those scenes and when you have to play opposite somebody like that. There’s just a comfortability there that really helps. I think we both knew that we could go toe to toe with each other and try to intimidate one another and see who was going to crack first.

Were you guys trying to make each other laugh on set?

All the time. I think that’s how that whole tie thing came about. It was improvised. I was just trying to screw with Ryan and make his tie look as bad as possible.

With this film you have a powerhouse cast but it seems like you almost entirely worked with Ryan.

I know. I just now got to know Paul (Giamatti) and Phillip (Seymour Hoffman).

It’s a shame you weren’t around for them.

It could be worse. It was not a bad day at work.

So they shot you for two weeks and then…?

It was a couple of months actually. It was pretty spread out. When we filmed in Cincinnati and Detroit in winter, we still had a great time so that’s saying a lot.

Was it a challenge to play a character with smaller parts spread out that way?

No, it was great actually. It was nice to not have the movie rest on me. Poor Ryan, he was in every single scene.

Did you give him hell for that?

Of course, I’m always giving Ryan hell.

George Clooney is known as a prankster on set, did he pull anything on you?

I don’t know. I feel like he’s always pulling something. That’s the thing. I think one of the greatest pranks of all time is just establishing that you’re a prankster so every day on set you’re looking over your shoulder. Everyone was on their toes just waiting for something to happen. I think the only thing he did to me was catch me and Max (Minghella) dancing and singing and he rolled the camera, but that was about it. I think Ryan was the one that got water squirt bottles in his crotch and things like that but I was spared.

What were you guys dancing to?

Justin Bieber…which is why he knew it would be embarrassing.

Yes, that is embarrassing.

But I am a firm Belieber and I’ve embraced it. I used to be a closeted one who was really embarrassed about it but there’s nothing I can do so it’s best to be honest.

Have you met him?

I haven’t. Before I was a fan, I was in the same room. Now I’m like “Gahhhhh!” No, I haven’t met him.

Do you admire him from afar?

At this point, with everything that’s been in the press, now I’m sure he’s like “I don’t want to meet that person. She’s nuts. She’s going to attack me.” But it’s not a crush. That’s the weird thing. I don’t have a crush on the guy, and that’s the thing. God, I hope he knows that. I was a kid performer. Anytime someone that young is born with that incredible of a talent and has gone as far so quickly, I mean, that’s amazing. I can’t imagine what that does to a person so the journey ahead for him must be crazy.

When you were a child actor was there a point where you thought “Maybe I’ll stop”?

I’ve had those moments. Because when you’ve been doing something your whole life, you really want to make sure that it’s what you want to do and not just what you’re used to or good at. I think the only other thing that I would do is be a psychologist because that’s what I do in a weird way. I analyze people and characters and motives and I’m picking apart human beings constantly. It’s just something I’m passionate about. But, I took a step back and looked and now I really know that this is what I am extremely passionate about and what I want to do. It’s just an amazing platform to reach people and I think that’s one of the most rewarding parts about it.

You were talking about analyzing people and picking out a part, are you writing anything?

I write a lot. I’ve always written actually. I feel like one day I need to write an autobiography though because – Jesus – it’s been so crazy. I’d love to do that one of these days. Julie Taymor wants me to make a movie about the years between 18 and 24. She said “This whole time you just need to put on film immediately.” I don’t know. I would love to keep writing though and maybe direct one of these days. That’s what everyone keeps telling me I need to be doing but I don’t know if I’m there yet.

You talk about the craziness of those particular years. Did they feel crazy when they were happening?

I think the point of having those years was to be as crazy as possible because I didn’t really have a childhood or an adolescence. I didn’t have that time so it was like “alright, I’ve got to do this. I’ve got to get to know myself and know what’s out there and have my fun so that I can really focus and commit to this life and this career and get serious.” But I knew before I was going to do that that I was going to be very unserious.

Are the scales balanced now or should we expect more? I mean, between 18 and 24, you’ve probably got a few more years left.

I think things have definitely calmed down a lot for the better but I’m really glad I had that time because it just teaches you so much about yourself. I feel like you can’t be an actor without life experience and without things to draw from. It was all an amazing learning experience. I gained many tools.

Can you talk about what you learned from the True Blood experience, the fans, and working on the TV show for such a long time?

What did I learn? It was cool because I was such a huge fan of the show that getting a chance to be on it and in that world and be a part of it was pretty amazing. I was so nervous though. The first episode that I did was terrifying because I had seen every episode and all of a sudden I was there and the characters were there and I was just like “Oh!” And Stephen Moyer comes over to me and he’s teaching me how to pop the fangs out and I’m like “This is happening!” I think Alan Ball is amazing and I thought the character was hilarious and over the top, so I miss it.

Do you still watch every episode?

I haven’t seen the new season yet – I haven’t had time. I didn’t want to get into it and then miss it so don’t tell me anything because I’m behind. But yeah, I’m still definitely into the show. People have already done it and I’m like “Gah! Why?!”

Was there something about just that show or was it that genre? Do you read or watch other things in that sort of territory?

I’ve always wanted to play a vampire. I don’t know an actor that doesn’t want to do that. I do like that genre, but it’s hard to find ones that I really like. I loved the first season and I loved the chemistry between Stephen and Anna (Paquin) which makes perfect sense now. It was dark but it was really funny which is what Alan Ball is so great at.

What’s next for you on the horizon that we should be watching out for?

There’s things in the works but I don’t think I can talk about any of them yet. I just have to wait and see. I really want to do a comedy next. That’s just a side of me that no one’s really got a chance to see.

Do you mean dark comedy?

Light, like a stoner comedy.

Is this your call out to everyone right now? “Hey, I want to do a stoner comedy.”

That’s exactly what I’m doing. Absolutely.

SPOILER TERRITORY

Your character makes this very dramatic choice. Did you guys talk about layering in moments that would lead us to believe that you would head in that direction at a certain point?

What do you mean?

You kill yourself, right? And so….?

I think it’s open to interpretation actually. I think it could have been an accident. It could have not been. It’s like you make that decision, I think. George and I talked about it. We didn’t really think…I mean, we wanted it to be an accident, but you don’t know.

So then it wasn’t necessarily a choice that you had killed yourself?

Yeah.

Ides of March Opens October 7. Check it out.

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 12 – ‘And When I Die’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 03:07:12 +0000

The season four finale of “True Blood” is an event eleven episodes in the making. And by “event,” I really mean the last ten minutes of the episode. The first fifty minutes are extremely emotional and darkly brooding, only to give way to moments that live up to the episode’s title. As soon as the credits roll, you’ll be wondering if you had just watched the same show that has been airing every week at 9 p.m.; I know I felt that way. Does this episode mean to herald a completely new tone for the series? For reasons you’ll see below, I hope not.

The Players:

Director: Scott Winant
Writer: Raelle Tucker
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “And When I Die”

With the aid of some familiar faces, Sookie defeats Marnie once and for all, leaving Lafayette to deal with the consequences of his actions; Jessica and Jason struggle to define their relationship; Sookie decides between Eric and Bill; the political structure of the vampire community breaks down; Debbie confronts Sookie.

The Good:

Lafayette: Nelsan Ellis comes out on top in this episode with his performance as a man possessed by another person. He and Marnie must have compared notes, because both performances were extremely engaging and entertaining. It was interesting to see such an affected character alter his mannerisms.
Jason and Jessica: Every episode needs its romantic arc, and this one’s involved my new favorite pair. Although these two have yet to figure out that they are madly in love with each other (in my humble opinion – writers, please take note), I enjoyed seeing them sizzle while on screen together.
Sookie’s decision: It’s about damn time that Sookie had a love interest other than the two vampires who have been vying for her attention, so I was pleased as punch to see her kick both Bill and Eric to the curb tonight. Since Sookie will inevitably get with someone at some point due to the nature of the show, I’ll put in my two cents and say that she needs a fresh start with someone new, preferably a man of the werewolf persuasion (read: please, please, PLEASE, pair her with Alcide. I’ve been dying for this to happen for ages now).
The last ten minutes: As much as I disliked this episode, I have to admit that the last ten minutes had my eyes glued to the screen. This is what I watch “True Blood” for: one bloody, action-packed scene after another and cliffhangers that leave you begging for more.
Line of the night: Although the beginning of the episode was very heavy in content and therefore lacking in gems, I found a couple of great ones towards the end. Since this was the finale, I’ll spoil you all with my two favorites. “You can’t trade magic like fucking Pokemon cards.” “I’m so over Sookie and her precious fairy vagina and her stupid name.”

The Bad:

It’s too heavy: Did anyone feel very depressed after watching this episode? I can’t remember the last time “True Blood” has been this emotionally heavy. Between Tara and Sookie, Sam, Lafayette, and, frankly, just about everyone else in Bon Temps, there is a lot to be upset about. There was far too much crying and sadness in this episode for my tastes. While emotion has its place, this episode had an over saturation of it. What about the campy action and humor that makes “True Blood” so much fun to watch?
Marnie’s revenge: Parts of this arc, especially Bill and Eric’s involvement, felt extremely disjointed. Just how did Lafayette manage to get a hold of Bill and Eric? What was Lafayette’s initial reaction to what he had done to Jesus? The episode skipped some scenes that would have been gold mines of entertainment. Plus, it all seemed to wrap up far too quickly, leaving the rest of the episode vulnerable to the high levels of emotional that I discussed above.
Randomness: Rene? Reverend Newlin? The chains that Alcide found? As it has done in previous episodes, “True Blood” once again introduces some arcs using only one scene. Although the show will ostensibly pick up these threads in season five, in the context of the already established arc of season four, these newly-introduced plotlines seem to come out of nowhere.
Tara and Jesus: There was too much death in one episode, I say. Perhaps the show was going for the shock factor this time around, but to take away two beloved characters in one go? It seems a bit unnecessarily cruel to the audience, not to mention to Lafayette, Sookie, and the rest of the victims’ loved ones.

Overall:

While the resolution of the main arc of the season was satisfying, I was disappointed with the majority of this episode. It was too emotionally heavy for my tastes, taking on a tone that is far too serious for the show. Nevertheless, the last ten minutes of the episode do justify watching the whole thing, if not a need to see things through to the end. So much happens in such a short span of time that I’m still scratching my head, wondering just what, exactly, I watched. What I do know is that it’s going to be one long year until season five.

Rating: 5/10

“True Blood” returns next summer on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 11 – ‘Soul Of Fire’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:23:36 +0000

With two episodes left in the season, it’s down to the wire. But about halfway through “Soul Of Fire,” it looks as though HBO didn’t get the memo that there’s still one episode to go, as the main arc of the season appears to be wrapping up quite nicely. Then, in traditional “True Blood” style, we get a cliffhanger that, I’ll admit, almost had me leaping out of my chair and screaming at the screen. I can’t think of a better reaction to have to one of this show’s trademark cliffhangers.

The Players:

Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Mark Hudis
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Soul Of Fire”

When negotiations between Marnie and the vampires break down, Jesus uses his ancestors’ magic to intervene; Andy experiences a strange encounter with a fairy; Sam and Alcide exact their revenge on Marcus; in the aftermath of the events at Moongoddess Emporium, Marnie proves not to be finished with her plan quite yet.

The Good:

Location, location, location: I think that the show took a fairly big risk by having the bulk of the episode – or at least the bulk of the episode’s main plotline – take place in one location. The writing, directing and acting, fortunately, worked extremely well within the spatial constraints of the Moongoddess Emporium. I was never bored by what was happening there.
Marnie: Forgive me for sounding like a broken record, but for episode after episode, Marnie has just been killing it, acting circles around the rest of the fine cast of “True Blood. Her nuanced performances as good Marnie and an evil, possessed Marnie keep my eyes glued to the television every week, even more so than what is happening to the main stars of the show. I loved that this episode included some backstory that added some motivation to why Marnie practices such dangerous magic. Her desire for respect and attention is something to which we can all relate, even though we as the audience are meant to despise her character.
Jason takes a stand: It was a brief moment, but Jason standing up to the vampires was a great scene for his character. He’d spent so much of this season being tortured and abused, at mercy of others and forces beyond his control; it was about time we saw him take control of his feelings and let them be known. It’s good to see the old, headstrong Jason again.
Honorable Alcide: As a big fan of Alcide, I enjoyed seeing his role get a little more meat this time around. Even though his and Sam’s relationship is tied together by a very thin string, he does what is noble and right by helping seek justice for Sam’s loss.
The deal: As I’ve written before, “True Blood” will never kill off two of its flagship – and most popular – characters. Thus, Eric and Bill’s pledge to die in exchange for Sookie is not as exciting in itself as is how the writers choose to resolve the plot. Indeed, using Pam to do so, and in the process driving a wedge between her and her maker, was an interesting way to go about it. Will Eric really choose love over his duty as a maker?
Sam’s revenge: I did not find Sam’s vengeance against Marcus to be particularly exciting on its own, but it was certainly satisfying to see that horrible excuse for a human being (werewolf?) lying cold on the floor.
Jesus’s magic: I have two words to describe that scene: intense and freaky. In a good way, of course. The mask added a healthy dose of the “freak factor” that the show has been lacking since the early days of season one.
Marnie’s “farewell:” Of course, it’s not over! There’s still another episode left! In typical “True Blood” style, the happy ending is interrupted just before things settle down. I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Line of the night: As usual, Pam delivers the best lines. I couldn’t decide which one to use, so I went with the first one that made me laugh out loud: “We blow up these Wiccan dipshits already? I got a mani-pedi at four.”

The So-So:

Andy: It seems as though Andy is just plopped into plotlines in which he really doesn’t belong. Between Hotshot and his V addiction, and now Fort Bellefleur and the encounter with the fairy, the guy just wanders in and out of scenes with no apparent direction. Unless this lack of a path is by design, when will the writers give him something to do? Otherwise, I will continue to fight the urge to change the channel whenever he comes on screen.
Marnie’s spell: The spell Marnie cast bewitching the vampires to walk into her protective wall seemed extremely hokey. Not from the point of view from the mythos so much as from that of the acting, which was shoddy if you rewatch the scene, as well as from that of the whole show’s continuity. Why didn’t Marnie just use that spell in the first place, when the vampires showed up to Moongoddess Emporium? It looked like it was simply thrown in there for spectacle, and it turned out to be a poor-looking one at that.

Overall:

As season four draws to a close, we are graced with yet another near-perfect episode in “Soul Of Fire.” Its strengths lie in its wit, performances and its edge-of-your-seat thrills that sustain throughout the entire hour. It really feels much like a season finale for nearly half of the hour, but don’t let that fool you; once the cliffhanger hits, you’ll become like me and start counting down the hours until next Sunday.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 10 – ‘Burning Down The House’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 02:54:27 +0000

While last week’s “True Blood” was lacking in the areas in which it is ordinarily strong, it did set the stage for exciting things to come – events that begin to play out in “Burning Down The House.” This hour kicks off with a brilliant scene and keeps the intrigue coming at the non-stop pace for which “True Blood” is known. And let us not forget what the memorable last shot of the episode promises to show us come 9 p.m. next Sunday.

The Players:

Director: Lesli Linka Glatter
Writer: Nancy Oliver
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Burning Down The House”

Sookie uses her powers to save Bill from Marnie, in the process reversing the spell on Eric; Jason asks Jessica to glamour him to save his and Hoyt’s relationship; Bill makes plans to blow up Moongoddess Emporium; Terry stages an intervention for Andy’s sake; Alcide’s allegiance to the pack is tested by Marcus’s fight with Tommy; Jesus, Sookie, Lafayette and Jason attempt a rescue mission at Moongooddess Emporium before it is blown to smithereens.

The Good:

The battle: What a way to start off an episode! And I’m not just talking about Eric and Bill going one-on-one. While combat is always fun to watch, it is almost predictable at this point in the series, since none of the trinity of main characters will die – permanently, that is. The most exciting thing to happen here, in truth, is the sudden reversal of Marnie’s spell, giving Eric back his memory after these many long episodes. The abruptness with which the spell is broken is somewhat comical, but I am mostly thankful to have the real Eric back, however whipped he still remains. I just hope that he gets more of his bark back in addition to his bite in the remaining to episodes of the season.
Conflicted Marnie: Marnie/Antonia delivers a fantastic performance in this episode as a woman facing conflict within her own corporeal form. It is a very physical, very affected dual performance that stands out, once again elevating Marnie/Antonia above all other characters in the series.
Tommy: Sam has some very touching scenes with his brother, very sad ones that at last bring closure to their long and difficult relationship. Although I was never particularly fond of Tommy as a character, I feel sorry for both of them, particularly for Sam. For this plotline to have elicited that response, the writing staff must have done something right.
Sam’s revenge: I’m excited by how Tommy’s fate lights a fire under Sam to seek revenge against the werewolves. His intensity and drive strengthens this subplot and invests the viewer in it a whole lot more.
Jesus transforms: Prior to this episode, Jesus had been taking more of a backseat to Lafayette and other principle characters in the series. After walking through Marnie/Antonia’s magical barrier and personifying the magic he practices, he suddenly went into useful – and bada** – mode. It’s safe to say that he will be given a lot more challenges to overcome in the next two episodes.
Vampire covert ops: Slow-motion shots set to hard-driving rock songs are utterly clichéd, but for a show with as much camp as “True Blood”, the very last shot of the episode is the perfect touch. Of course, it would have been even better to see more of the scene play out before the usual cut to black, but the set up for all-out war that this shot implies is nevertheless a great image to leave with the viewer.
Line of the night: Lafayette is, as always, right on the money: “Find Tara. She’ll be the loudest.”

The So-So:

Fort Bellefleur: It is difficult to care about Andy’s plight when so much else is at stake for the supernatural beings (and some select humans) of Bon Temps. It seems like yet another weak, unnecessary garden path that distracts us from the more important events of the episode. The subtext – which eventually becomes the text of Andy and Terry’s scenes – apparently comes out of nowhere. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at Andy half the time he was on screen.
Not enough depth: One thing I noticed about this episode was that it picked up on a number of ideas – Jessica’s refusal to glamour Jason, Sam’s revenge – and only showed one or two scenes pushing the respective subplots forward. In that way, this episode seemed to be spread out a little too thin. It may have benefited from greater depth in some areas of particular interest to viewers (I vote for more scenes with Jason and Jessica, but that’s just me).

Overall:

While not a flawless episode, “Burning Down The House” is a great improvement over last week. The events that come to pass in this episode, especially those relating to minor characters, tie together in a way that strengthens the main plotline of this arc. At the very least, I’m incredibly interested in seeing just how the vampires’ plan to finally get rid of Marnie/Antonia plays out.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 9 – ‘Let’s Get Out Of Here’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 03:15:59 +0000

When last we left Bon Temps, a full-blown war had broken out between Marnie’s coven and the vampires, the latter side buffeted by Sookie’s powers. But in the final minutes of the episode, the tide had been turning in favor of the witches, leaving our major players in great peril. This week sees the conclusion to the battle and its aftermath, and it is safe to say that grim mortality and the possibility of destruction hang over every plotline in the episode. Since neither side wins this first round, things only escalate from here on out.

The Players:

Director: Romeo Tirone
Writer: Brian Buckner
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Let’s Get Out Of Here”

Sookie imagines a world in which Bill and Eric can coexist; Bill and Nan Flanagan butt heads; Jesus attempts to rid Lafayette of the spirit within him; Marcus calls on Alcide to help him deal with Sam; Hoyt asks Jason to deliver Jessica’s things back to her; Marnie continues to plot against the vampires.

The Good:

Marnie: Marnie – or, should I say, Antonia – has been a powerhouse these last few episodes. She continues to steal the spotlight in this episode, this time showing off in a display of power that is the most compelling and frightening for our main characters since Maryann Forrester threatened the livelihood of Bon Temps back in season two. By the time the dust clears, Marnie/Antonia might go down as one of my top “True Blood” villains.
Bill vs. Nan: I always love when politics drive a wedge between characters, especially when Nan Flanagan and her tart tongue come around. Bill and Nan going head-to-head on the burning issues of the day is a well-written and revealing exchange that elevates the political dimension of the show to a whole new level. That, and the quick cut from the shot in Bill’s office to that of Bill, Nan and Jessica chained up in the jail cell adds the perfect touch of humor to counterbalance the necessary seriousness of the situation.
Role reversal: In this episode, we see just how much Jason has come into his own as an officer of the law – and how far Andy has fallen from grace due to his addiction to V. It’s fascinating to see the new partner dynamic unfold, as Jason takes on the role of the sagacious, honorable officer and Andy continues to tumble into oblivion and continuously needs to be held back.
Sam and Luna: The more I see Sam and Luna together, the more I like them. It’s too bad that Marcus and his drama will inevitably tear them apart. Nonetheless, for the duration of this episode, the two of them, along with Luna’s daughter, had the most genuinely touching moments of the whole hour.
Jessica and Jason: Besides the fact that I’m quickly falling in love with these two, I just want to point out how hilarious it is that Jessica and Jason consummate their relationship to the oh-so-innocent Taylor Swift’s CD. Bravo to the HBO executive who made that choice.
Debbie’s betrayal: Debbie’s role has finally been given a little more meat (no pun intended). Things are obviously being set up so that Alcide and Debbie will be fighting on opposite sides when the time comes. That will be a sight to see.
Line of the night: The line itself is fairly tame, but Jessica’s tearful delivery is pitch-perfect: “I wish I was dead. Except I am, and it doesn’t even matter.”

The Bad:

Lafayette’s possession: Although this episode’s performance is indicative of Nelsan Ellis’s amazing talent as an actor, the whole medium/possession plotline just isn’t all that compelling. It feels like it is tacked on to the main plotline of the show simply because of the common thread between them: magic. The only consolation that I have for having been forced to sit through these scenes is that they wrapped up relatively quickly, in the span of a couple of episodes. Nevertheless, the episodic nature of the plotline makes it seem that much more unnecessary. It easily could have been left on the cutting room floor, or at least have been better integrated into the main arc of the season.
Sookie’s fantasy: Some may hate me for this, but I have no problem saying it: the Eric/Sookie lovefest has long outstayed its welcome by this point. It’s getting close to giving me a cavity! While the inclusion of Bill into the mix certainly adds some much needed conflict and drama to the situation, there must be much more interesting ways to settle this love triangle than with yet another retreat into a V-fueled, hazy dream world. Keeping things within the confines of Sookie’s imagination, without any consequences occurring in the “real world,” is also a sign of the cop-out to end all cop-outs. Evidently, the writing staff just isn’t ready for Sookie to make a decision about the loves in her life, and so they are toying with the audience through this dream of hers.

Overall:

Although the main plotline that courses through this arc of the season continues to take us for a thrill ride, the show’s supporting cast – and even some of the main players – have fairly weak plotlines to contend with. Peppered with the usual humor and some exciting moments, the subplots of this episode mostly flounder, leaving me to hope that things will get better come next week. With the witch/vampire war on the horizon, I imagine that everyone will eventually converge on the strongest plotline of the season.

Rating: 6/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

HBO Renews ‘True Blood’ For A Fifth Season

Travis Woods — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:17:24 +0000

Fans of vampire camp that are over the age of 12—you guys can keep Twilight—rejoice! HBO has announced that they are picking up True Blood for a fifth season.

12 more episodes are now set to emerge from the Alan Ball’s vamp show, which is based on the novels of Charlaine Harris.

The fifth season is set to debut next summer, so you’ve got a bit of waiting to do.

The fourth season is currently still airing, and is set to end on September 11^th.

According to Entertainment Weekly:

“I remain amazed and delighted by the enthusiasm of our viewers,” said Ball in a statement. “I can’t imagine having more fun than this.”

So there you have it—vampire obsession continues to permeate all aspects of American pop culture. But! As long as it does not involve the blank, lifeless stare of Kristen Stewart or the bizarre bouffant hairdo of Robert Pattinson, I think we’ll be able to handle it.

Ball has stated that True Blood has “a lot of life in it…I love doing it and I don’t really have any plans of doing anything else right now.”

What do you think of True Blood’s renewal? Are you ready to see a fifth season?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 7 – ‘Cold Grey Light of Dawn’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:30:05 +0000

This season of “True Blood” has been on a roll for six straight episodes, but like all good things, it had to come to an end at some point. “Cold Grey Light of Dawn” is by no means a bad episode, but it does not pack the same punch of quality that is characteristic of the show. Nevertheless, fans of the series – and of a certain pairing of characters – will love aspects of this hour. It is, as always, an entertaining episode that manages to do many things right despite its shortcomings.

The Players:

Director: Michael Ruscio
Writer: Alexander Woo
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Cold Grey Light of Dawn”

Bill issues a controversial decree to save vampires from the power of Marnie; Alcide and Debbie join the pack; Pam gets a spa treatment; Eric chooses amnesia over his memory; Sam confronts Tommy for his transgression; Lafayette becomes a medium; Andy’s date with Holly is a disaster.

The Good:

My Antonia: Just by herself, Marnie added a new twist to Bon Temps’ cast of characters, but now, possessed by the spirit of Antonia, she provides even more intrigue. I even like her better as Antonia; she has an aura of confidence that seems to be even more threatening than her incredible power.
Pam: The rotting of Pam’s body, while not necessarily integral to any of the main plot lines occurring this season, it is a clever play on her vanity and brings out a great deal of humor in the form of her foul, yet ever-so-entertaining, language. Pam is quickly becoming one of my favorite characters solely because of how hilarious every last one of her scenes is, whether it intentionally goes for laughs or is extra dramatic.
Jason’s dilemma: Jason seems to have become the series’ latest emotional punching bag. What is most entertaining, though, is how he handles his growing attraction to Jessica. His scatterbrained, deer-caught-in-the-headlights type of behavior is always fun to watch unfold on screen.
Bill and Jessica: I always enjoy the (few) scenes we get between maker and vampire. Bill and Jessica have a tender, mentor/mentee relationship that I wish would be explored in more depth. It is fun to trace the trajectory of it, considering how defiant and naïve Jessica once was.
Ending on a bright note: I think it’s safe to say that this week’s cliffhanger is one of the best in recent memory. Putting a beloved main character in peril? I’ll admit, I actually yelled at the television when the screen went to black. Next Sunday could not come any sooner!
Line of the night: A little bit of self-reflexive humor poking fun at the ever-growing collection of supernatural beings: “Holy crap! Now there’re zombies?!”

The So-So:

Tara: I was so happy for Tara up until the very end of last week’s episode. Predictably, her past caught up with her in the worst way imaginable. The endless cycle of terrible, traumatic things happening to Tara is starting to get tired. It seems that all Tara does these days is complain about Bon Temps and cry. Although the writing staff has given her a way to join in the assault on the vampires, she could use a much meatier part.
Sookie and Eric: While I’ve enjoyed the sugary sweetness of Sookie and Eric’s storyline so far, it is quickly reaching its saturation point. Last week’s reunion was happy and satisfying, indeed, but carrying it over into this episode with gratuitous sex strained what was just about a perfect moment. Almost as soon as their scene began, I couldn’t wait for Eric to regain his memory so that I could avoid getting a cavity from the sweetness. There is only so much love that can be exchanged before both of them sound like broken records.
The Mexican journey: The subplot concerning Lafayette and Jesus’s trip to Mexico would be far more interesting if the show would relate it better to the immediate happenings in Bon Temps. If I recall correctly, the two went to Mexico to seek assistance from Jesus’s grandfather against the vampires. Not only have they apparently gone off the beaten path, but Marnie seems to be doing just fine without them. This episode could have been tightened up had the scenes in Mexico been left out all together.

Overall:

“Cold Grey Light of Dawn” is as close as “True Blood” can get to producing a bad episode. It is very much enjoyable on its merits, but it has some surprising faults that one would not expect to come from the well-run production that is this series. There is plenty that occurs in this hour that is pertinent to the overall arc of the season, so it is still absolutely worth watching, if only for that reason.

Rating: 7/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 6 – ‘I Wish I Was The Moon’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:09:26 +0000

I don’t mean to sound biased off the bat, but let’s be honest here. “True Blood” has been hitting the right notes ever since the season premiere, nearing perfection – and sometimes embodying it – with each passing week. Thrilling drama, unexpected twists, steamy scenes, and a whole lot more have characterized season four thus far, and “I Wish I Was The Moon” is no exception. While it isn’t the best episode of “True Blood,” it remains an outstanding example of what this show has to offer.

The Players:

Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Raelle Tucker
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “I Wish I Was The Moon”

Eric surrenders to the King; a suspicious fire burns Arlene and Terry’s house; Tommy and Sam fall victim to a literal change-up; Tara deals with the consequences of her deceit; the full moon spells trouble for Jason; Alcide is under pressure to join the new werewolf community; Marnie connects with an ancient spirit; Lafayette and Jesus encounter black magic in Mexico.

The Good:

Starting off and ending with (a) bang: After dragging out the sexual tension for five long episodes – on top of three seasons – HBO finally gives a vocal segment of the show’s fan base what it has wanted for years now. Sure, it’s a bit delayed due to various goings-on in the episode, but it’s here isn’t it? And the scenes in question are, without a doubt, two of the most epic of this season; even fans with nothing but hatred for Sookie and Eric have to admit that.
Pam: Within the first ten minutes of the episode, Pam steals the spotlight from her maker with her rapid-fire, foul-mouthed wit. She has progressed from serving as Eric’s trusty lieutenant to being in the forefront of the show’s action. It’s a shame to see her literally wasting away, her newfound role suits her so well.
The inferno: The “demon baby” subplot culminates in something finally worth our attention, although not much comes of it in this hour. The melodrama seems to have given way to something slightly less absurd. The fallout from the fire, which affects the lives of multiple characters, should be fascinating to watch as it unfolds.
The werepanther: After Jason escaped from Hotshot, I told myself that it would be too soon if I ever saw Jason tied to a bed again. Well, it didn’t take long for the guy to find himself in that situation again, although this time, it was a self-imposed safety measure. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the banter between Jason and Sookie that came of this ridiculous moment; their bond is one of the few relationships on which we can count in this show.
Tara: As a character who has gone to hell and back over the past season and a half, Tara is one person in particular who deserves happiness. As uncharacteristic as it is of “True Blood” for anyone to get what they want without strings attached, it was wholly satisfying to see Tara find peace and love in spite of her past – although it clearly is going to catch up to her yet again.
Marnie: Things are yet again taking a turn for the exciting as Marnie channels the spirit with whom she has been connecting over the past two episodes. While previous scenes involving Marnie have been mostly self-contained, last week’s episode combined with this hour have moved the plot forward in a considerable way. After only minutes of exposure to the spirit as embodied by Marnie, I already want to see more of this Antonia in action, exacting her revenge on the vampires of Bon Temps.
Jason and Jessica: While this implied blossoming love affair is artificially fueled by V, there appear to be some genuine sparks flying between these two. I hate to think of anything coming between Hoyt and Jessica’s love, but in this episode, Jessica and Jason bond in an unexpected way that is peculiarly appealing in its innocence.
Line of the night: “I’m a police officer and a werepanther. Back off!”

The So-So:

Alcide: As much as I love Alcide, it seemed odd to place his involvement in the Mississippi werewolf community – or lack thereof – in the middle of the happenings occurring in Bon Temps and to those who inhabit the town. What connection does his association with the werewolves have to the main arc of the season other than his relationship with Sookie and his brief appearance in Bon Temps in this week’s episode? Future episodes should make the correlation clearer, or drop this line altogether.
Once upon a time in Mexico: Last week’s episode made the reason for Jesus and Lafayette’s pilgrimage to Mexico clear, but this week’s hour seemed to drop the line almost entirely in favor of some peculiar, inexplicable black magic. Without the goal for the trip spelled out, the venture seemed to dissolve into chaos that is difficult to watch with vested interest.

The Bad:

The change-up: Tommy and Sam’s “Freaky Friday” subplot plays out like a bad R-rated comedy. While it certainly doesn’t come out of nowhere and has been plotted out for the duration of the season, it seems out of place in this episode. Without a doubt, “Sam’s” actions are clichéd and ludicrous, as though they were written in by wannabe comedy writers.

Overall:

This week’s episode has its flaws, but it is nonetheless an enjoyable hour of “True Blood” with a payoff in the last five minutes that is sure to please. The consequences of the events from “I Wish I Was The Moon” will undoubtedly be felt several episodes from now, making this an hour of television that builds an excitement fans will feel all week long.

Rating: 8/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 5 – ‘Me And The Devil’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 20:06:32 +0000

“True Blood” is a show that always seems to know exactly what it’s doing. Every plot twist and turn, no matter how unexpected or farfetched, is executed and later assimilated into the canon with an expert ease that only makes the viewer’s total shock more pronounced. Like junkies in search of a V fix, fans who thrive on that thrill tune in every Sunday night at 9 p.m. with confidence that the next hour of “True Blood” will be just as incredible as the last, if not more so. And this week, just like every other, HBO delivers everything it promises and a whole lot more.

The Players:

Director: Daniel Minahan
Writer: Mark Hudis
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “Me And The Devil”

Sookie comforts a vulnerable Eric; Tommy escapes his parents and enlists Sam’s help; Pam’s vanity breeds anger; Tara’s past haunts her present; Arlene and Terry seek religious intervention to solve their son’s problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to request help from Jesus’s grandfather; Jason’s recovery begins; Bill gets involved with the necromancers; Marnie discovers more about her possessor; Alcide receives an unexpected visitor.

The Good:

The Mickens family reunion: The episode kicks off with a scene that is bound to get your heart pumping. No matter how you feel about Tommy, his “reunion” with his parents is pure intensity offset by a heart-wrenching moment at the very end that will leave you thinking, “What the hell just happened?” When that is your response to a sequence of events, that right there is “True Blood” at its best.
Eric’s old friend: When Eric received a visit from – how should I put this? – an old friend, I almost jumped out of my seat and thanked the gods of “True Blood.” Although the scene is not of much consequence initially, it is a fantastic sequence for those of us who have missed seeing this particular person grace the screen. I like to think of it as a bittersweet reunion for and a nod to the vocal set of fans.
Jessica and Hoyt: Their presence on screen was all too short this episode, but whenever they are together, it is obvious that their relationship will only go south from here on out. The knowledge of their self-destructive ways makes their scenes all the more devastating to watch.
Sensitive Eric: I never would have said this a couple of seasons ago, but if you take away the leather and pithy remarks, there is something very sweet and gentle in Eric. Nevertheless, this is not an organic change in the man…er, vampire. A lot of Eric’s softer side must be attributed to not only his memory loss but also Sookie’s maternal instinct, which brings out a great deal of his vulnerability. The change will most certainly not last, but for now, it is fun to watch this dynamic unfold.
Tara’s past: It’s about time that Tara’s issues have caught up with her. The situation is ratcheting up in a way that is undoubtedly setting the stage for an explosion in future episodes. It’s all just a matter of time for poor Tara, who clearly can’t catch a break no matter how hard she tries.
Marnie’s reading: Two beings with great gifts finally come together as their plots begin to intertwine. Not only that, but we learn something new about Marnie from a very reliable source that makes us question this new character. This scene is a very well-executed moment of revelation using Sookie’s normally suppressed power.
Jason’s dream: If the hour is almost up and you’re wondering where all the sex is, just wait until you get to a sequence starring Jason and two friends whose presence is a steamy surprise. All I have to say is this: wowza!
Line of the night: The credit goes to Bill for this witticism: “Oh, good. The world needs more beekeepers.”

The So-So:

Baby exorcism: Five episodes in, and I still couldn’t care less about Arlene and Terry’s baby. Bringing in Tara’s mother to reinforce the small town feel of Bon Temps was a nice touch, but otherwise, there is nothing particularly intriguing about this supposed demon baby. Rene has been dead too long and too much has happened for his involvement in the show to be considered consequential.

Overall:

Exhilarating, hilarious, and oh-so-sexy, this episode has it all and then some. Between Sookie and Eric’s will-they-or-won’t-they interactions and Pam’s one-liners, “Me And The Devil” exemplifies the best that “True Blood” has to offer. Perhaps it is too much of a stretch to assume that this show can do no wrong, but it is pretty close to being a perfect slice of television heaven.

Rating: 10/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 4 – ‘I’m Alive And On Fire’ – TV Review

Marisa Stotter — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:07:02 +0000

Did you enjoy the oh-so-palpable tension of last week’s episode of “True Blood?” Then you’re in luck: “I’m Alive And On Fire” only builds on all the drama and intrigue introduced in the first three episodes of the season. Once again, HBO serves up a tremendous episode chock full of everything that makes “True Blood” the sexy, funny, grip-the-edge-of-your-seat wild ride that it is. As long as the fourth season continues at this pace, you won’t hear too many complaints from me.

The Players:

Director: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Nancy Oliver
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Deborah Ann Woll

Episode Title: “I’m Alive And On Fire”

Alcide helps Sookie search for Eric; Jason liberates himself from Hotshot; Bill becomes entrenched in the politics of dealing with the necromancer problem; Marnie delves deeper into her practice to break the spell on Eric; Tommy returns home to an unwelcome surprise; Sam gets to know Luna better; Bill discovers a disturbing connection between himself and the Bellefleurs; Arlene and Terry’s new boy exhibits bizarre behavior.

The Good:

Drunk Eric: This episode opens with the perfect one-two punch of humor and plot. Eric drains Sookie’s fairy godmother, and, in his stupor, runs off. You’ll have to see it for yourself in the episode, but I’ll say this much: Eric drunk on fairy blood might be one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on this show.
The Eric/Sookie dynamic: It’s fascinating to see Eric as the helpless victim and Sookie take on the role of the caretaker. The shake-up of Eric and Sookie’s relationship is certainly jarring, as Alcide astutely notes, but it works in a bizarro-world sort of way. A remorseful, sensitive Eric is a refreshing change from the always-smirking, bad-boy persona we’ve grown used to. Perhaps it’s because I’m a softie at heart, but I like the new Eric. I’m not naïve enough to think that he will last, but a girl can dream, can’t she?
Vampire politics: As an avid politics junkie, I enjoy when a show parallels the political climate within its own world. The dynamic between Nan Flanagan and Bill, between the anti-vampire fanatics and the vamps, and among all of the other groups involved – both supernatural and otherwise – is as exciting to watch as a competitive election out here in reality. The nuance adds a great deal of flavor to the relationships among all of the beings in the “True Blood” universe.
Sam and Luna: Luna won me over in this episode. The chemistry between her and Sam – and between Sam and her daughter – crackles on screen, especially while Luna is baring her soul to Sam. I may be jumping the gun here, but all three make a gorgeous-looking family already.
The Bellefleur bombshell: I won’t spoil it here, but I will say that the Bill-Bellefleur connection is a good – and somewhat unexpected – one. It ought to make fans desperate for Bill and Sookie to get back together quite happy, as Bill is no longer attached once the information is revealed.
Bill and Sookie: I’ve missed seeing these two in scenes together, as whenever they’re on the same screen, my TV nearly explodes from the fireworks between them. Even in the one tense, dramatic scene they did have in this episode, the sparks are not hard to spot.
Marnie: Up until the very last minute of this episode, I haven’t found Marnie all too compelling. Then, with seconds left in this week’s hour, she went from zero to bada**, using her magic to make Pam look less like a porcelain doll and more like Jonah Hex. I’m excited to see Marnie unlock more of her power as this arc continues.
Shirtless Alcide: All I’m going to say is that this scene is definitely pause-worthy. I think I ought to invest in a DVR solely due to all the man candy this show provides me with.
Line of the night: It’s a tie between these two: “There isn’t any more. You drank the whole fairy.” “Stop saying ‘fuck.’ I can’t concentrate.” I’ll leave it up to you to decide which one takes the title.

The So-So:

The rape of Jason Stackhouse: This absurd subplot is just reaching uncomfortable levels. When that little girl walked into the room with Jason tied to bed, telling her about what her first time should be like, I cringed. I can understand that “True Blood” often goes for shock value, but using rape and sex with an underage girl for that shock factor seems to be cutting it too close.
The writing on the wall: Fortunately, Arlene and Terry’s baby is only in one scene, but even those couple of minutes are overkill in the drama department. Between the musical cues and Arlene’s screaming, there is far too much melodrama surrounding this subplot.
Little-to-no Jessica and Hoyt: What gives, HBO? Nancy Oliver, this episode’s writer, left one gaping hole in an otherwise nearly perfect episode. Let’s hope that next week’s episode has a double dose of the lovers in order to make up for this transgression.

Overall:

“I’m Alive And On Fire” is a solid episode that packs tons of intrigue into an hour that seems to fly by. While there’s a lot less sex and violence in this episode, it’s hard to miss all of that spectacle when there is so much gripping drama to feast your eyes on. This is “True Blood” in its element: a well-written, character- and plot-driven script that is interpreted beautifully by the actors and the episode’s director. And, as usual, there is plenty of humor to keep the laughter coming.

Rating: 9/10

“True Blood” airs every Sunday night on HBO!

What did you think of last night’s episode?

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Episode Title: “And When I Die”

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Overall:

Rating: 5/10

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Rating: 8/10

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Episode Title: “Burning Down The House”

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Rating: 8/10

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Episode Title: “Let’s Get Out Of Here”

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Overall:

Rating: 6/10

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Episode Title: “Cold Grey Light of Dawn”

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Rating: 7/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 6 – ‘I Wish I Was The Moon’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “I Wish I Was The Moon”

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The So-So:

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Overall:

Rating: 8/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 5 – ‘Me And The Devil’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “Me And The Devil”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 10/10

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True Blood: Season 4, Episode 4 – ‘I’m Alive And On Fire’ – TV Review

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Episode Title: “I’m Alive And On Fire”

The Good:

The So-So:

Overall:

Rating: 9/10

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