Shaken and Scurred

Somewhere, Steve Newlin's spirit shed a tear as Eric made his return on True Blood Season 7 Episode 2... via Jason's steamy dream.

Having been brought back from the brink of death by everyone's favorite Viking, Jason's subconscious showed it was still under the influence of Eric's blood.

Right about the moment I swore to never eat another carb, Jason woke up in a church pew (of all places), bringing the episode back to Bon Temps. Did you catch Jason's little glance at his junk after waking up from the dream?

Sam and the others struggled to figure out their next move with regard to the infected vampires who attacked them. Interestingly enough, when we caught back up with the nesting nasties at Fangtasia, it became apparent that they were actually pretty organized compared to those they terrorized the night before.

Despite their hopeless situation and absolute disregard for human life, the infected vamps actually had worked out a pretty 'civil' arrangement amongst themselves. Their division of labor, so to speak, provided a glimmer of hope for Arlene and the others held captive when they recognized the new reaper Betty.

Persuading Betty to let them go was a long shot, but Arlene was not about to die in that basement after everything she had already been through.

This was one of Arlene's best episodes. My hope grew along with hers that she would make it out. That was, of course, until Betty turned into a pile of goo while feeding on her. That was the antithesis of the "fake chow." 

Maybe it was the Hep-V that melted Betty or maybe we saw just why all Arlene's relationships have ended poorly if you catch my drift.

 

The Hep-V claimed another victim and possibly Arlene and the others's best chance for escape.
Team Sookie could still save the day, especially with Jason on the case.

"So we now know the victim's name was Amorfa?" That was vintage Stackhouse, as was the scene in Saint Alice where he showed off his pizza/forensic skills. The look Andy gave him was priceless. 

I loved how he kept eating the slice of pizza as they continued to search the house.

Sookie reading the diary was a good idea, but with time of the essence, it would have been prudent to start with the last entry and then work backward if needed. Of course had she not snooped back to earlier entries we would not have learned about the similarities between the two women and/or had reason to flashback to the night Bill took Sookie to Fangtasia. If you ask me, it was a waste of valuable screen time as this pretty much sums up my reaction to the scene.

What really struck me about the scene, though, was the entry where Mary Beth talked about crushing up some pills and dying alongside her baby. She noted her doubts that her daughter's life would be spared. This entry - along with the various messages we saw written around the town - did well to paint a picture of the utter despair and desperation that gripped Saint Alice in its final hours.

The images also brought back to mind similar ones seen during Hurricane Katrina; a reminder of how many felt their government abandoned them in that time of need as well.

Lettie Mae was in need of something all together different and went to extreme measures to get it after her visit with Lafayette proved fruitless.

I loved hearing him call her a drug addict through and through and a trifling bitch to boot... but did he miss what sounded like a confession by his strung out Auntie? It sure sounded to me as if she admitted to killing Tara right there.

While one mom was reminding me why she is my least favorite character on the show, another started making some sense and snuck in the most surprising performances of the episode.

Yes, Maxine Fortenberry stole the supporting role spotlight with a number of scenes. My two favorite were her NyQuil distorted account of Sam their "dog bear" mayor outside her home and her comment about Adilyn.

 

 

It was the second reference to Adilyn's rapid growth of course. The first being the funny father/daughter exchange earlier outside the church.

Lastly, we got the reunion we had all been waiting for. There have been many theories as to how Eric may have escaped the predicament we last saw him in. Part of me thought we were going to see a crispy bacon version of him being nursed back to health... or perhaps Pam would find him buried deep beneath the snow in need of a serious shampoo and facial.

However, seeing the signature Hep-V roadmap making its way up his chest was not one of the scenarios I had envisioned and absolutely floored me as it did Pam.

If anyone can save Eric it will be Pam. You can do it Pamcakes! You've got to!

Jessica also appeared to be suffering from some bizarre symptoms as the bite marks on her arm had not healed as they should have. I won't be able to handle losing both Eric and Yessica. Nah baby, I'm not gonna be able to do it.

Bon Temps is going to Hell in a hand basket and no one may be safe. Not even our supes. I'm putting on a good face, I'm not scurred, but should I be?

Do you think Eric is a goner? Do you think they are setting up Sookie and Bill to end up together? How did Eric contract the Hep? Get at me with answers!