BLOOD CLOT

After seven seasons, there were a number of major questions left to be answered in the show's final installment. Overall the reviews have been abysmal. Numerous polls asking where it ranks among the worst show finales of all time. Well after 7 seasons I went in with an open mind and tried to find all the good I could. I might not change your mind, but I owe it to the show to give it a proper send off. So here we go.

While many characters have become fan favorites, we began with the two who got everything started. It was only fitting for True Blood Season 7 Episode 10 to open with Sookie and Bill.
Bill noted how appropriate it was that they found themselves in the living room where he and Sookie shared so many moments. Bill felt Sookie deserved everything life has to offer and that being with him would deny her that. It wasn't all about her, though. The disease had made him feel more human than ever, bringing him to the conclusion that his life as a vampire had been a lie.

In cheating death for centuries, he had been denied many of life's joys and its finality.
Asking Sookie to kill him took real balls, but Bill underestimated how willing Sookie would be to give up her light to do it. If all Bill wanted to do was let Sookie live her life, he could have just broken up with her and walked away. But he couldn't let her go.

Where Sookie got hung up was trying to decide if paying Bill the "ultimate kindness" would be the ultimate disservice to herself. So a rather off-put Sookie was left with a decision to make. More on this later.

Fittingly, we next checked in with Eric and Pam at Fangtasia.

After a final one-handed choke by Eric, he filled Pam in on his plan to kill Gus Jr. and market New Blood on his own with Pam. It was one of the best exchanges these two have had. 

 

Then Eric and Pam disposed of the Yakuza guards in synchronized fashion.

And engulfed Gus Jr. in flames.

But alas,  I uttered a sigh of disappointment. I so wanted to see one last epic Eric kill. After watching him tear people's hearts out and rip faces off over the years, I wanted something memorable.
Then - in what turned out to be the final act of kindness we saw him pay Sookie - Eric intercepted and dispensed with the threat against her. We didn't see him kill the Yakuza members, but the unaffected way he grooved along to the music as he drove away with their mutilated bodies was just the kind of Northman scene I had been hoping for.

 

It was then Pam's turn to offer up a final fantastic scene as she caught up with Sarah Newlin.

Loved the way Pam laughed off and turned down Sarah's proposal to be her lesbian progeny. 

Then Sarah mentioned Tara and...

Pam showed just how much Tara's loss pained her. We never got to see Pam's reaction to Tara's death. Her reaction here was a nice nod to their relationship and to how big a heart Pam really possessed.
Pam then helped herself to a vaccination by drinking Sarah's blood. The tight shot was beautifully vivid and one of the best depictions of a vampire feeding we have seen on True Blood.

Over at Bill's house, Jessica showed up along with Hoyt. Bill - still drunk with nostalgia - selfishly overstepped his bounds again when he asked about Hoyt's intentions to marry Jess and Jess was like "OMG Beeyillll!!!" It was an awkward a moment as this.

I was happy to see Jessica stand up for herself and call Bill out for his actions. Hoyt was the perfect gentleman as he reacquainted with "Vampire Bill," but was that seriously a proposal he uttered to Jess? Again, Bill forced the whole issue and was really to blame. Much of this finale showcased how selfish Bill turned out to be as he tried to make it all about him.

Hoyt was too honorable a man to offer up anything but an honest answer and reaction to the awkward situation he was thrust into. So I can't be too mad at him, nor can I blame him for wanting to marry Jess. I also can't fault Jess for wanting to give Bill one last moment of happiness though. Bill would also be able to give her away at her wedding, which is as much a part of the dream scenario as anything I guess.

The next morning, Sookie showed up at Jason's and met Bridget. To what must have been the collective shock of fans everywhere, we learned Jason did not end up sleeping with her.

Along those lines of the unbelievable, Jason thought for a moment Sookie was asking him for advice.

She of course wasn't, but the two got to share a nice sibling moment before their phones rang.
In typical Jason obliviousness, he asked Sookie if he should throw the dresses in the trunk of his car, then literally tossed them in the back seat when Sookie told him to "throw" them in there. Loved that.
She then asked him if he told Bridget where they were headed. I liked that he didn't lie to her about Hoyt's wedding. Seeing them starting off on a honest footing gave me hope that it would work out for him and Bridget.
Arlene and Holly were honest - but also not above a little dish session.

They, of course, would also relish the opportunity to snoop around and check out Bill's house (which few people had been in) so I was pleased they included that aspect of the wedding proceedings.

Jason and Hoyt reunited as best friends (at last!) and we got one final classic Stackhouse moment while telling Hoyt how you have to live every day like it is your last to gain "prescription" on life. .

Andy admirably answered the call to preside over the marriage and gave us one last "Vampire Bill."

He also produced a great laugh from me when he yelled at Arlene to turn down the procession music. After collecting himself, he offered up a heartfelt endorsement of the union of Jess and Hoyt despite what their government might say. In doing so, he made a strong parallel comment on the real life issue of gay marriage in America.

That was a theme that seemed to continue when Sookie visited with Reverend Daniels. Bill wanted Sookie to give up her power to let him go, but also to give up any other vampire's attraction to her by giving up her essence as a faerie. That was how she could live what he felt would be a normal happy life, but what Reverend Daniels so eloquently contended was that Sookie was exactly the person God intended her to be.

She was born a certain way and that was no mistake, it was what made her special.

Everything he said made sense, which is why it seemed so strange Sookie then called Bill to have him meet her in the cemetery. After dressing so sharp for the wedding, I was a bit shocked to see the outfit Bill chose for his funeral. Guy looked like Joe Shit the Ragman.

Sookie ultimately chose to not give up her powers, her essence, but was still willing to help Bill. She checked to make sure it was what he wanted a couple more times. Then after a final "I love you" and kiss, she put the handle of a shovel to his chest and together they let go of their life together in an explosion of blood.

Vampire deaths, with the exception of Godric's, have never been pretty on this show. So despite the emotional and pivotal nature of Bill's death, it was an accurate way for him to go. His death left a heartbroken Sookie covered in what would have to be considered true blood. I still don't know whay he didn't just wait for the sun to come up and spare Sookie the dry cleaning bill.


As Sookie took one last walk through the dark woods of Bon Temps (will she ever learn?), the screen faded to black and I had mixed emotions. I had not gotten my fill of Eric and Pam. Thankfully, there were still a few minutes remaining which showed Eric and Pam reaching financial fame and then back where we all fell in love with them. Eric was back on his throne at Fangtasia and Pam was running things behind the scenes. Furthering the theme of their coming full circle was this shot.

 

Sarah got what she deserved in the end via a life haunted by Steve. Jason ended up with Bridget and apparently had moved past that not sleeping together thing, from the look of all them keyuds they had.

Sam returned with Nicole and their family and we faded to black from a final scene showing a pregnant Sookie take her place beside an unknown bearded man at their Thanksgiving dinner.

As we said "toodles" to True Blood, I was thankful for the finale. Despite all that Sookie and company experienced, they found a way through it all for a life worth living.

Looking back, True Blood paved the way for a plethora of shows and movies featuring vampires, werewolves and other supernaturals. So, at the least for that - regardless of how you felt about the finale or True Blood Season 7 - we should all be grateful and say "Thank You."

 

I'm out!

Five Minutes Ain't Shit

 A few weeks ago, Bill helped a weakened Eric break down a wall to uncover the secret entrance into Fangtasia. This week on True Blood Season 7 Episode 9, it was Eric's turn to help, as Bill dragged his failing body through the same hole in the wall he created.

It was that simple, but Vampire Bill could screw up a coin toss. He's always sort of been the Herbie the Elf of the vampires, hasn't he? Well... Jess and Sookie weren't about to stand idly by and let Bill ho-hum his way to the true death.

Sookie: Whatever this is. Whatever you're doin. You don't get to hide behind the word fate.

The look Eric gives Pam above was priceless.

 

Love Eric stepping in here. YOU KNOW he could have stopped the first slap too, but I'm sure part of him wanted t to slap the taste out Bill's mouth as well. Then there was

Once you wake up in a world full of supernatural beings like we've seen in Bon Temps, fate pretty much goes the way of 8-tracks and cassette tapes if you ask me. What Sookie and Jess needed to call Bill out on was how he being a coward or, at the very least, very selfish.

Sookie: I'm scared.
Eric: Death is scary. I've been avoiding it for a thousand years.

While I hope Eric goes on avoiding death for another 1,000 years, I can also respect Bill's wish to hang up his fangs and call it a career, but to quote Switch from The Matrix, "not like this...not like this." Everyone you know has just been to the edge of Hell and back and you're going to call it quits? If Bill wants to meet the true death, he should go out like Godric and face the sun. Don't let this disease, which was created out of fear and hate for your kind, take you down.

You said it Eric. Look, no one wants to father a baby smoke monster like we saw on Lost, but that was just a vision and a fever-induced one at that. Bill likening Sookie's feelings for him to a moth being drawn toward a flame was rather insulting, really. Sookie has made some bad choices in her day, but they were hers to make. According to Bill's summation, Sookie is incapable of free will when he is concerned? Sure, he has wronged her, but what relationship is free of issues?

Because Sookie would not let go, or as Bill put it, is incapable of letting go, he asked Eric to help him set Sookie free. So in stunning fashion, Eric granted Bill's final request and brought Sookie home so that he could call on her. It has been too long since we saw Eric do his thing like this.

 

And how bout the look Sookie gave Eric right there after inviting him in? This girl moves fast. Alcide was buried like yesterday, her first love is about to die and already she is looking to get back with Eric.
Going back to the scene in Fangtasia, Jessica wasn't about to go through the pain of losing her Maker while still connected to him. There was an easy way for him to release her after all.  All he had to do was say the words, which he did. It was an emoptional moment for sure, but a couple thingsa to note. First, how Sookie had to make it all about her once again and looked to Eric for comfort.

 

That left Pam alone in an awkward position, but she knows all too well the pain that comes when your maker releases you. So she went to Jessica, but also delivered a classic Pam moment. 

 

So Jess closed out that chapter of her life, but then reopened another as she pursued Hoyt.
Hoyt grew a serious set while living in Alaska, I guess, because not many people would walk out on a life with Bridget, just to have a conversation with Jess. It was the honorable thing to do, though, and that is, of course, the Hoyt we knew. Jason said it best, Hoyt and Jessica belong together, even if he has sort of become a dick.

Not going to lie, it was hard watching the scenes of them falling back in love. I liked Jess and Jason together, mostly because I wanted them both to be happy. If Hoyt is the man to make her happy, however, then I guess I am on board. But if he puts hands on Jason again I'll be expecting our former QB1 to knock him out for way more than 5 minutos.






Then, what of Jason, who has been my most beloved character next to Eric on the show? Looking back over the years, he has landed himself in some crazy situations hasn't he?






 Making things easier to swallow was seeing Bridget in his vintage Bon Temps Football tee. That tee has stood the test of time like all great ones do. It has been a part of the show from the beginning and deserves some respect.

Hoyt once told him he would never have what he and Jessica had, that there was a piece of him missing inside. While Jason and Bridget might not end up together by the finale, I am happy that at the very least, someone told him that Hoyt was wrong.
 He isn't just a pretty face and killer abs, but a good person as well. I will be channeling him the next time I call Delta to have a flight changed and am trying to avoid the fee. He just might want to keep those peas on ice in case Bridget doesn't end up sleeping with him.

But I really hope she does. I have become an overnight fan of Ashley Hinshaw and her body of work.

Sam said goodbye this week, having made the right choice to go to Chicago with Nicole and their baby. His life up till now has been in Bon Temps, but he was right to acknowledge how our first life ceases to exist when children are added to the equation. He is getting way more than he is losing and fans should be happy to see him go with that in mind.

There are still many storylines to wrap up with just one episode to go, but I am glad Eric took the time to give Ginger the moment she has always dreamed of. Of course, no one really wanted to see a drawn out love scene with the two of them, so it's fitting she climaxed so quickly, having gotten to live out her fantasy.

Eric getting up and smoothing back his hair after, while Ginger lay on the ground in post orgasmic bliss, was just fantastic.
Something else to note about that scene was when Eric told Ginger he was immune to the virus now, having had the cure. If true, that bodes well for those hoping to see Eric end up with Sookie, but also for Arlene and Keith's future.

There have been several scenes recently that harkened back to past seasons: Jess and Hoyt at Bill's door, Sookie and Bill exchanging pennies for their thoughts, etc. We were treated to another moment of nostalgia this week as we watched Pam coloring Sarah's hair, which called to mind the scene in True Blood Season 2 when Pam worked on Eric's hair while he talked to Lafayette.

I love Pam, but once again she ended up in silver, being used as leverage against Eric. This time it was to find out if Sookie knew about the cure. Come on Pam! Help a brother out. That is like the fourth time this season.

With one episode remaining, it remains to be seen if Sookie will end up with Eric. I think Bill is out of the equation at this point. He has taken stock of his time on Earth. His bags are packed, he is ready to go home. He just wants Sookie to let him go like Godric wanted Eric to let him go. BTW that scene where Godric said goodbye to Eric before meeting the Sun was amazing and reminded me why I fell in love with this show. Def worth watching again.

There's a growing belief that Bill will somehow end up human again thanks to Sookie's blood and the two will live happily ever after. Sookie certainly still has a part to play but I don't think or hope that is it. In fact if that does happen this will probably be my reaction.

I think her blood could give Gus Jr. the limiting affect he is looking to add to New Blood.
Of course, I would hope the cure is made available to everyone, but we all know how big pharma works.
Then again, Eric and Pam have the business savvy and know how to launch the product on their own. I have to think Eric and Gus's power struggle is going to come to a head in the finale. Threatening Pam has never sat well with Eric, which is why I think we will see Eric do away with Gus in a most visceral manner and together he and Pam will launch a new and most profitable business.

The penultimate episode of a season is often the most entertaining, but when it comes to series finale, that all goes out the window. Reactions to this season have been widely split, but with one installment remaining, I am holding out hope that True Blood won't go out like Dexter did, but rather will be mentioned in the same group of finales as those like Breaking Bad. That's a tall order I know, but here's to hoping.

P.S. I just noticed how budget looking the logo at the top of this site looks, but also an indication of how long we've been at this. My photoshop game was in its infantile stage when we started this rig.