True Blood Season Four, Episode One

True Blood Season Four, She’s Not There

True Blood is back, and hopefully this season can rise from the dead, the dead being the mess of a season the show had during season 3. For the most part I liked the episode, aside from the opening moments in the Fairy World, partially because I am a book purist, also it felt forced on the episode, as if to wrap up the ‘cliffhanger ending’ from season 3. The show introduced Sookie’s family secret and her relationship with fairies, but this doesn’t do the justice that the books gave to the fairy story line. Also the bit with her grandfather, felt fine, but Sookie got over his death very fast, though she did lose him once so it is understandable. The special effects when Sookie and her grandfather jump back into our world = horrible. This show isn’t about effects like this and they know it, so this slip up is forgiven (for now).

The show hit the reset button within the first few minutes, a new approach to creating new storylines within a show, but the episode also fell into the trap of skipping ahead (time wise) in a show. This episode had a lot going on, too much for one episode to hold. Not to say that these storylines weren’t interesting, but the main focus should have been on Sookie, Bill and Eric. These are the pillars of True Blood, and for a season premiere, let alone one that deals with a time jump, they needed to be more forward in the episode. Sam, Jason, Jessica, Lafayette and Tara all had their moments, but their stories could have been explored more in future episodes. The only one that mad sense to include more of was Lafayette’s, since it ties into Bill’s story.

Some of the cliffhangers were answered in the episode in passing conversation: Jessica was almost shot by Hoyt’s mother; Sam shot his brother in the leg; and Tara went to New Orleans and begun to date women. The most interesting one I’m waiting to hear about is how Bill became King, since in the books he never reaches such a high level in the vampire world.

Personally, I loved to see Eric back, acting in his normal manor. This is best shown in his interview he gives about why humans should trust vampires. And he was the one that bought Sookie’s house so he could own her, even better. Book four was always one of my favorite books, especially for [spoiler] Eric and Sookie’s relationship. On a side note, not to mention Pam in the same breath as Eric is a crime. Pam is one of the best characters on True Blood. Her extremely dry humor and whit makes her the bell of the ball. She just drips sarcasm, and needs to have her own show, either when True Blood isn’t on the air or some kind of webisode. I can never get enough of her.  

True Blood did an alright job entering into their fourth season, well as best they could from the mess of season three’s ending. The first part of the episode was laughable, but the story worked out more towards the end. The episode had to establish most of the season’s characters and where they are now after a year, but it felt cluttered. This season has promise, just don’t let us down this time.

Rating: Watch