True Blood Episode Review: “Soul on Fire”

Tue
Sep 6 2011 4:05pm

True Blood Episode Review: “Soul on Fire”

The penultimate episode of the season brings us lots of fireworks, magic, and a fairy. Just one fairy, true. But still. We all knew we weren’t making it out of this season without more fairies. Sigh. And did you know werewolf breakups come with official language? Fascinating.

True Blood is careening towards its big finale, picking up where last week left off — vampires with automatic weapons ready to turn Moon Goddess into the Alamo. Except no one inside really wants to fight. Except for Marnie.

Oh, Marnie. I was sad to see her go. She’d run her course. There was really nothing more for her to do in Bon Temps, especially with her spells not really working on that grand scale she was seeking. Fiona Shaw was one of the best actresses to guest star on this show. Her ability to play such a multi-faceted character will of course go unnoticed during Emmy nomination time, but she definitely gave one of my favorite performances of the year.

Being True Blood, just when I thought Marnie was gone for good, she came back right at the end to torment poor Lafayette. I hope Nelsan Ellis has the chops to really channel Fiona Shaw. Those are big shoes to step into for an episode.

Was anyone surprised that it was Jesus who saved the day, not Sookie? Sookie tried to use her do-gooder powers to tell Marnie she understands what it feels like to be a freak, but I can get why Marnie was not buying it. In fact, I can kind of completely get why everyone but Bill and Eric find Sookie annoying. Yeah, yeah, she’s had hardships in her life, but she’s beautiful, perky, popular, has magical fairy powers, and men willing to commit freaking suicide over her. I just don’t think she understands quite what it’s like to be a true misfit. I’m in no way condoning what Marnie did but... shut up, Sookie. You’re not helping!

I’m just so happy Jesus survived another week. And that his face isn’t stuck in a permanent rubber brujo mask. (Seriously. Stop using that goofy as hell mask.)

Outside of Moon Goddess, Bill, Eric, Pam, Jessica, and Jason were trying to find ways to get through Marnie’s sun barrier. I was really impressed with the FX when that redshirt vamp (a few redshirts died this week) disintegrated. It looked appropriately unpleasant. I can’t believe Bill and Eric offered themselves in exchange for Sookie’s safety, even after Jason packed their bags for a guilt trip.

I think my biggest problems with True Blood is that I never, ever believe Sookie’s in mortal danger. There’s no show without her. Of course she’ll live no matter what happens. Of course, it’d be too meta for Pam to say that, so instead we get her hilarious “Fuckin’ Sookie. She’s always in the way.” It’s funny because it’s true.

Threatening Sookie’s life is apparently a big enough offense to make Eric overlook his hundreds of years as Pam’s maker? Really? What does Pam have without Eric? And a mani-pedi and some new vintage Cartier? She’s as directionless as Debbie Pelt, but a hundred times tougher.

What a difference from last season, when Alcide dumping Debbie’s ass would’ve had me cheering. Now, I just feel bad for her. No Alcide, no Marcus. Addicted to V again. How long before she shows up on Sookie’s door with a shotgun instead of flowers? This can’t be the last we see of Debbie.

Still not buying Sam as any kind of intimidating badass. Hell, he was even willing to let Marcus live after everything he’d done. He’s too good of a person at heart. He’s not a killer, not like Alcide.

Maybe Alcide will strangle the new fairy in town. Or Eric will use her heart as a sippy cup, like he did with Roy. What’s Maurella’s game? God, even her name is stupid. If Andy has no idea what he’s getting into by getting into a fairy, I think Maurella has no idea what she’s getting in Andy. He’s not exactly the powerful lawmen he’s made himself out to be.

Fairies. The dread. It returns. It’s been such a nice season without them.

True Blood airs Sundays at 9PM E/PT on HBO.

Theresa DeLucci has been reviewing television on Tor.com for three years. Her coverage includes Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Lost, Dexter and, most recently, Game of Thrones.

1. Hammerlock

Tuesday September 06, 2011 04:52pm EDT

That whole "you'll have to go through me" scene--complete with heart sippy cup--was absolutely hilarious, if somewhat predictable.

It's good to have Eric back.

2. Gardner Dozois

Tuesday September 06, 2011 06:29pm EDT

Don't be surprised if you haven't seen the last of Fiona Shaw this season; my guess is that she'll show up as Ghost Marnie at least one more time, either when she leaves Lafayette or when she's struggling to hold on to possessing him. I'm faintly nerveous for Lafayette, although I think it's more likely that Jesus gets killed saving him then that he'll die.

Like you, although I could easily see either Eric or Bill risking their lives to save Sookie, even against daunting odds, I found it completely unbelievable that they would kill themselves to save her, especially as they agreed to that so easily, without even making any attempt to rescue her. (Why not get Jason, who supposedly would be immune to the vampire bug-zapper, to drive a car through the front of the shop and grab her?) It annoyed me that Sookie didn't make any attempt to save the two people she supposedly loves most in the world, but just stood there watching it go down. Why didn't she blast Marnie with her fairy powers and make a run for it? Once they'd all gotten out of range, they could have reascessed what to do about Marnie. Why didn't she try to use her fairy powers to save herself from the Burning Ring of Fire, for that matter? You'd think that if she blasted Marnie, Marnie'd lose control of the fire, at least for a moment, and Sookie could escape.

For that matter, if Marnie can control vampires, why didn't she just take over the Wrecking Crew outside and order them to kill each other?

Was disappointed that Lafayette didn't play a more active role in defeating Marnie, with his new magic powers and all, but I should have seen the Ghost Marnie twist coming. Every time Lafayette starts talking about how their troubles are over, he gets possessed by somebody--he really should learn better.

The other thing I found really hard to believe was that Arlene went through the whole he-must-be-nuts disbelief routine when Andy said he'd had a supernatural encounter; just days after seeing a ghost ascend into heaven from Lafayette, with everyone gasping "It's a miracle!", and living in a town seething with vampires, she still doesn't believe in magic?

Perhaps Andy will get pregnant now. That would be an interesting twist.

Various teaser trailers show a snarling werewolf, and another clip showed Sookie firing a shotgun. Want to bet that that's her killing Debbie? Of course, Debbie may have first killed Alcide, who I'm not entirely sure is going to get out of the season, especially now that he's killed someone. Now that Eric has banished Tinkerbell, excuse me, Pam, for attempting to kill Wendy, excuse me, Sookie, I don't find it impossible that Pam will die trying to save Eric and Bill from being burned at the stake. I was disappointed that Nan didn't get killed, although I suppose they needed her to sentence Eric and Bill to death. Here's hoping she doesn't get out of the season.

Teasers for next season hint at the return of "a former enemy." I was hoping that this was going to be Russell, but I now fear it's going to be Mab, and that soon we'll be up to our asses in fairies. And maybe were-panthers as well.

3. decarillion

view all by decarillion | Tuesday September 06, 2011 09:14pm EDT

All spoilers point to Russell's return--he should be making an appearance in next week's episode, somehow, to prepare us for the next season.

Was really happy to see Alcide kick that skank h0 to the curb :) I agree that she will be back!

Pam--hell hath no fury...I expect her to come back, too--I just wonder if she goes for Sookie or for Eric!

Kevin Alejandro isn't looking as hot as he used to. I think he's gained a few pounds, and it's showing now. I also think I read somewhere that either he got a new show or is in the running for a spot on a new show, so his death is a good bet.

4. theresa_delucci

view all by theresa_delucci | Tuesday September 06, 2011 10:37pm EDT

Alas, I was posting from a hotel in the wilds of Canada. I was lucky to see the episode at all. HBO Canada didn't get any previews for next week, so I know of no spoilers. (And going to pretend I didn't see that one about them pointing to Russell but hoping he comes back anyway.)

Yep. Blogging on vacation. I take the red eye flight home on Sunday, so I won't get to watch the finale until Monday. Can't wait to see how our predictions play out.

5. Gardner Dozois

Wednesday September 07, 2011 12:40am EDT

Well, I was right last week about Jason getting blown up but being saved by Jessica's blood. I think it's almost a certainty that an enraged Debbie is going to go after Sookie, and apparently Tara, and one of the three of them is going to die. My money's on Debbie, although there's a faint chance that Tara will also get killed, perhaps saving Sookie. I think it quite possible that Alcide will die too, though; they've pretty much run through his plotline, and all that would be left for him to do is hang around mooning over Sookie. My tentative guess is that Jesus and Lafayette probably will not die (Jesus is, I hope, more likely to go than Lafayette, if push comes to shove), probably not Eric or Bill, and I think Jason and Jessica will make it too, as they're obviously about to start a big romance for next season. Andy's new fairy-humping plotline is probably going to take him into next season before resolution, so he's probably safe too. (Teasers show him firing a shotgun--so is he saving his fairy from something? She did make him pinky-swear to protect her.) Arlene and Terry seem pretty sidelined at the moment, so they may be okay, and I think Sam and Luna's plotline is probably pretty much over for the season. I am a bit worried about Pam, as I see the possibility of her dying a heroic death to save Eric, in which case he'll spend a good deal of next season feeling Real Bad about having been mean to her beforehand. (A thought that just occured: Is Pam still rotting, or did Marnie's death break the spell?)

I'm hoping for Russell for next season, which I think would be a smart move on their part, getting back to the core of the show, but now that fairies are popping up again, I can't rule Mab out entirely.

6. AsheSaoirse

view all by AsheSaoirse | Wednesday September 07, 2011 01:12pm EDT

Theresa, you finally made me realize why I'm so bored this season: I hate Sookie. Bill is more interesting than Sookie. Especially Queen Bill. It might just be my perspective at this point since Sookie is basically the popular girl who thinks she's ugly (read: a freak for having fairy powers) because of a small, ever so tiny blemish on her upper lip. And I, being a male who grew up as a nerd/geek/misfit, really. Fucking. Hate that. Oh, woe is Sookie, she's ever so attractive and unique and the boys all fight over her. Woe is Sookie because she has superpowers that aren't REALLY intrusive into her life (because it's been clearly shown she can control her mind-reading, she doesn't HAVE to know what anyone's thinking).

Seriously, Sookie bores me. Tommy frustrated me because they were wasting the character's potential. Crystal infuriated me because...well...there was never anything good about her and there was never GOING to be anything good about her or anything to do with her and Jason going "random skank in the woods, OMG, I'm in love!" was SO FUCKING AWFUL. But Sookie? Sookie bores. Sookie's always getting in the way of the interesting things.

And sure, my love of Jess is extremely biased because I love tall redheads and I love vampires and she's a tall, redhead vampire but I can also relate to her more because I was once stuck in the religious box and grew and changed. The villains are almost always more fun than Sookie too. Russel? Yes, more, lots of Russel, all the Russel, especially with his Jello jar. Franklin was too intense to last, and that still makes me a bit sad. Marnie was fun while she lasted and Fiona Shaw WAS very fun to watch. Especially given my dual view of her as Harry Potter's aunt and the headmistress from Three Men and a Little Lady.

I hope season five turns out to be more entertaining.

7. decarillion

view all by decarillion | Wednesday September 07, 2011 09:07pm EDT

@theresa--I apologize for the comment about Russell. There was an interview, awhile back, I think when the show was unofficially renewed for next season, where he said he was coming back. It wasn't on a spoiler site--just a tv site, IIRC, so I didn't even think of it as being a typical spoiler.

8. Gardner Dozois

Wednesday September 07, 2011 10:53pm EDT

I'm reminded of what Walt Kelly used to say when people complained that Pogo was the dullest character in the POGO comic strip: He's the glue. Sookie is the glue that holds everything together. After all, it's her show, and without her, there wouldn't be any reason to have one.

I do think, though, that she got over being overwhelmed by people's thoughts a little easily--but then, powers do evolve, and perhaps you learn to handle them. Sookie mentions to Marnie in her first meeting with her having grown up as a CHARMED fan, so perhaps that helped her know what to expect, since they were always having trouble learning to handle their own powers.

9. AsheSaoirse

view all by AsheSaoirse | Thursday September 08, 2011 02:44pm EDT

Sookie IS the glue, yes...that doesn't mean she has to be boring and always be in the way.

10. Gardner Dozois

Thursday September 08, 2011 04:03pm EDT

So, you know of interesting glue?

As far as always being in the way, the show is SUPPOSED to revolve around her. If anything, they have too many subplots that don't concern her directly, like the silly Trash Baby subplot. (Did she even know anything about that?)

Show is better when it concentrates on the main storyline--Sookie and whatever trouble/romantic involvement she's up to her neck in at the moment. Too many of the tangential subplots are a waste of time.

11. AsheSaoirse

view all by AsheSaoirse | Friday September 09, 2011 02:31am EDT

Well, my friends consider me the glue of our group but I doubt they'd ever call me boring haha. I'm just sayin, this is a character, not elmer's. Agree with the rest though, most of that crap was just totally unnecessary.

12. MediumRareSteak

Friday September 09, 2011 03:42am EDT

First couple seasons the show was alright, I played spot the small changes from the source, which were far and few but didn't break the flow. The last season and this one has been spot the similarities with the source and as before they are far and few but unlike before they don't do much but muddle it up and adds very little to why I should continue to watch. Not sure I'll be around for next season.

13. Gardner Dozois

Friday September 09, 2011 11:00am EDT

Agree that this season has been somewhat disappointing overall, but the show has earned enough loyalty from me that I'll give it another season.

If next season's upcoming Big Bad really is Russell, as many suspect, then this season was basically them spinning their wheels waiting for the Russell arc to resume.

14. theresa_delucci

view all by theresa_delucci | Friday September 09, 2011 07:43pm EDT

There are worse ways to spin wheels than with naked Viking vampires and contractor werewolves.

I'm definitely loyal to the show. Seriously, it takes a lot for me to give up. I stayed with Dexter through Jimmy Smits, BSG on New Caprica, Farscape post-Zhaan, and Lost when it got murky in the third season. This is nothing. Still disliked the second season of True Blood the most thus far.

15. AsheSaoirse

view all by AsheSaoirse | Saturday September 10, 2011 12:15am EDT

No one gives up on Farscape! NO ONE! Mad face.

But seriously, I'm still loyal enough I'm reading your reviews and waiting for you to basically say, "Yes, Ashe, go watch this one, it was fun and not boring."

16. Jeenia

Sunday September 18, 2011 07:08pm EDT

If you read the books true blood is based off of you would know that the weres have a break up language it happened in the book Dead to the World and they also fought witches. I just wish they would have sticked to the books a bit more.

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