True Blood can be damn good when it wants to be, and “I Found You” is proof. The second episode of TB‘s final season is markedly better than last week’s “Jesus Gonna Be Here” – the performances are more on-point, the writing is better, and the stakes are raised considerably.
That said, I wasn’t crazy about the beginning of “I Found You.” Jason is having one of those homoerotic dreams that about Eric that people have when they drink his blood (Sam had a similar dream a few seasons ago). I’m not opposed to depictions of gay behavior, even graphic depictions, but this just feels like cheap fan service, a way to make Tumblr happy, and what really bugged me about it is that it had no impact on the plot. After that, though, the credits roll and this episode really gets going.
Here’s how much I liked “I Found You” – I was interested in a Lettie Mae subplot, and I hate Lettie Mae. She’s back to her old addict behavior, burning her hand on a pan so she can drink some of Willa’s blood, which she thinks will reunite her with Tara. It does, kinda, but Tara is standing on a cross, speaking in tongues, leading Lettie Mae to plaintively wail, “I need the answer!” She also got in a good scene with Lafayette, and it’s nice to see Nelsan Ellis in an acting mode other than “sassy queen,” which could have turned Lafayette into a caricature.
Elsewhere, things aren’t going great for the captives of the H-vamps. But Arlene (whose accent is still ridiculous) recognizes one of the vampires as the woman who taught her kids in fourth grade. This was a nice touch, and Carrie Preston made the most of the material she was given. It was a good twist that the escape plan fell to shit in the final moments, because it means the survival of Arlene and Holly isn’t a sure thing.
The meat of “I Found You” comes when Sookie, Alcide, Jason, Andy, and Sam investigate the town of Saint Alice (which is pronounced like “Elise” because Louisiana). The town is completely empty, save for a mass grave filled with the entire populace. The desperation and hopelessness is palpable, and the imagery is suitably apocalyptic. Sam Trammell and Chris Bauer convey grief very nicely, and for the first time in a while I found True Blood actually stirring up emotions in me. What the hell is that all about?
What True Blood seems to be doing in its last season is taking down the Chekhov’s Gun that’s been on the mantle since season one. With this kind of premise, one has to wonder, when will there be an all-out war between humans and vampires? Russell Edgington couldn’t start one, Sarah Newlin couldn’t start one, but it looks like we’re finally getting one. And if True Blood remains this good each week, I for one can’t wait.
A Few Thoughts on “I Found You”
– I was so glad to hear Alcide’s little speech to Sookie. He said what we’ve all been thinking
– Hey, Kenya’s back!
– Some solid laughs tonight, most of which came courtesy of Maxine Fortenberry, believe it or not
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