True Blood – Gators love marshmallows

Some weeks I feel like there is just enough on True Blood to keep me watching. Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot to love about the show, but man, this has been one uneven season. For every interesting plot line this year, there seems to be two that are boring, distasteful, or just plain aggravating. With all that being said, if these plot lines can all come together, it could end up being a strong season, but as of now, I’m skeptical.

I think a lot of my problem this season has been Marnie. I know there are a lot of folks who hated the Maryann character during the second season, but I thought she was a strong, charismatic villain for the year. Ditto for Russell Edgington, who was fantastic last season. This year, however, we have Marnie; I guess. She seems to be causing a lot of trouble, but there is no motivation behind it. She doesn’t even know how she is doing the things she is doing. Perhaps this long dead witch from medieval Spain that seems to be popping out of the frumpy old witch will take a stronger role soon, but for now this seems to be a season without a good villain. With a big, over-the-top show like True Blood, I think we need one.

Without that, I have been clinging to some of the side plots this year, and this episode was no different. I like Tommy, and was kind of glad to see him finally do away with his annoying parents. With Sam helping him get rid of the bodies (with a nice assist from a pocketful of marshmallows), I hope that the two brothers are going to reunite. I like the chemistry that they have, and would prefer to see them together, rather than apart and feuding.

The other plot this week that was piquing my curiosity was Lafayette and Jesus’s trip to Mexico to pay a visit to the latter’s shaman grandfather. There wasn’t a whole lot that happened this week, but it looks like this is going to become an important part of the season. Will Jesus get the power and know how to stop all the trouble that Marnie is causing? Will he be causing a good amount of trouble of his own? I’m eager to find out.

I have been such a proponent of the Jessica/Hoyt relationship that I’m a little bit bummed the writers are throwing wrench after wrench at it this year. I suppose a happy couple is a boring couple on a soapy drama, but I just want those darned kids to be happy! It’s clear that there is going to be a Hoyt/Jessica/Jason triangle brewing. It may not be the best idea, but if it keeps Jason away from Hotshot for a while, I’m all for it.

Other notes from the episode:

• The whole demon baby plot has been ridiculous enough to keep me amused. Sometimes I think this show is far closer to satire than most fans would be comfortable admitting.
• Being a huge Six Feet Under fan, it was great to see Peter Macdissi pop up at the end of this episodes as an eager to please sherif. I hope that was not the last we see of him.
• Pam was one of my favorite characters coming into this season, and her grouchy attitude and decaying face have just cemented her there for me. Great job by Kristin Bauer van Straten.
• It was fun to hear Gran this week, and see Lettie Mae back on the show, now married to the reverend.

Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jul 24, 2011 @ 22:22 EST5EDT