by Melissa Haggar
With the second episode in the series shedding a bit of light on the gloomy tunnel that is True Blood, this week’s ‘Fire in the Hole’ seemed to transform the series back into its usual style – complete with flashbacks! At a much more even pace, the episode brought on some genuine emotion that has so far only been apparent in a few number of characters despite their serious life or death situations (although considering how many times they go through this it is any wonder any of them can muster up any energy anymore).
With the second episode in the series shedding a bit of light on the gloomy tunnel that is True Blood, this week’s ‘Fire in the Hole’ seemed to transform the series back into its usual style – complete with flashbacks! At a much more even pace, the episode brought on some genuine emotion that has so far only been apparent in a few number of characters despite their serious life or death situations (although considering how many times they go through this it is any wonder any of them can muster up any energy anymore).
With last week’s episode revealing that the once prominent vampire Sheriff, Eric, has indeed contracted Hep-V, the episode opened to a tearful Pam and some much-appreciated flashbacks to what shall be forever known as the era of ‘Sylvie’. One of the best things about the previous series of True Blood were indeed its penchant for flashback sequences, detailing the rise and fall of the vampires in Louisiana, so it was a welcome change from the uneven tone of the first episode of the series. Without a doubt, the sturdy duo of the series has always been Pam and Eric, so it was interesting to see a deteriorated Eric in the wake of Pam’s arrival, and the way in which the two struggle to find their dynamic once again. Thankfully, there are some helpful flashbacks to remind us of what-once-was, with Kristin Bauer Van Straten’s Pam and Alexander Skarsgard's Eric shown in their once former glory. Pam has always been Eric’s backbone and his crutch when he needed it (even if he didn’t ask for it), so it will be interesting to see how the two cope with Eric’s illness. The real question being will we be introduced to a cure, and how many people does Pam have to kill to get it for Eric? In true style, Bauer is able to convey the complex (although not always apparent) emotions of Pam in the face of what is her biggest fear, switching from deliciously sassy to utterly heart-wrenching at the drop of a hat, whilst Skarsgard portrays a version of Eric in disarray.
Of course, it’s not all about Eric and Pam, as the townspeople begin their crusade to eradicate anything that isn’t like them. Fortunately, amongst this rather dark situation, you can always count on Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) for a bit of light-relief, as he is as flamboyant and care-free than ever, despite the situation surrounding him, and his scenes with Jessica’s new beau are a bit touching, if out of place. But it’s not just Lafayette that brings the light relief, Anna Paquin’s Sookie (who we saw from the previous episode, has teamed up with Bill) is as (unintentionally?) hilarious as ever, with her particular ‘I have a boyfriend’ line, resonating strongly as she takes a chunk out of Bill’s arm.
The telepathic waitress and her former flame share some rather tender moments in the episode, and there are notable difference between her former ‘innocent’ self and the gutsy person she is now, as she fully puts herself out there in the face of danger to fix the whole mess, whilst finally taking on Bill’s advice, as it were. After what seems like an eternity, it’s comforting and intriguing to see the ways in which the characters (Bill & Sookie) have developed since the beginning of Season One, and suffice to say, they are definitely not the same people as they once were, this episode makes sure to reflect on the changes that the characters have gone through.
It seems as if so much is going down in Bon Temps (the home of disaster and drama) it begs the question as to how many people will actually make it through Season Seven, and in what shape will those who do make it through be in? It’s an interesting question, and one that only the finale can answer as we edge ever closer to the end, with the ‘true death’ in sight.
The telepathic waitress and her former flame share some rather tender moments in the episode, and there are notable difference between her former ‘innocent’ self and the gutsy person she is now, as she fully puts herself out there in the face of danger to fix the whole mess, whilst finally taking on Bill’s advice, as it were. After what seems like an eternity, it’s comforting and intriguing to see the ways in which the characters (Bill & Sookie) have developed since the beginning of Season One, and suffice to say, they are definitely not the same people as they once were, this episode makes sure to reflect on the changes that the characters have gone through.
It seems as if so much is going down in Bon Temps (the home of disaster and drama) it begs the question as to how many people will actually make it through Season Seven, and in what shape will those who do make it through be in? It’s an interesting question, and one that only the finale can answer as we edge ever closer to the end, with the ‘true death’ in sight.
RSS Feed
