May Be the Last Time (Spoiler Warning)

by Ed Blackadder

As we get closer to the finale, things begin to really heat up as Eric, Pam and their cowboy ally Mr. Gus get closer to Sarah Newlin. Her newly-cured vampire sister Amber wasn’t exactly helpful while she was being “questioned,” which didn’t make much sense when you consider she hated Sarah, and it was also her fault Amber was even infected with Hep-V in the first place. I just don’t understand where all this loyalty suddenly came from, even if Sarah did cure her. At one point Amber let slip that Sarah herself was the Hep-V cure, and she then told them a bit more. Eric even played the “Sarah killed your lover” card but Amber wasn’t giving any more. Eric finally got fed up asking–no doubt partly due to his illness causing his aggression–resulting in him staking Amber to everyone’s horror.

After Mr. Gus and Eric come to an agreement to hunt for Sarah using all the power at the disposal of the government, and making Eric a 49% partner in a $3.5 billion business, it looked like Mr. Gus had reneged on the agreement when Eric and Pam were left to oversleep the following evening. We did here the Yakuza talk like they planned to stiff them on the deal so it’s very possible Eric and Pam will need to be on their guard when Sarah is finally captured. I can see it ending in a lot of bloodshed for the Yakuza.

True Blood
Created by
Alan Ball
Cast
Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Ryan Kwanten, Chris Bauer, Kristin Bauer van Straten, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Carrie Preston
Episode Release Date
3 August 2014
Ed’s Grade: B+

This week’s episode was anchored by Bill’s imminent demise and of the women in his life who’d feel his loss deeply. But while we’re being reminded of just how much of a nice guy Bill really is, the Compton propaganda machine also allowed for a bit of real drama. As you may recall, at the end of last week’s episode, some Hell fury was being hathed by that scorned woman Violet, after Jason and Jessica got down and dirty with one another at Alcide’s partay. Violet has coaxed the madly-in-love Adelyne and Wade to follow her to a place where the lovebirds will be free to do whatever they want, away from a disapproving Andy. This safe haven of Violet’s consists of several rooms filled with every sex device and implement you could ever dream up … and then some. When Violet gives the couple a quick tour of the strange house, then plants a huge kiss on Adelyn’s lips while ignoring Wade, alarm bells should have been ringing very loudly for the young couple. But they’re pretty naive and too trusting which is precisely why they find themselves in this precarious position.
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Arlene gets a chance to have herself a good time with vampire Kieth, ending with the pair naked on the pool table in one of the steamiest scenes of the season. It’s a pity it turned out to be Arlene having a dirty dream. She looked more than annoyed when she woke up and realised it wasn’t real! It starts to happen again later on but this time it’s real, however, Arlene has to tell Kieth she carries Hep-V. Being a gentleman with more than 5 centuries of experience with women, a gracious and thoughtful Keith tells Arlene he’s still happy just to pass the evening dancing with her. It was kinda nice seeing Arlene get a bit of happiness near the end of the series.

Hoyte returns to Bon Temps to identify his mother’s body, and accompanying him is his very sexy girlfriend. Hoyte is there to meet Officer Stackhouse, who he can’t remember after being glamored to forget Jess. Jason and Jessica was the reason Hoyte asked to be glamored, and now Jason can’t keep his eyes off Hoyte’s new woman. Tsk, tsk, Jason.

A stubborn Sookie refuses to believe this is the end for Bill. His Hep-V is running rampant and my theory about Sookie’s fae blood having something to do with it, was mentioned but we’re still no closer to the answer. Could it be that Bill has a mutated version that will run its course faster, only to burn itself out at the end, leaving Bill immune and cured? Either that, or get the cure from Sarah Newlin, or simply die. I don’t think they’ll let Bill die in a Game of Thrones move, so it’s got to be a cure of some sort.

There were a couple of guests who returned to the show who we haven’t seen for a few seasons. It looks like Sarah Newlin will get to be in a big finale, which I’m actually stoked about. She’s always been an entertaining character, and her latest incarnation Newme is a great one to finish the series on. Another great episode.

Episode #78: Almost Home

Debut: SUNDAY, AUG. 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)

Other HBO playdates: Aug. 10 (11:30 p.m.,2:00 a.m.), 11 (11:35 p.m.), 12 (midnight), 13 (8:00 p.m.12:30 a.m.) and 15 (midnight)

HBO2 playdates: Aug. 11 (8:00 p.m.), 14 (3:25 a.m.), 16 (noon9:00 pm.), 17 (8:00 p.m.), 21 (2:00 a.m.) and 24 (7:00 p.m.)

With his prey in sight, Eric reconsiders his end-game strategies against Sarah. Sookie puts her life at risk in hopes of saving Bill. Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) urge Reverend Daniels (Gregg Daniel) to join them in their V-fueled search for Tara (Rutina Wesley). Violet (Karolina Wydra) eyes payback against those who betrayed her, while an old love is reborn for others.

Written by Kate Barnow; directed by Jesse Warn.