Monday, July 19, 2010

‘True Blood’ Season 3, Episode 5 ‘Trouble’: TV Recap- Wall Street Journal

Though the King of Louisiana was using the phrase to describe (the return of) Sookie’s ability to zap people with her fingertips, the phrase could also be used to sum up the entire episode. After several lackluster showings, Alan Ball & Co have picked up the pace and finally delivered an episode fans can sink their teeth into. Interestingly, for me at least, the best parts of “Trouble” were all original touches from the writers, and not plotlines from Charlaine Harris’ books (wooden Alcide + trailer trashy Debbie = snooze). It’s as if the writers regain their creative mojo when allowed to dream up their own twisted tales.
For example, Franklin Mott is but a minor character in Harris’ books, but as played by James Frain and developed by TB’s writers, the British vampire is a true nutcase — and therefore a hoot to watch. I could watch him forcing Tara to watch him super-text over and over again. And he has a legit point in his attraction to Tara — he recognizes that she’s as damaged as he is. Which doesn’t quite explain why he’s making her dress like Miss Havisham and tying her up, but it makes him susceptible to her faux declarations of love for him. Franklin’s nuttiness is also helping Tara grow a backbone — she recognizes the severe trouble she’s in and tries to play Franklin’s affection for her against him. Unfortunately, it also traps her into becoming his vampire bride.

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