Wednesday, July 8, 2009

True Blood Sucker Punch: Episode Three

ooopps forgot to post Mark's episode 3 review last week

Welcome to Sucker Punch, the only blog post that ranks the gaudiest moments on this week's episode of True Blood.

To introduce this week's installment, "Scratches," let me quote my favorite line:

Sarah doesn't whip out her pudding for just anybody.

Yes, that's what Reverend Steve Newlin says after his wife gives Jason Stackhouse a dish of sweetness.

There's so much to unpack there. For one thing, the quote comes right after Sarah and Steve kiss in front of Jason for a really long time. Like... long enough that somebody should light a cigarette. And then there's the fact that earlier in the day, Jason and Sarah share a kneeling prayer over their mutual past as vampire sympathizers. It's very tender, and it wins Jason a dinner invitation. He's clearly the golden boy.

But when Steve praises Sarah's "pudding," he's not just talking dessert. Like... what does it mean to be chosen by the Fellowship? Does it mean Jason's been "chosen" to hold the camera or "chosen" to wear the costume?

The sexy shenanigans would be gauche enough if the Newlins were tax collectors, but since they're religious leaders, their come-ons are delicious. And I think the Newlins know how sexual they sound. In True Blood, power always comes with devious wisdom.

I can't declare Pudding Time this week's Sucker Punch, however, because it's clear the Newlins have something crazier in store.

Meanwhile, their dynamic with Jason parallels Maryann's relationship with Tara: In both cases, powerful figures are reaching out to guilty souls, and their succor has strings. Both Tara and Jason are so hungry to belong somewhere that they overlook warning signs.

Except that Tara's waking up. It's a relief to see her notice what a Bacchanal Maryann's party has become, and Sucker Punch Honorable Mention goes to the return of the witch's pig, relaxing in its own little playhouse. My quibble with this episode, however, is that Maryann's arc is repetitive. Yes, Tara gets suspicious and the carousing intensifies, but we saw the black-eyed boogie last week in Merlotte's. We need more information about what the revelry means.

read on

2 comments:

callonmebill said...

Dallas, thanks for these blogs, they are funny and without you I'd never know of them.

" Dallas " said...

you are welcome Callon!!