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True Blood: The Fourth Man in the Fire
It has been a challenge for me to write about True Blood. The reason is because I’ve read the Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead Until Dark, on which this season of True Blood is primarily based. Though there are marked differences between to book and the show, the show is following the overall plot of the book. As a result I knew that in the book, Bill was “alive” and not in the house of the bad-ass Trio of Vamps, and figured he would be “alive” in the TV show as well – unless Alan Ball drank his own form of V-juice and decided offing a main character was “good for the show”. I just didn’t think it fair to those who hadn’t read the books to come right out as say, “Hey fear not True Blood fans, Bill wasn’t in the house when it went up in flames in the book so he wasn’t killed last night”. I am going to maintain the practice of writing about the show as though I haven’t read the book or at least avoid from referring to it when episodes end in cliffhangers. So onto last night’s episode, “The Fourth Man in the Fire” (from the Johnny Cash song) with thoughts, observations and highlights.
-- Last week Rod pointed out that I had egregiously ignored the topless scenes of both Anna Paquin and Lizzy Caplan – Rod my friend, this following state is just for you – whoo hoo– more nearly nude scenes of attractive females on last’s episode! Woot, woot woot! Now in the interest of fair play – when do I get to see a nude scene of Alexander Skarsgard??
-- If V-juice does become the next mainstream marketable item, Jason’s got the best slogan that will make them move off the shelf – “V-juice – Better the Sex”.
-- Speaking of Jason – he was almost a redeemable character in this episode with acknowledging that he was the world’s worst brother and the guilt he carries about his parents death. It was nice to hear him think of someone else besides himself. And then he had to ruin those redeemable qualities by becoming an accessory with Amy to vampire kidnapping and likely vampire killing. And speaking of Amy – obviously not the sweet, likable girl we thought she was!
-- Poor Sookie – talk about your emotions being thrown all over the place. First she thinks she been dumped by Bill, then she thinks Bill is dead, and now she is just beginning to realize how not normal and dangerous her life will be as a result of having a vampire as a boyfriend. Not to mention that effect it is having on her relationships with Tara and Sam.
-- Okay…sex in a cemetery. That is just wrong on multiple levels.
-- I about spit out my water when Sam told Terry that he might want to keep the possum fact to himself.
-- Oak Ridge Boys Tribute Band!!
-- Bill truly is a charming guy – just look at how he acts when he is around children.
-- I suppose there are more romantic proposals out there, but I thought Rene’s proposal to Arlene was sweet.
-- And so we find out that Neil was the fourth man in the coffin.
-- Sam telling Andy that he comes from a family of naturists and that once a year he runs naked through the forest to help with the mourning.
-- Tara can be just about the most contrary person in the world.
-- Vampires text! Except for Bill – he doesn’t like to use the number keys!
-- Just how quirky is it that a vampire likes to listen to Debbie Gibson!
-- So I am just a bit in lust with Eric (Alexander Skarsgard with his real accent!!) but I really wish he would wash his hair. We did find something important about Eric – he is sheriff of Area 5 and Bill must comply with his wishes as long as they are not unreasonable – and apparently having Sookie be their human lie detector is not considered unreasonable.
-- The return of the Fellowship of the Sun – remember them, their founder and his family died in a mysterious car accident in the series premiere.
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Oct 27, 2008 4:11 AM
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Hi! Great recap!! I know what you mean, you don't want to give anything away especially when something like that (bill might be dead) happens!!
I thought it was a great episode... to me pieces are coming together!
I feel so bad for Tara, she is just miserable and she doesn't know how to stop it from spewing on to other people. I hope the voodoo lady helps.
Jason.. what a knob, Amy is going to get him killed. But it makes me wonder, how many other times has the hippy dippy chick done this??
haha Ranger.. boobies!!! yay!!! lol
The exchange with Sam and Terry was cute! I like Terry.
Why was Andy calling the naturalist thing about Sam? What a weird thing to do.
I liked the exchange with Bill and the kids, it was cute and funny, especially since Sookie did get her flowers!
I am still alittle uncertain of the acter playing Eric, but it is still early days so I am sure he will do well.
Loved Pam in the pink sweater!!
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Oct 27, 2008 1:24 PM
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Thanks for the boobies shout-out, CA! Lizzy Caplan's twins were practically the stars of the first 10 minutes of the show. They were everywhere. 
Jason, Jason, Jason... what are we gonna do with you? Just when you're about to redeem yourself, you go and do something boneheaded and stupid again.
(Random comparison... Jason's character is reminding me a lot of Alexis's character on Ugly Betty: so many ups and downs that you're not sure whether to root for or against them.)
I know that book fans will know who the serial killer is; but as someone who hasn't read the books or looked at spoilers, I'm still in the dark. I wonder it if's Deputy Andy, he of the Hawaii 5-O Ringtone. I hope it's not Arlene or Rene; I think they're cute together.
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Oct 27, 2008 2:41 PM
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Hi Indy -- Interestingly enough, the one character that I can speculate to is Tara because she wasn't a character in the books (she was but she's a somewhat minor one later on in the novels) -- somehow I just don't see her visit to the "exorcist" is going to end happy.
As for why Andy called the nudest colony in the Texas -- remember Andy thinks Sam is behind the murders, so he is looking for chinks in Sam's explanations.
The actor playing Eric is quite talented (IMO) -- ask anyone who watched HBO's Generation Kill -- I predict Eric to be much more pivotal in the next few episodes.
Hi Rod -- Glad to help you out! Yes, Jason is a bit like Alexis on UB -- every once in a while they will do something that will make you rethink their entire character and then slingshot right back to the jerk that they are!
I think the show has done a great job at keeping open many possibilities as to who the killer may be.
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Oct 27, 2008 5:16 PM
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