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Review; True Blood:  Season 7 Episode 5 'Lost Cause'

4/8/2014

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Warning Spoilers ahoy.

If you are new to the series then may I suggest you catch up with our look backs of the previous seasons. If you have seen the first episode or are just curious what all the fuss is about then read on McDuff.

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The Stackhouse house should probably be declared a national disaster zone at this point. The deaths that have occurred from Gran Stackhouse to Tara, not to mention the attempted murders, fights and other assorted misdemeanours. In this episode thought he whole house changes its demeanour as it becomes a place for a rather surreal celebration. With Sookie still mourning the death of Alcide Lafayette takes it upon himself to try to make her life a little better by throwing a small gathering of friends better known as a crazy partee.
The gathering however is not the opening that takes place at Fangtasia and gives us the answer to a long wondered question, what good is a sex slave who you do not have sex with? The question is delivered by Ginger to Eric and within itself does give us an idea about their relationship over the years. Unfortunately she is back to being the needy Ginger of old but as Eric and Pam are packed up into their travelling coffins  there is a pretty funny scene that shows her at her ridiculous best. This however is the bookend to Eric’s interaction with Willa as he seeks out her former step mother. We all know Eric is after Sarah Noolan and will stop at nothing to exact his revenge even if it means becoming that which he most hates, A Conservative.
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Back at Sookie’s we get to meet Alcide’s father along with his other half who have to come to mourn with Sookie. They feel the same way for remembering the fallen as Lafayette giving the party organiser all the ammunition he needs to convince Sookie the party is the way to go. However until the first guest shows up it does not seem she will be putting her face on, but the appearance of Bill changes her mind and from there it’s time to get down and funky Bon Temps style. 
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I will admit that there are some nice parts to the story with the highlight being Andy proposing to Holly using Gran Stackhouse’s Ring. It caps a nice arc for the long suffering sheriff and does give him a nice moment within the story as a whole. The other members of the Fangtasia dungeon four are having mixed experiences from being returned to their loved ones; Jane Boathouse going back to her search for the bottom of the bottle is probably the only exception. Arleen’s constant need to tinkle appears to be brought on by her desire to quash has desires and Nicole seems the only one with a clear thought process on the lunacy of having a party at this time, do bring some semblance of normality (True Blood normal that is) to proceedings
Again like most of the episodes in this season it feels like a homage to our previous time spent with True Blood, I am however still concerned by the direction that the show is taking in its handling of Bill. Again we get a look back in to the glorious past of the benevolent Mr Compton as he goes about his business freeing slaves and working for the best of his family. I think these look backs are supposed to make us forget the nastier side of the man but if he truly has been drained and is a new man, Why do these memories matter to the man (Vampire) he is now?
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Overall though this is an episode dominated by the affairs of the heart, one man is the dominant force for the most interesting storyline and that is Lafayette. Although he has the issue of dealing with his crazed aunt and hosting it does not stop him from taking that which is not his. The relationship between him and Jessica’s other half has been full of sexual tension and sideways glances but tonight we got to see the end of the flirtation and the beginning and end of the affair. It happens in the shake of a tail but when we get to the end we find out that one love affair has a way of starting others and in this case it’s Jason and Jess. The resolution when Violet finds out will be interesting and we do get to see a glimpse of her and this is a tension filled moment above all others.
The best though comes at the end as Eric finally catches up with his prey literally. It ends a up and down issue that shows us the beginning of the end of Mr Compton as well as the continued fall in to disease of Mr Northman, perhaps the house should not be condemned perhaps it’s the owner one Miss Sookie Stackhouse that really needs to come with a warning.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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Review; True Blood:  Season 7 Episode 4 'Death Is Not the End'

28/7/2014

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Warning Spoilers ahoy.

If you are new to the series then may I suggest you catch up with our look backs of the previous seasons. If you have seen the first episode or are just curious what all the fuss is about then read on McDuff.

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The show seems to be suggesting throughout the episode that the reasoning’s for staying are far more built round the idea of resilience and determination. Sookie despite her faults has always strove to do what is right in her eyes, her moral compass though tends to point back to the love of her life Bill. It seems odd that such a person like Sookie should be so blind when it comes to the affairs of the heart but if you were unsure this episode is the one that really tells you how clueless she really is.
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From there the melodrama comes thick and fast as we are taken through a number of encounters that show who is left to fight the Hep V band. With a force that feels somewhat undercooked we receive our salvation in the form of a diseased Eric. His appearance although shown in the show in a surprise for our resistance and Sookie especially. As always with the big Viking his entrance changes the mood of the mood of the entire place although it is tinged with sadness as we realise this is the end for Eric. His embrace with Sookie feels honest from his point of view however Sookie’s reaction does feel a little over cooked as she cannot contain her sense of loss. 
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The gravity of the losses the folks of Bon Temps have had to endure would cripple most people but still the residents stay. You have to ask yourself why?

There seems to be some kind of loyalty to the area but much like the Hellmouth from Buffy the Vampire Slayer I still cannot fathom why people would stay here, the life expectancy (once the Vampires are taken out of the equation) must be well below the national average. It feels odd that dirt and building materials can have such a hold but then again I’m not sure I would want to give away my home for anything.
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First there is the matter of the death of Alcide; we open with Sookie calling the Wolf’s Dad letting him know of his son’s passing. It is an interesting scene as at the same time Jason is calling a glamoured Hoyt telling him of his mother’s passing. Of the two phone calls Jason’s is certainly more touching as you have the issue the joint positions of the horrendous news mixed with the normally clueless Deputy Stackhouse realising his friend has no memory of him. His occasional attempts to try to instigate a response are well timed and do strike a chord. 
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Of course all this background is really just the starter for the main course that is the final showdown at Fangtasia. Thanks to some rather convenient background storytelling we discover that the Club was once a video shop complete with an old underground railway tunnel from the civil war days*. From there you can guess what’s coming with the battle between the infected and the non-infected it is just as stylised as the first battle of the season except now we get to see Bill and co in top form with a slightly below par Eric still able to pull out all the stops.
I’m getting a little worried about this season with the Bill and Sookie love story seemingly back in play it seems we are supposed to forgive him for his indiscretions because he has had a blood and so soul transfusion. Obviously I cannot tell how this will end but part of me will feel betrayed if Bill and Sookie walk off into the sunset. Despite the shows flaws I have watched each season and been thoroughly entertained so even if the ending I dread does occur it will not tarnish my journey just the final destination.
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* Giving Ginger her due

The slightly lost Barmaid has been an ever present in the show and in this episode we finally get to find out why. The way she is portrayed as a clever student desperate to learn is an almost polar opposite to her current form. Her demise was Pam’s fault but it plays out well and does give her a great leaving plot, it would have just been better if she would have been made more of in earlier series.
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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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Review; True Blood:  Season 7 Episode 3 'Fire in the Hole'

21/7/2014

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Warning Spoilers ahoy.

If you are new to the series then may I suggest you catch up with our look backs of the previous seasons. If you have seen the first episode or are just curious what all the fuss is about then read on McDuff.

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Karl Marx once said “Die Religion…ist das Opium of the Volkes which roughly translates as “Religion is the opiate of the masses”. If True Blood has one person who embodies this quote its Sarah Noolan, the once wife of the preacher come vampire Reverend Noolan has had her fair share of callings from God and at the start of the episode we find she has found a new opiate to follow, but it looks like her past may be coming back to haunt her in more ways than one. There is something about her that gives her the air of a Cockroach her ability to survive is actually a real strength but there are many who would love to see her get her comeuppance. 
In another search for seemingly divine inspiration Pam has finally found an ailing Eric, he is lying on his death bed seemingly from contracting Hep V. and in true Eric style he uses this time to reflect on his past conquests and the ones he has lost. His relationship with Pam has always been interesting and we find out even more about the pairs relationship with Nan Flannigan and the authority. The desire to rebel seems to run thickly through our rather large Viking and sometimes he seems to court danger just for shits and giggles. The problem is if he were to leave the series it would put a dampener on the end of the series, though the return of Mrs Noolan could be the tonic he needs to recover his resolve to at least go out swinging.
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Of course thanks to Willa’s blood Mrs Daniels is also on the return to an opiate, the principle of once a junkie always a junkie seems to run deep in Bon Temps and on that front Sookie has returned to her drug of choice Bill’s blood. From all the crap he has put her through you have to wonder how she can ever trust him but like a bad penny she always seems to let him back in her pocket. Sookie however is using Bill to help her track down the missing townsfolk of Bon Temps. The way she thought of her plan is a throwback to season one it’s a little to cutsie but does make the Bill/Sookie dynamic have a little more legs.  
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The time the two spend together is filled with the sombre True Blood music and flashbacks. Unfortunately I’m finding these a little unjustified for the past few seasons Bill has shown us a truly evil side and it is going to take more than a few daughter filled flashbacks to make him a sympathetic character again. He is charming and Stephen Moyer does a wonderful job making him feel like a character that we may be able to forgive, however at this time I feel he needs to do a lot more before I can trust him again. 

In typical Sookie fashion she has been hot headed and not filled in others on her plans which caused the wolf in her life Alcide to go on the hunt to find her. His passing was probably the most understated event in the show and felt natural with little grand standing; the most pleasing aspect was Sookie’s refusal for him to be turned. If the Wolf had become a Vamp it would have been a betrayal of his character and shown how little Sookie understood or respected him.
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On the wider front the Townsfolk of Bon Temp are still on the rampage and now they are heavily armed with the Sheriffs weaponry. Of course this is new Andy an along with Deputy Stackhouse they put down some rather startling ultimatums when confronted. Of course the fact they have Violet by their sides does make them a lot more of a threat. She is now the most bad ass vampire in town and her volatile relationship with Jason has a mixture of humour with real world problems is making for great television. Their chemistry is great and they feel natural when fighting or F+#*ing.  
Despite this episodes up and downs you can see the end game coming as the players move around the board. The biggest question at the moment is who do we think will survive, it takes a brave show to kill pretty much everyone off but it’s something I can see True Blood having no problem with. Of course we will have to see how things end but at the moment I cannot see a fairy tale end for our Fairy Halfling or any of her friends/family.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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Preview True Blood Season 7 Episode 2; “I Found You”

11/7/2014

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These previews are as spoiler free as possible. We hope they can help you get excited for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting final seasons in a while.

Keep an eye out after the episode airs for our full episode review.

I’m not sure what to say about this opening sequence except that involves two of True Blood’s hottest properties engaged in a moment that will certainly get a lot of pulses racing. It’s pretty well acted but I’m pretty sure it won’t be winning many Emmy’s however it more than likely be played more than once.

The crux of the episode revolves around the town’s ability to survive, with the federal government not answering calls the question comes down to who can people trust. The local police (Andy, Jason and Kenya), their Vampire protectors or is the answer really closer to home. We are going to find out one way or another.
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The clip below the read more line (Watch out it has light spoilers) is probably the most harrowing of the episode and right up there with the most disturbing from the whole show. It has a sense of what is going to come not only for Bon Temps but for the rest of small town America. The Hep V virus seems to be the most potent force for death in the world however history tells us that there is another force in the world that can be just as destructive, the power of man with a firearm in tow.

This is a strong episode that has an emotional impact which at times can feel a little melodramatic but in a way it feels fitting for the subject matter.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO

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True Blood Season 7 Episode 1 Review

9/7/2014

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Warning Spoilers ahoy.

If you are new to the series then may I suggest you catch up with our look backs of the previous seasons. If you have seen the first episode or are just curious what all the fuss is about then read on McDuff.

In a direct continuation to the climax of season six we find BelFleurs (the newly named Merlottes) ready for an onslaught from a Hep-V rippled horde. This is a huge slap in the face of a opening sequence as we see fighting from between Vampires who are diseased and those who are healthy. The fights generally revolve around at least one human, mostly those that have been assigned protection but there are some protective that run far deeper than the idea of a mutually beneficial arrangement. The action s very stylised in this section and you cannot help but notice the way the Hep-V vampires move when they are on the chase.
The aftermath of the attack is a total bloodbath, as well as more than one of Bon Temps residence being taken to places unknown (it turns out Fangtasia is the hives home for now). This though is overshadowed by one of the shows most notable characters meeting the true death. There is no ambiguity revolving around this death as Tara is now just a blood riddled pile of goo covering her mother. There is a question over who killed her (I have my own tin hat theory) but losing her should be a major point in the show instead though I think the creators missed the mark with their depiction.  It may be because we have no time to grieve as the world is being turned upside down but I felt more emotion the first time she was killed. Unfortunately now though one of True Blood’s most sarky characters is now no more and for one will miss her greatly.
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One of the main characters not present at the party is Jessica, she instead is keeping a vigil over the last of the Sheriff’s daughters. In the last season she decimated the family draining three of the sisters and leaving the fourth for dead. In her determination to do the right thing Jess is not eating and almost kills herself trying to save Adilyn from a Hep-V vamp who has caught the half Fairies scent. The two actresses play their parts really well and you get the idea of a strained relationship growing between the two. 
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In another strained relationship the emasculation of Jason continues as Violet continues to deprive him of that which is most vital to his existence, Sex. Not only this but the way the medival vampire protects him and calls him her own further destroys the young Stackhouse’s pride. The resolution of this is very True Blood as in the end Jason (not noted for his intelligence) finally realsies Viloet just wanted him to take control, the final pay off being a quick session on the bonnet of a police crusier. 

There is however a problem with this episode it feels very disjointed as we spend a small section following a number of groups. It works to help catch us up to the world as it now is but almost to the detriment of any kind of cohesive narrative. Obviously we can only judge the episode as part of the series and if the following episodes feed from this then it will be a success but in isolation the main part of the show cannot live up to the opening.
My main gripe is that we do not get more of the Andy/Bill dynamic, the way the sheriff plays his part shows his character growth and is a great piece of acting to boot. However it’s facing off with Bill that really shows the best of the Sheriff as he controls his pain to tell him exactly where he stands. This is probably the stand out scene from the entire episode.
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Elsewhere we do get a spot of time with Lafayette and Sam and of course Sookie. This is a particularly rough episode for our Fairy Halfling especially at the conclusion in her dealings with the grieving Mrs Daniels (Tara’s Mum). The way the human population of the town have turned on her is small minded with a hint of the understandable. It remains to see where she will end up by with the lone Wolf Alcide at her side she may not be around to save the population of Bon Temp for very much longer.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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True Blood Season 7 Episode 1; Preview.

5/7/2014

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These previews are as spoiler free as possible. We hope they can help you get excited for what is shaping up to be one of the most exciting final seasons in a while.

Keep an eye out after the episode airs for our full episode review.

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The cliff-hanger at the end of season 6 was one of the most overt threats that True Blood has ever put on screen. If you were worried that the show’s producers would take their time in finding a resolution to this situation then rest assured you will not be disappointed. In something of a twist to the shows usual production the violence had become hyper stylised and it works to show the extreme nature of the battle being thought.

The battle between the Hep-V vampires and the normal Vampires centres around the human population and as you read into the situation you get the idea of one side being conservationists and the other looking to destroy the world in the name of gain. The sense of an endgame is ever present through the episode and you get the feeling it will run through the whole season.

The whole episode covers only one night and the following morning but as the fallout begins and you get to spend a little time with each of the main characters. The episode feels like a reintroduction to the world of Ben Temp and the changes that have happened in the 180 odd days since the end of the test facility and the mixer at the old Merlotte Bar (now called BelFleur’s). It feels a little slow in places but sets up what is looking to be a killer last season. 


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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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True Blood: The Final Season Party Guide (unofficial)

4/7/2014

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True Blood: The Final Season is just around the corner and while it may be hard to say goodbye to our favourite faeries, vampires, werewolves and general paranormal beings. True Blood has been an iconic series and deserves a goodbye party that you can really sink your teeth into. Here are 7 steps to creating your True Blood party for a gorier viewing experience.

1.    Bon Temps your lounge-

Bon Temps is French for ‘good times’ who knew? Bon Temps has seen more than its fair share of deaths, but has been known to party hard too. To make your front room an authentic Louisiana homage: firstly decide whether you are vampire friendly? Curtains will need to be closed if so, to ensure no day light harms your guests. Fried chicken is essential; lots of ice as Louisiana’s prefer their drinks straight and on the rocks. Wooden signs inviting your guests should all be white washed to match the infamous big houses, a porch is preferable if you have one. 

2.        To drink….

True blood inspired cocktails

Blood sucker- for those partial to blood, mix: Bacardi, Cointreau, pineapple juice and either strawberry or raspberry puree for that blood like effect.

V - Is vampire blood that when taken by humans and sends them on a drug like trip. This cocktail is inspired by Tequila Sunrise (which is not good for vampires): Tequila, orange juice and substitute blackberry brandy for the grenadine to make the colour extra dark like vampire’s blood
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Fangbanger- We all know the Stackhouse’s are partial to those with fangs. Inspired by aScreaming Orgasm, mix: Amaretto, Kahlúa and Bailey’s Irish Cream

3.        Clean drinking

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Non- alcoholic drinks- for those teetotal fans who are as clean and innocent as Jessica (Bills protégé) when she was first turned into a vampire. Serve up:


Virgin Blood- Which according to vampires is tastier!  Inspired by a Virgin Mary mix together: tomato juice, lemon juice, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, salt, ground pepper, Tabasco sauce and then garnish.

  
Glamourade- Glamouring is a form of hypnosis vampires use to bribe or sway someone to do something. Glamourade is inspired by good old fashioned lemonade, to make mix: sugar, water, lemon juice and add garnish of your choice.

4.        Dress the part

Vampire, werewolf, waitress? There are so many to choose from: dark clothes, pale faces and fangs make the perfect True Blood vampire. Or get yourself a mini-skirt and Bellefleur's bar t-shirt.  This is granted to make you feel part of the in-crowd
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5.        Choose a team

Team vampires #TeamVampires or team humans #TeamHumans? This final season they are finding it extremely hard to work together peacefully- pick a side and see who survives…
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6.        True Blood bites

Entice your guests with a themed menu- not for the faint hearted

Starters
Chilled carbonated blood (tomato soup)
Graveyard salsa dip (salsa and refried beans then sculpt your tortillas in to grave stones)

Mains
Lafayette’s Southern fried chicken
Alcide’s wolf burger
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Desserts
Blood spattered chocolate strawberries (dip in white chocolate allow to set and then splatter strawberry jus for blood effect)
Heart cupcakes (red velvet)

7.        True Blood party games

Who said THAT?  Print on cards the most shocking True Blood quotes from the past seasons and then get your guests to guess the character who said it.
 
Apple biting-  Get your guests to wear plastic vampire teeth and then with their hands tied behind their backs, get them to bite an apple in a bowl (warning this is extremely difficult).

True Blood drinking game (over 18s only, please drink responsibly) There can be numerous rules for this, highly recommend only doing one:

Drink every time someone is shirtless on screen

Drink every time someone dies

Drink every time someone says vampire


As the fate of Bon Temps and our favourite characters hangs in the balance, these party steps will make sure you see out the series in true Louisiana style. True to the end.

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True Blood Season 6; a look back

3/7/2014

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With the final season of True Blood just around the corner we decided to look back at the wonderful if slightly dangerous town of Bon Temps and its eclectic band of residents. Based on the Sookie Stackhouse series from Charlaine Harris and adapted for television by Alan Ball, True Blood was an instant hit thanks to its mix of mythical creatures, mystery with a touch of original sin thrown in for a touch of flavour.
We will as always try not to spoil major story points but you may find small spoilers for Season 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

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The fallout from the Vampire Authorities quest to find God (Lilith) has its blood soaked hands all over this season. From the trials and tribulations of Bill to the human quest to destroy vampires everything has a tie to the doings of the council. However just because there are ties it does not mean that the actions of the few was truly responsible, admittedly taking out the supply of True Blood was a bit extreme the Humans had already planned for ways to take the vampires out. (It can sometimes be difficult when an entertainment form such as TV recreates a plot that resembles some of the worst atrocities in human history, however neither should we forget that things have occurred in the past). This solution resembles the Nazi’s final solution for the Jewish community is World War 2 and to say it was hard hitting is to put it lightly.
Just to be clear in some ways the show gave a vastly greater level of respect to the prisoners than were afford to those captured in World War 2 but the parallels are plain to see. From the experiments to the mechanised form of murder the solution reeks of the Third Reich. This is the expansion of the hate groups we saw permeating the last season and in some ways it is vastly scarier than the Vampires roaming the world. In the end virtually the whole Vampire cast end up in the human run compound run as well as Jason and one of his flames from the past. His battles with an old love and a new one add some much needed comic relief as things become decidedly biological on the warfare front.
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Elsewhere Sookie has contended with the Vampire (if we can call him that) who killed his parents and has a contract that says he owns her. Warlow is a complex mix and his psychological battle with Sookie is intriguing ton say the least as are his powers. He is not the only stranger to make an appearance in Sookie’s life as the King of the fairies appears to drop rather a large bomb on her that could also be the answer to a lot of worries about the future. As usual Sookie manages to tie those around her in to her problems in mixed ways both for the good and bad.
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Perhaps the strongest story though belongs to Terry; the Marine Vet has been one of the best characters in the show as we have seen him truly grow into a key member of the cast. Unfortunately it seems he is far from an innocent man after his actions in Iraq. His arc in this season is very strong and the twist although telegraphed is extremely well done and hard hitting. This leads to the best ensemble scene in the whole show to date as friends get to say goodbye.
Elsewhere in the Belfleur family Andy is getting to understand what fatherhood really feels like as he has to contend with 4 girls. The old adage of they grow up so quickly is however taken to new extremes with his half fairy brood. The trials and tribulations are also mixed with some sadness however this story lacked the emotional impact of other storylines within this season especially the arc above.

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In what has turned out to be the penultimate season you can really start seeing the mix of the normal folk and supes coming to the fore. But in the same breath you can also see the other side of the divide is just as strong and able to cause real damage to all who stand in their way. The final season promises to be a real thrill ride and the final shot of the sixth season shows that good against evil may not be as easy to discern as we once thought it was.

All of the above though falls in to insignificance as it seems we have lost Eric to the sun and the true death. Can the show survive without one of the craziest vampires to ever walk the earth? There is one ray of hope as Jason has had some of Eric’s blood so we may not be getting the Viking in the true flesh but I’m pretty sure a Jason/Eric scene will be able to put a smile on a few faces.


We will be covering each episode of the Final Season of True Blood as they are released so keep an eye out Trubies as I’m sure it’s gonna get emotional.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox and HBO
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True Blood Season 5; a look back

26/6/2014

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With the final season of True Blood just around the corner we decided to look back at the wonderful if slightly dangerous town of Bon Temps and its eclectic band of residents. Based on the Sookie Stackhouse series from Charlaine Harris and adapted for television by Alan Ball, True Blood was an instant hit thanks to its mix of mythical creatures, mystery with a touch of original sin thrown in for a touch of flavour.
We will as always try not to spoil major story points but you may find small spoilers for Season 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Politics and religion are two institutions that should stay separate in many people’s minds and if you ever wondered why Season 5 of True Blood is probably one of the best visual examples of why this is the case. This series is known for its sex and violence and at first glance it fulfils both of these quotas with all the passion of a vamp at feeding time, at its core though the themes that have run through the seasons are so much more. We have seen a look at bigotry and racism, questions raised about the death penalty and revenge as well as forgiveness and many other themes as well. There may have been points where the story went a little off the wall but again it’s the central themes that help bring viewers back to the show. 
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The Politics and Religion in question come from a variety of sources we have the Vampire Authority, the Werewolves and the Hate groups that are beginning to form to name but three. Each of these factions has a role to play in the plot of this season but the Vampire Authority is the dominant force for the majority of key cast members. We have heard of the Authority on many occasions but thanks to Bill and Eric they are really brought to the forefront of the season’s narrative.   Firstly as they are on the run after killing Nan Flannigan at the end of season 4, it was a fool hardy thing to do to say the least and in vampire law killing a fellow vamp is punishable in the most extreme of ways. The less than dynamic duo are also smarting from a complete rejection from Sookie and so there demeanour is less than jovial to say the least. What transpires next is a transformation worthy of legend as not only do the boys keep their lives they also manage to talk themselves into a seat on the ruling cancel. From there though things go from bad to downright f’ing awful as what some see as the true essence of Vampirism comes to the fore,  this sets up a high stakes finale that seemingly sees enough blood spilt to fill up an Olympic sized swimming pool.

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The vampires however are not the only species causing problems or those around them, in Bon Temps there is a hate group that are taking out all manner of Supes and posting videos of their deaths to the internet. It forms an interesting look at what people are driven to believe and forms a major section of the investigative side of the plot. It is actually amazing that the crazies in this instance actually do have a point that some Vampires are out to hurt them but their methods of hurting anyone and everyone are so far removed from decency that they come off as crazy fruitloops. 


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At the end of the last season Sookie had lost her best friend Tara to a gunshot wound to the head and this led to her being turned into a vampire to save her life. Of course Tara’s hatred for vampires goes back to her time spent with Franklin in a previous season, so how does she cope with her transformation? In truth not well. As the episodes wear on she does seem to come around with the help of two unlikely “friends” Jessica and Pam (her maker). Tara as a vampire is an interesting proposition as she was always firey, but now she has to deal with the trappings of being a young vamp as well. Some of her escapades are funny to say the least and her interactions with Pam are priceless.
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As for Sookie she is a large piece in the game that manages to get Bill and Eric exonerated, the troubling fact for her is the return of Russell Edgington. The crazed 3,000 year old Vampire however is the least of her worries as it turns out she is the payoff in a very old blood contract that makes her the property of the vampire that killed her parents. It’s a convoluted story but it sets up the story for future seasons and gives us some of the best CGI this series has seen. The Stackhouse’s do not have the best of seasons as the husband of one of Jason’s conquests comes back to put a little more trouble in his life.

As always the convoluted plotlines have a way of interacting with each other and we are left with a cliff-hanger and a half with the words “Run” ringing in our ears. This sets up the opening to season in a big way and the year wait to the next to the next was almost intolerable. Thankfully DVD’S and Now TV mean the Season 6 round up is just around the corner.

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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox
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True Blood Season 4; a look back

20/6/2014

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With the final season of True Blood just around the corner we decided to look back at the wonderful if slightly dangerous town of Bon Temps and its eclectic band of residents. Based on the Sookie Stackhouse series from Charlaine Harris and adapted for television by Alan Ball, True Blood was an instant hit thanks to its mix of mythical creatures, mystery with a touch of original sin thrown in for a touch of flavour.
We will as always try not to spoil major story points but you may find small spoilers for Season 1, 2, 3 and 4

Now we have some idea of Sookie's heritage it's time to see what being a fairy is really like and for this the opening sees us in the land of the fairies where Ms Stackhouse has been transported. 
Her guide on her journey of discovery is Claudine who tunrs out to be Sookie's fairy God mother. The surreality does not stop there as the land of the fairies is filled with happiness apples that are something of a narcotic to the inhabitants and Earl Stackhouse. The grandfather of our main star has been in the land for over 20 years although he feels its only a few days. This kind of thing begins to get our heroines back up and if there is one thing Sookie can do it's sniff out trouble.
Just because Sookie is a fairy does not mean she wants to fully become one, there past is full of troubling occurrences but the loss of time is the most worrying thought. The deadlier side of the race is shown and it is far from pretty. Although this section of the show feels a little random it does go some way to explain why Ms Stackhouse is so special. The telepathy is one thing but the magical light is something vastly different, the best thing is it seems that Sookie now is beginning to learn to control her powers and this can make her a formidable force in a supernatural world.
The time in fairy land is brief but still pretty effective in giving the story some manner of background.
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Although to Sookie her time was fleeting in the real world she actually lost twelve and a half months. It sounds odd as time works differently between the planes but again it builds on the idea of the supernatural nature of the world.
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Sookie though is not the only one who is beginning to learn about their true nature. With the help of Jesus (the man/nurse/witch) LaFayette is finding out what his gifts really our. The king of sass is not just a kick ass chef but he is now learning to accept that he is not just a conjurer in the kitchen.
His voyage of discovery takes him to all manner of places with this world and some places not of this world. However the way of the witch is vastly more complex then you could imagine.
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While LaFayette is on a voyage of discovery his cousin Tara seems to be on a path of destruction. Our first glimpse of her is in a cage fight, its a brutal fight but Tara seems to get through it with little trouble. Her quest for changes has also seen her start to explore other avenues to find love. I'm not totally sure if I like the new Tara to begin with but with what she has been through it makes sense that she would changes.
The Vampires in Sookie's life have an odd run in the fourth season. After the craziness that was Russell Edgington the need for vampires to be more main streamed is now greater than ever and Bill seems to be taking this integration to heart. He is ever the politician and has a flair for politics. He is now the King of Louisiana and so Eric has to now answer to him. This puts our Viking at something of a weakened position but ever the resourceful vampire he is not really the subjective type.
Even though they both have new agendas there is still the issue of everyone's favourite telepath and who will be able to win her heart.
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Of course Sookie has more than just an appeal to vampires, Alcide is also hot for Ms Stackhouse and he is nothing if not persistent. He has the ability to offer her something the undead are unable to do, a normal life. Well semi normal considering when the full moon comes around he becomes a wolf.
The wolves are still prominent in this series but they are ably outdone in the crazy stakes by the Panthers. Jason has been looking after Krystal's kin for the past year and when he is the smartest tool in the box you know there is something wrong. As the season goes on though the shifters will also begin to grow into the world headed by Sam.
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As the series gets into the full swing we get to see another side of Eric but it is hardly of his doing. He is by far the best character on show in the series and shows that he can be more than just a creature of the night. However his persona is one that oozes power and when he loses as charisma as you can see from the picture above he becomes something a little different.

The Season finale shows an escalation in the action stakes, it's based around the Witches coven we see earlier in the series. Their entanglement with the Vampires is nicely woven into the lives of the inhabitants of Bon Temps but it does feel that the series is getting away from made it strong in the first few seasons. It's not that it's bad it's just a new pathway for the show. The question is can the show producers keep the quality of the programme up going into the fifth season, check back to find out.
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By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox
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