 | 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. |  |
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.
 | 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. |
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. |  |
 | 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. |
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.
 |  |
By Paul Fiander
Pictures Courtesy of Fox
Pictures Courtesy of Fox
RSS Feed
