Your Entertainment Corner

So The Authority Sucks, Right? Review: True Blood – “Authority Always Wins”

Air Date: Sunday, June 17, 2012 9/8C on HBO

RATING: 

 

Roman making sure Eric and Bill knows he is the authority.

We finally meet The Authority and I have to admit, I’m not too impressed. This group of vampires is varied to be sure, but what exactly is their plan for their vampire infested world?

Observations:

I can’t help but point out how many things I find wrong in “Authority Always Wins.” Why in the world does Sookie (Anna Paquin) scream for Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis)? What can he do to Tara (Rutina Wesley) to help Sookie? Tara’s a vampire now and not in her right mind. Her reaction to being turned is definitely different from others we’ve seen in the same situation. She freaks and doesn’t appear to know what’s going on at all. She has no control over herself and seems confused. So okay, I get that. It is generally in a maker’s best interest to set the ground rules for their progenies but as usual True Blood makes up rules as the show goes along and things are done willy-nilly. I don’t expect much to come from this storyline but bad acting and a slew of dead bodies left in Tara’s wake.

Speaking of Tara’s transformation (don’t you just love how she’s redecorated Sookie’s dwelling?), I can’t help but laugh while watching Ellis and Paquin fumble around one another. Ellis is funny, although I don’t think he’s trying to be, and Paquin makes me chuckle because she’s trying to portray Sookie in a serious light. But there’s nothing funny about their situation, and it’s clear Sookie and Lafayette are in over their heads. Just how did they think they could handle a newly turned Tara by themselves? Maybe this story arc could be worthwhile. Nah. Look at how Laffy takes responsibility for what they’ve done to Tara. I wasn’t expecting that so apparently these characters haven’t been entirely ruined. And we get a “hookah” from him!

I’d like to know why Nora has shown up out of the blue.

Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Bill’s (Stephen Moyer) excellent adventure continues with their introduction to The Authority. Bo-ring. I thought meeting the group who put fear into Nan Flannigan (Jessica Tuck) would be exciting. Instead, it’s just, meh. The entire time I’m wondering why Bill and Eric can’t break free from their handcuffs. The restraints obviously aren’t silver or they’d be screaming in agony, right? Then there’s the UV light incident in their cells. Hello! As a friend of mine asked (and I’m paraphrasing here), “How is it mature vampires don’t think to hide under their beds when a UV light comes on overhead?” I don’t understand why they’d all try to pull their clothing over their exposed skin instead of retreating to the only space not being hit with the offending light. It’s things like this that piss me off. I’m not even complaining about the wild tangent the show is on anymore, but at least be consistent!

You notice how Bill can’t answer a question straight? He’s asked how he came to know Nora (Lucy Griffiths) and he goes off on how she hasn’t done anything wrong. Doesn’t he know he’s ratting her out by answering that way? My five year old knows better than that.

Alcide (Joe Manganiello) has gotten himself involved in something that will bring nothing but trouble. He’s inherited a pack he doesn’t want and it makes me chuckle. Remember back when he was all ‘lone-wolf’ and didn’t want to deal with being involved in a pack? So now that he’s in one—because of Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), mind you—he’s out of his element. I’m kind of interested in where things are going here because I think Alcide is gonna cave and take responsibility for his actions. We all know he’s a stand up guy and he won’t leave the pack without a master. I just don’t see it happening.

I feel for Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten). She isn’t the same without Eric around and their squabble is really weighing on her. The fact that she’s thinking back to when they first met sends up red flags. Is she regretting that meeting or does she long for those days? The answer could mean anything and I long for these two to be reunited.

Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Andy’s (Chris Bauer) witty banter is nothing but a comedy routine. I like it. They don’t bring much to the show other than a few laughs, and those laughs make the hour I waste every Sunday night worth it.

Never imagined Pam ran a brothel. Surprises abound on True Blood.

Were the costumes in Pam’s flashbacks era appropriate? I’ve seen better outfits in commercials.

And the mocking religious undertones being thrown in are in poor taste. Shame on you, writers! *taking a step back before the lightning strikes*

Funny lines:

Jason to Andy: “I mean, that’s getting to eat the pie, without having to pay for the cow.”

**

Andy: “Jesus, Stackhouse have you slept with every woman in this town?”

Jason: “I don’t know. Close, I guess.”

**

Hoyt (Jim Parrack): “What the fuck, mama? I spent the last fucking hour down there fixing your fucking sink for fucking free. So if you don’t like it that I say ‘fuck’ that’s too fucking bad.”

**

Maxine Fortenberry (Dale Raoul): “Thank you for ridding my boy of that redhead slut. I’mma bake you a pie.”

**

If I don’t mention the other minor players, it’s because they haven’t done anything to warrant mentioning except for Hoyt’s F-bomb filled rant, and Chris Meloni’s powerfully understated performance as Roman, the head of The Authority. Throwing them in for a few minutes per episode is just circumstantial. I’d like to see more substantial plot points where characters experience growth and the actors deserve Emmy nominations. I’m still not sure where things are going and I’d appreciate a heads up from anyone who does.

Tune in to True Blood, Sundays at 9/8c on HBO. For more information on the show, visit: http://www.hbo.com/#/true-blood.

Follow True Blood on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/TrueBloodHBO @TrueBloodHBO using Hashtags #trueblood #waitingsucks #tbmoments.

LIKE True Blood on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TrueBlood?ref=ts.

Photo credit: John P. Johnson/HBO © 2012 Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[nggallery id=375]

 

Writer, mother, realist, cloud lover, daydreamer, dessert enthusiast, sweet tea addict, perfectionist, and lover of life and Christ, but not in that order. http://www.fanfiction.net/~vikingloverelle