True Blood 4x04 - "I'm Alive and on Fire" (Spoilers)

[OmahaStar]

As usual it looks like we've got about 6 different stories going on simultaneously ...

Alcide helps Sookie look for Eric; Marnie seeks guidance to break a spell; Bill discovers a connection with the Bellefleurs; Jason begs for liberation; Sam infiltrates Luna's inner circle; Tommy returns to his roots.

The Bill "connection" story could tie in with the casting spoilers I've been reading.

Spoiler: casting

Katherine Helmond will be appearing in at least one episode as Andy and Portia's Grandmother Bellefluer

 

[Skywalker]

I just finished catching up on the previous three seasons and the first three episodes of this season, looking forward to actually watching this episode as it airs.

So far I'm most interested in the Eric/Sookie and King Bill storylines (I find Bill much more interesting without Sookie around). I really hope this whole thing with Jason held captive by the hillbilly werepanthers ends soon; I like Jason, and I think he's hilarious, but this storyline they've stuck him in is just horrendous.

 

[OmahaStar]

I really hope this whole thing with Jason held captive by the hillbilly werepanthers ends soon; I like Jason, and I think he's hilarious, but this storyline they've stuck him in is just horrendous.

You know what? I don't know. That's the thing now ... I mean, early on, those who had read the books had a pretty good idea of what was going on, and when. Now, though? I mean, they killed off Claudine, which is a pretty dramatic departure from the books. So I don't know what is going on now. Will they follow the books, meaning it could be a couple more seasons with these peeps, or drop it in next week's episode?

I kind of like that I don't know what's going to happen next.

 

[RJDiogenes]

I don't dislike the Werepanther storyline, I just wish it would move along.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

It's good to see Katherine Helmond again. Go Mona!

Jason is out of the doghouse, Crystal showed her boobies, Eric was sweet and Pam was hilarious, pretty good overall.

 

[OmahaStar]

The Eric and Sookie bit at the beginning was funny, with him swimming in the water, and then having a pissing contest with Alcide ... I'm trying to decide if I think that part was funny or hot.

Jason ... "I'm the one getting raped" ... Surprisingly, he does have morals. And it's because of that, that he escaped from his self-made prison. But at what cost?

The idea of a "brother-husband" "uncle daddy" while amusing to some (I guess) is just creepy ... and not a little disgusting. Ok, we get it, they're a community of in-breads, but it's more than a little over the top.

And real subtle, too ... "I'm the big momma kitty now" letting us know Crystal already thinks she's pregnant.

Ghost daddy. Huh ... I'm sure there are guys who fantasize about that. But it creeps me out.

Loved seeing Jessica/Mona on screen as Bill's granddaughter. Poor Portia.

Makes me wonder if the relationship between Bill and Portia, and the Jason-escaping story from this episode was tied together intentionally, so we can get past the icky incest stuff and move on to sunshine and daffodils and happier storylines?

So ... What the heck IS the baby? Rene was a psycho, but he was just a human. What is causing the baby to write stuff on the walls, and such?

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Probably the black magic Arlene and Holly used when trying to abort. That's probably what affected the baby. Or it's the doll. Yeah, Portia being related to Bill was something I suspected.

 

[John O.]

I'm fascinated to see the Witches/Vampire conflict as well as the question of what happens when someone who's been infected with the werepanther venom then drinks vampire blood.

 

[Checkmate]

I got the impression that it's the doll that's possessed, not the baby. It just slipped the marker into the baby's hands after it wrote the message.

Very much Chucky 2.0.

 

[Technobuilder]

I'd like to think that Vampires aren't the only Supernatural race that can "turn" a human, but based on what we've seen thus far...

Weres, Shifters, & Faeries are all born, not "turned".

I was initially curious what they might do with Jason after the bites and then the vamp blood from Jessica, but...

I have a feeling it won't go anywhere at all.

 

[Hyperspace05]

This season really has not lived up to the hype. Every season seems to be worse than the last one.

The witch storyline is just plain bad. You have the main witch, being setup up as the main antagonist of the season, and she is setup as a person who just is possessed by some spirit on occasion - otherwise she is close to useless. (she was unable to revive the bird until Lafayette joined the circle, suggestion that he is the real power of the coven)

 

[Checkmate]

I'd like to think that Vampires aren't the only Supernatural race that can "turn" a human, but based on what we've seen thus far...

Weres, Shifters, & Faeries are all born, not "turned".

Except for the whole werepanther storyline... <looks at you funny since that was a major point of said storyline, especially since you clearly registered it in the rest of your post>

What does drinking Jessica's blood have to do with anything? All it does is heal people of their injuries. It doesn't change their inherent abilities or nature unless they go through the full ritual of creation. Sookie's been healed by vampire blood. Do you think that stripped her of her fae abilities even though it clearly had zero effect?

<more bewildered looks>

 

[DarKush]

I got the impression that it's the doll that's possessed, not the baby. It just slipped the marker into the baby's hands after it wrote the message.

Very much Chucky 2.0.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. Where did that doll even come from in the first place? I never noticed Jessica having it before. And I don't see why they just didn't thank Jessica for the gift but put it in the attic. It looks dirty.

I'm glad we hopefully will be moving along with the werepanther storyline. I never liked it, though I have to admit, the chest shot from Jason's ex wasn't bad. The rest of the episode was okay.

As for the season so far, I think the witch storyline has a lot more potential than the werewolves, but as one of the posters said they haven't done a bang up job of making Marney (sp) a badass. For the me the jury is still out as for how the season is shaping up so far. I do think my enjoyment has diminished each season though.

 

[Technobuilder]

I'd like to think that Vampires aren't the only Supernatural race that can "turn" a human, but based on what we've seen thus far...

Weres, Shifters, & Faeries are all born, not "turned".

Except for the whole werepanther storyline... <looks at you funny since that was a major point of said storyline, especially since you clearly registered it in the rest of your post>

What does drinking Jessica's blood have to do with anything? All it does is heal people of their injuries. It doesn't change their inherent abilities or nature unless they go through the full ritual of creation. Sookie's been healed by vampire blood. Do you think that stripped her of her fae abilities even though it clearly had zero effect?

<more bewildered looks>

I should of quoted the post I was responding to.

I'm fascinated to see the Witches/Vampire conflict as well as the question of what happens when someone who's been infected with the werepanther venom then drinks vampire blood.

And the only way the vamp blood matters in the slightest would be if vamp blood healed to the point that it kills a "were-infection" (the existence of which in the first place is probably just the delusions of inbred uneducated bumpkins).

With what's been previously established with other supernaturals being bred not turned, I have the idea that Jason's werepanther storyline will go nowhere of any supernatural consequence.

Not sure why you're giving me "bewildered looks", but if you don't understand where I'm coming from in a post, you can always just ask. No need to offer up insinuations of "crazy eyes".

 

[FPAlpha]

I'm a huge fan of True Blood but so far this season is all over the place and not in a good way.

I don't care at all for hillbilly werepanthers and Jason storyline, i really don't care about that asshole Tommy, Sam is just boinking a (very) hot shifter and trying out family life and the rest of the storylines just don't click.

I hope this improves soon and some of the storylines merge to become bigger than its parts but so far i'm really unimpressed.

However.. being strictly hetero.. damn was Alcide ripped. So much that any normal dude might develop an inferiority complex

 

[Dorian Thompson]

I have to respectfully disagree. I'm liking this season much better so far, though there are still too many storylines. God, I hope that skanky Crystal is gone for good. Sam was adorable with Emma, and Maxine did have a point about his block where Tommy is concerned. Sam at least got love until he was 15 or so. Tommy got shit and was forced into a dog fighting ring with only two grifters for examples. I still say Tommy is a character that can be redeemed. Two brothers, coming together. It's too good a story to tell. Bromance rules and all that corny yet wonderful sentimental stuff that goes with it.

I wonder if Sookie will be stupid enough to actually screw Eric. Yes, he's attractive and sexy but come on.....he'll get his memory back at some point and Eric is bad news all around. So is Bill IMO. Damn, he's got it in him to be an evil bastard just as bad as Eric but far more hypocritical. He pretends he's not. Still, I appreciate his character growth away from Sookie. I can't believe he fucked his great great granddaughter. I love it that the show didn't artificially keep them out of bed. Ewwwwww.....

 

[LitmusDragon]

Pretty good episode. Kind of dumb of Pam to put herself at proximity to the witches circle after what happened to Eric (who, obviously, is a lot more powerful than her). I suppose being nigh-invincible does make one a bit arrogant.

On the subject of quality I thought season 2 was easily the worst season. You'd think that people with rolled-back eyes screwing each other wouldn't get boring, but you'd be wrong.

 

[Skywalker]

Yeah, I thought Season Two was by far the worst. I loved the Fellowship/Godric storyline, but couldn't stand the Maryann storyline. I think Season Three is my favorite, so far.

 

[ITL]

Pretty good episode. Kind of dumb of Pam to put herself at proximity to the witches circle after what happened to Eric (who, obviously, is a lot more powerful than her). I suppose being nigh-invincible does make one a bit arrogant.

On the subject of quality I thought season 2 was easily the worst season. You'd think that people with rolled-back eyes screwing each other wouldn't get boring, but you'd be wrong.

Bolding mine.

Is this a Tick reference I see before me?

 

[LitmusDragon]

Is this a Tick reference I see before me?

No, but I kind of wish it was, now.