Posted by Janie Logan Aug 17, 2010, 10:18 GMT
Russell Edgington (Denis O'Hare) despairs over the loss of his lover, Talbot, and makes a dramatic power-play in "Everything Is Broken." Photo courtesy of HBO.
In the world of True Blood, people’s lives were forever changed by the knowledge that vampires existed, and they changed again in “Everything Is Broken.” Russell Edgington issued a Great Revelation of his own, essentially waging open war on mankind. With only 3 episodes left to go in Season 3, who can stop him? Even if Russell can be stopped, how can the damage he’s caused be repaired?
After the intense sex on the floor after the heat of battle, Bill and Sookie's love scene in the shower at the beginning of this episode was very sweet. They seemed closer (both emotionally and physically) than they've been in a long time. And writer Alexander Woo managed to make the subsequent scene in which Bill and Sookie disposed of a dead werewolf quite amusing: "What would you rather be doing? Sittin' on the sofa, watching television?" "That used to be my idea of fun, you know. You've spoiled me."
Because of how quickly Sookie has forgiven him for the events following his kidnapping, and his seemingly reasonable explanation for having a secret file on her, I'm suspicious of Alan Ball's plans for Bill. I fear that he's lulling viewers into a false sense of security before giving Bill a devastating fall from grace.
But at the same time, I see the look in Bill's eyes when he says he loves Sookie and is just trying to protect her, and I want to believe him. He, too, had a dream-like experience in the special garden, presumably because he drank so much of her blood over the last couple of days. He's full of her "light." Claudine assumes he's killed Sookie, but then she seems to trust him at least enough to reveal Sookie's true nature.
Meanwhile at Fangtasia, Eric gives a shockingly honest account about his history with Russell to Nan Flanagan and the Authority (Big Brother-type people in suits watching via video feed). He talks about the branded werewolves fed with vampire blood, the killing of the Magister, the King's plan to subjugate the human race, and the death of his family–-even Pam didn’t know about that.
Eric's confessions seem sure to get him staked as punishment, but he appears to be resigned to that. And just like Bill and Sookie from earlier in the episode, we see Eric and Pam closer than they’ve ever been before, with him saying she should Make another when he’s gone, and her crying about the probable end of their life together. "Everything ends," he says. "Even the Immortal Ones."
Instead, Nan orders Eric to quietly and unofficially carry out his justice on Russell. She's too late, however, because Russell's grief over Talbot has made him a bit crazy (he carries his entrails around in a crystal jar...), and he makes a very public statement about his feelings regarding the Vampire Rights Amendment.
He rips out the spine of a news anchor mid-broadcast to tell the people: ”We are nothing like you. We are immortal–because we drink the True Blood, blood that is living, organic, and human…Make no mistake, mine is the true face of vampires! Why would we seek equal rights? You are not our equals. We will eat you, after we eat your children. Now time for the weather–-Tiffany?" Denis O'Hare is simply beyond words.
And while I will certainly miss the presence of James Frain, I do not mourn the death of Franklin Mott, who returned to tell Tara how much he loved her and how it would grieve him to kill her. I was so proud of Tara--her final words to him were fierce--but luckily, Jason came to the rescue with his shotgun and wooden bullets.
If anything could ever make up for killing Eggs, this was it. Crystal is certainly confusing him enough with mixed signals about her family, so it was nice to see Jason do something heroic for someone who will be grateful for it.
Other highlights in "Everything Is Broken":
-A happier and more peaceful, but still hilarious, Lafayette. (Please don't let Jesus have bad intentions because I don't think Lafayette would trust anyone ever again!)
-Sookie discovers another family member who shares her gifts: Hadley's son, Hunter. Very intriguing...
-The new Merlotte's waitress, Holly, offers much-needed comfort to Tara with her testimony at the rape survivors meeting, and to Arlene, who's worried that her baby is a "timebomb" and that she will lose Terry.
-The scene at the sheriff's department, because Chris Bauer has been far too absent recently!
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