True Blood’s Season 5 can certainly be categorized as a “wild ride,” but it also can be described as a transition from the True Blood we knew to a possible resurrected True Blood. Even if Season 6 ends up being it’s last, it has turned a corner so large, that I’m not sure it can ever return.
I personally was in utter shock, just like everybody else, at the last scene of the season. But there were other big shockers and big changes before that. There were so many changes and departures from what we fans have known and loved about True Blood throughout the past seasons, that we here at the Vault are still trying to comprehend everything and that’s why it took so long before I could write this review of the season.
Despite that, even though I am still a bit in shock and awe over Season 5, I’m going to make an attempt to wrap my thoughts around it. However, because of this, some of my reflections may seem a bit disjointed, as was much of Season 5, in my opinion. So, below are my truly Random Thoughts about the entire fifth season.
From episode 1 to the last, we saw vampires born and vampires die,uh, lots of dying, and I don’t think I’d get much argument if I said that this season may be able to claim the title of “bloodiest True Blood season” on record.
Vampires Made
We saw new vampires be born and we saw them die. Those made were often a surprise to us, such as Steve Newlin, Tara Thornton and even Mike Spencer, who sadly lost his life early in the season when he attacked Sookie and she killed him with a chopstick.
Early in the first episode we learn that Steve Newlin has also been turned. We don’t know who turned him, but he sure has been turned, and in more ways than one, which we find out later as he sneaks in on Jason telling him that he is now not only one of the undead, but also gay.
Unlike Tara, Steve Newlin was immediately happy to be a vampire especially since he was also chosen to represent the AVL as a replacement for his one time nemesis, Nan Flannigan who met the true death in Season 4. And, although he started out the season with a real crush on Jason, that soon seemed to fade when he and Russell hooked up later in the season. It will be interesting to find out whether Steve’s interest in Jason will resume now that his newest lover is no more. We don’t learn in Season 5 who Steve’s maker is, but it was definitely a woman, who immediately abandoned him. I personally think it was Salome of the Authority, since she had reason to need a spokesman.
From what we first see of her treatment of Tara, Pam starts to be a terrible maker. This is interesting since she probably has the strongest maker/progeny relationship with her own maker, Eric. It’s great that the writer’s gave us Pam’s back story so we could learn about the beginnings of Pam and Eric’s relationship. Eric too wasn’t ready to be a maker, but it worked out well for both. However, in Season 5 we see Eric free Pam, even with her protestations against it, so I wonder how this will change their relationship in the next season?
Tara’s new life as vampire was not one she welcomed, but she quickly adapted when taken under Pam’s wing at Fangtasia. She is still angry with Sookie and Lafayette for them having Pam turn her, but she soon bonded so much with Pam that at the end of the season we see her and Pam kiss and embrace when Pam is freed from the Authority.
Who Met the True Death
There were not only vampires that were turned to goo this season, but we also lost more of the human population in Bon Temps leaving it very lean of homo sapiens.
We first saw the werewolves as they ate Marcus in a ritualistic performance. However, it went downhill from there for the weres. Several of them died including JD at the hands of Alcide who has now taken over as pack master, Bud Dearborn also was killed along with his fellow O’Bama mask wearing vampire haters, including his new gal, Sweetie Des Arts. During the showdown between Terry and Patrick, it was Patrick that met his fate so that Terry could end a chapter in his life left over from Iraq.
However, the most losses this season seem to be in the vampire world, specifically within the Authority. The only living member of the Authority left at the end of Season 5 is Bill. You can argue that Nora is Authority, but since she rejected Lilith and she and Eric are working together I don’t think that counts. We also lost the new Sheriff of Area 5, Elijah when Tara killed him. This of course resulted in Pam being arrested by Rosalyn, Elijah’s maker and taken into custody since she confessed to the crime, presumably to protect Tara.
So, the body count for vampires is, Roman, Dieter, Rosalyn, Salome, Kibwe, Alexander, Molly, Russell Edgington, Elijah, Mike Spencer and of course, the guy who was feeding on Hoyt before he was killed by the vampire haters.
Since there were so many deaths, I’m sure I must have forgotten someone.
True Blood Lovin’
Even though there were lots of deaths, and the Bill, Eric and Sookie triangle was no more, there was also lots of lovin’ this season along with lots of skin. Both Bill and Eric were seen naked in love scenes with Nora and Salome several times and we had the added attraction of seeing Alcide with Rikki and Roman and Salome get it on.
One of my favorite couplings however, was Steve Newlin and Russell Edgington. It was nice to see Russell find love once again. It’s pretty obvious that he enjoys being with a partner and although, he too met his death, it wasn’t before he had some good times eating the Faery elder.
The relationship between Eric and his vampire sister Nora was intriguing to me. Unlike some, I wasn’t too concerned that they were siblings since there really was no relation other than Godric being their maker. They looked good together and both of their scenes making love were well done. However, even with that said, one of the highlights of the season for me was when we got to learn how Pam and Eric met and how Pam became vampire. It was a very touching scene back in 1905 when Pam begged Eric to turn her and it was even more heart wrenching to watch as Eric released her in the present day. What a heartfelt and touching scene that was and well played by both actors. I hope that Tara and Pam together will make up for what they have both lost in life, and for Pam, in death.
I don’t think that the Bill and Salome relationship can be viewed as love by any stretch of the imagination. Now that we know what we do about Bill, I find it hard to believe he had any feelings for her at all. Bill seemed more intrigued by Lilith than by Salome although the love scenes between he and Salome were powerful and great to watch.
Sookie and Alcide almost got it on, but it wasn’t to be, yet at least. However, Alcide did get to have a good time with fellow werewolf, Rikki in a powerful scene of them together.
Jason got it on with his school teacher, but quickly regretted it.
Probably the nicest love relationship of Season 5 for me was that of Holly and Andy. It was tender and I hope they stay together, even though it looks like the new babies that were born of Maurella in the last episode will change that picture.
Sam/Luna/Emma
One of the best “other story lines” in this season of True Blood was the one between Sam, Luna and Emma. Unlike Terry and the IFrit, it was integrated with what was going on and therefore, made more sense to the story. Having Emma as a wolf become Steve Newlin’s pup, was a very ingenious way of intertwining their storyline with the Authority, the main storyline of the season. And, instead of hurting that story, it helped it immensely. Sam turning into a fly and Luna skin-walking as Steve Newlin was wonderful. Also seeing Sam as a fly, go into Rosalyn’s mouth and then turn back as human, thus killing her, had to be the most inventive death of the season in my opinion.
Faeries
We learned much more about the faery world this season when first Andy and Jason visited the Faery club. When Jason heard from Hadley that his parents were killed by a vampire, he told Sookie about it and they decided that they needed to learn more. They met up with Maurella, pregnant with Andy’s baby(s), and learned that there was a deal struck in the 1700’s with a vampire names Warlow to give the first born faery in the Stackhouse family to him. When Maurella gives birth to four babies, she has brought the faery world much more into the human world and with Andy being a relation to Bill means that the babies are also his relation. This should make things interesting for Bill as the new head of the Authority.
Because of the Warlow character that is promised to be the story of Season 6, I’m sure it was intentional for us to learn more about the world of the faeries this season as it served to laythe ground for what’s to happen next summer.
Stories ended
Hoyt and Jessica
Of the humans that left the show, probably the one that the fans regret the most was the departure of Hoyt, played by Jim Parrack. Hoyt had been a staple and regular at Merlotte’s since season 1 and we saw him grow up from an innocent young boy into a mature, if not broken hearted man. Now, he is off to Alaska (which I thought although sensitive on behalf of the writers, was kind of lame.) Why would Hoyt want to go to Alaska of all places?However, wherever he goes, it’s comforting to know that there still might be a chance that he will return before the end of the series comes.
Jessica is so alone now, that I bet she is somewhat regretting letting Hoyt go. Jason has rejected her and now Bill has too, so what’s left for our teen vampire to hold on to. Let’s hope she finds someone to be with in Season 6.
Terry and the IFrit
I’m glad the storyline about Terry’s past in Iraq was completed. Unlike previous story lines in past seasons, in my opinion, this was completely disjointed and not associated with True Blood in any way. All the extraneous story lines in past seasons could have been considered annoying, but at least in the end of the season they all seemed to come together and join the main story. This did not and while it gave Todd Lowe, who plays Terry, a chance to show us some of his acting talent, it gave little to do to Arlene, played by Carrie Preston.
Oh, and let me mention that Lafayette was also pretty much wasted in this season. I don’t know why they had him travel back to Mexico; it seemed useless, and except for the few scenes he had with Sookie, he was not seen. I missed him a lot this year.
What’s to happen in Season 6 – Warlow, Lilith and Bilith
Again, the Lilith turns into Bilith ending of the season had to be the biggest shocker ever on True Blood, and the best kept secret. And, I am not sure what to make of it. Unlike some, I actually enjoyed the Authority story line and liked learning about the Vampire Authority and how vampires are governed. No wonder the head of each state is called a King or Queen since this is certainly no democracy as we know it. However, this was also the most confusing story line for me.
First off, I just didn’t see Bill going so completely Lilith crazy in such a short amount of time. Yes, he’s always been looking for something to believe it, and he is a tortured soul, but he has worked really hard to find his humanity and to just give it up so quickly seemed a bit much. Also, I would have enjoyed seeing a flashback showing how members of the Authority, i.e., Salome and Nora, decided to become members of the Sanquinista movement. What was the catalyst that made them turn to worship her and become such avid followers? Without this explanation, the story seemed thin.
Now that Roman is dead, is mainstreaming a thing of the past? With the leadership all but be gone, with the exception of Bill/Billith? What will happen next? I am guessing that a war will be in the future for sure, but how does Warlow come into it?
So, what can I say to recap this season? While the ending was very upsetting to me, I found that mostly this was a good season. However, I think that the writers should listen to the fans once in a while and not fill up the show with extraneous story lines just for the purpose of keeping the cast members busy. I love Todd Lowe and his performance as Terry, but that story line was a waste of time and space, in my opinion. They should go back to season 1 and revisit how each of the various story lines ended up making sense in the end.
There were many things I did like about this season, the flashbacks, which I always love, the trippy scene in New Orleans was a treat to watch, but too short and Sam and Luna were hysterical. The IStake contraption was also a hoot if not scary and the Authority headquarters seemed fascinating. I enjoyed seeing Bill and Eric bonding, and I also like the new Eric. However, I’m not sure how I feel about Bill’s transformation from Mr. Nice Guy to evil doer. I feel that somehow the story line with Warlow will have an impact on what Bill’s character does next. And, what about Sookie? Who will she be with next and will she be a greater force than we know in future episodes?
I am exhausted after this season, but I know by June I’ll be salivating for some new True Blood episodes, so I’m very happy that we can tune in again and see our favorite show for at least one more year.
What did you think about Season 5? Leave a comment below and let us know.
