"Pam" (Kristen Bauer)
Episode 07: Burning House of Love 
Sookie's painful childhood revelation about her Uncle Bartlett spurs Bill into action. Despite her skepticism, Tara agrees to pay for an exorcism to purge a demon out of Lettie Mae. In search of V juice, Jason travels to Fangtasia, where he bonds with an adventurous young woman named Amy. A trio of rednecks decide to exact vigilante justice on a pack of vampires who crashed Merlotte's in search of their wayward mate, Bill. (hbo.com)This episode had a lot going for it coming out of the gate in the show's first minutes with Anna Paquin's first televised nude scene. You will find if you do a search on the 'net for "nude Sookie, "nude Bill True Blood,""Sookie Bill make love," etc., how important it is to many folks to see this scene again. Not wanting to disappoint and because the scenes are sensual, not sensationalized, I've put together some links for you so you can relive that very special encounter of Sookie and Bill's. It was nicely done, considering you know, he bit her really hard.
Sookie and Bill Screen Stills Album
Later as Bill and Sookie relaxed and conversed in a lush-looking bubble bath Bill asks her about what is troubling her. Sookie explains that she was surprised that despite being molested as a young girl by her Uncle Bartlett that she was able to relax and enjoy being with Bill. Even so, she was rueful that the thought of her molester entered her mind at all. Later, Bill exacted revenge on Uncle Bartlett "for Sookie," by fanging him and sucking him dry. It should be really interesting to see how Sookie reacts when she discovers Bill's ruthlessness.
It's important on a show that has as much terror, blood, and gore to balance the narrative with a sense of humour. True Blood has been compared to the late, great, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and absolutely there are similarities, this being pay cable, notwithstanding.
My favorite scene of levity/evil in this episode was between Jason Stackhouse and Pam, the "gatekeeper" of Fangtasia, the vampire club. Jason has failed to obtain his precious "V" from La Fayette and so appears at the club, sweaty and agitated. After answering Pam's inquiry as to his reason for being at the club dishonestly, Pam glamours Jason and he blabs that he wants "V," specifically her vampire blood. Her deadpan look at his statement is priceless. She releases him from her spell to enter Fangtasia, effectively sending him to his death.
If not for a hippie chick, "Amy" who he meets in the club when she intervenes just moments before he blurts out his intentions, he would probably would have died at the hands of vampire bartender Longshadow. I would not have a problem with that as I still find the character of Jason the most irritating and useless on the show. I guess I just don't like watching stupid people with a lot of scenes taking up time in an otherwise superb show. Perhaps later in the series, Jason will reveal himself to have more purpose than sex machine/beefcake. But thus far I've seen nothing more in him than a dumb hick.
I did not find the Tara-Lettie Mae scenes very compelling, either. Tara's alcoholic, abusive mother, Lettie Mae is convinced a demon is inside her. After her mother's constant begging and outlandish behaviour wears her down, Tara finally relents and gives Lettie Mae the $435 exorcism fee and they both trek down miles of dirt road to an exorcist, Miss Jeannette, in hopes the demon can be exorcised. Though the exorcism appears to have taken, just the same I could've done without that entire sequence.
Finally, the scene in Merlotte's, between the audacious vamp trio and the Merlotte's regulars was amusing. It did set the stage for the next episode--the aftermath of Sookie's anguished discovery that some Merlotte's vigilante customers waited until dawn and then torched the vamp nest, presumably with Bill inside.
Starring: Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse Carrie Preston as Arlene Fowler Chris Bauer as Andy Bellefleur Jim Parrack as Hoyt Fortenberry Michael Raymond-James as Rene Lenier Nelson Ellis as Lafayette Reynolds Rutina Wesley as Tara Thornton Ryan Kwanten as Jason Stackhouse Sam Trammell as Sam Merlotte Stephen Moyer as Bill Compton William Sanderson as Bud Dearborne
*SPOILERS*
NEW 10/20/2008 - Bill survived the fire by spending the day underground. The episode focuses more on Bill and Sookie's relationship (and her growing realization of some of the hardships of their relationship.) Although they do have fun when they babysit Arlene's kids.
Jason and Amy spend more time together, including his sharing the story of how his and Sookie's parents died. Amy even starts working at Merlotte's. But when she and Jason follow Lafayette to the source of his V juice (Stephen Root), she shows a much uglier side.
Sookie and Tara have a blowout.
Detective Andy Bellefleur isn't completely satisfied with the excuse Sam gives him for his naked run through the woods, and starts poking around in Sam's background.
Sookie agrees to help Eric find out who has been stealing money from Fangtasia (and even agrees to help him in the future) and she ends up putting her life in danger. (source: pioneerlocal.com)
Deadwood Stage: Thanks for sharing the spoilery goodness!
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