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By Root 528 0

unlike Bill, a warrior who once burned to a crisp in the name of bravery. And for all her alleged power, she’s unconvincing. Bill, for the first time this season, looks more competent than his peers. Her logic that maenads are just deluded humans is muddled. By now, we’ve all come to accept that there’s more in this world than we could ever imagine, but the point is that it’s not fake. Rene Lenier would be an example of a deluded human, but his murder streak was very real. And Maryann, while getting desperate, is extremely powerful. If there’s something else in Sophie-Anne’s message, it’s nearly impossible to retrieve. So is the reasoning behind forcing Bill to sunbathe. If he was going to be held against his will (see above definition of “victim-hero”) it seems unlikely he’d kick back, no matter how awkward.

Conversely, Jessica, and Deborah Ann Woll, is getting stronger with each episode. The evolution of her character from whiny brat to purposeful young woman is among my favorite transitions. And after finally seeing her come into her own with Hoyt, what a brilliant twist to turn her against Hoyt’s mother. As Jessica lets out a bloodcurdling scream, we know her “change” isn’t complete. To be accepted for the first time as a vampire is euphoric. To be rejected, soul-crushing. What will her next incarnation look like? Beauty or beast? And as much as we want Hoyt to choose Jessica, he wouldn’t be the man we know if he abandoned his mother. As one of the only people in Bon Temps who hasn’t been consumed by Maryann — why? — he’s able to watch over Maxine. His choice brings consequences, when his mother tells him the truth about his father’s suicide.

Lafayette has become a whole other entity. He takes a solid run at every demon, even if he’s quivering in his boots the whole time. It has yet to get old to see him cower in the presence of Eric, or swoon just the slightest at the dreams he’s been having. Through him, we’re reminded that even in Lettie Mae’s porch dress, Eric is the man. It’s a great comment, that fear, power, and strength are not engendered. Lafayette and Eric are each in their own rights men not to be reckoned with, but both have taken their turn in ladies’ garb. That’s fierce confidence. (Maybe the trick then is to put Sophie-Anne in a suit.) So, it’s a tremendous disappointment when Lafayette falls under Maryann’s spell. Not only is it difficult to accept that after all he’s been through he’s too weak to resist her, but he would have made a formidable soldier alongside Andy and Jason.

We can’t fault Tara for running after Eggs; after all, she’s spent so much time running from men. And it’s touching that her mother helps her escape, even if she means to keep Tara from running away from her. If you love something, set it free, and she does, the first truly motherly thing Lettie Mae has done. We don’t own our children, we support them. But Tara’s decision is a difficult one: did she turn her mother’s faith against her in a move reminiscent of Maryann’s mind games, or is this in fact Tara learning a thing or two from Lettie Mae, keeping her close when she needs something, then tossing her aside when she doesn’t? It’s clear that Eggs has a good, if conflicted, soul. But there are times when it’s hard to believe that Tara actually loves Eggs, a stereotypical slacker. By blaming her mother, how is Tara any different from what Maryann accused Lettie Mae of being? Someone who looks to credit anything outside of herself rather than accept personal responsibility for her own life? Tara’s measures are heroic in that she refuses to leave Eggs behind, but Eggs isn’t like Sookie locked in a church basement, or Eric burning on a cross, or Jason facing a mob. He’s barely capable of taking care of himself. If it’s the strong who survive — and it sure feels like that’s what it’s going to take — as ironic as it may seem, Eggs’ muscular exterior is no match for true strength of character.

Where Tara put down her edge, Sookie picked it up and hasn’t looked back. Girl is fierce sans Bill. In just the past few episodes she’s gone