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“As outrageous as it sounds to have, you know, a newly turned vampire fall in love with a 28-year-old guy who lives with his mother, it seems like it’s one of the more grounded storylines.”

— Jim Parrack

I know there are a lot of “Bill and Sookie Forever” fans out there, and that many of you list the scene in which they meet for the first time in Merlotte’s among your favorites. But, I’ll confess, if I owned His and Her mugs, one would bear the image of Hoyt Fortenberry, the other adorned with Jessica’s soft curls. For me, the scene in which they meet for the first time in Merlotte’s is my personal pick for the sweetest, most playfully seductive scene so far. Oh, all hands are on the table, all right, but this ain’t no innocent meet ’n’ greet. Hoyt and Jessica are not only both virgins: they’re each seeking a partner whose interests and skill sets match the other’s, something that in most societies requires a trip to a niche bar, or an anonymous online profile.

But Bon Temps has been awakened to the reality of consensual adult situations and Merlotte’s is like those small-town gay bars, come-as-you-are watering holes where patrons inevitably learn to accept things out of the norm because there’s simply nowhere else to go. Why not take the risk and do exactly as you feel? That’s what I saw when Hoyt and Jessica first sat across from one another and realized they were among their own kind.

And all that talk of chicken and steak coming together to make a delicious, crispy baby . . . Until that point, a chicken-fried steak likely was the most orgasmic experience Hoyt had ever had, certainly in public. Their love is sweet and romantic because they are sweet and romantic. And it’s their honesty with themselves and each other that makes my heart soar.

Where you’ve seen Jim Parrack: Monk, Annapolis, ER, CSI, Grey’s Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Supernatural

2.04 ~ Shake and Fingerpop

Original air date: July 12, 2009; Written by: Alan Ball; Directed by: Michael Lehmann

Jason [upon being pranked]: Vampires are not a joke! There’s a war goin’ on and you’re either on the dark side or you’re on the side of the light. And there ain’t no in between.

Bill, Sookie, and Jessica take a trip to Dallas to help find Godric but are greeted by an unexpected visitor. Jason becomes a Soldier of the Sun and moves into the Newlins’ house. Maryann throws Tara a surprise birthday party. And Daphne shares a secret with Sam.

Since Jason has been on the losing side, he’s gone from golden god to the kid who got sand kicked in his face with Luke as his bully. When his bunk house plays a practical joke on him, he retaliates with fear, violence, and a script he learned from listening to Steve Newlin. Does he believe what he’s saying, or is he just clinging to whatever will keep him safe, out of harm’s way, and in the favor of those in a position to take care of him? In the absence of true self-confidence, Jason wants someone to please. Until it’s Sarah Newlin, her husband will have to do. He takes a jaunt with Steve to shoot up fake vampires, like a father and son at the batting cage. Around the dinner table, Steve tells Jason that he’s needed, asking him to become a Soldier of the Sun.

The theme of self-loathing is stronger in some characters than others. Andy is still off the wagon, avoiding his home life. Jason is lost, and appears only to thrive in a state of adrenalin. When left with his own thoughts, he’s less clear, such as when Luke suggests that he only became a Soldier to keep Sarah Newlin entertained. And self-hatred has always been apparent in Tara who, after finally gathering the strength to leave Maryann’s, finds herself alone on her birthday, and lets Maryann into Sookie’s home to throw a raucous party. More music. More booze. More investment in seeing Tara and Eggs together. As Tara and Eggs consummate their relationship, the only two people at the party high on each other but nothing else are Sam and Daphne, impervious to Maryann’s influence. Which means Daphne