TV Review: TRUE BLOOD 4.5 – “Me and the Devil”
This week, Bon Temps gets religion. We have good honest existentialist angst, an epiphany, prayer, an exorcism and rather too much gospel singing!
rating: 3.5
This week, Bon Temps gets religion. We have good honest existentialist angst, an epiphany, prayer, an exorcism and rather too much gospel singing! We also get a lot of dreams and flashbacks this week so many, in fact, that I spent the latter part of the episode wondering if things were really happening or if Eric was suddenly going to step out of the shower and the whole episode would prove to have been a dream. Anyway, as expected, some of last weeks B stories get a good deal more screen-time this week, so, for example, Tommy who was becoming something of an irritating brat suddenly earns our sympathy and takes decisive control of his life; a course which involves Sam in a bonding, brotherly kinda way. As Tommy and Sam are disposing of the evidence, Tommy bemoans that he is going to Hell, and Sam explains that he doesnt believe any such nonsense. Hes done some bad things in his time and he hasnt seen the devil in my shower. We also learn an important life-lesson about gators. Ray Mears never tells you such useful stuff. Meanwhile, we spend the most time yet with Marnie in her Moon Goddess Emporium. She is so pleased with herself at having been possessed by The Spanish Witch; this is, obviously, the culmination of a lifetime of wishing she were more interesting and she firmly believes The Witch is benevolent. Boy, is she naïve! The problem with this storyline, so far, has been that we, the viewer, dont share the vamps fear of witches. But Alan Ball and crew are clearly aware of this as, when Sookie finally meets Marnie, she mentions that she was a big fan of Sabrina and Charmed! Thats a problem with this whole witch story: They just arent seen as scary on TV.
Sure, shes made Eric go all puppy-dog and she hasnt done much for the complexion of Pam The Glam But none of that seems especially Earth-shaking. However, in one of the episodes many flashbacks, we get another glimpse - seen through Marnies eyes - of religion, sixteenth century style, which goes to explain the motivations of The Spanish Witch Who was tortured and killed by vampires disguised a Catholic Inquisitors. This was hinted at previously, but now we know for sure! She reminds Bill that her witchcraft is also a religion Which puts me rather in mind of another glorious television vampire: Salems Lots Barlow and his challenge to the priest of Your faith against The Masters faith! The curse The Spanish Witch (and Marnie) uttered back then, led to The Spanish Incident. When you know what that is and thus what power Marnie now wields - you suddenly look at her in a completely different light! Yknow, this plot-line, involving the magic shop and the secret underground cells is it me or is it beginning to resemble yet another vampire TV show: Buffy? Also concerned with the witchcraft problem are LaFayette and Jesus, who still have faith in magic solving the problem magic started. To this end, they set off to Mexico to see Jesus shaman granddaddy because they are obsessed with their fear of Big Bad Eric Northman. Jesus has, himself, a flashback to getting magical powers as a child, through a blood sacrifice. One wonders who he is going to have to sacrifice to tackle Eric? 
Jason Stackhouses faith is in thinking that God is punishing him for having too much sex in his life. No one seems to have been unduly concerned for him while was missing, save Hoyt, who is the only person he tells his travails to. Of course, Jasons need for confessional redemption doesnt seem to have extended to his subconscious as he soon finds himself dreaming about being seduced in a very graphic manner by Jessica. While Hoyt watches. Make of that what you will! After one brief appearance last week, Terry and Arlene have their own little sub-plot this week, again involving God. They decide that they need an exorcism to sort-out Mikey (who looks cuter than ever in his little flat cap). Enter Rev. Daniels and his wife (Taras mom, Lettie Mae) who set-to with a tambourine and sing the evil spirits out of the place. Yeah, cos thats gonna do it! But what of Eric? I can tell youre dying to know Well, after a fashion, he has his own religious experience when he dreams of Godrick again (and suddenly I realise why his sire isnt simply called Rick). The childish, big-eyed vamp feels that he wants Sookie to protect and redeem him But Godrick representing his inner vampire doesnt want redemption that much It wants Faerie Blood! This leads Eric to the ultimate existentialist question Am I evil? 
Sookie decides he isnt and, inevitably, falls into his arms and, yes, she even sleeps with Eric! Calm down calm down she also calls him a smug, sarcastic ass so, yknow, shes not completely lost it! But I think we know what Bill will soon find Sookie and Eric up to and then things will go up a gear as we experience the wrath of a vampire scorned! TRUE BLOOD 4.5 Me and the Devil Written by Mark Hudis Directed by Daniel Minahan Main cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Ryan Kwanten, Alexander Skarsgård, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Nelsan Ellis, Deborah Ann Woll, Marshall Allman, Kevin AlejandroYou can find all my reviews of True Blood's fourth season HERE.