Alas, the wait is over! HBO’s True Blood finally returned for its seventh and final season, picking right up where we last were in Bon Temps. I knew things would be trouble when the last image of the sixth season was the Walking Dead-esque vampires storming their way into Bon Temps, but things got even worse than imaginable as we said goodbye to one of the show’s longstanding characters, Tara (Rutina Wesley), just 5 minutes into the episode. (R.I.P.!)
Between the chaos of vampires attacking humans, a core group of humans rising to kill vampires, and a little steamy romance, the episode set up potential conflict for the rest of the 10-episode season. Having a steady balance of action, heart-touching moments, and equal screen time for all, the seventh season appears to so far be going out with a bang.
Here’s a recap of events that went down in “Jesus Gonna Be Here:”
Arlene, Holly, Nicole and other Bon Temps residents are captured
Right in the midst of the bloodbath we left off in, Arlene (Carrie Preston) Holly (Lauren Bowles), and pregnant Nicole (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) are kidnapped by Hep-V vamps who lock them up as prisoners in a dark dungeon. Anyone else find this incredibly reminiscent to the time Lafayette (Nelson Ellis) was imprisoned by Eric (Alexander Skarsgard)? Even though everyone was safe in this episode, that isn’t to say we shouldn’t be concerned about them in the coming episodes.
Jessica is a watch-guard for Adilyn
The episode did a good job of portraying the complicated relationship between Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Andy (Chris Bauer)’s fairy daughter. Adilyn (Bailey Noble) is still unsure whether or not to trust Jess – after all, she did kill all her sisters. By the end of the episode, we see that Adilyn begins to trust Jessica, since they did, after all, bond about boys. Jessica proved herself when she stood face to face with a Hep-V vamp as the sun rose. Adilyn invites Jessica into her home, and Jessica, as starving as she is, resists the urge to feed off her. Go Jess!
(Side note: when Jessica has Adaline drink her blood, did anyone else think it was the dumbest idea to do that right in front of the hungry Hep-V vamp?)
Jason doesn’t feel manly enough with Violet
We all know Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten) prides himself on being a man and sleeping with a bunch of women – all except for his girlfriend, Violet (Karolina Wydra). Jason did not enjoy Violet doing his officer job for him when she threatened a group of humans. He also did not enjoy waiting to have sex with her. But finally, he gets so frustrated that Violet decides it’s the right time. And the buttons pop and the shirts rip, and so they have sex on top of a cop car.
Everyone is blaming Sookie for the vampire chaos
Reading thoughts really is a curse. Sookie (Anna Paquin) constantly has to deal with hearing thoughts of how everyone in town blames her for the Hep-V vamps and calls her slut-shaming names. Even her werewolf hunk boyfriend Alcide (Joe Manganiello) couldn’t help but think Sookie was the main reason for this mess. Her monologue at the end of the episode was heartfelt, teary, and I couldn’t help but sympathize with her. Though after she said, “she knows vampires,” I rolled my eyes a bit, just because we all know Sookie knows vampires a little too well.
.
Lafayette welcomes a new vampire friend
Poor Lafayette. Losing Tara was hard enough once already, but a second time must be even tougher. In typical Lafayette fashion he chooses to drink and smoke his problems away. Meanwhile, Jessica’s boyfriend James (formerly played by Luke Grimes but replaced by Nathan Parsons) becomes his “vampire/human” partner. Anyone else thinking it might be probable for a Lafeyette-Jessica-James love triangle?
Pam is looking for Eric, who is M.I.A.
Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) is going through the ends of the earth to find Eric – literally, as we saw her digging for information in Morocco. Judging by how determined she was when she receives the map of “Rhone” I’m guessing she’ll be reunited with her maker next episode. Plus, the episode is titled “I Found You.”
Bill and Andy Team Up
Andy is on a mission to save Holly and Arlene, and he wants Bill (Stephen Moyer)’s help. The two check out a warehouse, where they find human bodies drained of blood hanging upside down. They are then greeted by a group of humans who want to take down Bill and every other vampire. I have to say I enjoyed Andy being on Bill’s side. Even if he says he will never truly forgive Bill, they make a great team.
Human Group against Sam, Bill, and the vampires
A growing group of humans is against Sam (Sam Trammell) as the mayor and his strategy of vampires and humans having a monogamous feeding relationship. The leader delivers the line of the night to Sam, after seeing him shift into a dog: “You’re a mother f****** dog!” Now that the cats out of the bag, it’s pretty clear this problem is only going to get worse.
Could Tara still be “alive?”
Tara’s scary mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter), who suddenly decides to care about her daughter after she dies, claims that Tara is alive and in need of help. We know Lettie Mae has always been a spiritual guru, so is she telling the truth? Where is Tara? Rutina Wesley is still a series regular this season, so whether we see her alive, dead, half-dead, or whatever in between remains a mystery.
What were your thoughts on the season 7 premiere? Did it meet your expectations?