True Blood's Season Comes to a Hilarious Close

With this week’s episode of True Blood, one of the best comedies on TV finished its season in hilarious style. Every single plot line built to a side-splitting crescendo, proving once again that Alan Ball is one of the most gifted comedians of our time.

So how did everything tie up for our goofy characters? And spoilers, of course:

• Sookie was whisked away to fairyland.
• Bill floated in the air, Peter Pan style, to battle the Queen of Louisiana.
• Tara remembered that she likes bacon grease, probably her only salient characteristic, cut her hair and left town forever.
• Jason became the king of a group of inbred hobo children.
• Sam shot a man, just to watch him die.
• Eric saw the ghost of Obi Wan Godric, who taught him the true meaning of love.
• Hoyt and Jessica moved in together... BUT THERE IS A CREEPY DOLL IN THEIR HOUSE THAT THEY DON’T SEE!!!

Okay, just to talk about this seriously, I honestly don’t think I’ve laughed more at an episode of a “drama” ever. Nobody would ever accuse Alan “This Plastic Bag Is The Most Beautiful Thing I’ve Ever Seen” Ball of being subtle, but over time, he’s transcended simple heightened reality and moved into farce.

Most of the dramatic moments in this finale episode were undercut by slapstick, over-the-top acting and a general sense that nobody really cares about the stupid vampire show they’re making.

There was some stuff that worked, of course. Russell has been a fantastic villain all season and this episode was no different – particularly with the disgusting burn make-up applied all over his body. It’s a triumph to act through that and Denis O’Hare plays it to the hilt.

In particular, the monster movie theme resurfaced as Sookie tormented him by destroying the remains of his lover, Talbot – followed by an appropriately Vincent Price-esque maniacal laugh from Sookie. A delightful scene perfectly played through O’Hare’s anguished scream. I’m pleased as punch he didn’t meet the true death at the end of this episode.

Also, Bill’s showdown with Eric was appropriately tense – both of them. And Lafayette’s visions are pretty great and terrifying. I’m not a fan of superpowering everyone on a show, but it was well played by one of the better actors in the series.

But all in all? Like Six Feet Under before it, the longer True Blood goes on, without a set ending point, the sillier it gets. This last episode was silly and eminently watchable, but really, makes no argument for the show other than disposable cheese. I’m fine with that; I’m not sure the True Blood diehards will be.

Random Notes:

• “About f*cking time. Now drag me the f*ck inside.”
• “You just rationalized away the need for all law enforcement!”
• “Here you go, Uncle Daddy Calvin.”
• “When am I not in trouble?”
• “Go back to hell where you came from, you dead piece of shit.”