TV REVIEW: Flashbacks, Wigs & Character Insights in True Blood’s “Death is Not the End”

I have a confession: I love flashbacks.  Flashbacks can be the best part of a series.  Not only do glimpses into a character’s past provide amusing details into former lives, they can also propel a story forward in terms of character development.  Supernatural themed shows have some of the best flashbacks, especially when wigs and period costumes are involved.

Tonight’s True Blood, entitled “Death Is Not The End,” once again rewound back to the 80s, 90s, and 00s where we saw Eric and Pam come to Louisiana, the introduction of Ginger and her vampire obsession, and the astounding revelation that Fangtasia, once a pornography-based video rental store, was Ginger’s idea from the very beginning, an idea that Pam stole from her to impress her maker.  And there were wigs! Lots of them! Bless this show.

Eric and Pam’s trip down memory lane was fueled by their return to Shreveport/Bon Temps.  Pam, still on her mission to rid of Sarah Newlin, wanted nothing more than to skip the reunions and head straight for the Christian-turned-hippie.  Eric was determined to make one last trip back to Louisiana; he had a baby vampire back home to whom he owed a lot of explanation.

It had only been a few hours since the fatal shooting of Alcide and Sookie couldn’t sit around grieving.  She had lost too many people and Arlene and Nicole weren’t going to be added to the list.  Charging Holly’s fogged up memory of her capture; it was only minutes until they knew that Fangtasia was their target.   Sookie gathered up every vampire she could, including a sulking Jessica.  Sookie frankly didn’t give a damn that Jessica was too afraid to eat, she needed her help and that was enough for Jess to agree to feed off Lafayette.  Sookie needed Bill at full strength as well, offering herself as lunch to the vampire.

Luckily, Pam and Eric showed up just in time to join the brigade.  Calling upon Willa, Eric was ready for the scolding from his new progeny, but he commanded her to help fight with them first.  The gang, armed and ready with the addition of a few new vampires (hey, Keith!), anxiously waited for sundown, as it was time to rid of the H-vamps once and for all and to save Arlene and Nicole.

The ensuing fight was an edge-of-your-seat free for all, as the Bon Temps human faction had decided to also take matters into their own hands.  Ridding of not only the H-vampires but the humans as well, the gang came out victorious.  Except Arlene had been fed upon only minutes earlier.  The redhead was drained to the point of death, visions of Terry flooding her consciousness.  Eric couldn’t feed her with his infected blood and saving Jessica had sidetracked Bill.  It was newbie Keith to the rescue.  He gladly let Arlene feed off of her, restoring her strength, and swearing to Terry that she would return to the living to take care of the kids.

Quick Thoughts:

• What a welcome surprise to see Hoyt.  It was absolutely heartbreaking to see a once beloved character not even remember the name of his best friend.

• Terry and Alcide’s father were also nice additions.

• Jason referring to their takeover of Fangtasia as their “Normandy.” Oh, Jason.

• Keith is my new favorite vampire.  He obviously has a very beautiful soul* (*soul may also refer to a beautiful face).

• Willa had every right to stand her ground against Eric.  One of my favorite new additions from last season, I’ve been really hoping to see some more Eric/Willa bonding scenes similar to the Bill/Jessica ones we’ve been treated to in the past.

• It’s nice to see Sookie take charge.  Her blasé attitude towards anyone else’s problems was a great change of pace.  She stood her ground and was ultimately rewarded.

• Did I mention the wigs?