True Blood 3x12 - "Evil is Going On" Season finale

[OmahaStar]

Obviously, there will be spoilers here, both for the episode and probably the season as a whole.

From zap2it -

Eric plots his revenge against Russell; Sookie considers a new life without Bill; Tara discovers some surprising news about Sam; Jason finds a new calling; Lafayette turns to Jesus for help; Hoyt hopes for a future with Jessica.

I've already read rumors about next season in EW, which have spoiled the end of this episode. I will not post them here, until after the episode has aired.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I caught up on the few episodes I'd missed over the weekend and it feels odd to have the finale upon us. While Russell has been a huge part of this season obviously I just haven't thought of him as the "big bad".

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Am I the only one who found the way they presented Bill and the queen fanging out on each other rather funny?

 

[DarKush]

I thought the finale was just okay. The highpoint for me was when Russell ripped out that anchor's spine/heart. After raising the stakes like that, the show didn't seem to know what to do next. The next two episodes stumbled and spun their wheels. The finale was better but it seemed more focused on setting up next season than bringing season three to a satisfying conclusion.

We got resolution with Russell, and some interesting revelations about Bill. I was surprised that he had been working for the Queen all along. I also enjoyed Hoyt and his mom. I like Tara and I want her back, but I'm glad she's deciding to leave town after the crap she's been subjected to over the last three seasons. I wouldn't mind her having a subplot in a different place next season, if it connects back to what's happening in Bon Temp. Lafayette, Andy, and the waitress's plots were on slow burn too much for my taste. Sam's character change seems a bit jarring, but perhaps because the actor played the nice guy so well for so long. I felt far too much was left hanging with all the multiple storylines they were juggling.

Overall: Season 3 was decent, but could have been better. I don't think the writers did a good job integrating the storylines. And they seemed haphazard about when they brought the various subplots back to the fore. I was hoping for them to do more with the werewolves, but they didn't play a big role at all down the stretch unfortunately. Throwing the were-panthers in was a bit too much. Might as well just made them werewolves, despite whatever the books might have done. I think the writers really didn't have much to do with Jason, who perhaps got some of the worst subplots and character development. He started out in an interesting place, being haunted by what happened to Eggs, but then it just devolved. The teenage quarterback and the were-panther chick didn't work for me.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

^^ Yeah, there are a LOT of characters and supernatural elements being juggled around.

A lot of it has worked though, I think Tara and Franklin has been interesting and I've liked Eric and Russell, and some of the vampire politics. However, there's been some sticking points, they can't seem to figure out what to do with Jason and the stuff with Sam has been really strange. A lot of time was spent on Lafayette's relationship that hasn't seemed to have a lot of pay-off.

 

[Captain Craig]

I gave the episode a 5 Fang attack.

The season as a whole is perhaps only 3.5fangs but I did really like this episode.

The revelation about Bill that goes allllll the way back to S1.1 was a shock. Is that how the book series goes as well for those that have read/are reading those. Him turning on Eric and ordering Pam's death really surprised me. The two friends I was watching with along with me went slack jawed. Show of hands, who saw that coming?

Bill and the Queen's finale scene did have a cheesy touch to it. It felt like it could have come right out of one of those Wayans spoof flicks.

Hoyt and Jessica moving in seems interesting if not predictable given the last few episodes. The camera fixated on the child's doll for a reason so I'm already curious as to how that plays out. Tied to the witches of next season I'm guessing.

Speaking of it looks like Jesus will be around and perhaps a key figure in season 4. Do wiccans use the term warlock? Or does he go by witch cause he's gay, like some men like the 'queen' tag?

Tara's mom, this didn't surprise me. I felt like we got a bit of subtle foreshadowing on this. Her mom fooling around with the preacher is one thing I did see coming. Speaking of Tara I'm hoping her 'new life' is chronicled next season unless the actress has other professional plans.

Sam: Did he or didn't he? I think he shot and missed just spooking his brother. The reval next season could be very anti-climatic on that note.

I'm curious as to what the Fairy dimension is going to be shown as. Not sure why Alan Ball acted like, "Next season we see where Sookie went." We know, she is with her kind, we just don't know what it looks like or the rules they are going to reveal to her.

Hope the True Blood comic that just came out has a good story to act as a buffer till next July.

 

[OmahaStar]

So much went on, but compared with the first two seasons' finales, this cliffhanger wasn't so much a cliffhanger. I heard from Sam and the others at Dragon*Con, saying that the cliffhanger was huge, there was going to be a lot of death and stuff, so I was really pumped for this. Then I read the EW spoiler, talking about who was already signed for next season (Jesus, Tommy, and Russell, for starters) which meant going on they weren't going to kill off Russell. And fuck it, they were right.

I dang near fell out of my chair in laughter when Tommy gave his "I can't read!" speech. That was an after-school special moment right there, something they pull out on NBC for a sweeps episode. Here? It was comical.

Tara's new hairstyle is very flatting on the actress. I think she looks better than she has in the entirety of the series to date.

So now it's out .... Bill was sent by the Queen to hook up with Sookie. And now she knows. I just hope we don't get seven more seasons worth of "Oh, Sookey, Oh, Bill" back and forth, pining but hating.

There was almost nothing done with the Weres this season. It was played up that we were going to get this huge shift in the series, the Weres were going to be this huge thing and they were little more than cameos. Alcide is one of them. How much screen time did he get in the whole season? A half hour, at best?

Is there anyone who doesn't know about Sammy now?

Oh dear, Hoyt's mother is a freakazoid. And the Fellowship has their own gun stores now? I didn't see that one coming, but I should have. It makes perfect sense.

Anyone who hasn't figured out Jason's future need only go back to the pilot and look carefully at him. Hopefully they don't fuck it up next season.

 

[FPAlpha]

A bit underwhelmed by the last 10 minutes or so as opposed to the stellar season finales of seasons past.

It all felt a bit hollow and there was too much setting up for the next season to a point where i just wished they'd extend the season to 20 episodes or so and take a bit of time developing characters and plots.

Liked the evil side of Sookie when she flushed down "Talbot", thought Tara was going to commit suicide and was just saying goodbye to people that matter to her (got that vibe when she was staring at the scissor) and really dislike "asshole" Sam.
Jason got himself a deep redneck family now (yeah right.. a guy who's not the brightest and most responsible is now running his own clan) and i'm happy to see Hoyt standing up to everybody for Jessica since that has become my favorite couple this season (and there seems some real danger from mortal and supernatural forces in store for them.. i just jope Hoyt makes it through).

I just love the show and am a bit angry at me for having spoiled myself via Wikipedia as to what happens in the books in general thus already knowing that Bill and Sookie weren't going to last. However the show deviates quite a bit from the books taking events from several books ahead while not incorporating things from other books that have came before.
I think that's a good way to go because the show would be boring if they would have just refilmed the books.. instead they are keeping the tone and cooking up their own thing.

Now if it weren't just almost an entire year to see season 4

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I forgot to mention Sookie and the garbage disposal, that was demented but great.

 

[Dac]

If io9 would allow me to rip off their True Blood scoring system...

Pro: Sookie going all mental evil bitch with Talbots goo.

Con: Anything to do with Jason and Crystal.

Pro: "If you two have stopped eye fucking each other."

Con: Alcide seems to have become a non character this season. I don't read the books, so I've no idea if he becomes more prominent as time goes on, but I'd really hope he has a bigger role in season 4. Im not into the whole "ooo I hope he and Sookie fuck" camp, just that he's an interesting character.

Pro: Tara's gone!

Con: Tara's gone, not dead.

Pro: Jessica and Hoyt. Im totally a shipper when it comes to those two.

Con: Hoyt's mum. If she kills Jessica ima go mental. Shes the prettiest eye candy on the show!

Pro: Flakey Russell.

Con: Ghost Godric.

Pro: Eric totally outing Bill.

Pro: Bill and Vamp Queens cat fight.

Pro: Hopefully Sam shot that fucking annoying shitface brother of his in the head.

Con: He probably didnt.

Con: I am evil Sam is stretching a bit for my liking, I can stomach it in this ep, but I really hope he doesn't spend all next season brooding because he has so much angst!.

Con: The ending. That was such a non interesting cliffhanger. Sookie has probably gone off with the fairies. Ok.....and? This was weak. Very weak. The only thing remotely cliffhanger worthy was the Bill/Queen fight, but to be honest it was just a pissing contest because he has "nothing to loose".

I'll begrudgingly give it 4 fangs, because it did do more things right for me than it didnt, but I really do think it only deserves 3.

Oh fuck it, 3 fangs it is. It was a solid ep, but for a finale I feel it should have been a lot more in the spine ripping department.

 

[Joe Washington]

The season finale was okay. I did like the scene when Bill got one over Eric even if it was temporary. But I thought Season 3 could have been better.

The first half of the season was strong and everything after that went off the rails. I never truly bought Eric's obsession with exacting revenge for his slaughtered family that he never mentioned before. I would have bought Eric wanting to bring Russell down to finish what he and Godric started back in World War II when hunting down the werewolves.

I think Franklin shouldn't have been killed and he and Tara should have continued being a couple, because they were the most interesting on the show.

Honestly, I wouldn't shed much of a tear if the show was cancelled after this episode though I know it is unlikely for that to happen with the show being renewed for Season 4.

 

[OmahaStar]

I think Franklin shouldn't have been killed and he and Tara should have continued being a couple, because they were the most interesting on the show.

Suddenly, every fucked up "what if?" post you've made makes complete sense. You actually think having a psychotic rapist abuser makes for "interesting" television. Seek help. Immediately.

 

[Joe Washington]

You really have it in for me, do you? Like that makes sense.

And what I said wasn't a "what if" post, know-it-all, it was just a thought and Franklin wasn't a rapist.

 

[drasche]

I'm curious about the doll lying in Hoyt and Jessica's new house, more than Bill/Queen cat fight outcome.

 

[Shurik]

You really have it in for me, do you? Like that makes sense.

And what I said wasn't a "what if" post, know-it-all, it was just a thought and Franklin wasn't a rapist.

I don't know in what part of the world you live, but kidnapping, raping and threatening to kill (turn into vampire in this case) is illegal in most parts of the world I know.

Franklin was a batshit insane psycho rapist with absolutely no redeeming qualities. It was interesting to watch him because the actor who played him, James Frain, is great. It's more or less the case of Joker in Dark Knight.

 

[melancholymecha]

^would you believe he has a huge female fanbase? Its kinda like the Sylar thing. At least Ball didnt give in to the fan pressure & turn him into the main character like King did in Heroes.

I thought this finale ep was well... blah. It felt like the middle ep of a season. I hope they fix Sam & his out of nowhere assholery next season, Im really hoping it turns out he's possessed or under a spell.

 

[selina]

I’m probably the only one who liked season 3 more than season two *shrugs*. In my opinion, Russell was a better “bad guy” than Mary-Ann was. Nothing against Michelle Forbes, she’s great, but I could relate more to Russel’s motives.

All things considered I liked the storylines of Sookie, Russel, Bill and Eric this season. Also, I really felt for Tara. She had to go through a lot. Hoyt and Jessica are great together and I loved it that he stood up for her.
Somehow I missed that the gun shop belonged to the Fellowship, which explains everything. I started to wonder what Hoyts mother was going to do with a rifle.

We found out what Sookie really is, which surprised me. (I haven’t read any of the books.) And I’m wondering what will happen to Sookie and Tara now (and to the house, now that it’s basically empty with both of them gone).

What I didn’t like this season was Sam’s storyline. His actions were out of character IMO. Sam being a thief? Yes. A thug? Without question. But aiming at his brother and actually pulling the trigger, even though Sam is at least partly responsible for the events that lead both of them there in the first place? I didn’t like it.

Last but not least I took absolutely no interest in the Crystal-and-her-abusive-father/fiancé-and-the-werpanther-plot.

Anyhow, I’m looking forward to season four and hate the wait *sighs*.

 

[Red Ranger]

Gave it four fangs. I liked the several mini-cliffhangers -- Bill and the Queen facing off, Sookie disappearing, etc. I also liked the revelation that Jesus was a brujo. I think the whole Crystal/Jason subplot just sucked, and it continued to disappoint. Not as good as previous season-enders. I thought it was kind of Edgar Allen Poe how they took care of Russell. Does anyone doubt he'll be back? He's one of the best villains in the show.

 

[Alex1939]

Voted 2, thought this was a disappointing end to the season.

In some ways I thought this season was the best, and in some ways the worst of True Blood.

Russell was exceptional though.

 

[Captain Craig]

And I’m wondering what will happen to Sookie and Tara now (and to the house, now that it’s basically empty with both of them gone).

Sookie will likely only be in the Fae hideout zone temporarily. Who know how that will play out. One day there is weeks/months there or some weird temporal explanation.

Still, Jason does have a homeless inbred army of people to give shelter to. Why not at Gran's house?