('True Blood' - 'Fresh Blood') - "I don't know if people change even if they try." - Sookie

Bon Temps is just filled with juicy moments. Having gotten past all the mourning and despairing earlier this season on 'True Blood,' as we near the very end there's so much movement in nearly every direction: anger, hope, fantasy and discovery. Each fresh start is met with fresh troubles, despite the idea that many of these events are are cloaked in some very old rituals and myths.

Forget vampires walking in the sun. Who knew Bill always wanted to teach third grade? And that he'd actually like to go fishing with Jason? And that Eric's sex slave was a cardiologist back in the old country?

Jessica and Hoyt's mutual need -- the need for him to love her, and for her to both love him and know he can get past her misstep with the trucker -- creates harmony. Our two broken souls, Tara and Sam, reunite to satisfy a need of a slightly different tone. Wouldn't it be game-changing if Tara got pregnant as a result of this liaison? There's been so much tragedy in both of their lives. They might just benefit from such a curveball. Thoughts?

The failure of Holly's ritual to give Arlene what she wants is predictable, but how will Arlene digest the idea that the baby is meant to be? Just as Lafayette and Jesus' V scene proved extremely effective in its vividness, Holly's peaceful display creates a new dimension in the Bon Temps universe. This is magic, or ritual, being used to help people, and not (so far) going astray. The last time some (non-fairy) human with self-professed special powers tried to help, Maryann wiggled into the story, touching down in town for a season of hellish havoc. I like the consideration being given to the witch and sorcerer traditions here, since those who practiced witchcraft definitely have a proven place in actual history.

Interesting how steroids are being addressed via Jason's revelation about V on the football team. The writers might be lumping a whole lot in, whether a slice of police corruption with the troubled Andy Bellefleur or the degradation of families involved in drug abuse via Crystal, but this episode does it so artfully that you can follow all the segues without much effort.

Really, though, everyone must be going gaga for our martyr, Eric. His whole life has been about trying to make right what went wrong when he was a careless youth. In his supposed age-earned power, Russell is nonetheless fickle. His vanity and selfishness are his Achilles heel, which Eric knows well enough to make his plan work. Will Eric's sacrifice make Sookie forgive Bill, or will Bill's ability to play along with the scheme play against him in her eyes?

How funny is it when Bill and Eric stop fighting exactly on cue when Russell leaves the scene? As for Pam's delay in letting Bill feed Sookie, do you think it's because she resents both of them for thwarting her needs (while silver-chaining her) and, most of all, letting Eric go to the slaughter? If she really wanted to die with Eric she could just walk outside, with or without Sookie's fairy blood.

In the most annoying of developments, I can only assume that Summer and Hoyt's mom have constructed a pact of idiocy. Does anyone even care? I just hate that it might endanger Jessica. Or even Hoyt. Little talking voodoo dolls and hallucinations of masked men might be menacing, but stupid is just dangerous.

Quotes

"Colloidal silver. In-stock and overpriced at your neighborhood health food store." - Pam, after "macing" Bill with the stuff

"Apparently you wanted my father's crown for your vast collection of meaningless sh*t." - Eric to Russell

"Dagnabit sh*tfire!" - Hoyt's mother

Sam: "I said go away!"
Tara: "No."

Holly: "You need a decoction."
Arlene: "A de-whaat?"