The Series Finale
**Spoiler Alert**
When I think of True Blood the first three words that come to mind should be “sexy, gory and funny” but those words only serve to remind us of how great the first couple of seasons once were. Because, sadly, this final season was just as lackluster as it’s predecessor. Some fans feel that the excitement of the series began to taper off after season three and I’m inclined to agree.
When Alan Ball left True Blood as the showrunner after season five, the series got worse not better. Before Ball left he gave some advice to his successor, according to the Hollywood Reporter. “When you get overwhelmed, remember it’s just a television show. It’s a big television show and a really hard one to put together, but don’t let it destroy your life.” Perhaps the writers gave up hope and were already thinking about their next job.
Despite high ratings, even as the show declined creatively, HBO (wisely) decided season seven should be the last. HBO’s Michael Lombardo shared some of the networks opinions at the Edinburgh Television Festival. As many fans have already noticed, Lombardo pointed out that the storytelling hit a brick wall. Good to know the execs see these things too!
“And we needed, quite honestly, the money and Sunday night space for new shows,” says Lombardo. That’s putting it frankly. HBO is known for captivating quality programming and True Blood is no longer that. While the finale had its moments it was a little more than disappointing. It was a relief to finally say “goodbye.”
Titled “Thank You” the finale owed it to the legions of True Blood fans to end on a good note. And maybe it did. Everyone but Sarah Newlin ended up with a happily ever after. As for Newlin, she finally got what was coming to her. Karma’s a real ‘b’ word. Pam was as good as her word, she turned Newlin into the highest paid trollop in history.
Eric is still King of Fangtasia, sitting on his throne just as he always has, which is somewhat perplexing since he and Pam should be multimillionaires at this point. Maybe he’s nostalgic. Eric and Pam are the finale’s highlights, in my opinion. Let’s backtrack…
Before becoming the savvy New Blood entrepreneurs, our favorite duo had to dispense of the Yakuza and claim Newlin for themselves. Acquiring Newlin was easy, a few drops of Pam’s blood and they could track her down anywhere. The Yakuza on the other hand should have been problematical. But they weren’t.
After Eric murders the Yakuza in mere seconds he takes off with their tricked out sports car, their bodies in the back and blood still freshly splattered on his face. Pleased with his success Eric head bops to the music which makes for one of the most comical scenes of the night. So hilarious, I expect to see these GIFs all over the internet.
Bill Compton dies with the show, but it’s what he wanted. As he told Sookie, he loved her too much to give up and she’d never move on if he was still around — death was the only option. As Bill said to her in the show’s opening moments, “How many times have you sworn me off? How many times have you promised no more vampires?” The man has a point.
While the finale had a few laugh out loud moments, it lacked gore and sex appeal which are the two things True Blood fans tune in for. Sure Sookie was covered in Bill’s gooey mess after she staked him, but somehow that one scene doesn’t quite cut it. I’d hoped to see a chilling fight scene or a steamy encounter, you know, something that makes your heart beat a little faster. Instead we got a sappy ending to a once thrilling vampire soap. At least the ending wasn’t as awful as Dexter‘s. Some fans (not this one) might even like it.
Aurora Snow Says
Series Finale Rating:
[Rating:2/5]
Editor’s Note: This rating has been corrected downward from the previous 3.5/5.
