True Blood: “Let’s Boot and Rally” (Episode 5.05)

Between this week’s barfing, barking and breaking and entering, we’re starting to remember what we love best about True Blood.

“Let’s Boot and Rally” finds our fantastic four reunited as Bill and Eric team up with Sookie and Alcide to hunt down Russell Edgington. Alcide’s friend Doug, the only other person to know of Russell’s burial, is suffering from glamnesia, thanks to a little vampire influence. Sookie uses her mind powers to dig around inside his head and learns that Russell, still looking like that baby velociraptor in Jurassic Park, was hidden in a creepy hospital. Doug in tow, the gang troops off to find Russell with some serious rated-R Scooby-Doo-style (completely with a “Holy shit snacks!” during their prowling). Before we move on, let’s all take a moment to say a prayer for Doug, who will no doubt fall victim to Star Trek’s red shirt rule within the next episode. Buh-bye, Doug.

Back at Fangtasia, Tara is experiencing the glamorous life of a vampire—as a bartender. It’s a strangely fitting spot for her, and for the first time since the season started, Tara’s power to annoy drops down to tolerable levels. Jessica shows up, and the two quickly start to bond over their vampiric desire to “feed and fuck” on everything with a heartbeat. It looks like the friendship will be short-lived, however. Hoyt shows up decked out in his “Thriller” finest, complete with popped purple collar, black nail polish and his steady supply of guyliner. Tara starts sipping on Hoyt, and we’re treated to a great, fast-paced girl fight between the two lady vamps.

The supernatural hook to Terry’s fire-flashbacks has finally been revealed, but it still lacks the necessary spark. Even though it’s great to see that Lost’s Smoke Monster found a job, the evil Ifrit/fire demon storyline is one I’d like to hose. We’ve got more serious things to worry about, okay?

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Speaking of serious, it looks like our favorite sassy cook has some serious problems to work through. Not only does Lafayette hallucinate talking statues, Jesus makes a long-awaited cameo—or at least his head does. The few Lafayette scenes we get are never fully explained, but it’s starting to look like a padded room might be in his future if this troll demon sticks around.

The last few minutes of “Let’s Boot and Rally” really pick up, even as things slow down. Roman delivers a great speech at the end, interspersed with shots of the True Blood cast. Luna and Sam are gunned down slow-mo style, with Sam left bleeding and unconscious and Luna looking pretty dead. Jason visits his parents’ grave, and the Russell hunting party finally finds their quarry. Each shot is perfectly timed and placed, and Christopher Meloni’s powerful voiceover really ties it all together.

“Let’s Boot and Rally” is the season’s first tipping point. The cast is reunited, and the action and suspense is back where it belongs. There’s been a major and much welcomed shift in the treatment of the show’s characters. Sookie has a new attitude and boldness about her that we love, and we’re not the only ones to notice. Bill in particular has finally begun to treat her as an equal and not a liability, as evidenced by him asking, “Are you ready?” rather than persuading her to stay put. With events finally set in motion, True Blood itself is finally sporting a bold new attitude. Season five has finally found its footing.

Fun Fact: Sookie refers to herself as having “microwave fingers.” Beats fairy magic, right?

Quote of the Night: “We say goodbye, and the next thing, you guys are back in my house and a 3,000-year-old vampire wants to suck my blood. Must be Thursday!”