In the Beginning (22 Jul. 2012)

In the aftermath of Roman's death, Russell and the other followers of Lilith celebrate their victory. Bill and Eric don't quite know what it all means for them but a taste of Lilith's blood... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Ruscio

Writers:

Alan Ball (creator), Charlaine Harris ("Sookie Stackhouse" novels by),

Stars:

Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Anna Paquin	...	Sookie Stackhouse
Stephen Moyer	...	Bill Compton
Sam Trammell	...	Sam Merlotte
Ryan Kwanten	...	Jason Stackhouse
Rutina Wesley	...	Tara Thornton
Alexander Skarsgård	...	Eric Northman
Chris Bauer	...	Andy Bellefleur
Kristin Bauer van Straten	...	Pam De Beaufort
Lauren Bowles	...	Holly Cleary
Valentina Cervi	...	Salome Agrippa
Nelsan Ellis	...	Lafayette Reynolds
Scott Foley	...	Patrick Devins
Janina Gavankar	...	Luna Garza
Lucy Griffiths	...	Nora Gainesborough
Todd Lowe	...	Terry Bellefleur

Storyline

In the aftermath of Roman's death, Russell and the other followers of Lilith celebrate their victory. Bill and Eric don't quite know what it all means for them but a taste of Lilith's blood sends them on a rampaging lust for blood. Eric gets advice from someone from his past. Sookie learns from her new friends in the faerie bar that her powers may be finite. Hoyt's new friends are the vampire-haters who shot Sam and Luna. Hoyt decides to join them and they set their sights on their next target: Jessica. Alcide prepares to fight for the leadership of the pack. Lafayette travels to Mexico to face his nemesis.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Details

Release Date:

22 July 2012 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Your Face Goes Here Entertainment

Did You Know?

Connections

References First Blood (1982)

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Soundtracks

"You Light Up My Life"
(uncredited)
Written by Joseph Brooks
Sung by Annie Abrams and Denis O'Hare

User Reviews

Rotten Lilith arc, shred story, Arlene must die but Supersam, exciting werewolves, playcop Jason and empathic Sookie

In my review of Hopeless I defined the Authority arc as disastrous but I still hoped that it would improve. Sadly "In the Beginning" wasn't this season "Cold Grey Light of Dawn". Lilith and her followers have reached the bottom of the barrel. Seriously who would be stupid or crazy enough to forgive Russell Edgington ? And the man isn't sane enough to hide the fact that he belongs in an asylum. Of course I understand that the writers intention is to criticize religion and terrorism but this time I couldn't find a single scene to save things. From the ridiculous party in the street to the B movie part featuring an unidentified blood drop turning into a naked woman (Species XIII ?) and a ghost whispering at Eric "Melinda Gordon" Northman. And what the hell happened between "Russell trapped in a silver fishnet" and "Russel in a black suit" ?

Don't get me wrong I don't hate True Blood as much as Hoyt hates Jessica now, even if I didn't really believe what he said. The show still has plenty of potential but sadly I can't take its flaws anymore. Indeed most episodes and specially this one seem like if they had been shred by enraged bats. Seriously I can't comprehend how it's possible to so badly tell a story. The editing is just an abomination and deserves a Razzie award ! The worst of the arcs ? It's probably the one with Arlene and Terry. It's sad because I care for the second and the smoke monster isn't such a bad idea but his wife drives me crazy. I didn't time her scene where she watches videos from her marriage but it was so dead boring that I thought I was hallucinating. What was the point of these precious minutes that felt like hours waiting for an haunted bus that never arrived ? We already knew they were friends and how much they love each other.

All in all it was impossible to enjoy the great supporting arcs and our immersion was constantly broken. Yes the werewolves and shapeshifters couldn't be more exciting and the best is yet to come. Sam sniffing all around and scratching his back on the ground delivered super fine entertainment ! As for Alcide's fight with the brunette it was both well choreographed and sexy. Jason making breakfast for Sookie and their declaration of love as brother and sister was heartbreaking and inspiring. Her fairy crisis is quite interesting and it was clever to use Jessica as a reminder of Jason and Hoyt friendship. And how shocking and cool was it to see him shoot Jessica right in the head ? If only the technique was applied to other characters in order to create a network of connections as captivating as Lost's one ! Instead the story tasted like a rotten milkshake where decent arcs like Lafayette's one are decayed by vicious greed.

For the moment I feel like giving up on the show so this could be my last review. The matter what my decision is I hope you guys enjoyed reading my past critics. As for the fans who will keep on watching True Blood I can only wish them to have as much as fun as I did. Indeed despite my deception I'm not ready to forget the fangtastic adventures of Sookie and her gang ! Ryan "Jason" Kwanten, Kristin "Pam" Bauer van Straten… Thanks for the inspiration, talent and overdose of killing humor !

Note : This review was first posted on Kritikenstein, my weblog.