Recap 7.8 True Blood “Almost Home”

“What are we doing now? We’re doing something stupid, aren’t we?”

Again, I spent most of the episode waiting for a character I care about to die. But no, and hallelujah. Eric was cured and didn’t even die ironically some other way at the end of the episode. Come on, True Blood. Just keep him alive for two more episodes and make me happy, won’t you?

I’m even starting to wonder if the True Blood powers that be are going to kill Bill and give us a Sookie/Eric ending, after all. They’ve been building up to Bill’s death all season, and I was certain he would perish in a puddle of goo before Sookie got the cure to him. (Why didn’t she just take some of Sarah’s blood back to Bill in a handy Tupperware container or something?) Bill’s inner reflections and costume flashbacks have gotten him to the point where he has acknowledged that he’s sick of his un-life and ready to die. Maybe not until the final episode, though.

Eric got better, and where did he go? To tell Sookie. How about that. And I really enjoyed Sookie going to Fangtasia to read minds and figure out how to cure Bill, because it felt a lot like what she did so often in the Charlaine Harris books. Eric played along beautifully, too, by telling (mostly) the truth that he and Sookie used to be a thing and that her brother was a deputy, etc., and skilfully getting her out of danger. And the battle of Fangtasia a few episodes back came into play because Sookie knew how to get into the basement. Even though it didn’t save Bill since he didn’t want to be saved.

Gus’s evil plan was revealed: he wants to create a permanent flow of profits by making Hep V vampires into Nu-Blood addicts. I’m pretty sure Eric and Pam won’t let that happen. They never do exactly what they’re told, twenty years in a video store notwithstanding.

Violet doesn’t take rejection well, does she? That was Hoyt’s best entrance ever, although I knew something would happen to stop it. If Violet had done even one of the horrible tortures that she described in excruciating detail, it would have been way too much. I bet Adilyn and Wade will never run away again. And how about the symmetry? Even though he wasn’t aware of it, Hoyt got revenge on the vampire who killed his mother. Very nice.

Hoyt is still strongly attracted to Jessica, even though he doesn’t remember her, and it’s clear that Jessica is still nuts about Hoyt. How kind and thoughtful he was, bringing Jessica some of his own blood for Bill, telling her truthfully about how Maxine’s death had made him feel. There was even that romantic moment with them on either side of a closed door she couldn’t open. Very Buffy and Spike. I wonder how he’ll react when he finds out the truth? Will it stop their reconnection in its tracks? I hope not.

If it’s a Hoyt/Jessica happy ending, where does that leave Jason? They gave Jason a couple of really nice moments in this episode. He’s aware that his girlfriends don’t see him as the adult he could be, and that his past choices have been poor ones. It feels like they introduced Brigette as a blonde consolation prize for Jason at the end of the series. I don’t think it’s enough, even though she seems pretty sweet.

I left the most moving plotline to discuss last. Tara, who was apparently just a ghost after all, made a beautiful peace with her mother. Tara revealed that she had buried the gun her father was searching for the last time he abused Lettie Mae. “No more blame, Mama. Forgive yourself, and let me go.” I actually cried. How lovely that the Rev chose to experience it all with them, and that Lafayette got to say goodbye to Tara, too.

And James was right there, ready to help them all again. He is like the nicest, most uncomplicated vampire they’ve had on this show. What a sweetie.

Bits and pieces:

— During the afterglow, Bill revealed to Sookie that Sophie-Anne’s master plan was to capture Sookie and breed her. That sounds like Sophie-Anne.

— There have been a lot of references to having babies this season. Bill dreamed that Sookie gave birth to his baby, and it was a black hole.

— Sookie was driving Alcide’s truck to Fangtasia.

— Sarah Newlin wants to die as a martyr messiah. I’m okay with the martyr part.

— Loved the set decoration in Violet’s manse o’ madness, as well as the choral music.

Quotes:

Lettie Mae: “Sometimes you gotta take a journey, even if it’s a blind one.”

Jason: “I gotta stop making bad decisions, Jess.”
Indeed.

Pam: “I hate those bottles. Let’s talk microwavable cans.”

Hoyt: “There’s just something about Jessica. I can’t shake it.”

Eric: “He’s sick, Pam. He got it from Sookie, so he’s progressing fast.”
Pam: “Of course it’s happening fast. It’s Sookie. Everything she wants, she has to have now.”

Eric: (to Sarah) “Quiet, antidote.”

Another well-composed, well-written episode about our main characters, and a terrific farewell to Tara. I’ve been very happy with the final season so far, so let’s hope the last two continue the trend.

Three out of four ruined birthday cakes,

Billie Doux
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Billie Doux is the founder of Doux Reviews and has been reviewing her favorite shows for a ridiculously long time. More Billie Doux.