What I’m Watching: True Blood (Season Finale)

True Blood: Season 4, Episode 12 “And When I Die” (B+)

And with that, the fourth season of this show is concluded. It’s an admittedly packed final episode that doesn’t convey just what will be the focus of the next season, entirely ignoring Andy’s encounter from last week and setting up a few major, unexpected cliffhangers. Before we get to those, we have the resolution of everything with Marnie, as she possesses Lafayette and forces Jesus to give up his black magic, sacrificing his life in the process. Holly, Sookie, and Tara did an impressive job of summoning the spirits, including Gran and Antonia, to take her down. Gran’s appearance was particularly entertaining, as she reached in and pulled Marnie out of Lafayette’s body. Nelsan Ellis has been hard at work this season playing many different parts, and it’s fun to see him as both himself and Marnie in this installment. The death of Jesus is sad, but it’s touching that he returns to see Lafayette and tells him that he’s cool with how things went. The fact that it happened to be Halloween and everyone was dressed up added an additional haunting element to this episode, specifically when it came to Arlene being outside the bar and having a frightening run-in with Rene. I’m curious to see what Scott Foley’s Patrick will bring to the table next season. Jessica coming to see Jason dressed as Red Riding Hood was layered with subtext, and I liked the fact that they resolved their relationship so that it might actually make them both happy. Unfortunately, the return of Steve in vampire form is definitely going to shake things up considerably. Bill and Eric drinking from Sookie’s arms at the same time was quite a sight, and I enjoyed the fact that Bill volunteered his acceptance of Sookie wanting to be with Eric but that Eric didn’t do the same. It seems like Sookie might be best off choosing Alcide, who will now be more involved in the storyline thanks to whatever bizarre connection to vampires he now has as of the end of the episode. Nan getting fired was an interesting twist, though hardly as startling as Eric and Bill murdering him after she insults them and their love for Sookie. Debbie clearly has it in for Sookie, and may just have done this show a huge favor by offing Tara. Sookie, for once, lets out some repressed rage and shoots Debbie with the shotgun, presumably giving her a guilty conscience. We also have a clean Andy and Holly making a platonic connection, and Sam preparing to move on with his life somehow. This has been a bit of a scattered, frantic season, but it’s been extremely interesting and highly enthralling. I’m looking forward to season five.

Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette