Bill certainly has interesting tastes in music, as evidenced by the start of this episode, where we get to hear some Tuvan throat singing (or, as Sookie puts it, "crazy Chinese gargling"). I wish she hadn't gotten her panties in a twist over what Biill did to that cop in the previous episode. As Bill said, he could've done a lot worse to the guy. The point is he *didn't*, and yet Sookie freaks out. Like Bill says to her, she can't be frightened of everything she doesn't understand.
Lafayette amused me when he said, "Bring it on, hooker. I was all-parish in high school." while batting the things away that Tara was throwing at him. Then Adele amused me also when she was on the phone to some woman (who obviously wasn't as open-minded about vampires as Adele was), and the woman told her she was going straight to hell, to which Adele replied with, "Alright, same to you. Bye bye!" - she's so great. I'm glad she tried to make Sookie see reason and get over her unwarranted hissy fit regarding Bill. The meat thermometer in the sausage demonstration (which Jason uses to show Lafayette just what went on with his johnson in the last episode) was all kinds of wrong. And despite what Jason maintains... he *is* stupid - trying V again just proves that (and gee, I wonder why the Sheriff thinks you're a "sex maniac", Jason? Maybe because you ARE!).
Arlene was damn annoying as usual. I'm glad Sam finally got the chance to take Sookie out (too bad she only accepted because she was mad at Bill). And sorry you're all jealous over Sookie being on a date with Sam, Tara, but you *did* say that sex with him was "no strings attached" - so you can't verywell go and be mad at someone else wanting to date him, now can you?
Then we come to the scene where the episode really kicks into gear, with Bill talking at The Decendants of The Glorious Dead meeting. You had to feel for Bill, sitting out back, hearing the people out the front worrying about the danger of having a vampire present, then hearing that Sookie had arrived with Sam. Jason's tripping out on V brought with it some slightly cheesy effects. Getting to learn about Bill's history, back when he was known as First Lieutenant William Thomas Compton, was where the episode really shined. Everything from here on out was great, starting with him removing the flag (which had been draped over a big cross, to prevent Bill from bursting into flames) and him attaching it to the pole, informing everyone that he in fact does *not* burst into flames when standing before crosses, Bibles or in a church (tripped-out Jason's reaction to seeing him do this was kind of funny). More effective than sparking trees was Jason having a vision of himself being someone in Bill's flashback to the war.
Stephen Moyer is really great during this scene. He sells it completely, and I especially felt sorry for Bill when he's presented with a photo of his human family which he hasn't seen in so long. The crying blood was a neat little effect and the music adds to the whole moment. Adele's right - Bill was indeed "marvelous" during his talk. I like how well he was getting along with the people afterward (except Sam, of course. Nice way of sticking it to Sam, Bill, by pointing out that legally he's still Sookie's employer - even when they're off duty). Bill's "He seems nice.", in reference to Sam, was amusing. Speaking of Sam - he was doing so well on his date with Sookie (he was nice, said all the right things and was probably doing a good job of "charming" her)...but then he had to go and ruin things. Sam's undoing is his jealousy over anyone else who takes an interest in Sookie. Everything was fine until he started objecting to her kissing Bill and sticking his nose into her private life.
The Sheriff and Andy questioning Bill at his home was another great scene (possibly the best scene involving those two slightly annoying characters). Bill's polite attitude towards their questioning him made him all the more likable. The use of Bill's "toaster" - to send us into further flashbacks, which explain its importance - was well done. Very moody, very atmospheric flashback - with the gloomy cottage in the middle of the woods which Bill stumbles upon. His encounter with the widow inside (Lorena) proves to be a memorable one. After her story of what others had done when she offered them food/a place to stay, you almost felt sorry for her...that is until she revealed herself to be a vampire and turned Bill (using his desire to see his family again against him/to convince him to drink her blood). Then we get the truly painful (for Bill) scene of him seeing his family one last time from afar, and being informed by Lorena that he in fact can *never* be with them again. Stephen Moyer is amazing in this scene (infact, both actors are in ALL of their scenes together), as you can see the agony he's going through (and how he's compelled to follow his maker against his wishes). More great use of music here. Watching Bill take out his fillings on the fireplace (thus fulfilling the title of this episode and indeed making 'sparks fly out') is a very emotional moment.
Then, of course, there's even more emotion at the end of the episode, when Sookie discovers her Gran bloodied and dead. First Dawn, now Adele. Quit killing off the awesome characters, show! This episode and the next one are probably the best of the season.
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