‘True Blood’: Russell Edgington Returns — Season 5 Episode 2 RECAP

Plus, vampire Tara goes bananas! Is there any hope for Sookie’s crazy-eyed BFF?

After almost a year of not-so-patiently waiting for the return of Russell Edgintgon (Denis O’Hare), we finally got our first glimpse of the newly freed vampire on the June 17 episode of True Blood — and my God, does he look terrible! It’s obviously going to be a while before he’s ready to go all “Emily Thorne” on the vampires who put him in the ground, but I have a feeling it’ll be well worth the wait.

And speaking of angry vampires…

Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) and Nora (Lucy Griffiths) continued to have their undead asses handed to them by the Authority this week — but just when it looked like Roman (Christopher Meloni) was about to stake them both, Bill offered up a brilliant, though potentially disastrous, bargain: If the Authority released them, the beautiful duo of undead handsomeness would bring back Russell’s head.

Before I continue, can we take a minute to discuss all the Authority members we met this week? Carolyn Hennessy was such an inspired choice to play sassy Rosalyn — that woman can do no wrong — while Christopher’s Roman will soon have people asking themselves, “Stabler who?”

We were also introduced to the super-weird religious aspect of vampires this week: ”Before God created Adam and Eve, he created Lillith who, like God, was vampire.” There’s a group of religious vampire extremists, known as the Sanguinistas, that take the vampire bible literally, and feel that human-kind’s only purpose is to nourish vampires. I’m really looking forward to meeting them. They sound fun.

Meanwhile, Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) lived out their own version of Adventures In [Vampire] Babysitting, as a “f***tarded” Tara (Rutina Wesley) went on a hungry rampage and destroyed Sookie’s house. (Honestly, I don’t even know why Sookie even bothers to clean that place up anymore.) And after a hectic few days — during which time Sookie had to convince Lafayette not to stake his rabid cousin — Tara finally spoke:

“I will never forgive either of you,” she said, before rushing off into the night. Then she received a lovely parting gift in the form of silver spray to the face. Because that’s exactly what Bon Temps needs: a crazy, injured vampire running free with no maker to guide her.

Elsewhere, Tara’s maker was busy being an emotional wreck. Completely lost without Eric by her side, Pam (Kristin Bauer Van Straten) recalled first meeting the beautiful viking in the early 1900s; It was a romantic tale, full of dead hookers and bloody fingers. We’re seeing a very different side of Pam this season — she’s finally revealing just how vulnerable and insecure she really is — and I’m loving every minute of it.

And the series’ best love triangle ever got even spicier this week when Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian) offered to pay Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) $15,000 in exchange for Jason (Ryan Kwanten). He originally offered $10,000, but then Jessica was kind enough to remind Steve about Jason’s other-worldly ass — before reminding him that Jason is her friend, and thusly, he is not for sale.

Am I the the only person who’s kind of Team Newlin on this one? I hated him as a self-righteous preacher, but I’m loving him as a “Gay Vampire American,” and I’d be curious to see him in a relationship with Jason — even if it would require an immeasurable amount of glamouring.

Naturally, I saved the most ridiculous — and most adorable — twist for last: Luna’s (Janina Gavankar) daughter Emma had her first transformation this week! And yes, she’s most definitely a werewolf. Be honest: You audibly reacted to how cute she was as a little bebeh wolf. If you didn’t, you should probably check to make sure your heart still works.

What’s your take on this week’s big events? Is there any hope for Tara as a vampire? Do Eric and Bill even stand a chance against a pissed-off Russell? And are you, like me, secretly hoping we get a little Jason-Steve action? Drop me a comment with all your thoughts and theories!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

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First off, I was angry with this episode because instead of Alcide having a bitch-fight with Momma Cannibal, we could have easily had another Pam flashback. GOD I LOVE FLASHBACKS. I love Pam’s snarky-yet-vulnerable attitude. I love her. The Tara scenes actually kind of scared me. Though I agree that it’s about time that Tara die for good. She’s just wandering around breaking things all the time. I want to know what is going on with Debbie Pelt-dramafest, which was mostly put aside this episode. I loved the Authority scenes, Eric and Bills puppy faces… yum. Though I miss and long for Eric and Sookie’s cuddle scenes from last season when Eric was all “Who am I?!” and super cute. Um… this “review” went into a fan-girl rant. I’m going to start reading the books now, and I’m a little nervous. lol

OH! And my whole reason to comment at all was Steve Newlin’s little dance and fang-show-off at Jessica’s party was so freaking cute. Loving new Newlin. XD SO. CUTE.

I still watch this show mostly for the vampires and specifically for Eric and Pam. The authority was really interesting and I’m looking forward to Russell’s return. While I understand that they are a part of the TB world, I have zero interest in the Were/Shapeshifter storyline, and humorless, growling, continuously shirtless, muscle flexing Alcide grates on my last nerve. I liked Sam in the first season and im sorry the show destroyed his character for me. Luna’s little wolf, I thought the two natured did not change until they entered their teen years. I really enjoy Steve Newlin, he’s a real hoot, and I like the way he and Jason play off each other. Jessica’s teen queen is getting old. I like Terry, but he and Arlene add very little to TB.

For the love of all that is holy, if the writers make Tara the vampire as whiny as Tara the human I will stake the writers and Tara myself. The writers have a wonderful opportunity to pair up Pam and Tara to do some real damage as the evil vampire sisters. I love the Jessica/Newlin exchanges. I cracked up when Lafayette and Sookie tried to get a bottle of True Blood to Tara. And will Gran’s house ever be free of destruction? Loved the VA and their rituals, torture method and the building compound. Loved the Pam and Eric flashback. Loved Emma as a wolf pup. But honestly, I could do without the werewolf, fairy, witches, Terry/Arlene/Andy sub plots. But keep Alcide!