After a couple of episodes that by True Blood standards could be considered slow, season two kicked up a gear this week with Hard-Hearted Hannah. Deepening the mystery considerably, episode six also has more than its fair share of revelations. It seems that Bill and his maker’s relationship back in the 20s generally involved pretending to be French, and robbing and feeding on unsuspecting flappers. Kind of a blood-sucking Bonnie and Clyde. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the well-mannered Southern gentleman vamp we’ve come to know is a fairly recent development – prohibition-era Bill was a very different vampire, indeed. Despite his newfound angst, Marina still loves him, and as Eric has proved, vamps are incredibly loyal to their makers. Although that loyalty probably has something to do with the fact that vamps are powerless against their makers, leaving Bill pinned to the bed. Kidnapping Sookie isn’t the only criminal act the minister has planned for the weekend, though, oh no. Having charged Jason and a de-clawed Luke-inator with building a platform and crucifix for the sacrifice of a vampire, Steve is ready to fire the first shot in the war he so desperately wants. Thanks to the good reverend’s sudden lust for blood, the first lady has consulted with God and decided that it’s her destiny to be the great woman behind the great man that is Jason Stackhouse, and not Steve Newlin. Which is just as well, because Jason just can’t get behind the whole abstinence thing. And if it’s what God wants, what’s a man-whore to do? Continuing the semi-revelatory nature of the episode, Sam, Tara and Eggs each find out something they probably wish they hadn’t, culminating in what could be a very bloody end for poor Sam. They leave for home immediately and arrive to find the place trashed – Maryann is having another one of her parties. The pair follow a trail of clothes to a clearing in the woods, and walk into a full on Bon Temps orgy, with Maryann at the centre. Meanwhile, the too good to be true Daphne reveals that she is, in fact, just that. After shifting into an all too familiar pig, she takes Sam to Maryann’s orgy. Or rather, drags him there against his will. Seeing the whole town – including Tara and Eggs – all demon-eyed and naked would be bad enough, but that’s the least of his worries. It seems the good reverend, and Bon Temps own pagan god have more in common than they’d like to think, being as they’re both in the sacrificial mood. Intriguing as always, Hard-Hearted Hannah gives us just enough new information to keep us guessing, but doesn’t really give any definitive answers – just the way a supernatural mystery is supposed to play out. Putting both Sam and Sookie in danger with no obvious form of rescue apparent for either is fantastic, but it’s unlikely we’ll lose either of them – although it would be a brave move. What’s most intriguing about this episode is, as always, Maryann. Whatever she’s up to, it became clear this week that she’s been planning it for a while now – Daphne finally mentions the attack that left her scarred, and it places the beast’s arrival in town weeks before. With only six episodes left in the series, the answers to these questions are tantalizingly close, and it’s excruciating. In the best possible way, of course. Check out our review of episode 5 here.
