True Blood!

True Blood is back for Season 4!!! My major concern regarding the show is this will be the season when it jumps the shark, but, once committed to a show, I stick with it despite how bad it gets, like I did for the Soprano’s despite the drop off in quality for the 5th season and huge decline in quality for the 6th. The worse show I ever stuck with was Beverly Hills, and that really jumped the shark, but I hung in there for 10 god damn seasons. However, after watching the first two episodes of True Blood I’m optimistic that the Season will remain high quality television.

Season 4 starts with Sookie going to fairy land, which turned out to be filled with goblins. When Sookie first goes to fairyland, she is supposed to eat some glowing fruit, which makes everything in the land seem great. Sookie realizes this is a trap. While in fairyland, Sookie runs into her grandfather who was unaware that he had been in the land for 20 years, and it “felt like only a few weeks.” This storyline was very 1980’s fairies and goblins, and reminded me of a bad take on Labyrinth, with David Bowie. Sookie quickly leaves fairyland and returns home to find she has been gone for a year, despite the fact that she feels like she has only been gone for about 15 minutes, but in fairyland, “time works differently.” This whole storyline sucked and was a huge “Ho yes!” I was concerned that we had just jumped the shark, but it got better.

Upon Sookie’s return we find out Jason has become a cop, sold Sookie’s house, and is helping the hillbilly Ringwood people. But, I’ll return to Jason in a minute. We find out that Bill is now Vampire king of Louisiana. We then find out in the second episode that Bill trapped previous Queen Sophie Ann, with the assistance of Nan Flanagan, the head of the Vampire something-or- another League. Bill lies to Nan and tells her there is nothing special about Sookie.

We find out at the end of Season 4 Episode 1, and the beginning of Episode 2 that Eric bought Sookie’s house. Eric informs Sookie that he could feed off her without her consent but wants her to give herself to him (Eric) and he will protect her, which she will need once other vampires find out she is a fairy. The sexual tension between Eric and Sookie grows and grows, but with no delivery.

Jason, upon trying to help the hillbillies, who are also were-panthers, is trapped by his former potential romance from Season 3 (Crystal) and her new boyfriend, Filton, the one who took her at the end of season 3. Jason is tied to a bed and is informed that he is going to need to mate with Crystal. This was a pretty funny scene, which is hard for me to say because the Jason sub-plots generally have been the worst part of the show, like when Jason became religious in season 2 (yawn) but I digress. So, Jason asks how Filton is okay with her (Crystal) having sex with him (Jason). Jason also wants to know why Filton is removing his pants when Crystal informs him that she wants to make a baby with him. Well, Jason is told that he is going to be converted to a were-panther to ensure “the blood line” and he is selected because Filton can’t make babies. The scene ends with Crystal and Filton turning into panthers and biting Jason.

In the most interesting story line, Lafayette has joined a witch coven, which he initially is skeptical of, but comes to give it try by being convinced by his boyfriend, Jesus. Bill summons Eric to investigate the coven as he learns that this coven is using some witchcraft that can control the dead. Eric busts into the coven, and Lafayette says “oh shit!” Eric tells the head of the witches that she needs to cease practicing witchcraft. Lafayette tells the head witch “do what he (Eric)says; he tends to get what he wants.” Lafayette knows this because he was held captive by Eric in Season 2 for selling vampire blood. Tara, back from New Orleans where she is now in a lesbian relationship and lying about her identity, attempts to stab Eric who grabs her. Lafayette regretfully stands up to Eric to save Tara. The witch is able to presumably cast a spell on Eric, and last we see of him, Eric is wandering shirtless unaware of his identify. Eric is discovered by Sookie who is looking for him to get her house back, which Eric has purchased, but Eric does not recognize her because of his witch induced trance, and wants to know “why she smells so good.”

Now, the boring subplots… Arlene is concerned her baby is evil. In another boring subplot, head sheriff Andy Bellflur is hooked on vampire blood (yawn.) Slightly less boring (and ever so slight) Sam is hanging out with a group of shifters and has a new love interest (Luna).

So, the stories are weaving together nicely, at least the vampires and the witches, and should provide for some good plot twists and drama. There have been some funny parts already. Also, True Blood has stepped up their nudity and sex as each episode has contained several graphic scenes so far. I’m already looking forward to Episode 3!

If I was James Dolan…

I would be a douchebag (HY)! Now seriously, with draft day looming it’s time to start thinking about what the Knicks should do. The Knicks have one more year with D’Antoni. The Knicks are obviously locked into Melo and Amare who account for roughly 40 million under the cap. Unfortunately, they picked up the pricey extension for Chauncey to come back for about 15 million. Aside from these three, they don’t have any big contracts. As far as movable assets, Fields and Douglas cost practically nothing, and are both young decent players which make them attractive in a trade. Also, the Knicks have the 17th pick in the draft. Thus, the idea of a combination of Fields and/or Douglas with their draft pick is being floated in various scenarios.

Of course, the summertime for the NBA is time for the rumor mill to be in full effect. The rumors so far for possible Knicks moves have the possibility of trading one their assets (Fields or Douglas) plus their pick for Minnesota’s point guard (PG) Johnny Flynn. Flynn was a top ten pick two seasons ago, but had a hip injury and a sophomore slump. This move doesn’t make sense to me (aside from the fact that we could have had a number of better PG’s in Jennings, Lawson, and Holiday and passed on all them for Jordan Hill, SMH!). I think Douglas is as good Flynn plus has more size and shooting range. Next, is the idea of trading one of their assets and pick to move up to land BYU’s Jimmer Freddete. Jimmer was the country’s college leading scorer. Concerns about Jimmer (as with every white guy) is his speed and defense. I think the knock on his speed is not well founded; however, his defense does remain a question mark. The big gamble with Jimmer is his ability to make the leap. The upside is his range and desire to be a Knick, which he has said would be his 1st choice (mom is it my choice). In other moves, the idea of trading Chauncey for Steve Nash has been floated. What the Knicks will probably do is draft the best player available with their pick, like a Chris Singleton guy, and stay put on all these moves and make a move next season.

What I would do if I were the Knicks GM is to go after the best big man available. Restricted and unrestricted big men include Tyson Chandler and Marc Gasol. Rumors have the Bucks wanting to trade Bogut. I would also make the Chauncey for Nash trade if I could. I would stay away from Vince Carter and Bonzi Wells, both of whom are available and have been talked about in connection to the Knicks. I think we should go after any of these legit big men, hopefully Chandler, and with a good PG like Nash, plus Melo and Amare, the Knicks are in the mix in the east. I would also use the pick and one of my assets to move up for Jimmer. I believe he is worth the gamble.

Now, if the Knicks are unable to sign a big man or trade Billups I would stay put and look to get Deron Williams or Chris Paul at the end of the season. As an aside, I can’t see Deron signing an extension with the Nets but who knows. I think the Knicks are in decent position moving forward. My major concern is still Melo’s ability to become a leader and bring a championship back to the Garden. Also, after next season I would say goodbye to D’Antonti. Let’s go Knicks!!!

Prayer Answered

Dear God,

Thank you.

Walt Clyde Frazier

A Prayer

Dear God,

If you can hear me... let Dallas beat Miami in the NBA Finals.

Walt Clyde Frazier