Ep 9. Life Matters

As the penultimate episode of True Blood's sixth season, "Life Matters" delivers an action-packed hour of television. As the war between humans and vampires continues to escalate, the stakes have never been higher for Sookie, Bill, Eric, and the rest of Bon Temps' supernatural community.

The episode opens with a dire scene, as Bill's Hep-V infection has reached a critical point. His skin is flaking off in huge chunks, and he's in immense pain. Despite his deteriorating condition, Bill is determined to carry out his plan to "save" his fellow vampires by having them drink his infected blood and become immune to Hep-V. Meanwhile, Sam is dealing with a crisis of his own: Nicole and her mother have been kidnapped by the anti-supernatural vigilantes, and he's determined to rescue them.

Throughout the episode, we see a number of different storylines intersect and collide. Sookie is forced to confront Warlow again, as he's the only one who can use his faerie powers to heal Bill. She's still grappling with her feelings for both Warlow and Bill, and it's clear that she's torn between the two men. As the plot unfolds, we learn more about Warlow's past and his motivations, which adds an extra layer of complexity to his character.

Elsewhere, Eric is still dealing with the aftermath of his tryst with Governor Burrell's daughter. He's being hunted by the governor's men, and he's forced to go on the run. We see him teaming up with his old flame, the vampire Sylvie, as they try to evade capture. As always, Eric is a force to be reckoned with, and his scenes are some of the most entertaining of the episode.

In the midst of all this chaos, there are also some quieter, character-driven moments that give the show a chance to breathe. Lafayette and James share a tender moment, where they both open up about their past traumas and how they've shaped who they are. Jessica and Jason have a heart-to-heart, where Jessica reveals her fears about turning Jason into a vampire. And Sam has a poignant conversation with his pregnant girlfriend, where he vows to protect her and their unborn child no matter what.

As the episode builds towards its climax, it's clear that no one is safe. We see characters being captured, tortured, and killed off in short order. There's a real sense of danger and urgency to the proceedings, and it's clear that the show is hurtling towards a bloody finale.

In the end, "Life Matters" is a rollercoaster ride of an episode that expertly balances action, drama, and character development. It's a testament to the show's strengths that even in its sixth season, it can still surprise and shock its viewers. True Blood may be about vampires, werewolves, and faeries, but at its core, it's a show about people struggling to find their place in a world that doesn't always accept them. "Life Matters" captures that spirit perfectly.