True Blood': Meet Roman

On Sunday's episode of "True Blood," Chris Meloni made his appearance, Sookie and Lafayette fought to control new vampire Tara, and Bill and Eric narrowly evaded the true death. For now.
But let's start with Tara attacking Sookie after emerging from the ground as a vampire. The best part of this storyline? Pam is Tara’s (reluctant) maker!

When Lafayette asked Pam to do something about belligerent Tara, she coolly responded, “I am. I’m laughing.” But before leaving, she commanded Tara not to bite Lafayette or Sookie.
At work, one of Pam’s co-workers asked her why she was so dirty. “I was in the ground, what’s your excuse?” Pam gets all the best lines.
Still under the impression that Eric was avoiding her, Pam reminisced about their first meeting in San Francisco in 1905 after she found her friend Claire dead in the brothel she operated. (Judging by poor human Pam’s devastation, I’m guessing Claire was her girlfriend? Or maybe she was always soft-hearted deep down.)
Pam was attacked while walking home alone, but a handsome vampire in a top hat came to her rescue: Eric. He told her that ladies should be careful in that area at night, to which Pam responded, "If I meet a lady, I’ll let her know.” I miss these two and their banter!
Of course, Eric wasn’t just avoiding his best friend and “daughter.” He and Bill were hauled into the Vampire Authority’s impressive headquarters in New Orleans. They were thrown into a cell with Norah and then interrogated about Nan Flanagan, but they refused to betray each other.
Back in Bon Temps, Martha told Alcide that as the new packmaster he must devour the deceased packmaster, her son Marcus. But he refused, and said he had no interest in being part of a pack anymore. Something tells me this won’t last.
After her talk with Alcide, Martha went to see Emma and Luna. When Luna kicked her out, Sam suggested that Martha had a right to see her granddaughter. So she kicked him out too. Later that night, Luna went into Emma’s room and found that her daughter had shifted into an adorable little wolf cub. It seems Luna is her father’s daughter after all.
Meanwhile in the police station, a teenage boy accused Jason of causing his parents’ divorce. Jason didn’t remember sleeping with the boy’s mother at first, and Andy asked him, “Have you slept with every woman in this town?” Jason responded, “I don’t know. I’m close, I guess.”
Jason’s on-and-off paramour Jessica was throwing another frat-tastic party when a surprise visitor showed up: Rev. Steve Newlin, showing off his new vampire dance moves.
Steve offered Jessica $10,000 for Jason and his rock-hard butt. She played along, getting him up to $20,000 before turning on him and insisting that she’d never sell her friend. A ridiculous, hilarious catfight ensued.
Back at Sookie’s house, she found Lafayette with a stake over Tara’s heart. LALA, DO IT GIRL! But before my dream could come true, Sookie thwarted his plan and convinced him that Tara could one day be happy as a vampire. Tara, happy? Doubtful.
When she woke up, Tara told them she’ll never forgive them for turning her into a vampire. She’s so predictable. I hope this storyline explores more than her self-hatred and resentment.
In New Orleans, we finally met the new villain Roman, played by Christopher Meloni. He's a religious zealot who, along with the other members of the Authority (including the amazing Carolyn Hennesy of "General Hospital"), believes that vampires were created in God’s image and that humans were only created as their nourishment.
Roman threatened Bill and Eric with the true death but Bill saved the day, vowing to bring secretly alive Russell to the Authority.
Then we saw Russell. And he was disgusting. Body parts were strewn on the floor, and Russell was covered in scaly, flaky skin. His bloody tongue darted out of his mouth. Terrifying!
The episode lacked the blood, sex and dark wit that makes “True Blood” so much fun to watch, but it certainly advanced the story. And we finally had a glimpse of some of the vampire villains. I’m excited!
What did you think of last night’s episode and Roman’s first appearance?