I’ve had a little time to think about the season finale now and these are my conclusions.  Season 3 was not nearly as satisfying as seasons 1 and 2.  There were too many storylines pulling all of the characters in different directions and too many unexplained supernatural beings to keep track of.  Rather than resolving anything, the finale left everything to be continued in season 4.  This wasn’t a cohesive season.  That being said, I still look forward to each episode.  I still care about most of the characters and worry about what they’re getting themselves into.  I’m frustrated with the season because I want more than what the creators could fit into twelve one hour episodes.  Perhaps season 3 and 4 will make a more complete arc the way the previous seasons did on their own.

As I said, the finale didn’t resolve anything.  I’m still wondering what being half-fae (or fairy) means for Sookie; whether Jesus is good for Lafayette or bad; how the vampire hierarchy works; if Arlene is really carrying Satan’s spawn; and what werewolf Debbie has been up to.  Adding to questions I’ve had for awhile, now I’m also wondering if Hoyt’s mother is about to kill someone (hopefully not); if Russell can escape from the cement and heal in our lifetimes; and if Jason will ever see Crystal again (hopefully not).  But the biggest wtf moment for me was when Sam seemingly fired a gun at his own brother.

Sam, Sam, Sam.  We need to have a talk Mr. Merlotte.  First off, your family is bad people, but they did not come looking for you, you found them.  Then without being asked, you chased your parents away and promised Tommy a new life.  You gave him a half-assed chance to turn his life around, and then ordered him to leave.  Sure he stole from you, (money I thought you offered him anyway to go to college) but as he said, what is he supposed to do?  He revealed that he can’t even read because he was never allowed to go to school.  Instead of compassion (that could have been your fate if your mother hadn’t put you up for adoption!) you possibly shoot him down in the dark.  I’m very disappointed in you Sam.  In previous seasons you were always the knight in shining armor for characters who couldn’t fend for themselves.  Seeing the depth of your darkness is like finding out there is no Santa Claus.

I was also a little appalled by Sookie.  I hope she’s just suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome because watching her laugh maniacally as Talbot’s remains went down the garbage disposal was disturbing.  Seeing her yell at Bill about betraying her for the umpteenth time when each time he has to explain that he was pretend-betraying her was also rough.  Even if he did intend to procure her for Queen Sophie Ann, he never actually did.  The allowing her to get beaten up so that she would drink his blood thing is pretty bad.  And I’m not sure Bill tried to kill Eric to protect Sookie as much as to keep them apart because he’s afraid she might have feelings for Eric.  But still, they should be able to work it out!

This is the first season finale where we didn’t lose any major characters (with the possible exception of the luckless Tommy).  I have a feeling Russell will be back a lot sooner than Eric anticipates.

Luckily after a few humorless weeks, this episode brought back some of the classic light moments.  My favorite came during a staring contest between Bill and Alcide.  ”Well, if you two have finished eye-f—ing each other,” quipped Eric, “can we go?”

I also enjoyed Russell’s interjection when Alcide flirted with Sookie. ”I can’t help it if I’m a good guy,” Alcide said.  Russell snickered. ”Yeah, every full moon he turns into a wolf and kills and eats his prey.” ”Rabbits and squirrels, not people,” Alcide shouted back. ”Details,” Russell replied.

And Hoyt’s mother’s ill-conceived intervention was fun as well, especially when she pushed the shamed guidance counselor out of the group hug at the end.  However, it did not prepare me for her buying a gun with a determined look that could only mean she’s going after Jessica.

I was also unprepared for Sookie joining the other fae people in the graveyard and vanishing in the final moments of the episode.  I do want more insights into her people and history, but I’m not sure how she can abandon Bon Temps like that.  Also, I don’t want to have to watch a bunch of scenes of fae dancing and cavorting about because that was one of my least favorite spectacles this year.

As I’m wrapping up my coverage of season 3, I want to take one more moment to honor my fallen friend, Franklin, who I will greatly miss in the coming seasons.  The scenes he was in are still my favorite of the disjointed season.  I hate that I have to wait the seven or eight months until season 4 starts, but only because I love the show so much (even when I complain, it’s from a place of love).

So, what were your conclusions?  Who doesn’t have long to live?  What couples have a chance at a happy ending?  What story line are you most anxious to see continued?