Relationships were volatile as hell on True Blood, and while they certainly had some ups and downs (and more downs), Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) had each other’s backs through all of the drama in Bon Temps. Between the supernatural forces at work — Tara does become a vampire, after all — and the darkness in their family, these cousins faced an awful lot over the course of seven short seasons. However, even if it came in the form of very tough love, these two were at the core a team — one where they were required to always keep it real and keep the other in check when they crossed the line in an effort to be there for each other.
While you may not have vampires, werewolves, witches, and maenads to contend with, there are plenty of things that make your family life a tricky business. However, despite the stressors of life, you know that you always have their backs and they have yours. Still, serving up a little realness now and then probably wouldn’t go amiss. In those moments, channel your inner Tara or Lafayette and bring a little True Blood (which you can stream on HBO Now) to wherever you are.
“I work here.” — Tara
“No, the hell you don’t.” — Lafayette
“Oh yes, the hell I do too, you ugly b*tch. You need to make peace with that.” — Tara
“Sh*t, Sam must have lost his damn mind, because you should not be allowed to work in no situation where you actually gotta interact with people.” — Lafayette
Tara and Lafayette know each other better than anyone else, and that knowledge gives them more than a little insight into things the other would excel or fail at. Tara is known as a combative person, so working at a redneck bar might not be her best fit. So, the next time the family loud mouth decides to take up a job in customer service, it might be best to remind them of their other strengths.
“You’re too busy praising Jesus to realize your daughter wants to move in with him permanently.” — Lafayette
Being an advocate for those closest to you is one of the most powerful aspects of the familial bond. When the world is going crazy, you’ve gotta have their back, even if that means being brutally honest in the face of opposition. When Tara’s mother was too focused on her own issues that she ignored the pain she was going through in season three after losing Eggs (Mehcad Brooks), Lafayette was there to talk sense into Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) and go to the mat for Tara when no one else would.
“What the hell is wrong with me, Lafayette? — Tara
“Life ain’t not having problems, Tara! It’s about being able to deal with the ones you got.” — Lafayette
“Well, obviously I can’t.” — Tara
“You can and you will, if I gotta drag your narrow ass through this world kicking and screaming. Buddha wasn’t lying when he said life is suffering. It don’t mean you get to check out early and leave me here.” — Lafayette
Sometimes offering a shoulder to cry on is the best thing you can do for a family member in crisis. When things get tough and you can’t always fix it, sometimes encouragement is the best thing you can offer. When Tara is in dire straits, Lafayette is always there with a pill to take away the pain and words of wisdom to help her keep going.
“There’s some darkness in this family, Tara. My momma, your momma. But they ain’t strong enough to beat it. We are!” — Lafayette
Family drama can be like a cancer, but when you’ve got someone on your side who knows and understands, that can make all the difference. While their mothers may be taken down by the darkness in their family and in Bon Temps, Tara and Lafayette shoulder the burden and keep pressing on.
“What? I got a powerful immune system.” — Lafayette
“You have a powerful death wish is what you got!” — Tara
When those closest to you seem hellbent on self-destruction, sometimes you just gotta accept it and stitch them up. However, giving them a little piece of your mind is in the family job description and Tara and Lafayette never shied away from doing that.
“Tequila and Klonopin, baby girl. A steady diet of that will keep them thoughts away ’til y’alls more equipped to deal with them.” — Lafayette
While alcohol and pills probably aren’t (definitely aren’t) the healthiest way to deal with problems, offering relief in times of trouble is never not welcome. When things are looking dark, it never hurts to be the one who brings a little light to the family, even if that is just mixing up a pitcher of margaritas.
“Bring it on, hooker. I was all-parish in high school.” — Lafayette
Sometimes the most helpful thing you can do is offer yourself up as a (figurative) punching bag for them to vent their frustrations at. It’s not the most fun part of being in a family, but it can be necessary. When someone needs to get it all out, sometimes you just need to let it roll and for them to let it all out.
“Don’t you feel sorry for yellin’ at that snoopy old b*tch. She’s been stickin’ her nose where it don’t belong for years.” — Tara
“Say it. I mean, if she talked any more sh*t she’d be shaped like a toilet.” — Lafayette
The family that laughs together sticks together. If you can’t bond by making fun of the same jerks, then what even is the point?
“What’s wrong with you, Tara? Are you even in there?” — Lafayette
Part of showing real love to your family is calling them out when you know they’re making mistakes. When Tara gets involved with Maryann’s (Michelle Forbes) cult in season two, Lafayette is one of the few who decide to help her find her way back from the brink. It isn’t an easy job, and Tara certainly gives him hell for it, but ultimately it strengthens their bond and helps Tara get back in the light.
