TRUE BLOOD 8/16/09 Open Spoilers [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

Rainbowthief

08-17-2009, 02:23 AM

Fuck, Godric killed himself! How terrible was that? He was my favorite new character and I'd really hoped to see him pop up now and then for future seasons. I loved his relationship with Eric, how he carried himself, the fact that he was so young when I was expecting someone who was at least in his late thirties when he was made into a vampire. Even his tattoos were cool. I kept hoping that Sookie would talk him out of it or something. I've got the most awful feeling right now, damn.

Anyway, very enjoyable episode for me, mostly thanks to Godric. I love that Sam is finally shifting into more practical animals than the damn dog (why doesn't he go to the Museum of Natural History or watch Jurassic Park so he can turn into a dinosaur?) and the fact that he's going to Andy Bellefleur, of all people, for help.

I still love Jessica and her relationship with Hoyt, but every time they're alone I get the terrible feeling that she's about to get killed. I hope she remains a regular.

I agree that Mary Ann has to go. They've stretched her story far enough, so I'm hoping they wrap it up in the three episodes left this season. Tara's turned kind of useless too, but I thought the same about Jason last season and I've actually grown to like him. I wonder if vampires are powerful enough to kill Mary Ann? According to Daphne, all "supernaturals" are immune to Mary Ann's black eye power, but could she survive a vampire ripping her to shreds?

With the exception of maybe two episodes, I think this season has been stronger than last season and they're moving, for the most part, in the right direction. I've never read any of the books but I'd like to see some of the other supernatural creatures, like werewolves, introduced in future story arcs.

sohvan

08-17-2009, 04:06 AM

Rubystreak

08-17-2009, 06:02 AM

I was very disappointed with Godric killing himself, even though that final scene had a poetic quality to it. There is nothing noble or atoning about commiting suicide. If he really wanted to make amends, he should have made them by living and trying to make the world a better place. Killing yourself off because you're bored is just a coward's way out, whether you're a vampire or not. I liked the character before. Now I don't know anymore.

I don't think Godric killed himself because he was bored. I think he killed himself because he realized that he'd spent the better part of two millenia being a monster and a crime against nature. He tried to atone for his crimes but only succeeding in making things worse, because he didn't think like a human or a vampire anymore. I can only imagine the ennui and depression one might feel in that situation. I agree that it was a waste, and felt very sorry for Eric, who obviously felt sincere love for him, but Godric's suicide was his choice to make. He illustrates the downside of living forever.

Totally agree with the OP about the scene with Sookie and Eric in bed-- HOT. I wasn't sure what the deal was with that dream. Did Eric cause her to have it? Did Lorena? Or was it all a product of her unconscious?

Seems like the vamps and Maryann are headed for their showdown, at last. I loved Lafayette as the ass kicking cousin looking out for Tara.

Good for Hoyt for standing up to his mama, even though she did speak the truth-- Jessica cannot give him children. Still, an awful thing for her to say.

Loved the Newlins bickering on national TV.

sohvan

08-17-2009, 06:41 AM

I don't think Godric killed himself because he was bored. I think he killed himself because he realized that he'd spent the better part of two millenia being a monster and a crime against nature. He tried to atone for his crimes but only succeeding in making things worse, because he didn't think like a human or a vampire anymore. I can only imagine the ennui and depression one might feel in that situation. I agree that it was a waste, and felt very sorry for Eric, who obviously felt sincere love for him, but Godric's suicide was his choice to make. He illustrates the downside of living forever.

I can't agree with that kind of reasoning. Perhaps saying that he was tired of (un)life is a better way of putting it instead of saying he was bored, but it still come down to the same thing in the end. I'm with Eric when he says that vampires are in that world whether they belong there or not. They are there whether Godric likes it or not, or thinks they should be. Him killing himself doesn't remove all vampires from the world, but rather it just means there's one less decent vampire in the world to fight the good fight. If there is ever going to be a future for a world with humans and vampires co-existing, the world needs more people like Godric not less.

Godric giving himself to the Fellowship in the first place was even dumber, as being killed by them would just potentially spark a human-vampire war. At least he admitted that in the end. I can't imagine that's the legacy he would want to leave.

What it comes down to is that dying is not an atonement. Being removed from this world won't bring back the people he's killed. Of course it's not going to be easy to do good, but it never is. We're not told how long ago his change of mind came, but I got the impression it was a recent thing. If he had 2000 years to commit evil and really wanted to make amends for it, he owed the world more than a few years or decades of trying to make it a better place. Just accepting that he can't understand humans or vampires is simply giving up on the world.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

08-17-2009, 06:51 AM

Bullet-sucking scene, plus bonus naked Eric dream? Awww yeah!

Seriously, I liked the ambiguity of the dream. Could be just a dream. Could be just a dream, but Eric might have an inkling what she dreamed about. Could be a shared experience either caused by Eric or simply a side effect of the blood sharing. Could be Lorena's actually involved, or merely symbolizing Sookie's conscience (if Lorena represents your conscience, that must be pretty chilling!)

Count me in on loving the Newlins on TV: him with the big ol' paintball bruise, and her: " . . . I hate your hair." :D

This week, I'm finally back on board with the Maryann story. This is where it should have been about four episodes into the arc. Tara and even Eggs are questioning WTF is happening to them. Lafayette reacting to the bruises. Lafayette teaming up with Tara's mom, who does seem to have turned over a new leaf. I still hated her until this week, when she let Tara pummel her, saying, "I'll never hit you again!"

I also loved Michelle Forbes's performance - when she talked about the crazy/ecstatics it gave more insight into her identity and motivations than has been provided most of the season, and it had infinitely more style than Daphne's villain-monologue infodump. Note also she debunked Daphne's idea that she herself is God or many goddesses, or whatnot. She's serving a "god who's coming," she's not a deity herself. Thank goodness.

Also, the return of Sookie and the vamps seems it will be the beginning of a war for Bon Temps, which should be interesting. I wonder if Hoyt and Jessica will be in it with the Goodies. I'm still loving them. Yay Hoyt for telling off his mom!

Looking forward to the last three eps!

overlyverbose

08-17-2009, 10:11 AM

Even having read the books, I found myself a little disappointed that Godric handed himself over to the Fellowship in the first place. I think I understand why, but at the same time, it seems like the whole thing had more personal meaning the way they did it at the end of the episode rather than in front of a bunch of fanatics. I'm glad it ended the way it did, but it seemed like handing himself over to the Fellowship was kind of...I don't know. Selling himself short? Cowardly?

Anyway, I agree that the Maryann story line has to go. It's getting really old. I think part of it has to do with the way she was set up in the first place. Whether she rips people's hearts out or not, the way she was set up for some reason made her more eye-roll worthy than frightening. Part of it has to do with the special effects - the dancing was a bit annoying to begin with, so that seemed to ruin things early. But another part of it was perhaps the actress herself and the poor translation of her character from book to screen. In the book, her character was absolutely crazy and seemed to lose herself in the chaos and gore she created. The actress in the series doesn't seem to particularly revel in it - she almost seems to be babysitting some vaguely annoying but otherwise maleable children.

Also, it bothers me how easily the whole town succumbs to her. You know, black eyes and all. I think she would be more frightening if there were more people conscious enough of what she was or knew what was happening to them as it was happening.

I'm glad they kept Lafayette alive in the series. He's a bit of a foil, but I think it's a necessary one. And I really liked what I saw of him in the books.

jackdavinci

08-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Good episode but sad. I was really hoping Godric would stick around. The scene between him and Eric was heart breaking. I too was hoping Sookie could talk him down. I almost expected her to give him a big ol hug.

The bit with her being grossed out by sucking out the silver was hilarious. Her dream was intriguing and we saw a potentially different side to Eric. I loved her expression of doubts to Godric about whether she could manage to stand to be around Eric enough to look after him. The scene between her and Jason was heartwarming if a little bit patronizing on her part.

I'm ashamed to admit I was surprised by the whole fly thing. I should have gotten right away that it would be a way for Sam to escape, but for some reason I thought it was something creepy MaryAnn was doing when it first showed up.

I hated Jessica end of last season and beginning of this one, but now I love her.

Looks like next week they'll be back in Bon Temp and have to deal with MaryAnn. Hopefully they have to deal with not just her but whatever she is worshipping...

Rubystreak

08-17-2009, 10:50 AM

I can't agree with that kind of reasoning. Perhaps saying that he was tired of (un)life is a better way of putting it instead of saying he was bored, but it still come down to the same thing in the end.

That's the thing about suicide: it doesn't matter if you disagree with Godric's reasoning. He didn't want to live anymore, and he was powerful enough that no one could stop him from giving up. In theory, he could have done more good by sticking around, but if you're in a century long depression, how motivated are you to change the world? I can also relate to his feeling of futility, that no amount of effort on his part was going to redeem his own wrongs nor reconcile vampires and humans. He was tired of the whole thing. It would be a great loss if he were functioning as his best self, but it seems obvious that he wasn't, and wasn't ever going to.

If he had 2000 years to commit evil and really wanted to make amends for it, he owed the world more than a few years or decades of trying to make it a better place. Just accepting that he can't understand humans or vampires is simply giving up on the world.

Exactly. Godric gave up on the world. Maybe that was weak, or maybe it was a recognition of the futility of his situation.

MsWhatsit

08-17-2009, 02:18 PM

I thought for sure in the scene at the bar with Hoyt and Jessica and Hoyt's mom, that Hoyt's mom was going to whip a stake out of her purse and go for Jessica. Not that she would have succeeded necessarily, I just totally thought she was going to try.

It's about time Lafayette (or someone, anyone!) staged an intervention for Tara. Good lord.

Please tell me that I'm not the only person that thought that Sookie had way, way, way more chemistry with her brother than with practically any other character on the show, especially Bill? That scene was weird for me.

Sampiro

08-17-2009, 02:37 PM

I thought for sure in the scene at the bar with Hoyt and Jessica and Hoyt's mom, that Hoyt's mom was going to whip a stake out of her purse and go for Jessica. Not that she would have succeeded necessarily, I just totally thought she was going to try.

I loved the scene of Hoyt talking to her about her prejudices.

"You hate Methodists..."
I have my reasons!
"You hate Catholics..."
Only the priests... and the nuns.
"You hate black people!"
That's a secret between me and you!
"You hate checkered curtains..."
Who wouldn't!

Reminds me of 'conversations' I've had with my own relatives (none of which are EVER going to include the line "you have a point, that is wrong" or anything remotely synonymous.

That scene was weird for me.

Especially when they lay back on the bed together. I love my sister but I have to admit that lying down with her, especially when I'm wearing nothing but a bathrobe, would ick me out in the extreme and I can only see it happening if we both have cholera.
==============
I'm always amazed at how non-Americans do much better southern accents than American actors. Most of the accents on TRUE BLOOD I actually know.

Ryan Kwanten- Australian- dumb redneck accent- convincing.
Stephen Moyer- English- old aristocratic southern accent [with a slight touch of Elvis when he says "Sookie"]- convincing.
Anna Paquin- Canadian born/New Zealand raised- working class modern southern- convincing.
Alexander Skarsgård- Swedish- did a convincing southern accent last week when he approached the Fellowship members in disguise.
Yet if you tried to get American actors to do convincing southern accents you get this generic patois that doesn't matter if the character lives in a trailer park or a mansion, in the country or the city, in 1780 or 2009, is gay or straight or a surgeon or homeless or 'whatever' exactly.

Anthony Hopkins and Julie Andrews are the only two famous Brit actors I've ever heard flop at doing American accents. Neither barely even tries.

Also have to give kudos to Nelsan Ellis (Illinois born, Birmingham AL raised) who plays Lafayette. His "I may be gay but I can eff you up as needed" is perfect- reminds me of a couple of people I've known who can go from "would make Liberace say 'oh butch it up a little bitch!'" to "would make R. Lee Ermey say 'Sir, yes sir!" in nothing flat, though in interviews he speaks absolutely nothing like that. (No idea if he's gay in real life.)

Bringing it back to topic though, imagine how great Julie Andrews in her 60s heyday would have been as Mary Ann. That might actually make her character interesting.

Dogzilla

08-17-2009, 02:59 PM

Please tell me that I'm not the only person that thought that Sookie had way, way, way more chemistry with her brother than with practically any other character on the show, especially Bill? That scene was weird for me.

You are not the only person who thought that. She seemed sort of coy in that flirty way some Southern women have about them and I thought they were going to throw down a lip-lock any second.

I thought I was just reacting to my intense dislike for Bill. I don't find the actor attractive, I don't think Bill and Sookie have much chemistry (oddly, seeing as how they are a couple IRL), and I just really keep wishing someone would stake Bill so Sookie can be pwned by Eric.

Again, I am projecting my own issues on to this show. :: swoons over Eric again ::

Unauthorized Cinnamon

08-17-2009, 03:26 PM

I agree, even when they were acting like comfortable, friendly lovers in Sookie's dream, there was a lot more heat with Eric than there has been with Bill. I'm wondering if they will have Bill do something sufficiently jerky to cause Sookie to break up with him and be available. At this point, it would be fun to introduce some of the other potential love interests that appear in the books.

It certainly does seem that they're setting up an Eric romance. They went to great lengths to have Sookie see his soft, cuddly, teddy-bear core, with the dream conversation and with his clear love for Godric and his pain over the suicide. I also liked that he contrasted himself and Sookie - he's tough outside and sweet inside, while she's cheerful and unassuming outside, but capable of coldly killing to protect herself and her loved ones. Anyone else looking forward to seeing Sookie utter the immortal line (book spoiler, slightly)Well, I killed her ass.

jharvey963

08-17-2009, 03:29 PM

Let me be the first to call it. I bet Sookie is going to be immune to the whole Maryanne / ecstatic / black eyes thing. Glamour doesn't work on her. I bet this won't either.

This also implies that Sookie may be instrumental in Maryanne's destruction, or whatever.

J.

MsWhatsit

08-17-2009, 03:38 PM

Sookie is seriously going to cut a bitch over what they have been doing to Gran's house in her absence.

Sampiro

08-17-2009, 04:32 PM

Sookie is seriously going to cut a bitch over what they have been doing to Gran's house in her absence.

I haven't read the series, so does anybody know whether Sookie is a 'supe'/can she be blackeyed by Mary Ann?

A friend who has read the series said that in the books Godric is a pedophile who still has urges and was a particularly vicious vampire for most of his existence who for whatever reasons in recent years has been tremendously haunted by remorse. His suicide is largely because he just can't take it anymore

This makes it a bit more understandable.

Gangster Octopus

08-17-2009, 04:45 PM

I had to go to the doctor today, because I over-rolled my eyes whenever the MaryAnne storyline came on.

MsWhatsit

08-17-2009, 04:53 PM

Some book series spoilers in this post, so skip it if you don't want to see them.

In the books, there was no "Marianne" character per se. There was something similar, but it was a much more minor storyline, and the Marianne in the TV show is pretty much her own thing. That said, there was an instance in the books when Sookie thought that she and Bill had got into an argument because the Marianne-like creature had caused the angry feelings within both of them. But it was never confirmed whether this was actually the case. There was nothing in the books like the people with their eyes turning black, being mind-controlled by Marianne, etc.

My personal guess is that Sookie will turn out to be immune, just like Andy Bellefleur -- and why is HE immune, anyway?

Vinyl Turnip

08-17-2009, 05:10 PM

So, do you suppose Jason and his late girlfriend had erotic dreams about Eddie?

Diogenes the Cynic

08-17-2009, 05:16 PM

The actor who plays Jason is Australian? Wow. He had me fooled. Being originally from Louisiana, I can usually tell a fake Southern accent a mile away.

The casting overall on this show is quite good. Nelson Ellis is particularly impressive given the level of difficulty. Having to play flamboyant gay is already fraught with perils, from risking getting bad laughs to coming off as too broad and offensive, then having to also make that character by turns be convincingly badass, terrified, enraged, traumatized, etc. is just that much harder, yet Lafayette never seems fake. I think one good choice Ellis seems to have made from the beginning is to make Lafayette's femme side not into the character's default personality setting, but into an affect that the character puts on and off. Lafayette isn't just some factory model, Hollywood queen, he's actually a fairly masculine (and always self-aware) character who plays by varying degrees into the affect depending on his mood or by what he wants other people to see.

Even a lot of the smaller roles are well cast. Chris Bauer so well embodies Andy Bellefleuer, for instance, that it's easy to forget it's a performance.

Sampiro

08-17-2009, 05:16 PM

So, do you suppose Jason and his late girlfriend had erotic dreams about Eddie?

He did wake up with Eddie next to them naked in bed once. No idea if it was related to his blood or his conscience though. (Either way, waking up next to a naked vampire Stephen Root would be disturbing; I can only think of vampiric Milton: "The sheriff says I can drink blood from non consenting humans as long as I keep it to a reasonable volume...".)

Morbo

08-17-2009, 05:35 PM

I was really worried in that one scene at Gram's house that Sam was going to get forced out of his fly shape while spying on MaryAnn like that.

Chris Bauer so well embodies Andy Bellefleuer, for instance, that it's easy to forget it's a performance.

That guy's a chameleon. I can't believe it's the same guy who was Machine from 8MM, and Frank Sobodka, the main dockworker character from Season 2 of The Wire.

elfkin477

08-17-2009, 06:30 PM

Loved the Eric dream scene. I don't know if it means anything, but bring on the Eric/Sookie-ness soon, please :) This scene makes up for the Eric taking care of Sookie scene in the book but absent from last week's episode.

I haven't read the series, so does anybody know whether Sookie is a 'supe'/can she be blackeyed by Mary Ann?
She's 1/8th fairy, which isn't revealed for several more books down the line than the show is drawing from. But in the book there wasn't so much people being taking over by the manaed, so who knows how that'll work out on the show.

A friend who has read the series said that in the books Godric is a pedophile who still has urges and was a particularly vicious vampire for most of his existence who for whatever reasons in recent years has been tremendously haunted by remorse. His suicide is largely because he just can't take it anymore In the book there were two vampires kidnapped by the FOS. What your friend described pertained to the other one, whose name was something like Farrel. Godrick in the book is simply world-weary and ready to move on.

elfkin477

08-17-2009, 06:45 PM

Edit. What I said is misleading upon review. Sampiro's friend's statement applies to the other vampire in the book only through the word "and" in the spoiler box. The rest does not apply, as he was content with what he'd done.

CrazyCatLady

08-17-2009, 06:47 PM

In the book there were two vampires kidnapped by the FOS. What your friend described pertained to the other one, whose name was something like Farrel. Godrick in the book is simply world-weary and ready to move on.

No, he's right. Godric wasn't kidnapped in the book, he was going to meet the sun voluntarily because he is precisely as described. That's why he was loose to save Sookie--he was there of his own free will, so there was no need to try and keep him locked up. The only vamp who had been kidnapped was Farrell, and he was locked up, chained with silver, and deprived of blood up until Godric threw Gabe in with him. Farrell was the one whose disappearance they were there to investigate, and he was just a regular old bloodsucking guy.

elfkin477

08-17-2009, 07:03 PM

Farrell was the one whose disappearance they were there to investigate, and he was just a regular old bloodsucking guy. No he's not. When the FOS shoot up the party, he's got a questionably legally of age boy with him. His tastes ran decidedly young.

"We'd arrived in the midst of a welcome-home party for Farrell, who was standing in the living room with his arm around a handsome young man who
might be all of eighteen. Farrell had a bottle of TrueBlood O negative in one hand, and his date had a Coke. The vampire looked almost as rosy as the boy."

MsWhatsit

08-17-2009, 07:08 PM

Sorry about my unspoilered book info earlier, I guess I hadn't realized we were spoiler-boxing book stuff. Anyway:

Yeah, Farrell did have a taste for younger-looking guys. However, at one point Godric is confessing his past crimes to Sookie, and he says he has killed people. She tries to brush that off with saying something about how, "Yeah, but Bill told me all vampires kill when they are young because they can't help it," and he says no, he killed children. A lot of children. It's strongly implied that Godric preferred to feed on/kill young children. At that point, Sookie backs down somewhat from trying to convince him not to meet the sun, but still feels a lot of sympathy for him.

msmith537

08-17-2009, 07:11 PM

About time someone gave that Eggs douchebag an ass whooping.

Sampiro

08-17-2009, 07:34 PM

My friend also said that the Bellefleur cousins are

Bill's direct descendants from when he was human

in the books. Is this ever relevant plotwise?

MsWhatsit

08-17-2009, 07:38 PM

My friend also said that the Bellefleur cousins are

Bill's direct descendants from when he was human

in the books. Is this ever relevant plotwise?

Sort of, insofar as

Sookie gets pissed off at Bill sometimes because he is funneling vast amounts of money the Bellefleurs' way (without their knowledge of who is sending them the funds -- they think it's inheritance from a long-dead relative or something, which actually is pretty much accurate) and isn't really helping her out at all. Although she never asked him to, so it's kind of petty on her part. But it feeds into her frustration/irritation with Bill starting around book 3 or so. I'm trying to think if there were any other plot developments related to this, and I don't think so.

jackdavinci

08-18-2009, 06:39 AM

My personal guess is that Sookie will turn out to be immune, just like Andy Bellefleur -- and why is HE immune, anyway?

I got the sense that if you were very suspicious or had an idea of what she was up to then she couldn't control you, which is why she didn't just use her mojo on Lafayette either.

Dogzilla

08-18-2009, 07:58 AM

Okay, here is my theory on Mary Ann v. Sookie, and this is strongly based on the books, so I will spoiler it.

Thinking back to what I read on Wiki about maenads: they worship debauchery and revelry, especially drunkenness and sex, with the express purpose of driving humans mad. Batshit crazy mad. So they've been leading up to this all season, showing us how the debauchery is slowly ratcheting up in intensity. First, it was just nasty dancing at Merlotte's. Then there was an orgy in the woods. Finally, we were led up to the sacrifice ritual that Sam escaped from. Now, Mary Ann has Tara and Eggs beating the crap out of each other and eating that poor waitress's heart. (I would have too, because you don't set up my Sam. Grr. I heart Sam.)

So, while Sookie can't be made all black-eyed herself because of her fraction of Supe blood/telepathy, she is very much affected by the people around her. Can you imagine how awful it would be to be forced to listen in on someone else's descent into madness? Now imagine it's your entire home town descending into madness. Early in season one, we got a sense of how crazy it must drive Sookie just to overhear the mundane inner thoughts of happy customers at the bar. She has to work hard to block it out, right?

Every single human person in the town, except the shifters and vamps, is under the control of Mary Ann and if she wants to make 'em hate on each other, Sookie gets to hear the ugliest, deepest, inner thoughts of each person in Bon Temps. Get them all together at an orgy at Sookie's house, and then have Sookie return home to find the entire town driven mad, nekkid and writhing, in her own backyard. Imagine what their thoughts might be. Take every scene where a few people at Merlotte's were uptight or angry about something and then multiply it by 100 with hate and anger and vitriol and pretend you will be forced to overhear all that: This is why Mary Ann is a threat to Sookie.

For a telepath, that would be torture. Beyond torture. In fact, it's one of the few things I can think of that would seriously torture Sookie. Drive everyone else batshit crazy and make her listen in.

I think that's what's coming. Sookie will return with her vamps to find all hell literally broken loose at her house. She cannot be influenced by Mary Ann; but Mary Ann can influence the thoughts of everyone else, which Sookie will hear.

In the books, Bill and Eric basically pinned Sookie down between them until Mary Ann sort of imploded out of existence. It was implied that Mary Ann made everyone crazy and then vanished, moved on to the next town, because this is what maenads do. The show up, wreak havoc, and move on. Vampires also have the ability to erase human memories, so that is how book two resolves: The vamps protect Sookie until Mary Ann leaves, and then they help her clean up by wiping people's memories and disposing of some bodies. Nobody ever mentions Mary Ann again, of course, so Sookie is the only person in Bon Temps with memories of her.

I think part of the reason for the boredom with the Mary Ann story line is that it's difficult to show via this medium, the mental stuff that's going on, and by that I mean Mary Ann making the people black eyed and carrying out her will... That and we haven't heard any explanation for Mary Ann's motives, but I think it will be made clear at the end of the season.

In other news, I heard that True Blood has been picked up for another season, so yea! HBO!

mswas

08-18-2009, 10:30 AM

salinqmind

08-18-2009, 01:59 PM

Godric, an immortal being, transformed from a monster vampire over the centuries into a more enlightened being. From pure bad to good. Maybe he just evolved into a better creature and in doing so knew that - yeah, really, his time was up. Especially after he admitted the possibility of believing in God. I hope we see him again (in flashbacks).

Everyone is so gung-ho for Hoyt and Jessica, but that relationship is doomed. She is just tragic. They have NO future, and Hoyt's momma, annoying as she is, pointed it out.

I suppose they have to eliminate storylines every so often to make room for new ones. Like the big upcoming Queen :rolleyes:. Wish they'd kept Godric and cut back on Mary Ann!

hajario

08-18-2009, 02:08 PM

Godric was such an interesting character. He could have stuck around for another decade or two and done a lot for the world. Then again, maybe he did enough. Maybe his sacrificial, Christ-like death will be what it takes to start the ball rolling. Hmm. Maybe Jesus was a two thousand year old vampire who disappeared when the Sun hit his cross.

Hello Again

08-18-2009, 02:23 PM

Godric was such an interesting character. .
True but I wasn't over fond of the actor. He had a lot of physical presence but his acting was quite wooden. I thought his best scene was when he turned Eric in the flashback - he was ever so Puckish. After that he was just.. stilted and boring.

Sampiro

08-18-2009, 02:37 PM

Speaking of Stephen Root's Eddie, I wish they'd have more like him. It's irritating that all the vampires in fiction seem to be great looking broody guys. I'd love to see more exceptions: Fran Drescher as Zelda, a Queens housewife who was 'made' during Eisenhower and still lives with her 85 year old son [Don Rickles] and his family, or Sherman Hemsley as Soggy Biskit, the most mediocre blues man in the history of the Mississippi delta who got turned by Robert Johnson (who didn't sell his soul but became a vampire) but still can't play worth a damn, or Leslie Jordan as Robert E. Lee who it turns out wasn't exactly as tall or gallant or handsome as his reputation. Bring on the immortal nebbishes.

Hello Again

08-18-2009, 02:44 PM

MsWhatsit

08-18-2009, 03:49 PM

I do like Pam and her twin sets. Where IS Pam, by the way?

_xiao_wenti_

08-18-2009, 05:38 PM

I am up-to-date on the TB episodes and have read all of the books and I must say that while they follow in a rough fashion the plot lines in the books, they have done a wonderful job in changing the characters, adding new plot lines, and so on. Kudos to the writing staff.

CrazyCatLady

08-18-2009, 07:19 PM

Everyone is so gung-ho for Hoyt and Jessica, but that relationship is doomed. She is just tragic. They have NO future, and Hoyt's momma, annoying as she is, pointed it out.

Why don't they have a future? The only thing she was even remotely right about is that Jessica can't have kids. If that's necessarily a barrier to having a future together, I better file for divorce right now.

MsWhatsit

08-18-2009, 07:46 PM

Well, the obvious thing that comes to my mind is that Jessica is going to live for potentially hundreds or even thousands of years, and Hoyt....is not. I guess it could work for quite some time before the inevitable "you're an old person and I'm still a teenager" thing came into play, though.

Sampiro

08-18-2009, 07:56 PM

And then the "we'd love to come to your barbecue but unfortunately my immortal wife scares kids and would burst into flame in the daylight" aspect.

Speaking of the show's writing, does anybody know if Charlaine Harris (the author of the books) is involved in the show's writing?

salinqmind

08-18-2009, 08:33 PM

I picture Hoyt, at some point, realizing he is hitched up with an angsty teenager who sleeps all day; has no family and is totally dependent on him for her needs; who will never give him kids; who finds sex painful; his mother hates her; she will never age; she will realize she never 'dated' anyone else and feels she's missed out and she will mysteriously disappear for hours at a time. He's a small town guy who most probably would realize giving up a small town life isn't really what he wants. After the initial excitement of a relationship with a vamp dies down, and his head stops its giddy swimming after telling his momma to F-off, he will know he made a Big Mistake. Or Jessica will. Doomed, I tell ya!

drastic_quench

08-19-2009, 12:29 AM

Why wouldn't any human in a relationship with a vampire want to be turned at some point anyhow? Say, at least after ten years when the aging human and immortal vampire difference will begin to be visible.

The show has featured three interesting human-vampire subcultures.

1) the "fangbangers"
2) the V users and dealers
3) Fellowship of the Sun

While I like that they're fleshing out what a world with vampires would be like, it seems to me that there'd be a large contingent (especially with the people in groups one and two) that would actively seek to be turned into a vampire.

Vampires here have some serious weaknesses, but they pale in comparison to the benefits of super strength, speed, mind control, and immortality.

Now with the human companion of Godrick's second in command (the traitor), it seems that the show has applied the comic book trope of those who openly seek power are doomed to negative consequences and their own villainy, while those who have the power forced upon them are virtuous.

The most intriguing cliffhanger this season was when Lafayette asked to be turned. Those vamps seems really choosy about it. But then you'd think a pathetic newby vampire like Eddie could be talked into it in return for setting him up on some blind dates and a stack of Boys Gone Wild DVDs.

elfkin477

08-19-2009, 12:35 AM

The most intriguing cliffhanger this season was when Lafayette asked to be turned. Those vamps seems really choosy about it. But then you'd think a pathetic newby vampire like Eddie could be talked into it in return for setting him up on some blind dates and a stack of Boys Gone Wild DVDs. That's an interesting point, and something not addressed in the book because Eddie and Jessica aren't in them, nor are any newly made vampires: is there a reason new vampires can't turn someone? Could they turn someone a week after being turned themselves, or is it a skill aquired with age? Since the show has introduced young vampires, it'd be nice if they explained that.

Sampiro

08-19-2009, 01:17 AM

Here's a youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7BBG4tw2zI) of Ryan "Jason Stackhouse" Kwanten at the Golden Globes speaking in his real/Australian voice. It's almost freaky.

Diogenes the Cynic

08-19-2009, 01:37 AM

Here's a youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7BBG4tw2zI) of Ryan "Jason Stackhouse" Kwanten at the Golden Globes speaking in his real/Australian voice. It's almost freaky.
It's weird hearing that voice come out of Jason Stackhouse. I now realize that Ryan Kwanten is an even better actor than I thought. Too bad he was being interviewed by a complete idiot. "What's it like playing a vampire?"

LorieSmurf

08-19-2009, 02:14 AM

Omniscient

08-19-2009, 04:02 AM

I'm always amazed at how non-Americans do much better southern accents than American actors. Most of the accents on TRUE BLOOD I actually know.

Ryan Kwanten- Australian- dumb redneck accent- convincing.
Stephen Moyer- English- old aristocratic southern accent [with a slight touch of Elvis when he says "Sookie"]- convincing.
Anna Paquin- Canadian born/New Zealand raised- working class modern southern- convincing.
Alexander Skarsgård- Swedish- did a convincing southern accent last week when he approached the Fellowship members in disguise.
Yet if you tried to get American actors to do convincing southern accents you get this generic patois that doesn't matter if the character lives in a trailer park or a mansion, in the country or the city, in 1780 or 2009, is gay or straight or a surgeon or homeless or 'whatever' exactly.

Anthony Hopkins and Julie Andrews are the only two famous Brit actors I've ever heard flop at doing American accents. Neither barely even tries.

Also have to give kudos to Nelsan Ellis (Illinois born, Birmingham AL raised) who plays Lafayette. His "I may be gay but I can eff you up as needed" is perfect- reminds me of a couple of people I've known who can go from "would make Liberace say 'oh butch it up a little bitch!'" to "would make R. Lee Ermey say 'Sir, yes sir!" in nothing flat, though in interviews he speaks absolutely nothing like that. (No idea if he's gay in real life.)

I think more than anything this is just a credit to the group of voice acting coaches and directors that HBO brought together to make the show. I don't think there's much to the idea that furriners are better at southern accents than merkins, I suspect you are just suffering from confirmation bias. Maybe being an aspiring actor in a foreign country hoping to break into a US dominated industry leads to them placing a high degree of emphasis on voice coaching and attention to accent and dialect which makes them more receptive to good direction than Hollywood actors. However I think this show is a special case and not particularly instructive in the general case.

Face Intentionally Left Blank

08-19-2009, 04:27 AM

Wow, just watched the most recent episode. I've watched all the episodes in just the past 2 weeks, since I'm late to the show. Some good acting, great accents, and interesting characters. There's an element to this show that tastes of daytime soap, but raised to the next level. Kinda trashy, kinda romance novel, but at times funny and touching, and they have quite a knack for the cliffhanger ending.

I said 'good' acting, but really, GREAT acting. Quite enjoyable. The actor who plays Lafayette is quite fun to watch, and he's probably the most filled-out, multi-layered character on the show. Jason Stackhouse is dumb in that, "I know that guy" way. He means well, but too often takes 1 + 1 and comes up with 11. The actor that plays Terry is sometimes impressive with his frequently understated, constant discomfort, and the scene with him comforting Lafayette through his post-traumatic stress was a great touch. I also liked the scene with Eric and Sookie, when they were talking about Godric: "Don't use words you don't understand.", then, "Don't use words I don't understand." There are many other actors I'm leaving out, but I haven't hated anyone.

Like I said, it has a soap-opera/romance novel feel, but the acting is way too good for it to be a guilty pleasure, and I never know what out-of-left-field thing they're going to come up with next. Maryanne's character is such a peculiar choice -a Maenad (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maenad)? - that it shows you'll never really know what they'll throw at you next.

singular1

08-19-2009, 06:25 AM

That's an interesting point, and something not addressed in the book because Eddie and Jessica aren't in them, nor are any newly made vampires: is there a reason new vampires can't turn someone? Could they turn someone a week after being turned themselves, or is it a skill aquired with age? Since the show has introduced young vampires, it'd be nice if they explained that.

There is at least one newly-made vampire in the sixth book - Sookie's vampire cousin Hayley comes across a Were - wolf, I think? (there are were-tigers and were-panthers featured in the books, with Werewolves being the only ones that are Capitalized, since they're thought to be purer than other shape-shifters) that has been almost killed in her apartment in New Orleans, so she turns him to save him, rather than just let him die. This sets him up to be a miserable, dejected creature, since this type of "mixed race" creature is abhorred by both vampire and weres. His struggle is an interesting read.

Half Man Half Wit

08-19-2009, 07:33 AM

So, if drinking a vampire's blood leads to developing such a strong bond, how does V using work, exactly? Wouldn't the vamp whose blood you just gulped up for a quick high know it and 'get connected' to you?

Kobal2

08-19-2009, 08:24 AM

True but I wasn't over fond of the actor. He had a lot of physical presence but his acting was quite wooden. I thought his best scene was when he turned Eric in the flashback - he was ever so Puckish. After that he was just.. stilted and boring.

True, to a point, but I didn't consider it bad acting - on the contrary, the contrast between his original lust for life, war and blood and his current sort of blank niceness, coupled with the situation he was in completely phoned his eventual fate in for me (ancient vamp that everyone agrees is the worst badass, gets nicked by a bunch of kumbaya wackos with delusions of paramilitary-ness ? Come on. That was vamp world weariness writ large :))

His "stilted and boring" persona striked me as some good depression acting. I do agree with you that he was way more enjoyable to watch in the flashback - but that's depression for you :p.

singular1

08-19-2009, 08:52 AM

That's a really good assessment of why I thought his acting was so powerful.

elfkin477

08-19-2009, 11:23 AM

There is at least one newly-made vampire in the sixth book - Sookie's vampire cousin Hayley comes across a Were - wolf, I think? (there are were-tigers and were-panthers featured in the books, with Werewolves being the only ones that are Capitalized, since they're thought to be purer than other shape-shifters) that has been almost killed in her apartment in New Orleans, so she turns him to save him, rather than just let him die. This sets him up to be a miserable, dejected creature, since this type of "mixed race" creature is abhorred by both vampire and weres. His struggle is an interesting read. Well, that's true, but even she was two or three at the time.

Face Intentionally Left Blank

08-19-2009, 01:11 PM

True, to a point, but I didn't consider it bad acting - on the contrary, the contrast between his original lust for life, war and blood and his current sort of blank niceness, coupled with the situation he was in completely phoned his eventual fate in for me (ancient vamp that everyone agrees is the worst badass, gets nicked by a bunch of kumbaya wackos with delusions of paramilitary-ness ? Come on. That was vamp world weariness writ large :))

His "stilted and boring" persona striked me as some good depression acting. I do agree with you that he was way more enjoyable to watch in the flashback - but that's depression for you :p.

Well said. He didn't strike me as bland, but tired. World-weary. It worked for me.

Sampiro

08-19-2009, 04:24 PM

Though his name is the British sounding Allan Hyde, the actor playing Godrick is also Danish and more of a singer than an actor. No idea how fluent he is in English, but this may have been an issue as well; it's possible his English wasn't good enough to really connect with the dialogue.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

08-19-2009, 05:12 PM

Sampiro

08-19-2009, 05:40 PM

For those who enjoyed Sookie's dream:
Oh (http://truebloodwiki.hbo.com/photo/7127975/Eric+%26+Sookie+as+%27August+Couple%27!!!)
my (http://truebloodwiki.hbo.com/photo/6624092/Mr.January+-+Eric+for+Fangtasia+calendar!).

All I want for Christmas is...

Sampiro

08-19-2009, 07:18 PM

I haven't found any good pics of Alexander's brothers. Are they hot also? (One is 14 but the others are in their 20s; all have acting credits but mostly in Swedish projects.)

Also, does anybody know wheter the language Eric sometimes speaks is modern Swedish or an archaic (Viking era) Scandinavian dialect?

Rainbowthief

08-20-2009, 04:27 AM

Also, does anybody know wheter the language Eric sometimes speaks is modern Swedish or an archaic (Viking era) Scandinavian dialect?
The latter. That's what Bill told Sookie the first time he took her to Fangtasia in season one.

singular1

08-20-2009, 05:56 AM

Well, that's true, but even she was two or three at the time.

She? I was talking about the were-vamp.

CrazyCatLady

08-20-2009, 06:31 AM

She? I was talking about the were-vamp.

I'm pretty sure elfkin was talking about the vamp who made the one mentioned in your spoiler.

Sookie's cousin Hadley had been a vamp for at least a few years by the time she made Jake--she had to have been the Queen's lover for over a year to have set Bill's return to Bon Temps in motion, and I rather doubt she could have gotten with Sophie-Ann immediately after being turned. So she was a fairly new vampire, but not nearly so new as Jessica.

As for Jake, as far as I've read he's not turned anyone. Of course, I've only read up to book 7, but I thought he died in the whole hotel explosion thing. Perhaps I'm mis-remembering.

I doubt they've really thought about how old a vampire has to be before turning someone. In the world of the books, it may be an issue even the vampires don't really know about because it just hasn't come up yet. Before the invention of synthetic blood, a really new vamp almost certainly couldn't turn anyone because they didn't yet have enough control to drain someone to being almost dead without actually killing them. Harris talks about new vampires being a lot hungrier and needing a lot more blood than older vamps, and iirc Bill says something about "after I learned not to kill."

Vinyl Turnip

08-20-2009, 01:14 PM

Too bad he was being interviewed by a complete idiot. "What's it like playing a vampire?"

If I'm not mistaken, that was Lisa Rinna, who's been almost fatally over-glamoured.

Sampiro

08-20-2009, 03:51 PM

Harris talks about new vampires being a lot hungrier and needing a lot more blood than older vamps, and iirc Bill says something about "after I learned not to kill."

Bill also said something about most vamps not surviving their first year.

I thought it was funny in last week's flashbacks to the 1920s that the song Bill was playing at the piano was "Hard Hearted Hannah/the Vamp of Savannah G-A".

Gangster Octopus

08-20-2009, 04:25 PM

Dewey Finn

08-20-2009, 04:38 PM

Imagine vampires as guest lecturers in history classes. (Remember that in the first season Sookie's grandmother invited Bill to speak at her Civil War club.)

hajario

08-20-2009, 05:08 PM

Imagine vampires as guest lecturers in history classes. (Remember that in the first season Sookie's grandmother invited Bill to speak at her Civil War club.)

I've thought about that too. What a boon they would be to historians and linguists. I imagine that medical researchers could learn a lot from them too.

Sampiro

08-20-2009, 05:29 PM

As I watch True Blood, I always think about wierd thing, if Vamps were a known part of society.

For example,

Would Vampires be allowed in the Olympics?
Would businesses have to have darkness hours to accomodate Vampires due to the American for Disabilities Act?
Would Vampire be a protected class?

If a vampire committed a felony would it be unethical to sentence them to life imprisonment? And how would you go about confining them to begin with?

salinqmind

08-20-2009, 07:40 PM

If a vampire committed a felony would it be unethical to sentence them to life imprisonment? And how would you go about confining them to begin with?

The vamps have their own justice system and they want to work with the humans, so both can co-exist. They would have to coordinate with the human police, I think, and arrest/confine the felonious vampire to await trial. And they'd have to lock 'em up in a silver cage! (For killing a fellow vampire, Bill was sentenced to 5 years locked in a silver bound coffin, which would have driven him mad. And starved. But not quite dead.)

kath94

08-20-2009, 11:55 PM

SenorBeef

08-21-2009, 12:26 AM

If a vampire committed a felony would it be unethical to sentence them to life imprisonment? And how would you go about confining them to begin with?

I don't think anyone actually gets "life imprisonment" - a life sentence typically is a set period of time, like 20 or 30 years.

I guess a cage of silver could contain them.

Speaking of which - I'm guessing people who owned significant amounts of assets in silver have become very, very rich in this world as the demand for vampire protection skyrockets.

Rainbowthief

08-21-2009, 02:02 AM

I doubt a very new vampire like Jessica would ever turn someone. Not because she can't, but because a maker has an obligation to mentor the new vampire and Jessica is still learning how to be a vampire herself. Wouldn't surprise me to see Hoyt ask Jessica to turn him so they can be together forever, if they're still together in a few seasons (assuming the show is still on the air).

Kobal2

08-21-2009, 08:35 AM

I doubt a very new vampire like Jessica would ever turn someone. Not because she can't, but because a maker has an obligation to mentor the new vampire and Jessica is still learning how to be a vampire herself.

And Jessica is a very reasonable ex-person who totally thinks her actions through :rolleyes: :)

FWIW, I do wonder why the vamps picked her to be turned - could be some form of fun from debasing someone (they thought) was a pure flower, but even so... there must have been some better candidates to turn for shits and giggles. Like, say, turning dear Rev. Newlin.

Unauthorized Cinnamon

08-21-2009, 09:11 AM

:( These pics were blocked at work, and now that I'm home they've been deleted from the web site! No fair!Aw. I can't find the one with Sookie and Eric together, but do a Google image search for "eric northman mr. january" and you'll find the second. Which is the more twitterpating one anyway.

The Weird One

08-21-2009, 10:01 AM

Hmm. I suppose I'm the only fan who likes Sookie and Bill together. While reading the books, I was disappointed that they broke up but I'm still holding out hope that they'll get back together. I'm dreading that part in the show, because it has to be a plot point that can't be ignored. Blah. I also think Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer look good together and have great chemistry. Moyer as Bill is hot; Eric is cute but is too "pretty boy"ish for my taste.No, not the only one. I like Bill a lot more than Eric, in both personality and physical appearance. I'm very disappointed that they'll eventually break up. :(

This episode and the last one have been far and away the best this season, and I'm getting excited about the show again. I'm glad they're finally moving the Maryanne plotline forward. The speech she gave Tara and Eggs when they wavered was very revealing and made her character suddenly more interesting. Go Lafayette and Tara's mom! I hope they don't fall under Maryanne's sway.

TheFaerie

08-21-2009, 10:10 AM

It's weird hearing that voice come out of Jason Stackhouse. I now realize that Ryan Kwanten is an even better actor than I thought. Too bad he was being interviewed by a complete idiot. "What's it like playing a vampire?"

His real voice makes him even sexier in my opinion.

And on topic... please finish the Maryann storyline. Please. If it continues into next season I will strongly reconsider my Sunday evening TV time.

kath94

08-22-2009, 04:43 PM

Aw. I can't find the one with Sookie and Eric together, but do a Google image search for "eric northman mr. january" and you'll find the second. Which is the more twitterpating one anyway.

Oh my!:)

Sampiro

08-22-2009, 08:27 PM

Aw. I can't find the one with Sookie and Eric together, but do a Google image search for "eric northman mr. january" and you'll find the second. Which is the more twitterpating one anyway.

There's also this one not exactly NSFW in terms of content but probably not something you'd want up when the boss comes 'round unless your boss is a straight woman or gay male pic. (http://blogs.nypost.com/popwrap/photos/sookie-and-eric-in-bed.jpg)

And on topic... please finish the Maryann storyline. Please. If it continues into next season I will strongly reconsider my Sunday evening TV time.

Word. I don't care if the big secret about her is that she's the daughter of Satan (Samuel L. Jackson) or that she wants them all to sell AmWay under her, just get it over with.