So last night's episode of True Blood can not be summed up glibly in one sentence or less per character that is certain!
Before I go any further I should warn you that below there are spoilers of not only last night's episode and the television show in general, but also all nine of the books as well so proceed below the line at your own risk!
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First off I should tell you that I am an avid fan of the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. I have read each of the books, not once, but many times, especially the parts with Sookie and Eric! Even in book one I was immediately taken with Eric Northman and I thought Sookie fit better with him.
In book two I became even more convinced of this conviction especially when he accompanied her to the party at the end of the book dressed in pink lycra to help keep her safe. Can you picture that? Take a moment. I'll wait.
Are you with me? Good. ;oP
In the third book I actually got irritated that Alcide was even introduced into the story and loved the scene when Eric was leaving Sookie before she was setting off to rescue Bill. "I don't like having feelings." The scene when they arrive back in Bon Temps as well, along with the scene driving back from Jackson. I love how he replaces her driveway at the end of the story as well without her asking. He really is sweet to her.
In the fourth book we, Eric and Sookie fans, finally got what we had been waiting for when he lost his memory and ended up at her house! In fact when he got his memory back and remembered nothing of his time with her I was slightly crushed. I have one word for you who have read the book...Shower! If you haven't read the book perhaps they'll add that scene into next season on the show. We can only hope!
In book five I kept waiting for Eric to come to his senses, and enjoyed each and every interaction between the two of them, especially when Sookie tells him what happened while he spent time at her house. And Bubba. How can you not love Bubba? I mean how fabulous is the idea that Elvis was turned at the morgue in Memphis, but was so drug addled that he isn't quite right. He's such a big sweetie, though Harris has mentioned several times that he can snap at the slightest provocation. Too bad Allan Ball said at comic con Bubba wouldn't be making it into the show.
In book six I didn't like Quinn and I hated the way he called her "babe". To me that's degrading. Team Eric all the way...That's me! I also got extremely angry with Bill when it was revealed why he came to Bon Temps in the first place. Up to that point I liked Bill, he was an ok guy, I just didn't think he was the one for Sookie. Though I will admit that I have become fonder of him as time has passed and he seems to have true lingering feelings for Sookie. That doesn't mean I want them together, it just means I think it would be nice if he could find someone! He and Sookie can be friends...I like that idea! ;oP
In book 7 I still was ready for Quinn to move on in this book too. Did I mention Team Eric? I liked the fact that Eric and Sookie became more bonded. I also thought it was amusing when he got angry with her for dancing with Barry the Bellboy. I loved when Sookie went to save Eric and Pam before anyone else when the hotel was being bombed.
While we are on the subject of Pam, let's pause for a moment. I haven't mentioned how much I adore Pam either...let me do that now. Pam is hilarious! She is truly one of my favorite characters in the book. I love that she and Sookie are seemingly becoming friends. They are so different, yet they relate to each other so well.
Now let's get back to the books...
In book 8 we get back to the Sookie and Eric action when he remembers his time with her. Oh my! About time for that! I was also not unhappy to see Quinn go. That leaves the doors wide open to other things, other things that as you know on Team Eric I'm more than happy to see occur! I also loved the introduction of her great grandfather. I should tell you I'm a huge fan of the fae as well. Claude and Claudine are fabulous!
And then there is book 9. Oh book 9! Where we finally get back to Eric and Sookie. I'm sure this turn of fate won't last as Harris tends to not leave Sookie in one place for too long, but one can hope, and Eric seems to be an overwhelming fan favorite. I love the night they spend together at her house, and when he comes to her after the faeries have attacked. Priceless. I do hate though that her great grandfather appears to be going back to the fae land for good.
So that brings us to the True Blood television series...Isn't this a round about way to get around to talking about last night's episode? Blame Jamison...He's taught me to look at all aspects of something!
When I heard that the first season of True Blood was coming out on DVD I thought I would give it a look, but I wasn't sure if I would like the show or not. I had heard from many people that the books and the show were polar opposites and that is so true. Being such a fan of the books, and in general being a person who hates when they change plots when adapting a book to a movie or television show, I wasn't sure how I would feel about the show. I actually ended up liking the 1st season, though I still to this day will tell you that I like the books better. Jamison however is probably tired of hearing me say "That so didn't happen!" "Eric would never do that!" "That person is supposed to be dead!" "That person isn't even in the books!" "Sookie is not that stupid!" You get the idea.
Overall I've been ok with season two on the whole as well, EXCEPT for the part about Eric summoning Lorena and his portrayed bad character in general. That so did NOT and would NOT happen! Yes he's a devious little thing when he wants to be, he's the ancient Viking vampire boss who thinks he knows what is best for everyone involved, but he's not overtly mean for the sake of being mean and he would never intentionally hurt Sookie, just for the sake of hurting her. In season one he would have NEVER just stood there and let Longshadow stake Sookie as if he didn't care in the least. Flirt with her yes, try to win her over yes, plot against her no, stand by and ignore a situation that would bring her harm no. These are the things that bother me. Embellishing someone (Jason, Lafayette, Tara etc.) is one thing. Changing someone's character all together is another. I'm also ready for Maryanne to go. Seriously she is just effed up!
Things I do like about the show that are not in the book...
Jessica! Oh my I love her! And I love the thing with her and Hoyt. She adds such punch to the mix!
I like that Lafayette is a bigger part of the show. I also like that he wasn't killed.
Love Tara! But don't like how gullible she is. I like it better when she was the tough talking, tell it like it is sort in season one. I also liked her with Sam very much.
Now that we know where I stand let's FINALLY get down to last night's episode...
Last night's episode was brilliant in many ways. First of all the initial scene after the bombing where Eric talks Sookie into sucking the bullet out of him. This was out of the book to some extent and I have to admit I was shocked that Allan Ball included it since he's removed so much that has occurred between Eric and Sookie up to this point. The look on Eric's face when he realizes he has her is pricless.
The scene between Sookie and Jason was very thoughtful too. I loved how they reconnected, although I don't agree with Sookie when she says he isn't dumb, just lazy. No honey, he's dumb as a rock, but at least he's pretty! It was nice to see them together and bonding though.
The whole Tara and Eggs thing bothers me. LOVED when Lafayette and Lettie Mae went in and removed her from Maryanne! That was priceless! Also loved it when he told Maryanne she was evil and asked Tara if she was even in her body anymore.
And then of course the infamous dream sequence! I had been hearing buzz about this scene all week on Twitter and FaceBook. Not necessarily what was in the scene itself, other than a vague rumbling about a mostly naked Viking vampire, but nothing of the scene itself. The conversation between Eric and Sookie in the scene is very reminiscent of how they talk to each other in the books later on. The dream itself was disturbing in that I hope they aren't saying that Eric can control her mind (because he can't!) and it was more a symptom of the blood exchange. Well not even blood exchange because in the show he hasn't had her blood. We'll see how this goes. But if there was any doubt that Alexander Skarsgård was in fact Eric that should be alleviated now. He nailed it in that scene!
The whole vampire politics thing really bothered me. This Nan Flanders chick needs to just move on. That is not how the hierarchy works. She has no authority over a sheriff in any state, only the king or queen of the state can remove someone from their position. I wanted Eric to stand up and snap her in two!
And last but not least Godric meeting the sun...
Ok people, mark this down...Keep an eye on Allan Hyde because that kid is brilliant! He's going places. The scene between he and Eric when they are saying goodbye is spine tingling. It's even more touching when they lapse into Swedish. If either Allan or Skarsgård aren't nominated for an Emmy for that scene alone then the Emmy people just aren't paying attention! The look of utter despair he gives Sookie when Godric sends Eric away so that he will not meet the sun along with him was brilliant.
The scene between Sookie and Godric is also very reminiscent of the scene in the book. This too surprised me. Godric's character in the booked is called "Godfrey" and he actually is not Eric's maker. Godfrey also isn't quite as Ghandiesque as Godric has become, nor is Godric quite as evil as Godfrey was portrayed overall. But the conversation between he and Sookie is very book like. Her tears, his fearlessness at meeting the sun, so poignant! I loved when he asked if she would care for Eric when he was gone and she responded that she didn't know. "You know how he is!" How Godric took blame for what Eric had become was utterly sincere. I'll say it again Allan Hyde is going places! He's brilliant!
So where this goes next I do not know, but I know where I'll be Sunday night at 9 pm for the next three episodes. Then we must wait until next summer to see the next season. That is going to be some wait!
And on a totally unrelated note...How cute was that dress Sookie was wearing at the end? Loved it!
Oh and thank god they finally took Eric out of that wife beater shirt! Not cool! The black sweater/pants combo was MUCH better, but then again he'd look good in a potato sack! ;oP
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