Alan Ball is apparently emphasizing the importance of supernatural politics on True Blood. There have been many recent developments and clues that lead me to believe that Political hypocrisy in the United States has been a theme since the show’s beginning, but I think Alan Ball is placing more emphasis on the politics of vampires/supernaturals, and their own hypocrisy, as a plot device.
Think about these recent comments by Alan Ball regarding politics on True Blood by Xfinity News:
QUESTION: Speaking of Bill, he’s the Vampire King now and also a local politician. Are you getting political this season?
ANSWER: There are levels of bureaucracy in the vampire world that we’ll be getting into. There are creepy, Dick Cheney-like figures within the vampire authority. I’m not saying we’ll meet them this season but I am saying the vampire bureaucracy goes deeper than you know.
QUESTION: Is Nan Flanagan a part of that? Based on the season premiere, she seems like more than just the head of the American Vampire League.
ANSWER: Nan is going to be a regular this year. She’s in nine episodes and is definitely part of the major story that encompasses witchcraft versus vampires. Which is our main story this season.
QUESTION: What about Bill? As you mentioned earlier, he’s bit of a bureaucrat now.
He’s putting on a good face for the humans. As King, Bill is going to definitely be in charge. He’s the point person for the war between vampires and witches. He’s going to be tested by a dangerous adversary. He’s going to have to be on his toes and fight for vampires in general because he’s up pretty much up against an entity that has dreams of vampire genocide.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL…
In addition, episode 4×02 contained the flashback in which we saw Nan offering Bill a job as a spy. She clearly stated that Bill’s purpose as a spy for the Authority (then it’s lobbying group, the AVL) was to ensure that mainstreaming could happen by “plant[ing] the seeds of discord from within.” In Bill’s other flashback, we see his confrontation with Queen Sophie Ann resulted in him using his spy status to depose her and become King; therefore, his appointment as King is a sham and he is a puppet king for the Authority.
Nan offers Bill as job as a spy
What I think this all means (yes, its wordy but it’s worth the read, I promise):
Of course, I doubt that Bill is the only puppet king for the Authority and the only spy for the Authority and the supposed “mainstreaming movement.” By dismantling the actual power of the monarchy through uncovering their weaknesses and installing puppet Kings/Queens, the Authority will make the monarchy irrelevant and consolidate the Vampiric power in the United States. I already established in a previous article from the last season that the AVL/ the Authority are not actually for equality and total integration with humans. They may lure spies or supporters like Bill Compton in with progressive ideas that may appeal to them (in Bill’s case that was open interaction with humans) but they are very sinister and very conservative in reality. The Authority simply wants to gain legal rights and equality so that they can gradually overtake positions of authority once held exclusively by humans, such as congressional positions and maybe even the presidency of the United States one day. That way, they can implement and enforce their dogma legally and without the pesky monarchy in their way. The monarchs they installed will be the ones that enter the actual political arena one day and implement their dogma.
Can we say, President Bill?
Think of the Magister
If the magister is any indication then apart from vampire superiority, they would want to take A VERY AGGRESSIVE STANCE against the use of V. They would attack V usage with fury and implement very harash penelties for those that possessed it openly; essentially a separate large-scale drug war would begin against V usage and drainers that supply it. In fact, this drug war against V usage would extend to vampires that wanted to give their blood voluntarily. Therefore, not even voluntarily giving humans blood (apart from the purposes of procreating new vampires) would be allowed.
Just imagine the other social policies they may try to implement.
Financially, I could see the the Authority/the AVL (‘s) politicians working to forgive taxes that vampires withheld and taxes that could possibly be pursued by human legislators.
ALSO, Remember the religious tone behind much of this dogma? This is a metaphor for the role of religion in American politics.
While the AVL shows use a liberal facade to promote its policies, it’s actually a group of very socially conservative vampires that want to promote conservative vampire policies.
There have to be vampires opposing the Authority. Remember Nan mentioned they were having to gradually depose the established monarchy?
While Eric is not the mainstreamer that the AVL expects him to present himself as, Eric does not seem to be conservative. Sure, he believes in the superiority of vampires of humans and enforces the policies of his King/Queen, but he is just being a loyal servant to the vampire monarchy and seems content to handle all of these matters within the confines of private vampire politics. He does not seem to be actively involved with the AVL or the Authority except when he is forced to and he respects the monarchy enough to have even followed QSA’s orders despite his objections ( I don’t think it was all about keeping his sheriff job).
Eric casually left his blood in the fridge to be enjoyed by Sookie and has constantly wanted to give Sookie his blood (and not because he was trying to manipulate her so that she would willingly go to an evil Queen):
Eric's blood in Sookie's fridge 4x02
He also clearly actually enjoys interacting with humans on some level or he wouldn’t own a vampire bar that serves humans as well:
All of this has me thinking that Eric possibly sides with those that are opposed to the Authority (as I mentioned before), in my opinion these are Eric’s “higher friends.” If Eric does side with the monarchists/ socially liberal vampires, this could Even if Eric does not side with this group (at least not officially) , there have to be vampires that aren’t socially conservative and oppose the Authority and their dogma. We saw that Russell opposed the Authority’s dogma but he also wanted to hasten vampire superiority (because he claimed he was concerned about the planet) by essentially trying to start the race war when he had nothing to lose after Talbot met the true death. However, there also have to be more reasonable or more calculating vampire monarchists that oppose the power of the Authority or a group of vampires that oppose the Authority and it’s dogma. There are always a group of people who oppose the Authority of one group/an individual and wish to overthrow that individual or group’s position of leadership (in this case the authority of the Authority lol), even if it’s a small opposition.
I am convinced traditional Monarchists that want to keep the original power structure and wish to continue to handle vampire laws privately exist; I also believe that socially liberal vampires oppose the Authority and of course Monarchists who are socially liberal.
After the vampires come together to get rid of the witch threat, I can see vampires opposing each other in a civil war (Monarchists versus the Authority/the AVL).
I know it seems contradictory that those who pursue change through the legislative process are the socially conservative vampires and the monarchists are the socially liberal vampires, but that seems to be the case. Alan Ball is never short on irony 🙂
Talktrueblood's Blog 
#1 by osterby on June 30, 2011 - 5:54 pm
This is so spot on! Of course Eric would side with monarchists. He is the son of a King. My mother has an old saying…”people don’t change, they only get more so.”
(fangtasia)
#2 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:01 pm
Thank you…..Exactly…although I didn’t include that obviously.
#3 by Melissa Ocampo on June 30, 2011 - 5:54 pm
OK, so maybe I missed it, but who is the one true “Authority”…is it AVL or another group? I’m Not that great with theories!
#4 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:02 pm
That’s the name of the panel/group….shown officially when Eric made his speech about Russell to them.
Nan is their publicist and in charge of their facade/lobbying group…which is the AVL.
#5 by Diane on June 30, 2011 - 5:57 pm
Well written and I agree that that the Authority just want to have ultimate power, power over humans and vampires. I also agree that Eric is part of the Monarchy that do not want to be controlled.
#6 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:04 pm
Thank you for the compliment and yes that’s essentially my point.
#7 by Ethan on June 30, 2011 - 5:59 pm
Great article…going to write a more substantial reply when I get home, as I love the political part of True Blood (being a political science guy :).
#8 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:05 pm
Thank you and I look forward to seeing it.
#9 by Ethan Ralph on June 30, 2011 - 10:49 pm
Well I think your article is spot on. I mentioned in the comments on the last piece you wrote that I see a vampire civil war coming, if not this season, then the next. The seeds will probably be sewn somewhat this season tho. The one thing I will disagree with you on is Bill’s “puppet” status. As Alan Ball himself said, and you quoted: “As King, Bill is going to definitely be in charge.” That doesn’t exactly sound like a puppet to me. Although, since he obviously owes his position to the AVL/Authority, if he loses their support, then his crown is in obvious jeopardy…Another reason for Eric owning Fangtasia could be that he likes separating humans from their money, although your point is well-taken that he could probably doesn’t have to run the bar, so he has to enjoy it a little I guess.
#10 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 1:41 am
Thanks.
It’s always been sewn…it’s just a matter of what it explodes.
Just because Eric can control his subordinates within Louisiana and order man against their enemies, doesn’t mean he isn’t being manipulated overall for a bigger scheme. LIke I aid, I don’t think that’s Eric’s only source of income and like you said he could be doing other things.
#11 by IATM on June 30, 2011 - 11:08 pm
i think the vampire war is already active & it will combine with the Fae war on TB..
in s2 Stan called Sookie a Eric’s puppet” & in fact she responded “I’m noones puppet” even though she seriously came across as a puppet.. but not Eric’s since he paid her for the job in the first place.. that was empolyement actually, same as she is employeed at Merlottes w/out using her Telepathy.. & she get’s paid to be a waitress same as she got paid to use her gift of Telepathy in Dallas..
so who is the real puppet?? appearently in s4 we will see Eric loosing his memory to witches who can control the “Mind” of the dead..
IMO that is symbolic , since Sookie has been “Dead To The World” for 3 seasons as Bill’s puppet.. she risked her life for Bill & searched for him & even went to Eric ( who she claims she cant stand) to find her Billy.. in return Sookie comes home to something 1 year “Later” to something she “percieves” everyone has moved on with life w/out her..
emotional “Baggage/ support” all the time & it is draining IMO
#12 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 1:32 am
Well we all know she was under Bill’s influence because he was literally saturating her body with his blood and we saw what effect that a couple of drops of Eric’s blood had. She was obeying his boss’s orders with Eric, that’s not exactly being a puppet if your getting paid haha.
Yes, that’s what is heartbreaking…comparing Sookie looking for Bill last season to the way he just gave up on her in this one…as much as I dislike Bill.
#13 by TruFan on June 30, 2011 - 6:08 pm
Yes they call themselves Kings and Queens, but they aren’t really a monarchy in any real sense of the word. The titles aren’t passed down to heirs, but seem to go to whoever kills them. Obviously vampires can’t have children, but they do have progeny that titles could pass too if they wished that sort of system.
Other than that little nitpick, I pretty much agree with everything you’ve said 🙂
I also agree with Osterby, that Eric’s human life as a Prince would have him support that system by default. I’d imagine it would take something rather big to make him actively oppose it. On the other hand, he was pretty quick to switch allegiances when it suited his own needs. Of course, he was only doing that for personal reasons, so. Yeah, I don’t know what my point is. 🙂 I’ll have to think on that a bit more!
(fangtasia)
#14 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:08 pm
But they can have successions if they desire and people are not voted in and it’s not really representative either, so I would call it that or a system of dictatorship (which might be more accurate as a monarchy would imply the devine right of kings).
I think that as an opportunist he would take allegiances as they suited his needs except for when it comes to his personal loyalties. However, I think his friends and his personal opinion is with the monarchists.
#15 by Kim on June 30, 2011 - 6:36 pm
“After the vampires come together to get rid of the witch threat, I can see vampires opposing each other in a civil war (Monarchists versus the Authority/the AVL).”
SPOILERS AHEAD
I could see this playing out next season. If you’ve read the books they’ve (the writers of the TV series) used up most of what Charlaine has written other than the politics involved with Alcide’s pack (we haven’t seen the last of Debbie Pelt!). Of course, there are other main plot lines in the books, but they weren’t very exciting, so I’m hoping there’s not another repeat of the mistakes that were made in Season 2.
I really hope that AB brings in the major plot line from “All Together Dead” before the series ends, as it was one of my favorites and it would tie-in very well with the human resistance and the FotS.
#16 by Kat on June 30, 2011 - 10:11 pm
Yeah me either…I really dont want something similar to the Maryann fiasco.
I loved All Together Dead and I agree with most of everything you said.
#17 by IATM on June 30, 2011 - 6:46 pm
yea in s3 the minisode of the Vampire talking to the agent gave 3 examples of how one gains power.. this minisode is after “9 Crimes” epi in s3..
1. through an inheritence ( Eric creating his will last season for Pam) so a progeny could gain it that way as well..
2. A Take Over ( seize power).. which seems to be the way Billy did it to QSA with assistence of Nan/ Authority/ AVL
3. through Marriage ( which is the way Russell was trying to do it in s3 with QSA).. i i find
#18 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 1:52 am
That’s more like a dictatorship but could still be considered a monarchy (though that brings in the “devine right of kings.”)
#19 by IATM on June 30, 2011 - 7:05 pm
as a political statment i also want to add..
there are extremist on both sides of the spectrum.. idealist , & tree hugger’s , & abortion hater’s & ect..ect..ect…
i think Russell was an extremist on the Liberal vampire side.. he actually called the Authority out if you listen to his speech on national t.v… he also called out humans as well .. Russell’s speech had some truth in it no matter the violence that occured..
QSA i think was Independant on the political spectrum.. she was a tax evader & didnt pay her dues to the Authority either.. which is why i think they pin pointed her Crown.. where as Russell paid his dues in high amounts..
i think TB Sookie consider’s herself “Independant” / “conservative”.. book Sookie though doesnt vote or do much political anything.. in fact she doesnt like politics..
I think Eric represents the “Independant/ Democrat” vampire branch.. he has some old school ways as well so i wont call him “Liberal”.. but he is “Modern” thinking somewhat for his age.. so the Monarchs that Eric would team up with would be most likely Democrat’s or “Liberal minded” politicians ..
Bill is total Repblican/ conservative.. that hasent changed since s1 – s4..
#20 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 1:54 am
Well yes, both sides are extremists and Eric is an example of a moderate I think and QSA was a rogue apparently.
I think Sookie is truly a moderate like Eric though she avoids politics because they cause her a lot of problems in the vampire world.
agreed on Bill.
#21 by IATM on June 30, 2011 - 7:55 pm
Just had a thought so i want to share 🙂
Sookie i think consider’s Eric more scary simply because Eric is more Liberal “Minded” or more of a “Liberal minded thinker”.. he enjoys her being “independant in nature / & thinker & saucy”.. she consider’s herself “conservative”.. & that is why Billy comes off to her as being more “Protective” & “Strong”.. Sookie is after all the “modern Scarlett O’hara”/ Southeren Belle..
in s3 Sookie kepts telling everybody “how Strong Billy’s Blood was”.. to her he represents strength because he represents the South & represents “protection”… to her Eric is too Open minded & therefore, dangerous because he represents Change & seriously he represents REAL strenghth & growth & REAL “Independance” that she seeks within..
Scarlett didnt realize it till it was to late & Rhett walked out on her at the end of the Book/ & movie GWTW.. Eric keeps giving Sookie chances to grow within & she still is stalling even in DR.. which is the main reason he called her a Hyprocrite.. she wants the Best of Both worlds ( Human & Supe) plus she wants her Independance & respect & growth & she clings to old wounds & she clings to the past ( in the books).. this is the reason book Sookie hasent grown that much as a character too much baggage ( that she claimed Quinn held) to the past & old wounds that it stunts her growth to the future..
#22 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 2:00 am
Well I do think their actually both more moderate. I think most of Sookie’s “belle” attitude came from Bill because we saw an independent and strong Sookie before Bill began to dominate her life.
I really do like your thoughts though because they makes sense as well.
Well I think she liked Bill’s protectiveness because of how his blood influenced her although I think it was already inside of her because of her upringing. I actually think Sookie is on a reaction against this and won’t be able to let it into her mind until Eric let’s his guard down more. Eric makes her more of that ” fiesty and saucy fairy” self he mentioned than that “human southern belle” side her upbringing and Bill brought out.
I love that GWTW comparison too. Might be something to analyze and consider.
#23 by TruFan on July 1, 2011 - 6:09 am
Sookie was a lot more feisty in the books, even from the start. I welcome seeing more of that because there have been times when True Blood Sookie drives me crazy with her “little girlness”. It’s not really cute when you’re an adult woman, Sookie, grow up!
I think it’s interesting that Bill encouraged her to be weak and dependent, and Eric has always tried to get her to be stronger. (Don’t underestimate yourself!) However, now he seems to be taking a page from Bill’s book with all of this “You need me to protect you” and “You’re my property” crap. I’m a little mad at the writers for choosing to take Eric in this direction.
It also makes me mad that it seems to be working. Really Sookie, do you want to be THAT girl?
#24 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 12:44 pm
Well on True Blood it seems that Eric brings it out and Bill suppresses it and I think we will see it as long as she stays away from Bill.
Well I don’t know, maybe he sees that Sookie responds to that but I hope during his amnesia itll be purely natural……..but I do think she’s still going to get stronger……..
It seems the writers often like to tease …”look eric is an asshole…HAHA JK not really!”…..It’s frustrating.
I also think Eric wants the appearance of total ownership in order to protect her.
#25 by Anonymous on July 1, 2011 - 5:19 pm
I agree that has normally been the case, but as you say, they’re sort of messing with our heads this season. I really can’t wait until we see amnesia Eric, I finally watched the second episode online, and how cute was Eric in that last scene? He was just like a little boy. 🙂 It’s going to be great to see this vulnerable side of him we don’t get to see often. I’m sure I’m not the only one who cried when he was crying to Godric and begging him not to die. I still can’t watch that scene without crying. That Alex is a heck of an actor, isn’t he?
#26 by TruFan on July 1, 2011 - 5:20 pm
Sorry forgot to sign my name on that last one…
#27 by Patrick on July 1, 2011 - 12:30 pm
Your comments seem to be pretty much spot-on re: the drug war (V usage). There are many different angles that one could come at this from, one being that, like the DEA in the real world, stopping the distribution of drugs isn’t really the aim. This could be because the main goal is to control the population.
The main theme of the article is correct, though: It is all about usurping power.
#28 by Kat on July 1, 2011 - 12:46 pm
good point about the real aims of their dogma.
thank you.
#29 by Anonymous on July 1, 2011 - 2:33 pm
they keep doing the compare & contrast with both Vamps..
for 3 seasons all Bill ever cried about was his Humanity.. in the 80’s flashback we didnt witness “humanity” in regards to his feeding.. he was feeding on that guy like he fed on the Chicago couple.. & this Humanity was also shown during the Ratt’s beating appearently..
so Bill is into power.. we saw he knew a very powerfull vampire since he knew Russell & Eric didnt.. Russell offered him a Sheriff position & Bill had a better proposition in Being King..
i’m thinking of Sookie’s first reaction in s1 when Bill claimed to the trio that she was his.. she didnt really get upset.. but she did ask him what that meant & he told her “protection”.. so no other vampire can feed on her.. that is what she didnt like.. she still didnt understand the vampire Culture..
in s4 we have Eric owning her house & asking her to accept being his for future threats on her well-being… Geesh she lives next door to her ex-boyfriend the King who said he was “empty” without her for 1 year..
i think the writer’s could have did a better job on this stuff as well.. i mean does Sookie really need protection from Eric right now with King Billy next door?? she seems comfrotable going to his house & up the stairs instead of a simple phone call..
#30 by Kat on July 2, 2011 - 12:42 pm
As I always say….if Bill already had humanity then he wouldn’t need to seek it out. Eric already has it even if he doesn’t always want it or want to show it.
That’s how I knew Bill was involved with the AVL then because obviously he was too young to be given a position as king or a better position than sheriff unless he was involved with them
She seemed uncomfortable with it at first to me and fought back against him after that until her Grandmother died and she was desperate for comfort and companionship.
Yes, that was worrisome to me that she felt comfortable just going to his house…even though he could have been alone for all she knew. Well, I believe Eric doesn’t trust Bill and doesn’t think Sookie should either for obvious reasons and thinks they should depend on each other and a lot less on Bill.
#31 by anna on July 2, 2011 - 8:37 am
Just a small point about Eric being a natural monarchist. Old World vamps have had a chance to see all kinds of political systems play out over the centuries, from absolutely monarchies to democracies and a whole range in between.
There’s an old election slogan that goes “Whichever party you vote for, the Government gets in”
#32 by Kat on July 2, 2011 - 12:35 pm
That’s very true…
and…
Yes, nice saying. It’s politics no matter how we look at it and Eric knows that.
He plays the game where it takes him.
BTW, I will be reading your blog more in depth later.
#33 by Pauline on July 2, 2011 - 9:07 am
Are you sure about Eric’s blood in Sookie’s fridge? I thought it was human blood for him to drink, because he was planning to visit her next night. And I thought it was some kind of message: “I don’t want you only because of your blood”.
#34 by Kat on July 2, 2011 - 12:32 pm
No.. but I assumed Eric would be drinking fresh blood (even if not for Sookie)…
and also had to do with the symbolism of Sookie’s blood diet and lack of food lately (against the empty fridge)…which is something Ginger commented on.
anyway, that’s a really nice thought! would be better than my thought…
#35 by Pauline on July 2, 2011 - 1:20 pm
I think Eric is not that stupid to believe that Sookie may drink his blood just like that, without reason like injury or something. So I thought this is human blood for him. Of course, he prefers fresh blood, but this dedication intensifies that message I think he tries to tell her. And as we know he is very determined to get her, so I think this is much more likely 😉
#36 by Kat on July 3, 2011 - 10:15 pm
I think that’s a valid argument although I think it might have been a joke if he did leave his blood there.
I really hope your right there….that is a beautiful notion.
#37 by anna on July 2, 2011 - 1:10 pm
…and that should read “absolute monarchy” not absolutely…
Thanks Kat! I don’t think I’ll be posting things that often but it seemed to be the middle way.
#38 by TruFan on July 2, 2011 - 4:30 pm
Why DID Sookie feel comfortable going to Bill’s house and up to his room? The more I think about this the more confusing it is. It’s only been like a day for her since she revoked her invitation to him because of what he did.
If that wasn’t enough, she was just surrounded by men with guns. If this didn’t scream “tread carefully” to her I don’t know what would!
What is she thinking? Is she in denial? At what point is she going to start treating Bill with the same scepticism that she treats Eric with?
#39 by Kat on July 3, 2011 - 10:13 pm
I know….that was been a confusing question for me.
Well sometimes the stages of abuse include denial. I think that’s what Sookie is going through.
Agreed.
#40 by osterby on July 3, 2011 - 10:07 am
Going out on a limb here…due to the recent posting by the Fellowship od the Sun of a missing Steve Newlin, reading AB’s comments and this post…something wasn’t quite sitting right in my mind. We know that TB is wriiten in parallels, I have some food for thought.
Imagery depicts Eric is a Christ figure. Steve Newlin is a reverend. Eric’s human family was killed by a vampire Russell Edgington. Steve’s family was killed by vampire sherrif Stan. Eric spent 1000 years seeking revenge on his family’s murderer. Steve had created the LODI to seek revenge on the entire race of vampires. Eric is escentually missing due to his amnesia. Steve Newlin in literally missing. I think we can all agree that Steve Newlin represents the conservative republican religious right.
Are these parallels telling us that Eric is actually on the conservative vampire right?
#41 by Kat on July 3, 2011 - 10:22 pm
Wow, I had actually not considered that myself…..thank you for this comment!!
well do you think Eric could actually be with the AVL too somehow? He did go straight to the magister to report Bill
#42 by Ethan Ralph on July 4, 2011 - 12:10 am
I thought when Bill said he had friends in high places that it meant he had friends in high places within the AVL/Authority…well that’s what I originally thought when I watched it the first time.
#43 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 12:31 am
well as some suggested, it might be possible that Eric is somehow involved in the AVL as well though I haven’t seen any strong evidence of that other than his involvement with Nan’s PSA and owning a vampire bar.
#44 by TruFan on July 4, 2011 - 5:20 am
I don’t think we should underestimate the gratitude of the AVL for Eric taking care of Russell Edgington, and also for warning them. (Even if they ignored that warning). I wouldn’t be surprised if that earned him a little respect at the top. I know that Bill will have taken credit for Edgington but I think there might be someone at the top who can see past Bill’s little games. Someone we haven’t met yet.
As for Nan, she seems like the kind of person who likes things to run smoothly. That’s why she said, “we need him” about Eric to do the PSA. It’s not so much she trusts him, as she realizes that he’s a more stable personality. If you think about it, Bill is sort of a loose cannon, running around and doing things impulsively and not always with an obvious reason. Eric is more methodical, even at his most angry he took the time to honestly tell about the situation to the AVL, and carried through his “mission” with clarity and reason.
If you’re trying to do something BIG, like change the way vampire government works, who would you rather have on your side? I think putting Bill in a King position may actually be to “keep an eye on him”. I know that sounds funny, but I think we’ll find his power might be just for show. How do we know those guards aren’t to keep Bill where he’s supposed to be, rather then keep anyone else from hurting him?
Of course, maybe everything is exactly like it looks like. But that would be a first for True Blood, wouldn’t it? 😀
#45 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 1:54 pm
Well I would have thought that too myself but they didn’t seem that enthused about Eric taking care of Russell….they really just threw him under the bus.
But maybe Eric has since gained more respect from them….idk. I certainly hope someone does seem past Bill; really, I think Nan is beginning to but is currently testing him and doesn’t want to shake things up at this moment.
I think maybe he was promised that for overthrowing QSA somehow or he agreed to set her up in exchange for that, idk.
I think it’s a way of testing Nan’s suspicions actually or because he has a good appearance/face to most humans, despite his known volatility.
#46 by osterby on July 4, 2011 - 1:37 pm
I think we need to consider just what AB referred to when he said: Liberal
Perhaps we should look a little deeper into the term for a less obvious definition (As we know that absolutely everything on TB has more depth of meaning if you care to look for it.)
Looking back in history tells us that we have existed almost exclusively under hierarchical monarchies/feudal societies. A very few had liberty or equal rights.
Think back 200 years. (How ironic that this discussion came up on the 4th of July.) The United States declared independence, rejected this feudal society, and proclaimed unalienable/human rights. This is the essence of the “liberal” society that we Americans live in. This has absolutely nothing to do with whether you choose your “politics” to be left/right/center, conservative/liberal, democrat/republican.
The hierarchy in the vampire society…Kings and Queens rule over the populous and appoint Lords/Sheriffs of fiefdoms. The general vampire population must submit to their Lord/Sheriff. A prodigy must submit to their maker. Vampires keep human “pets” by proclaiming superiority/possession simply by uttering “You are mine.” Russell and Eric told us that The Authority serves at the pleasure of this feudal society. The Magister reinforced the authority of the Authority. Not exactly a liberal society. QSA, RE, Eric and Pam have comfortably fit into this society for centuries.
The “political arm” of the Authority, the American Vampire League seeks The Vampire Rights Amendment to give vampires the rights of humans in our liberal society. Remember Eric and Russell’s discussion in the limo and Russell’s spine ripping televised speech…”We are not equal.” The VRA is not advancement for our feudal vampires, but a definite advancement for our general vampire population.
I will answer your question with a question…why would Eric, son of a King in his human life, give seek to give up his feudal authority as a Lord/Sheriff in his vampire life?
#47 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 1:49 pm
Of course, very good point Osterby.
Very true…and very ironic lol
Traditional liberalism is a POV to consider.
It’s true that those characters seemed to exist comfortably in that non-liberal society though he do not know if Eric or Pam really and truly have no aspirations for improvement of that society.
I think it is a play for power and is not simply there to help vampires of course. They are simply transfering the power solely to the Authority because I am sure all vampires running for office will have to be approved by them and if they have all the power the monarchy itself will become irrelevant. If Eric and Pam did in fact exist comfortably outside the political aspects of our “liberal society,” then why would they like the Authority/the AVL’s venture into this arena?
That is very true….I don’t think the Authority really wants to get rid of the monarchy though, and therefore maybe Eric’s relevance as well eventually.
#48 by osterby on July 4, 2011 - 2:30 pm
Prior to the series premiere there were many articles posted on the origional bloodcopy.com http://www.archive.bloodcopy.com/?m=200806&paged=6, that advocate the Great Revelation after the introduction of the vampire beverage, TruBlood. The vampires were “compelled” to comply with the AVL’s advancement of the VRA and the “Mainstreaming Movement”. This would result in vampires having to pay taxes and subject themselves to human laws. I agree that the AVL is seeking to bring down the feudal system. But to replace it with what, the vampire social elite?
#49 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 3:05 pm
Yes, they want to put themselves solely in charge by overthrowing the monarchy/making them irrelevant other than what their doing for them such as running for public office in human society as well as controlling vampires to their liking and implementing their agenda…..and we can only speculate as to what that is aside from the laws we saw the magister enforcing/ the dogma the magister advocated.
#50 by osterby on July 4, 2011 - 2:36 pm
Pam’s dislike for breathers and uninspired attempt at a PSA implies that she is more than comfortable where she is.
#51 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 3:02 pm
That’s very true….she is one of the reasons I didn’t think she liked the reform that the AVL wants to bring.
#52 by osterby on July 4, 2011 - 3:56 pm
And I don’t think that Pam stands alone.
#53 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 4:45 pm
of course not, the question is who else besides Eric in my opinion….
#54 by osterby on July 4, 2011 - 9:32 pm
One vamp I think we could count on is Isabel in Texas, and ironically, Sookie seem to have kept in touch with her…
#55 by Kat on July 4, 2011 - 11:44 pm
Oh I agree and thank you for pointing that out!
I always hoped Isabel would show up again!
#56 by TruFan on July 4, 2011 - 11:12 pm
I had forgotten about Isabel, but I’d love to see her again, she was very sweet with Eric when talking about their humans 🙂