**My level of distaste for each of these aspects of the finale is rated on a scale of 1-5**
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(2.5) Unemotional visits from the ghosts of loved ones:
I understand that Alan Ball was inserting his Buddhist viewpoint that “”Life is suffering and happiness is temporary,” so death is joyful compared to being tied to the harsh world. However how many viewers do you think are going to understand it or appreciate it even if they do? The souls of the dead seemed to be nothing but zombies to be manipulated by the living when need be. In addition, it felt as if they were high on drugs (smiling/joking the whole time or basically expressionless while they talked to their supposed love ones that they are now permanently separated from). To some audience members it seemed silly and to people like me it seemed to be such a waste of potentially emotional material.
BTW, why do there appear to be souls / individuals if Alan Ball is imparting a Buddhist viewpoint ( the Buddha did not believe in a self, a soul, or an Atman as Hindus call it); but I guess I can maybe give him a pass on that since some Buddhists try to philosophize that the concept of a soul is possible in Buddhism?
_________________________________________________________________________
(2) Alcide makes his case to Sookie and she entertains the thought of choosing him
Ok, so I am a little mad about this scene but not completely since I was expecting it and know that Alcide was going to make a play for her after breaking things off with Debbie. Also, he isn’t Bill but that’s not saying very much. However, I still thought the scene made little sense.
First of all, Alcide barely knows Sookie and has just broken up with a lover he’s had in his life since childhood (no matter any of the bad things that have happened between them) and might-I-add was having a hard time getting over last season. Second of all, it made no sense that Sookie seems to be entertaining him as a prospect since she’s so head-over-heels for two vampires at once that she cannot bear to choose between them. I know he’s hot and all and she’s got a pull being a fairy and all but C’MON this makes no sense that they are on each other’s minds RIGHT NOW if she’s really that broken up about Bill and Eric (two vampires she dated and was intimate with) and he just ended things on a bad note once again with a woman he’s known since childhood. She doesn’t tell Alcide that his words have resonated with her a little but you can see it written all over her face as he walks away.
Also, how are Alcide fans even going to be satisfied with this scene for the reasons I specified above?
__________________________________________________________________________
(3) Sookie screams for “Bill”after the stake is ignited and doesn’t say Eric at first.
I don’t understand why Sookie seems to constantly be more concerned about Bill. She supposedly loves them both equally but constantly seems to be more concerned about Bill (case-in-point: Sookie zapped Eric in order to save Bill without thinking about what it would do to him even though she did have many examples of it not actually killing anyone- so I am mixed about that scene). She summons her hands after calling out to Bill. Of course, the average audience member would think “Oh she loves Bill more,” even if that’s not really the case.
______________________________________________________________________________________
(1) Rene/Drew is suddenly a “good-guy” attempting to give Arlene helpful advice.
I wasn’t really angry about this of course but it was another annoyance that made no sense. I guess Rene/Drew was a murdering sociopath with a capacity to love Arlene enough to warn her about Terry’s past from the afterlife? In fact Rene was the only one who seemed to get emotional and caring at all. WHAT?
______________________________________________________________________________
(5 -really 10 it sent me into a rage) The entire couch/ double-break-up scene!
WTF? Really, I don’t even know where to begin about this scene. Sookie is getting aroused from her double feeding and Eric as Bill are wearing matching pajamas (I guess in a way symbolizing their new-found sense of being connected and acceptance of their equal role in Sookie’s eyes and Sookie’s realization of their equal place in her eyes *VOMIT*).
Then, we have Sookie FORGIVING BILL COMPLETELY (despite it only being two weeks in her mind and Bill never asking for forgiveness or apologizing himself) AND THEN ASKING BILL FOR FORGIVENESS (for what I have no idea) as they give each other a tender stare-down!
Then we have Sookie attempting to tell Eric (after he reminds her that BILL HAD HIS CHANCE) that everyone’s misdeeds are equal so it’s all-cool for them to move on. In what universe are Bill’s misdeeds and wealth of lies equal to Eric’s and Sookie’s??? In what universe does Bill deserve to be forgiven yet you bring up what Eric did and don’t explicitly say you forgive him completely too???
In addition, we have Eric acting COMPLETELY OUT-OF-CHARACTER (like some 15 year old) as he says things like: “Bill’s cool with it” and begs for Sookie’s attention. REALLY??? All the while, Bill is there to witness the pathetic spectacle and act like the mature one standing aside, giving Sookie space, and “allowing” her to be with Eric.
We have Sookie proceeding to HUMILIATE both of them by making her love case for each of them in front of the other before leaving them both in the dust. I’ll never defend Bill but she even TELLS ERIC SHE WANTED HIM ALL ALONG IN FRONT OF BILL (of course I always knew that but what are you doing Sookie?). How is this suppose to be fufilling for either Eric or Bill fans or even Alcide fans? HOW?
There are no words to describe what a total FAIL this scene was! If I didn’t honestly believe that Bill was a terrible individual and had witnessed him attempting to kill Eric on multiple occasions, I would be rooting for Eric and Bill as a couple at this point over her with either of them!
_________________________________________________________________________
(1.5) Predictable cliffhangers that were not a total tribute to the books
Thank you Alan Ball for the most predictable cliffhangers ever (they were predictable to anyone but the most typical and un-involved of fans)! You know, I would be fine with the Sookie killing Debbie thing (a sort-of kind-of book nod) if you had had Eric rescue her like in the books since it would be showing the books some respect for once…it would have at least made up a little bit for earlier.
______________________________________________________________________________
(3) Tara gets killed off
I know I am in the minority when it comes to my love of Tara, but I was deeply saddened by this. Of course, it’s a supernatural show so they could bring her back somehow but it was a head-wound and I dont see how she can be turned in such a state. We could have Lafayette bring her back but what are the consequences of that? Plus, she has a head wound so what does that mean for her resurrected body? Maybe a vampire could heal her, but it looks as if she’s already gone. Only time can tell but if it turns out she’s really dead, I am going to be SAD AND MAD THEY KILLED HER OFF BEFORE ARLENE. I heard Rutina may have said something about Season 5 but where exactly are they going with this. If Bill heals her, I might just shit a brick…assuming I can watch next season without pulling my hairs out one-by-one!
I mainly see Tara coming back as some sort of ghost next season aiding Lafayette the medium. How lame would that be?
____________________________________________________________________________
SOUND OFF BELOW!
Talktrueblood's Blog 
#1 by Deja Johnson on September 13, 2011 - 12:02 am
I concur. The a majority of the fans on TB boards and groups basically predicted this whole damn season. I don’t like what they’ve done to Sookie and Eric AT ALL and that ‘breakup’ scene was despicable. I could go on for days.
Doubting Tara’s truly dead, but if she is that’s such an unfair ending for her. A majority of the TB fanbase hate Tara and its like the show just gave them the means to gloat over someone dying, even if it was to save her friend. Tara’s misfortune was totally set up in the beginning of the ep.
So what, Jessica’s main occupation will be fucking and feeding? She deserves a much better storyline, but instead they’re revving her up to be a harlot. Yes, her and Jason’s sex scene was hot, but what else is there with them? Hoyt’s really getting the shitty end of the stick here but no one cares.
#2 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 12:16 am
Yeah, that’s one of the reasons I loved Season Three. It actually surprised me at times and it ended with something that wasn’t intended to make the audience worship Bill.
I agree it is. I also think it’s unfair for Tara to become some “on-drugs-zombie ghost” helping Lafayette.
Yeah, so I guess Jessica is just there to explore her womanhood and ability to sample the bood of multiple men? Um ok.
#3 by Ethan Ralph (@theralphmtown) on September 13, 2011 - 12:25 am
I heard someone was going to die (via Kat :)), but that was it I didn’t read any spoilers as to who it was…as soon as I saw that scene, I knew it was gonna be Tara. Totally telegraphed…I did think Hoyt might show up with the shotgun on Jason there towards the end tho for a second lol.
#4 by Diane Selburg on September 13, 2011 - 12:09 am
Very well said. I could not agree more. The thought of a triangle well and truly ticks me off. It literally makes me ill. It is old, trite and tired. Watching Eric get excited about Sookie choosing him made me think of Pacey on Dawson’s creek. It was painful to watch him get excited like that and then shot down. It was also painful for the obvious reason that it was OOC for him. I can understand that this is the first time in a 1000 years that he has been in love and actually been happy so I can give that a little slack but I do not want to him to remain that way. What makes Eric and Sookie work is that banter they have with each other.
Gran crushed me with her parting words, or lack thereof. She was simply going to walk away and not say anything to Sookie at all, not about her husband finding her, no I love you, just walk away. Then she just said, We all end up alone or some crap. I thought this is why she chooses herself. I could go on and on but I think I have said enough between my own blog, Sookieverseblog and now this one.
#5 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 12:24 am
Thanks. I wish the compliment was under better circumstances though.
Yes, nice Pacey comparison. I mean it was about as pathetic as a boy getting shot down on a soap opera centered around high-school. This is what a viking god gets? So sad.
I wished Eric would just walk away sad and introspective and slightly angry instead of begging her.
Exactly! the banter is what I miss.
Yes, I was wondering if I was the only one pissed off about Gran’s parting or lack-there-of. I didn’t understand why she’d seem concerned when it came to supposedly warning Sookie about Eric’s temporary amnesia but she had nothing to say about Bill’s deception, Earl, or her untimely death? WTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFFFFF???
#6 by Ethan Ralph (@theralphmtown) on September 13, 2011 - 12:21 am
I felt bad for you the way they did Eric…having him beg like that and still get fucked, with Bill standing back and being magnanimous as you said. I was thinking the same thing about Rene…like wtf, all those people you murdered and now you love Arlene and want to save her from Terry’s demons? It was crazy…Gran looked like she had been on a morphine drip or something, def not like old Gran…All of that being said, Stephen Moyer and Skarsgård do play off each other well, and I think they will probably have some good and humorous scenes together next year, but damn at what cost? It’s almost like AB wrote himself into a corner, knew he wasn’t going to have Sookie choose either Bill or Eric, so came up with that utterly lame double breakup scene. I did laugh when he said “Bill’s cool with it!” but fuck it was totally out of character for him to be groveling for her like that. As I told you, I think it would have been better to just have him not remember at all at first like in the books (which I haven’t read).
#7 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 12:47 am
They made Eric look like a selfish and immature high school boy and Bill look like a stoic and mature hero? Are you for real despite the fact that Eric used to be a king and is almost ten times Bill’s age?
So even Rene can be redeemed it seems…why not Bill?
I agree. It’s like Bill is sacrificing his dignity like Eric if he goes total friendship with him. Yes, it’s like he knew Sookie couldn’t choose now because it would lose viewers on any side (including Alcide) and he didn’t plan on going on this long, so he had to come up with some fuckery so that he could have an excuse to leave every option open (and at the same time think that we would care about the book nod of her saying goodbye to both…um ok).
I thought Bill was the groveler and Sookie fell for Eric’s cool demeanor…WTF.
Im starting to think that as well.
#8 by sunny on September 29, 2011 - 8:22 am
“They made Eric look like a selfish and immature high school boy and Bill look like a stoic and mature hero? Are you for real despite the fact that Eric used to be a king and is almost ten times Bill’s age?”
Well, yes. The same thing happened in the bullet sucking scene but there is a reason, though I know most folks don’t want to hear it. When Bill comes off all noble and shit and Eric comes off—well, OOC in any way- he’s gotten control of the narraitive via MORE of his blood in our narrator Sookie.
#9 by Drea Leverenz on September 13, 2011 - 12:50 am
Great points. I also like Tara and I don’t want her to die. I wonder if a vamp saves her would she be like Bubba in the books? Brain dead but a vamp. This whimpy Eric crap needs to stop. They are making him even worse than Bill. Alex does a good job playing whimpy but it’s not the Eric I know and love. What’s next AB has him crawling on his hands and knees begging Sookie to be with him? AB has ruined a good thing.
#10 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 1:19 am
I really don’t want a Tara as Bubba! NO!
Yeah I think they are doing that to now build Bill up and it makes me sick.
Why can’t we have an in-between Eric…the Eric we all love now willing to express his feelings to Sookie sometimes? WHY?
#11 by Gaby on September 13, 2011 - 3:06 pm
I agree!!
the flirting was much better 🙂
Eric shouldn´t had to recover his memories so soon! that ruined a lot!
#12 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 7:58 pm
It would have been nice to have that banter from the books of Eric not knowing but knowing something did happen and teasing her about it while she had time to explore and recover from it all.
#13 by Gaby on September 13, 2011 - 11:21 am
Hi Kat!!
I agree with you in the most o things, and I agree with the other comments.
I don´t care if they are not followinfg the books (but I really would have liked to see Eric catching the bullet for Sookie and not Tara)
What I hate is the lack of respect the writers had for the characters, the story and the public. It seemed that they haven´t watched last seasons or even previous episodes. I think only Terry was not “out of character”.
it´s a pity, with such rich characters to develop and having all at their hands to do something better, turning this in a mess, with holes or situations tooo ridiculous even for this show.
I´m really mad at how they treat Eric´s character, this makes me despise Bill even more…and Sookie. I really prefere she ends uo with Alcide because every man she´s with her is converted in a weeping boring puppy….
And I´m sure Tara is not going to die! i hope she´s converted into a vampire, it will be soo against averything she wanted hahahha
#14 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 7:55 pm
I want to believe the inconsistencies had a deeper meaning but it seems unlikely now and I feel cheated. I can’t even begin with how disrespected I feel as a viewer.. Yeah like I said I would be more interested in Eric and Bill as a couple at this point if that was believable. At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if bill and eric end up together lmao………….yeah but I don’t know what kind of vampire Tara would make and I like her as a human
#15 by Anonymous on September 13, 2011 - 11:58 am
I like Tara, I dont get the hate, nor for Tommy. They are the characters that are most true to their background to me. This is Binky and True Blood Confidential, I made a lot of the same points there. ok, back to Bookies!
#16 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 10:39 pm
I think so too and I personally identify with Tara.
#17 by iamerika on September 13, 2011 - 12:22 pm
I agree with your thoughts! You pointed out EXACTLY why the Season 4 finale was one big, EPIC FAIL to me! There were a lot of plot holes so big, you could drive a truck through – anyone else could write a better ending to this season, IMO.
Besides the fact, I’m still confused about WHY Eric and Bill wore matching robes…WTF? I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned it was to place them equally in Sookie’s eyes. It reminds me of those celebrity polls, “Who wore it better?” So lame…
I’m not going to even start on how disappointed I am on the character destruction by Alan Ball. This was a travesty to the bookies, who love the characters in the books and shows that Alan Ball doesn’t really care what we think.
Thanks for a great blog post! 🙂
#18 by Kat on September 13, 2011 - 10:45 pm
It really was. I don;t know what else to call.
I could definitely have even if I was trying to please all the different shippers.
Raelle Tucker did a terrible job with the dialogue too imo.
It was the lamest thing I have seen so far on this show…that entire scene.
I don’t understand why he would base a show on a series of books that he supposedly liked himself and not care what we think. It makes no sense.
#19 by znb on September 13, 2011 - 12:45 pm
u know i agree with pretty much everything u said lol,most fans predicted the cliffhangers half way through the season..so yeah..that shock value alan ball thinks he has going…..NOT FREAKING THERE ANYMORE.
grans comeback was a huge disappointment…it was almost as if it wasnt even her…..i was waiting to get emotional and teary eyed..not pissed off and wondering what the f*** grans been smoking in the after life that made her such a bitter woman! if my loved ones were going to come back and say spirit-crushing shit like that i’d rather they just stay away thank u very much. And the fact that arlene even considers what psychotic serial killer rene was warning her about was just ridiculous! i wouldnt listen to him if he said the sky was blue!
and what they did to eric and pam…..i actually cant even talk about it because im trying not to think about it. Eric acting like a teen in love for the first time….was…just…..unbelievable….i mean dont get me wrong…alex did the best he could with the shitty writing but come on! eric northman…acting like that…IN FRONT OF BILL FUCKING COMPTON!!?!? not even on ANY parallel universe can i see that happening….and sookies dialogue….ugh…was it hoping for too much if they both had lost control and just drained her? so she would never have said half the stupid shit that she did? i mean…FORGIVING BILL when he never asked or explained himself,when she hasnt even processed their entire farce of a relationship,JUSTIFYING his lies to eric and thn saying erics lied to both of them so many times theyve lost count?!?!?!?!?!? um firstly y the f*** does it even matter if erics lied to bill?they arent in love or bffs….secondly….has she lost her mind???how do erics lies even COMPARE to bills??in what dimension??cuz someone needs to blow it up into nothingness. and thn saying to bill “i hope u can forgive me” MOTHERF***ING hell!?!? omg…..i cant event talk about this scene with out wanting to take a baseball bat to AB…
as for tara…i havent liked her since s1…i also dont think she is really dead even though i think its about time they killed off ONE of the “safe” characters because the “cliffhangers” have lost their suspense….this is the only show in which im NEVER worried they’ll kill of sookie,or bill,or tara,or sam…eric and pam maybe (cuz AB has something against their characters,first he murders their integrity i wouldnt be surprised if he murdered them next)
the only sookie scene i have liked in the last three episodes i think was the sam sookie one this ep…it was a book scene..with their easy frndship and comfort…
i could go on and on lol..but im going to stop because thinking about this is giving me a headache 😦
#20 by Kat on September 14, 2011 - 12:16 am
yeah pretty much lol
It’s like TB has evolved into a sideshow circus of cheap tricks with this finale and I hate it.
I think Alex can worth with any material…he played a cross-dresser for crying out loud. lol.
I don’t think a 1000 yr old viking would act like that even if he’s never loved like this before.
You also left out that Sookie was not in a relationship with Eric and not only that, she tried to act like she hated him ha ha.
I don’t ever want to watch that scene again I hate it so much. Id rather watch a Sookie and Bill sex scene.
They definitely have lost their suspense. We know that Tara, Lafayette, Sam, Alcide, Eric, Bill, Sookie, Pam, Jessica, and Jason are never getting killed off so it’s a mute point to tease that they will.
It’s making me mad so there lol
#21 by TruFan on September 13, 2011 - 1:11 pm
The title of this made me laugh in glee! 😀
I also don’t believe Tara’s dead, but I will enjoy pretending she is until the next season because she was really annoying this season!
I felt like the whole point of Jason and Jessica’s little scene was to point out that sharing blood is MORE intimate then having sex. That way when we see Sookie feed Eric and Bill we’re supposed to….I don’t know, vomit?
Jason was responsible for my only genuine laugh and smile this episode though. When Hoyt asked him How? and Jason told him, OMG, seriously laughed my butt off so hard! Sadly, the brilliant writing in that part of the show was evident no where else in the episode.
The point of the dead people rising was….what exactly? It couldn’t have been to solve the Marnie problem, because that easily could have been solved by just having her NOT inhabit Lala. And grandma, wtf, no words of wisdom or even an expression of love for Sookie? Rene I didn’t actually mind, because I always believed he loved Arlene. Just because you’re psychotic, it doesn’t mean you can’t love. (IE, see Bill) Besides, his grudge was against vampire lovers, so unless Arlene has a hidden past…
Oh, and speaking of vampires, Steve Newlin’s appearance, while not at all shocking, was still one of the best parts of the episodes. In fact, I find all of Jason’s scenes are much more interesting then Sookie’s now. Is Jason the new Sookie? We could do worse.
I don’t even know where to begin with Eric and Bill. Is Eric under a spell? He looks confused and disoriented this whole episode. I understood the feeling completely. He wasn’t in character at ALL, he doesn’t seem to have recovered from the spell. Which makes me think if Marnie’s dead, then whose spell was it really? (If only…I mean that would make sense, but I just don’t buy that Alan is that clever as we all hope he is)
The last thing I want to comment on is Pam. I read some complaints elsewhere about her being out of character, but I actually loved her scene with Ginger. And it really gave Ginger some much needed depth. It was actually the one scene in the whole episode that felt true. Finally, a moment of emotional depth!
#22 by Kat on September 14, 2011 - 12:51 am
Ha I am glad. Pretty straightforward eh? lol
I knew you might feel that way as well as a number of people.
Well I didn’t really think of that. But it really did feel as if they were making love to her at the same time in front of eachother (that level of intimacy) and it was disturbing.
Well ok I just think it was an excuse to bring Drew/Rene back and foreshadow that Terry’s friend is no good in a blatant manner but I get that.
Yeah they should have ended it when she got killed and done a lot better for the finale.
Well I wonder if Newlin is going to seduce Jason though…talk about total cheese lol
Everyone was acting like they were on drugs or under a spell. I was dumbfounded by their behavior but especially Eric’s. THAT IS NOT THE ERIC I KNOW AND LOVE! I used to think Bill was doing magic but weve been shown no straightforward or obvious evidence of it.
Well I found it striking that we are shown that Pam has a bond with Ginger no matter how they act toward her on the outside.
#23 by Gaby on September 13, 2011 - 1:42 pm
Why don´t we join all our comments, and the comments of other blogs, like i.e the Sookieverse blog wich has 605 comments and send them to HBO and AB,demanding them to make amends??? or at least explain us this disaster?
hmmm…just dreaming….
I´m going to read some fanfiction wich some of them are better written than the show.
#24 by Kat on September 14, 2011 - 12:53 am
Agreed.
It’s really inexcusable.
I don’t know what to do but I feel like he needs to be told.
I have considered quitting True Blood but feel tied because of the blog.
#25 by sam on September 14, 2011 - 12:48 am
Hi Kat,
Here are my comments and theories regarding the finale……
Tara
Once I got over the initial shock, sadness and worry started to creep in. I have always liked Tara for her sassy mouth, inner strength, and great mind. (sometimes I feel her anger is misdirected though.) But I have a feeling that she is going to evolve into a supernatural of some sort. Now whether she turns in to a vampire and becomes the thing she seems to hate or blame for some of her past troubles (at least in this season) remains to be seen. But I think Tara will get a whole new lease on life.
I wonder how the state of Tara and Sookie’s friendship will be affected though. Was I the only one looking for a lot more talking and wanting a “Let’s working it all out/make-up” scene between these two still supposed best friends? I feel like a lot of crucial communication between essential characters was sacrificed for quicker scenes and loose and unhip storylines.
Nan Flannigan
Overall I really liked her character. I think that her premature staking just might have cost Eric and Bill a possible ace in their corner, just when they’re about to need it the most. They should have heard her out completely before staking her. Now, I think they may have inadvertently just cooked their own gooses. shame.
Jason/Jessica
I don’t understand what Jessica is imagining would be different if she started a real relationship with jason. Hoyt and Jason are both human, well Jason is slightly different but still… Both human males… simillar characteristics within the relationship. Not to mention that both are/were friends. That would kind of be awkward don’t you think? But I suppose Eric/Sookie/Bill have now set the standard.
Jesus/ Lafyette
Jesus was cool with it? Really? well I guess they will see each other again but damn! I wanted him to say something along the lines of “It’s all right Lafayette, I was meant to lead you on this path to becoming a medium. We were meant to find each other. Both our fates were meant to be drawn together, even if it came to this end. I know you would never hurt me and I don’t blame you for what happened with marnie, I will always love you and I want you to know you have nothing to feel guilty about.” Not just “I’m cool with it. Come on! It might be 1990’s cheesy but whereas the lines of emotional comfort?? Which leads me in to my next topic….
Unemotional reunions with loved ones!
Adele/ Sookie
I was really disappointed with just how emotionally distant Adele seemed to be towards Sookie’s raw, mourning heart. She did great with handling Marnie, but not even addressing Sookie? Odd. Adele seemed really distant instead of warm and that was just was not her. Don’t tell me Adele blames Sookie for her death because she unknowingly got involved with Bill. I don’t think that was it but still I think it left Sookie feeling cold. I wish Tara had spoken with her. It would have been interesting to see what they would have said to each other.
Alcide/Sookie
Oh come on!! If you thought childlike Eric was bad wait till you see this! Sure Alcide is a new color for Sookie to try, but I think Alcide will always be Sookie’s older, responsible, supportive brother and I don’t think anything could ever really change that view. Strictly platonic, caring and protective siblings is how they should always be. Only always be.
Eric/Sookie
I felt that during the amnesic Eric storyline the writers missed the opportunity to fully explore more of Eric’s sensitive side. They didn’t go in to Sookie talking to Eric about Bill, but I am happy at least that Eric REMEMBERS his time with Sookie. That’s a big thing because I think it serves to strengthen their bond even further.
Yes, Alan Ball sort of treated the writing of Eric with a kind of childlike wonder application to the character. The love scenes between them felt not as claose or animalistic in nature as they should have been. But that’s because Eric and Sookie’s tension due to his memory loss took on a different sense. But Sookie needed to see a completely different Eric in order to really start to see him more clearly. What flusters me is how it took this accident to make her wake up to it.
Eric’s approach to getting Sookie in the beginning of the season was just a tad too soon and aggressive for Sookie to properly accept, but it increased their great sexual tension. An inkling of the heat they could really start to have.
I wish they had deviated from the books and had Eric be Sookie’s first love (Are you listening Alan Ball?) but no had to be Bill. Oh well, Thank Goodness for fantastic fanfiction. At least there’s that. 🙂
Eric/Sookie/Bill
I found this scene to be quite emotionally intriguing actually. It was Sookie’s turn to save them! Technically it was Holly and the spirits though, Sookie just patched them up. I loved seeing the hope in Eric’s eyes when he thought there was an opportunity and that Sookie would go home with him! I loved/hated how Eric tried to reassure her by grasping at straws by saying things like “Sookie its okay. Bill’s fine with it.”
He acted so hopeful that they would leave for home together but at the same time his heart was breaking because he knew this was not the right way to be. But his hopes were dashed due to her unwillingness this time around. Damnit!!!
Bill
Bill gave her his blessing. I am glad that Bill learned “If you love somebody you need to set them free.” Even if it was a hard lesson for him to learn. The only thoughts going through my head at the time were “that’s nice and FINALLY! Eric and Sookie can be together.
But since when the hell does anyone need their ex-partner’s approval/permission to be able to move on and love someone else?? Unless they may have self-esteem issues, but come on!! (What the hell happened to a realistic depiction of relationships? Hell, 90’s shows like 90210, Sweet Valley High, and Buffy did it with flair!! Whats with all this lets still be friends’ nonsense? If I loved someone that deeply I wonder how I could look them in the eye again. ) Sookie’s gran raised her to respect herself? Right. Raised her to be strong, and yet she is unbelievably overtly naive and fragile when it comes to knowing what’s in her own heart.
Due to several traumatic physical and emotional experiences that she has had to endure in her lifetime so far, Sookie has had her self- development unfortunately hindered and has been struggling with finding her sense of self. What attracted her to Bill was that for once she just wanted to be seen as normal and was desperate internally to not be seen as “crazy or different” by anyone. Bill gave her that first sense of security and feeling of being normal through their relationship. Even if it did turn out to be an extraordinary relationship with someone who was supernatural.
Then again when it comes to first love, and someone who has been as inexperienced with the aspects of a relationship as Sookie was, plus living where she is living, ( Sookie to Bill “What men?”) it equates to someone who would seem emotionally fragile because they don’t know any better at the time. I guess I can’t completely blame her.
The question is why she has not yet given Eric a REAL chance yet? As I have said before I think Alan is trying to put a very slow burn (redundantly so for the sake of ratings and $ perhaps) but a nice slow log burn on Eric and Sookie finding their way to one another as a couple. I like the way the wood has been burning (season 1 had small glances, and Eric’s body language) but it has been taking too darn long!
However if you look at the big picture, Neither Eric or Sookie is really fully ready to commit to each other in terms of emotionality and having all their ducks in a row. They both burn for each other no question, but they also have a lot of loose ends that they need to tie up first.
When Sookie says “it’s over” her voice sounded so incredibly shaky and unsure! Yay! there’s hope! The moment in the conversation when Eric said “It doesn’t have to be” and then he trailed off. My first thought was “There is defiantly going to be some unfinished business between them. This is not over by a long shot! Knowing Eric, there is no way in hell he is giving up that easily. In fact, I think it may only serve to strengthen their passion/longing for one another in the long run.
A good hunter knows that the thrill of the hunt is in the chase, and I think that’s one of the things that keeps Eric interested in Sookie. She does not bore him or disinterest him. She is not like other women that have given in easily to him. He likes her fire and strong will and he knows that she possesses great potential inside her and wants to develop it and nurture her to be the best that she can be. That’s why I think he is good for her.
Sookie
I think due to her emotionally unfulfilling and brief reunion with Adele, Sookie is left feeling chilled to the bone. Also maybe a little guilty for not listening to her gran’s previous warning. She realizes that she can’t keep depending on the wrong outlet (men in general) to fix all her problems in life.
So far its only seemed to cause her to get stuck within herself and has stopped her from fully identifying her own personality and therein lies the key as to why she acts so undecided/wishywashy between the men in her life with who each posses a certain set of qualities she finds intriguing, but sometimes not always beneficial in securing her happiness or what’s best for her. So she knows this time alone will be crucial to her development.
From this moment on I can only see Sookie becoming stronger. Stronger within herself. Stronger by really taking the time to take a good look at herself and get the chance to fully develop more on her own. For her own benefit. Dealing with the fact that “she is better than merely human.” And fully embracing her fairy heritage.
Once she is really ready, I can see her giving Eric a real chance at a relationship.
Eric
Eric has some bridges to put right. He needs to make up with Pam. It’s not fair that Pam has felt so neglected and cast aside. Although she could have been a little more grateful to Sookie for bringing back her maker.
Now that Russel is back he is sure to have a big mess on his hands.
Once both Eric and Sookie are really ready to accept eachother, it will be positively explosive to watch these two really come together!
Season 4 felt like part 1 of a long film. This was the setup/premise. Let’s just hope they don’t ruin the payoff. Season 5 might be one hex of a payoff provided the cards are played right of course.
Overall, I am looking forward to Season 5 with great interest and curiosity!!
Happy anticipating!!
Cheers !
Sam
#26 by Kat on September 14, 2011 - 1:21 am
Tara: I hate the idea of Tara becoming a supernatural but it seems inevitable now and if she isn’t there will be consequences like her becoming a medium too or something.
Nan: Well yes but she knew Sookie was a fairy and so did the humans behind her so they couldn’t very well let her live under that threat I think but it was rash. Since when is Eric Northman rash?
Jason and Jessica: Well Jason brings more passion to her life and is more accepting of who she is and for some reason was fine about her feeding on other people while Hoyt was not. Jason also sees her for what she is and loves it for some reason.
Jesus: Yeah I don’t see how someone that freshly dead couldn’t be sad at all about it. It was disturbing and cheesy at the same time.
Adele: again, it seems that he was inserting his Buddhist viewpoint that life is suffering and death is joyful and Sookie shouldn’t worry about her attachment to her human life but I dont think it was appropriate in this case.
I see your multiple points about Eric, Sookie, and Bill and I agree with them to some extent but it’s hard for me to give over just how bad that couch scene was.I can see your point about Sookie becoming stronger and I very much hope so because other than going back to Bill right now, she just about hit bottom. I think Eric will long even more for her but I just wish that BIll didn’t get so much consideration for Sookie’s attentions…he’s not worthy whatsoever at this point.
However, I don’t understand why Pam was saying he seduced woman and spit out their bones….sounds like something Bill would do and I don’t like it.
#27 by helenahandbasket69 on September 14, 2011 - 4:56 pm
Just an FYI
I rewatched the stake buring scene and Sookie does say Eric’s name first (point #3) – it was just harder to hear.
Great write -up and I agree with all your points. Keep up the great work – though it’s hard to draw inspiration when the finale was such an epic fail.
#28 by Kat on September 15, 2011 - 2:39 am
I will have to check back but I thought that was after the fire was initially ignited…and she says Eric’s name first the second time she says their names later on.
Thank you. Yes, I am conflicted about my involvement for sure but I feel I need to be here for some of the fans that want to keep watching..idk
#29 by sourbunnie on September 14, 2011 - 9:19 pm
I agree with your assessment overall. I have been trying to figure out this whole thing about sookie saying eric lied more than her and bill. Maybe we need to think that in sookie’s mind, eric did lie a lot for no apparent reason in season three (she was not privy to his backstory/vengence, but we as viewers were). In her mind, he used her as a sacrifice to Russell. We need to remember that as viewers we see the whole story but the characters are not always in the know. I dunno, just a thought. cheers
#30 by Kat on September 15, 2011 - 2:37 am
Well she should have seen it as trying to protect her afterwards but maybe she didn’t. I also think she has no grasp of how little time its been and her sense of time is jumbled especially after fairyland and the intensity of her life now..
Well I mean didn’t she get the plan afterward enough to run out there and save him.
No wonderful thoughts!
#31 by sourbunnie on September 16, 2011 - 6:34 pm
What do you make of this? http://hollywoodcrush.mtv.com/2011/09/16/true-blood-alexander-skarsgard/
#32 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 3:00 am
seems like Eric will be guarded again next season as he should be ugh 😦
#33 by Antaresis on September 15, 2011 - 9:45 am
Hi~~~I don’t know if you have read this article yet.
http://hiddeneloise.livejournal.com/47841.html?view=856545#t856545
After the final episode, I was so depressed. The couch scene was horrible for me. I was confused and angry about the way Sookie treated Eric. But after reading that article, I felt much better. The writer had different view on the final episode, and how she interpreted Sookie, Eric and Bill’s behavior was quite interesting. I might not have too much hope for next season ( I’m such a pessimist) , but at lest I don’t rant any more.
Hope this can help you :).
ps. sorry for my poor English.
#34 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 2:58 am
I am going to give that a read tomorrow after my college classes.
Wow, I need to give it a read to see if my mood improves 😦
Your poor English is hardly noticiable!
#35 by sam on September 15, 2011 - 8:41 pm
I guess what it comes down to is this,
Did we all… really want to see….Eirc and Sookie’s love finally get a real chance? (start) infront of Bill Compton?
With Bill just standing there…watching their moments
I just felt, how gross!! totally creepy!!
It would have been like a man proposing to his girlfriend in front of his mother. Eww! A woman proposing to a man infront of her former lover does not really look good and has an overall incredibly spiteful feel to it.
I think it could be worse and I shall reserve my judgement until after I see season 5.
Interestingly enough, I had a dream about Season 5 only last night. I dreamnt that Russel came to Sookie’s house and bargained for tara’s life if Sookie would agree to marry him or be his Blood/telepathic slave.
She agrees, tara is saved but becomes a vamp in the process.
Basically the writers replace Victor with Russel. When the marriage ceremony comes along, Eric does his thing with the knife and makes Sookies his.
We will see how it plays out, but I got an odd vibe from this finale’s ending.
#36 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 2:52 am
No we got no real chance for it to develop as you say.
I was creeped out myself.
It was like stalker Bill there for the entire “romance.”
WOW I love your dream! I REALLY WISH IT WOULD TURN OUT THAT WAY!
#37 by tbrantsandraves on September 19, 2011 - 10:14 pm
I agree with almost everything you said. I just want to add one thing about that hideous couch scene (ugh). I had my mom watch TB this year (and boy am I going to have to get her a big Christmas present for subjecting her to this sh*t). Anyway, my mom hadn’t watched it before. So she didn’t really get what Bill’s misdeeds were since, OF COURSE, the show never explicitly mentioned them other than the “he lied to protect Sookie” *eyeroll* Anyway, she called me to say that after the couch scene she hoped that BOTH Bill and Eric no longer care about Sookie and her sympathies were with them in that scene. And looking at the show from strictly a S4 perspective, I can completely understand where my mom was coming from. Sookie should be the heroine of this piece. That doesn’t mean she should be perfect but you would really think they would write in her a way to get some sympathy. Alas, they don’t.
#38 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 2:57 am
Yes, I feel like I would have to give my mom something too had she not got sucked in by Bill Compton 😦
Yeah I was kinda hoping Eric and Bill would tell her to F off after that scene, especially Eric of course. It seemed so out-of-character that he would beg her.
Well Sookie is supposed to be a heroine and yet she’s become some indecisive, heart-breaker villainous to the impending Bromance between Eric and Bill and it makes me sick.
#39 by TruFan on September 20, 2011 - 6:25 am
Kat, I wonder if you’d be interested in doing an article about the disturbing trend lately of Hollywood trying to convince us that classic abusive behaviour is actually romantic. True Blood and Twilight are the two that immediately come to mind, but I’m sure there are others.
Not sure if this is really your thing or not.
#40 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 2:51 am
Would you really like that?
you could put in an official request for it 🙂
#41 by TruFan on September 21, 2011 - 7:19 pm
I’d be very interested in it. I was even watching Vampire Diaries and saw signs of it there in certain scenes, although not on the same sort of level. Maybe it’s a vampire thing, lol. How do I put in an official request? If it’s through comments, please consider this one! 🙂
#42 by Kat on September 21, 2011 - 7:40 pm
Considered it considered. I have to go through the series and this couch body language first (ugh) but I will definitely do that for you after those articles.
#43 by Ilaria on October 2, 2011 - 7:35 am
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU!!!! Alan Ball, you made of this episode an epic fail!…The couch scene with Eric, Sookie and Bill was absolutely one of the WORST tv scene i have ever seen! my 11 years old son would have written it better! How could both Raelle and Alan think this scene could work in representing a hot and sexy love triangle? It was pathetic and inadequate!
#44 by Kat on October 5, 2011 - 10:57 pm
thanks…
That scene was the worst scene ive ever seen (lol).
exactly!