True Blood Sucker Punch: Episode 9
Welcome to Sucker Punch, the only blog post that ranks the gaudiest moments on this week's episode of True Blood
Warning: This post contains spoilers
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What can I say? I wasn't feeling it tonight. "I Will Rise Up" has a few Sucker Punches, but it mostly functions as a placeholder, as though the series is clearing its throat before it gets down to the serious business of wrapping up the season.
This episode's biggest event is Godric's suicide-by-sunlight, but as turning points go, it's not that powerful. The dude's only been around for a few episodes, meaning we've heard about his greatness more than we've actually seen it for ourselves. And since we haven't had time to connect to him, it's hard to care about his death.
Plus, actor Allan Hyde has given a bloodless performance. His mopey take on Godric's spiritual fatigue has slowed the show down, making it even harder to fret that he's gone.
And sure, sure. I wrote last week that Godric's willingness to compromise with the Fellowship was intellectually interesting, and it was. But that was the problem, you know? Godric was an interesting concept who never became a fully engaging presence.
At least there's Alexander Skarsgaard's performance as Eric. We might not be able to share his character's remorse for Godric's death, but his breakdown on the hotel rooftop is stirring just the same. Weeping blood and whimpering in pain, he crouches before his beloved maker, aware that he can't stop what's about to happen. We can see his grief and sympathize. We can maybe fall in love with him.
But we can't love him completely, the little scamp. He starts the episode by tricking Sookie into drinking his blood, which bonds her thoughts to his. His "I'll die if you don't suck this silver out of my chest" routine is sexy, funny, and perverse, and in conjunction with the rooftop scene, it makes Eric even more complex and enjoyable. You've got to appreciate a character who can be so callous and so tender in the same night.
Meanwhile, this is yet another episode that leaves the characters in Bon Temps getting ready to do stuff instead of actually doing stuff, but at least they can't take another step without finally taking some decisive action. I mean, for God's sake, Maryann storms into Merlotte's claiming that the "coming God" demands a sacrifice. I'd say it's finally time for some capital-B butt kicking. If the throwdown is gigantic enough, then I will forgive all sorts of foot-dragging and sidetracking.
As for Sucker Punches: Hoyt's shouting match with his mama sure gets a nomination, especially when he mentions that she hates African-Americans and she says that's supposed to be a secret. That's so trashy and so accurate. I mean, do you have a white relative or neighbor or friend who always says the word "black" in a whisper? As in,"Oh Hoyt, you know Dana. She's that pretty young (((black girl))) who works at the bank." That's exactly the kind of "secret" racism we're talking about here, and God love Nancy Oliver's script for evoking it in just a few words.
The Sucker Punch Silver Medal goes to Lafayette for busting Tara out of Sookie's house. Between the thirty-five brilliant one-liners and the do-not-touch-her punches he throws, he basically impersonates the entire cast of American Gladiators as he drags his cousin away from Maryann.
Ultimately, though, this week's Sucker Punch prize is that chest-sucking scene. Bloody and intimate and dirty... it's just the kind of nastiness that makes True Blood tick.
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Like many posters, I totally disagree. This was the first episode I ever found moving to tears. I loved Allan Hyde's performance and thought he totally captured the weariness someone as old and done as Godric must project. At least you recognize Skarsgaard's amazing turn. Really, that was the best ep of the season for me.
Are you KIDDING me? Particularly in comparison to a lot of the terrible acting that's come from certain main characters, Allan Hyde was mesmerizing as Godric. "I am actually older than your Jesus". Quiet does not equate to dull. He spoke as a 2,000 year old man, weary of life and violence, would, and certainly the only useful character on True Blood, which is probably why they killed him off.
What can I say? If YOu were not "feeling it" this week then your "feelers" are broken.
It was brilliant, beautiful, funny, shocking, sad, and waaay sexy so you should be writing about a different show,
Mark just needs a re-charge of his batteries, WeWon..he'll be posting Episode #10 (which was AWESOME, btw) sometime Monday (according to his last blog entry at TCC), and then should be back on track by this weekend. I think his being tired has a lot to do with his not "..feeling it.." (it's hard to care when even your hair is tired of being tired)..! ;) ...
Oh dear, why am I the only person on the internet who can see that the bombing aftermath/bullet sucking sequence was from unreliable narrator Bill's pov? From start to finish, the scene was completely stripped of drama and eroticism and all of the characters were WILDLY...out of character. The dialogue was ridiculously juvenile, including the pompously pious speech given by Bill to the FoTS kid. Even the acting was on par with a high shool play staged not by the drama students, but the jocks and cheerleaders. I refuse to believe that every aspect of this excellent fiction all failed at once, for the span of one sequence, then went back to normal for the rest of the episode. I trust we will soon get a different, more accurate perspective on the bombing aftermath.
Viewed in light of an unreliable narrator attempting to de-sexualize an event involving his lover and his rival, the sequence is BRILLIANT. It gives us an insight into Bill Compton we've not had before and adds to the complexity of his character. BRAVO True Blood and Alan Ball.
I really hope they stick to the books and Sookie finds Eric wandering down the road nekkid..........
If the show follows the books (not guaranteed) Bill is just as deceptive as Eric. Only Eric is open about it. I hope the plot goes there because it'll be interesting. I believe Bill's deceptions will be brought out. Eric acts tough and yet he protects many vampires under him, and although he distains humans he is pretty good to them. When he had Lafayette in the merry-go-round dungeon from hell, can we honestly say Lafayette was not an operator guilty of selling V and causing, though indirectly, the deaths of vampires to get that blood? Vampire law is not human law, and they say "many sheriffs would have done far worse." Eric protects and is fiercely loyal, sometimes to his own detriment. Eric is not all black or white.
What about the sexual attraction to the blood? Is Sookie is not wondering about those naughty dreams she had about Bill after drinking his blood after the Ratrays attack in first season? I dont buy the love at first sight thing, so the blood must be at least part of it too. And Bill first enters Merlotte's to stand and stare at Sookie is foreshadowing. Squeeky clean Bill is not above his own deceipt... no matter what his reasons are.
I dont hate Bill, but believe Eric is as capable of having the same chance at finding his humanity.
Its fun to watch the shenanigans.
I would have loved to see Godrick destroy Mariann. Can a vampire rise from the dead? I hope so. I'm glad that Jason is not in the Fellowship anymore, but I have to admit those episodes were very funny. The more I watch this show, the more I like Jason. He is so gorgeous! A lot of people like Eric, but I have a crush on Jason. I've seen a few scenes of next week show and it seems that Jason will have a big part in destroying Mariann. I wonder why she attacked Sookie in the first place. I wonder what will happen between Lafayette and Eric, they seemed like they would be connected since he did cure him. Tara liking Jason seemed like so long ago. Although Eric is gorgeous, he does not look good with Sookie. I don't want her to break up with Bill. They make a great couple with a lot of chemistry.
I wonder if Jason will go back to his old ways as a womanizer. I hope not. I like the new evolve Jason. I like to see him with Sookie. They are great as brother and sister. Who will be his new love interest? I'm so looking forward to see the next three episodes. I'll just be sad to see the show end. Great show, and great blog.
I disagree with you. Yes, Godric's greatness was talked about more than shown. However, I am completely interested in this vampire, he is so sagely. "I am older than your Jesus", he speaks with authority. I cried at the end. It was kind of a mind-f*ck for me though, being an atheist, when he said, "in that I see god". Still loved it though.
One of my favorite scenes in the entire series is when Eric is made by Godric. I want more Godric, I hope they bring him back in flashbacks.
I gotta disagree with the usually on-point Sucker Punch...
I find Godric indeed memorable and his suicide was one of the most intense scenes of an intense season.(Major props to Alexander Skarsgaard's performance as Eric who grows more complex and compelling with each episode).Should we have gotten the chance to know Godric more? Absolutely but his presence was undeniable; those lines delivered with a Romanlike statesmanship and grace.
The Maryanne/Tara storyline HAS dragged but I believe TB will deliver a true sucker punch to wrap it up. Just gotta love this show...
Agreed. Alexander Skaarsgard was heartbreaking.
Not liking the bloody tears though. They don't work on an emotional level and just look gross to the point of being distracting.
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Hey FudgeFase --- Not a fan of the bloody tears, eh? I've got to say that I love them. To me, they're weirdly beautiful... like tattoos of emotion on someone's face. Unlike actual tears, which are clear and easily wiped away, a blood tear makes it impossible to ignore the presence of emotion, even if things have calmed down. For me, that's very powerful dramatically.
But I can also see how they wouldn't be everyone's thing!
My biggest problem with the episode is that I've seen that particular "death" scene before, specifically in Garth Ennis' Preacher series (Cassidy, the series vamp, greets a new day with, "Hello, you big, beautiful bit.ch," before exploding in fire). Ah well, there's rarely anything new in the world (or underworld).
Lafayette is officially one of my favorite characters on television, though. Eggs done got cracked.
I'm glad Sookie and Jason finally talked. You sometimes forget they're brother and sister. I also wished they would have kept Godric around a little longer. He was becoming one of my favorite characters. Also decided I don't like Eggs anymore after his crack about Lafayette's eyelashes. I doubt he'll be alive much longer.
Agreed, sturzl. And though I hope Eggs can be redeemed somehow..I'd love to see him try to pull anything off Lafayette. There would be some 'huevos-scrambling' that would make Tara's kick look like 'footsie' in comparison..! ;) ...
Loved the way Lafayette threw off his campness when required. He's so well muscled that he's awesome - a brilliant character.
I find the original novels so much more entertaining than what Alan Ball is doing with the characters for HBO.
Ditto! I just finished Dead to the World, and it was wonderful.
I enjoy the show for what it is, and find it interesting to see how the writers adapt the print to television.
Yes you're right!
Todd DiRoberto
http://www.newsguide.us/art-entertainment/movies/Todd-DiRoberto-of-American-Satellite-Hosts-Independence-Day-Charity-Event-for-Operation-Bigs/
I actually feel exactly the opposite. I thought the novels were amateurishly written. I did not even like Sookie in the books, she acted like a fickle spoiled brat. Alternatively, the show really does it for me. The characters really seem more fleshed out and the change ups that have already been made make more sense to me.
Another LOL recap I found: http://www.trueblood-news.com
I have not read the novels nor do I plan to. I hear they are very juvenile and will not hold interest. Allan Ball is so brilliant that I will trust him instead. So far ... pretty amazing show.
I love the original novels, but this series has been an eye-popper. Somehow, I never pictured everyone naked while reading the books. At first I was disappointed by the casting of Eric, but this Sunday's show changed all that. Wow, he is just great and looks so fine too. There's a lot more story to go. If they follow the books as to storyline, this could go on for years. I don't think they are much past the first book with what they have done so far.
I thought that the episode was strong, I also loved the roof top scene with Godric. Eric, and Sookie. I'm an atheist, but I was touched by the strong spiritual element in that scene, and I think that young Mr Hyde sold it well. I'll admit that I cried I was so effected. I thought that the writing, and acting was excellent in this episode.
I agree. Alexander Skarsgard made me cry. He was so convincing and heartbreaking. I was happy to see Sookie take Godric's pain and fear upon herself so he could feel nothing but joy. It's ironic that at first Godric was going to meet the sun with so called Christians, the Fellowship of the Sun, but instead a REAL Christian ended up being with him in the end. Lucky Godric.
I gotta get me one of these: http://www.zazzle.com/bon_temps_football_shirt-235925342196674456
I'm right there with Lafayette! Best bit of the show (though Eric naked was pretty damn pleasing to the eye too) was him snatching Tara. They need to sort out the Maryanne storyline. It started off promising but has disappeared up its own behind with lack of plot, direction and any point to it in general. This definitely had the makings of a filler episode. Still think they should have kept Godric around a bit longer. Promising character but played badly, more like a vapid emo teenager than a 2000 year old vampire. And couldn't Sookie have used her fingernails to hook some silver out? I think I'd have tried first, rather than gone straight in there.......hmm. Eric naked.....on second thoughts, maybe I'd have elbowed her out of the way first.
I bet Godric could have taken down Maryann. I'm not sure anyone else can. Oh well, I guess we'll never know now.
No Godric couldn't have taken Marianne. She is on another level of evil. Vampires can't beat her. At least in the book they couldn't.
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