True Blood News - Season 4 news and spoilers

[Disturbance from Liv: latbfan is a longtime friend of the site and contributor. She's gifted us this latest article that she penned right after True Blood season 3 ended. Please understand fandom, that we highlight various writers with passionate opinions here on True Blood News. If you're interested in getting your article featured on TB-N, write info@trueblood-news.com. Now we give you, latbfan's wish list...]

As y’all know (and several of you have been kind enough to point it out), I do not write for True Blood. I’m simply a glamoured fan(g) who has issues with moderation. But if I were to be a fly on the wall in the sacred writers’ room, these are the things I would whisper into Mr. Ball’s ears. My Top Ten List of Things I Want to See Happen in Season 4:

1. Bring Back Popcorn for Smart People: When Alan Ball first described the show as popcorn for smart people, I nodded my head and eagerly dug into the bucket with both hands. I like popcorn (with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, or if I’m feeling really naughty, with a great deal of butter and salt), and I was drawn to the analogy not only because I’m a self-proclaimed foodie but because it fit perfectly: not sticky-sweet cotton candy or rich peanut butter fudge or overly-indulgent deep-fried Oreos, Season 1 was snacky and fun, but I could consume an awful lot of it before I felt guilty (or sick to my stomach).
2. Keep the Story Grounded and the Facts Straight: I can handle an Amy Burley- big bag of supernatural crazy if the heart of the story is grounded in an emotional Truth (please note the capitalized “T” – that’s not a typo). If the foundation is built on something real (like the notion of “Terrors of Intimacy”), I’m on board. When that foundation is shaky, the story crumbles. Same with the mythology. I need to know the limitations of this world. What is a blood-bond, exactly? How does V work? Do vampires drink from each other and if not, why? What causes the daytime bleeds? The list goes on. These little things become glaring, distracting questions if they’re not addressed or the rules seem to change.
3. Less Ensemble: HBO is known for shows with fabulous ensemble casts, and their shows attract big-name actors who are willing be be part of large casts because a smaller part on a good HBO program is better than the main characters on a lot of other shows. True Blood has an incredibly talented cast, and no offense to them, but the show works better when there’s a focus on the main people, by which I mean the Trinity (Bill, Sookie, and Eric). I like the supporting cast and their unique stories, but I want them to stay on the side-lines and support.
4. More Pam: An exception to Number Three is Pam. We need more Pam. The solution to any problem, as far as I’m concerned, is to add more Pam-spice to the gumbo pot… I love her on her own. I love her with Jessica. I love her with with Eric. I just love Pam. Read More »

I’ve been going through all the hopes and wishes of what fans would like to see in True Blood season 4, and as usual, most of the wishes fell into two camps: Team Bill & Team Eric (Team Bellefleur? Anyone?). Ho hum, what a surprise. Because of this diversity, I’ve asked the biggest Eric & Bill fans that I know to approach each of the vampires to discuss with them individually what their fans expect of them.

Jenna, Queen of alexskarsgard.net turned in her hysterical meeting with the Sheriff, while ZZ, our very own TB-N Mistress of the Dark, filed her own report. Click on each of the images to read their stories (or just scroll down a bit to see them ;)

It was a rainy night in Bon Temps. An old country hit’s last note sounded at the same time the engine stopped as we parked in front of Merlotte’s. We were going to have a meet and greet with our favorite vampire of all time, Bill Compton.

He had been reluctant to accept our visit, but since we had worked so hard to crown him King in the Battle of the Fang and umh well, since we had had it on good authority that a certain telepath, dear to his heart, would very much be receptive of a sensual interlude in the shower, we might have given him that idea for season 3. We thought that our advice on this matter was well received and I think he felt like he owed us for that special tip ; ). Liv had only agreed to be my companion in hopes of seeing the short-order cook and maybe the new sheriff of Renard Parish on his lunch break…

These were hard times for Bill. Sookie had sacked him, tired of lies and non-truths. I couldn’t really blame her for that, could I? She was trying to recover the lost time (what was it, two months?) flirting with every handsome, single man that came near her. If humiliating Bill Compton was a sport, she would be ready for the Olympic Games. Our mission was not a simple one, I thought to myself as I stretched under Merlotte’s neon sign. Believe me, it had been a long, long trip to get here.

We were not surprised to find Mr. Compton all alone in a booth, drinking a Tru:Blood, just the same way Jane Bodehouse was sticking to her glass of bourbon. I wondered if Bill was wishing for some alcohol inside the red beverage. But, the vision of him at the same table where Sookie saw him that first night, brought back memories of  the moment when we fell in love with that handsome, feral and mysterious creature.

We walked over to the table and stood in front of him, just as if we were covering the sun for someone while sub-bathing, we sensed that this irritated him, as I could tell he was trying to check on Sookie while she moved around the bar. He looked at us quizzically, trying to understand why we were there.

“Good evening, Mr. Compton. As I told you on the phone, we are bringing the list of what your fans would like to see from you in Season 4. But before we start, allow me… see this?”

My voice trembled a bit but I don’t think he noticed.

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The Sheriff of Area Five, Eric Northman

As a source for all things Alexander Skarsgard, including but not limited to Eric Northman, I’ve compiled a list of what the fans of said Viking have requested and are hoping for in season four of True Blood…

With my list in hand I bravely made an appointment to meet with the Vampire Sheriff and share the requests with him directly. Calling Fangtasia, Pam answered and set something up for the following evening; only after my promise that Alex would gladly make a blood donation in the name of the site (won’t he be surprised)!

Fangtasia, The Bar with a Bite!

I arrived after dark and was led back through the club to the Sheriff’s office. The music was playing so loudly I was unsure if the thumping in my upper torso was due to the bass or my heart ricocheting around in my chest in nervous anticipation of the pending close encounter. Passing the bar, I gladly accepted the glass of red wine that was offered, only wishing it were something stronger or perhaps in a larger vessel more along the lines of a keg. I consumed it quickly, returned the glass and continued on my journey to see the ‘guy in charge’.

Weaving through the crowd of excited party-goers, the laughter, smells of alcohol, sweat and sex reminded me where I was. As did the sweet reek of fear mixed with awe that permeated my nostrils. This was ‘Vampire Central’ for the residents of Shreveport; a place where those who we’re hungry for a fearful, sometimes mostly sexual, encounter tended to gather. I had a flash of a memory consisting of my first visit to see the 1000 year old enigma that was Eric Northman and shuddered with embarrassment. I was such a wreck!

By the time I finally reached the large door that bared a ‘Employees Only’ sign in bold red letters, I was having second thoughts. Although the Sheriff and I were not strangers anymore and over the past two years we had become something that closely resembled the definition of the word ‘friends’…I knew what he was capable of and the hair on the back of my neck was standing at full attention. The last couple interviews I had with the Viking ended rather painfully yet, through the fear, the butterflies of excitement in my stomach won out and sealed my decision. I turned the gold knob, allowing my entry into the dark hallway of the rooms beyond.

The fresh air that drifted in from an open doorway to my left was a welcomed relief from the smells of the club that had embedded in my brain. I watched for a few seconds as Chow and another large gentleman unloaded a truck carrying crates filled with more liquor. As the bottles clanked in protest of their being shuffled about, Chow looked over and offered a friendly nod. I returned a smile just as Ginger walked out from another door.

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Sarah Pachelli

Our Guest writer, Sarah Pachelli of  the blog, “TAFFETA INTERLUDE” examines the nature of the True Blood vampires and comes to a personal conclusion based on the actions of one vampire in particular… Thank you Sarah for sharing your thoughts with us!

Television may be a cure for insomnia and monogamy, but as a catalyst for epiphanies and personal growth, well I’m not gonna find that on Dr. Phil or The Biggest Loser. Sure, I might learn how to make a parsley-covered beef and pineapple skewer from Giada or how to diagnose a disease that affects only two percent of the world’s population on Discovery Health, but that’s about it. Normally, TV is relegated to escapism and projection and boredom, a way for us to generally envy a select few whilst simultaneously feeling better about ourselves for not having the problems afflicting the rich and famous. This, however, has not been the case for True Blood.

The artistry and amazingness of the show aside, True Blood has redefined my relationship with the nightmarish Other. I’ve gotta give it up for Alan Ball. Not only was he able to make me stare at death in its most pale-faced specificity with Six Feet Under, he has now completely demystified another terror: the Boogie Man. Sure, we’re eclipsed in a vampirish trend as of late, one that has sparked the sexual imagination of every teenage girl this and that side of the Mississippi with Robert Pattinson’s interpretation of the the undead, but True Blood is something different.

I obviously don’t believe in the supernatural predilections portrayed on this HBO drama, nonetheless, the explicit portrayals of Ball’s protagonists has transported my imagination into something shaped closer to reality. Alexander Skarsgard’s Eric illustrates this shift more than any other character.

Once upon a time, when it was dark and I was alone, I could easily freak myself out. My rational brain knows that ghosts and goblins and vampires and demons are a religious construct existing only to secure faith. If there is the slightest chance of their existence, we are more likely to cling to Christ to save us from the downfall of their undoings.
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Ouch!

Hell hath no fury like a women scorned. I’m sure we all remember our first break-up. Mine was in the ’80s. No matter who is doing the dumping, breaking up comes in stages and Sookie demonstrated stage one, anger and rage. I wonder if she’ll go key his coffin.

Oh … then there are those damn songs that replay repeatedly as if they know what’s going on in your life, twisting the knife in your heart. From Phill Collin’s “Against all Odds” to Poison’s “Every Rose has its Thorn,” we slowly delve deeper into the pit of sorrow. Some people eat ice cream by the case and some can’t stand the sight of food, everyone handles it differently. Some just let it go, however, the interesting ones, the ones out for blood go for revenge. The sweet taste of revenge, an eye for an eye, you’ve been hurt and now you want to hurt back. What is the easiest way to do so? Hmm … I know, sleep with another man. That will hit him where it hurts and switch our song to Def Leppard’s “Love Bites.”

True Blood has left us like many other relationship break-ups, waiting nine months to see what will come out. In addition, will we want to keep what comes out? (Remember, humor comes in all forms and mine always tilts to the wickedly, twisted side).

Now back to Bill. I have asked myself and have heatedly debated this with my lovely husband: Can Bill be forgiven? With that question, my husband handed me a fictional shovel and said, “You’ll need this to dig him out of that hole … I mean crater.” In order for me to rationalize Bill’s  actions, I have to try to crawl into his skin as well as Sookie’s.

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” ~ Mark Twain

Call me crazy that I have even put this much thought into this – go ahead. Because I have found something that sits logically with me, for now. I have to view Bill as an agent, in real life, sent to investigate a woman and bring down a “crime ring” of some sort. In the process, he allows the women to be shot, just because he’s doing his job but then falls in love with the women as he stays around infiltrating the ring. His actions afterward are true. I can hear my hubby laughing as I type and saying … “Keep digging.”

There are many different kinds of lies. A lie remains a lie, however, some are done with good intentions to protect others. They say love is blind and maybe I am, but I personally would forgive Bill based on every action after the Rattrays. However, he has some serious explaining to do. If life in Bon Temps ever calms down enough for the two of them to sit and talk, maybe he can or maybe it’s too late. Sookie has told him in the past that he should be able to share even the dark stuff with her and he didn’t share this for whatever reason.

We have some interesting things to ponder. First, how will that angry fairy blood inside Sookie handle this? What do you think she’ll do? Can she forgive Bill or will she run to Eric first for a little revenge romp in the dungeon of love, although this wouldn’t be entirely fair to Eric, if he truly has feelings for Sookie.

What song would you be listening to and what would you do if you were Sookie?

Louisiana Bayou

As a resident of the great state of Louisiana, I’ve learned a thing or two about letting the good times roll. I say “resident” and not “native” because my roots started out firmly planted in the stoic, conservative Midwest. When I moved to this loamy and humid place, where there are more variants hues of green than colors to describe them, it took some getting used to: the 2-hour lunches, the wine glasses that resemble fish-bowls that never seem to empty, women kissing my cheeks, strangers asking and sharing personal information, kids saying “Yes, Ma’am” and not being sarcastic, air so full of moisture that you get damp walking through it even when it’s not raining. After nearly a decade here, I’ve come to appreciate the cultural quirks of my adopted home, and one the most enjoyable is the parties (people here use any ol’ excuse to throw a party).

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