L.A. Times photos by Tom O'Neil
Alexander Skarsgård did just participate in an Emmy Round-table, so we shouldn’t be too surprised that HBO is looking ahead and thinking ’bout the gold.
So how does all this work? HBO shipped 14,000 campaign boxes to members of the TV academy. The boxes contain various samples of the programs HBO thinks should be considered. For a full listing, click here. For True Blood, two episodes were included, “Shake and Fingerpop” and “I Will Rise Up.”
Just as a quick refresher, “Shake and Fingerpop is 2.4, written by Alan Ball. It opened with Jason at FotS camp and the fake-out death scene, and included Bill threatening to throw Hoyt out of a window that’s closed, the one Maryann orgy that played well on-screen, the hilarious Sarah Newlin bbq stripper-tease, Sookie’s “booze for dolls” line, Eric heals Lafayette before flying to Dallas and having a lovely chat with Bill in the bar, and Sookie meets Barry. “I Will Rise Up,” which was nominated for a Writer’s Guild Award, opens with Lorena’s “I wish you hadn’t said that” as she runs off (I think that might come back to bite), and then Luke blowing up the Dallas nest. Eric takes the opportunity to get Sookie to suck his bullets, which results in a sexy yet also disturbed dream featuring both Eric and Lorena. Back in Bon Temps, the jail is bursting at the seams with Maryann’s revelers, and Sam escapes Maryann’s wrath by turning into a fly. Jessica meets Hoyt’s mother, which is mostly a disaster, and Lafayette and Lettie Mae wrestle Tara from Maryann (literally). And the episode ends with Godric being reprimanded by the American Vampire League, and the scene on the roof between him and Eric, and finally Godric and Sookie.
What I would like to know is who picks the episodes because they didn’t ask me. Like Terry Bellefluer, no one ever asks me, but they should.
Good luck, HBO and True Blood!
“I Will Rise Up” was actually my favourite episode of S2. I thought it had a nice balance of everything I love about TB – the bloody gore, campy humour and tragedy on the rooftop. I laugh and cringe and sniffle all the way through it ;)
“I Will Rise Up” was a no-brainer to include for season 2. “Timebomb” also would’ve been good, lots of great stuff from everyone in that one.
I loved Godric, although Sookie’s dialog on the roof makes me cringe. I think “Shake and Fingerpop” probably more accurately depicts the entire season, but I so adored seeing Eric with Godric…
Yes, Sookie’s lines were a touch cringey but all three actors played the scene well. I’d love to see Allan Hyde get a nod for playing Godric, but do the Emmy’s give gongs for guest stars?
I was wondering about this afternoon-I think they do. But I’ve not yet Googled that, so I could be wrong.
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – Drama Series
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primetime_Emmy_Award_for_Outstanding_Guest_Actor_–_Drama_Series
Great! I hope someone nominates him.
I think both Godric and Lorena should get nods. And while I didn’t care for the character, MF did an EXCELLENT job as Maryann. In the hands of a lesser actor, that role would’ve been just intolerable. SHE was incredible; it was the writers who over-did it.
I’m so far convinced that Nancy Oliver cannot write excellent Sookie lines. She’s written some killer Tara lines though IMO. Let us not forget: “Kenya, I am an excellent driver. But you cannot prepare for a naked lady, and a hog, in the middle of the road. Now you know that.”
Welcome to Bon Temps, now fuck off, err “New World in my View” was my favorite, but I am hopeful that one of these two will be considered.
“Shake and Fingerpop” was my fave epi. I laughed my ass of when Jessica couldn’t get out of her travel coffin and the look on Bill’s face was priceless. Bill’s conversation with Sookie on the stairs is one of my favourite moments of the season, it was so emotional and heartfelt. It was one of the few epis I liked from beginning to end.
“I Will Rise Up”, the dialogue on the roof was lacking, what were the writers thinking?
No love for Scratches? My favourite, that episode had everything fun (nasty monster, Dr Ludwig, pissed off Pam, snarky Bill and Eric, Jessica hunting), and not too much Maryanne. Snappy writing too.
Lotsa love for “Scratches.” I would keep “New World In My View” but add “Scratches” instead of “Shake and Fingerpop.”
If I was asked to choose between the two, which I was also not, I have to say that “Shake and Fingerpop” was the one that I had the most fun with.
Jessica and Hoyt in the beginning, the situation was priceless. Bills heartflt revelation to Sookie about becoming a vampire, a hunter and how he envies Jessica having a better chance than he did.
The traveling to Dallas also my favorite, just too many great scenes to put forth here.
For “I will Rise Up”, I give kudoes to Allen Hyde for a great performance at the end. Well written and acted. The blue smoke was a lovely finish.
I can only hope that this year we see a nomination for Stephen M. and his continued outstanding performance as a lead actor in a drama series. He has been amazing since day one, and his recognition by the academy is long overdue.
Thanks to you lat for the article.
I’m with you Nia! I also love Scratches and New World in My view. Other than Godric, I will rise up was pretty ‘meh’ for me!
I know many don’t agree with my opinion, but personally, I loved ‘I Will Rise Up.’
My guess is they submitted that episode because it focused on Alexander a lot compared to the other ones, and I think that they’re pushing for him this year, especially since he was included in that Emmy roundtable discussion (and I believe the only supporting actor in there). It was the best episode for him since there’s a lot to choose from for him – we have Devious!Eric (bullet sucking), Sexy/Flirty!Eric (dream sequence), Angry!Eric (discussion with Nan) and Emotional!Eric (rooftop scene). I’m betting that they’re putting their hopes on the rooftop scene, though I don’t know if the big emotional parts being in Swedish will hurt him with the nom.
Also, Allan Hyde was amazing, and that episode really did a lot for him as well, though no matter if he gets nominated, John Lithgow is going to win for his turn on Dexter (though John should really be in the supporting actor category, he’ll be listed as guest).
It showed some really great work from Ryan and Anna as well, during their emotional scene in his hotel room, IMO her best work of the season.
I also think that it’s probably the best episode of the season to submit for the show itself to be nominated – no, the dialogue wasn’t that great through much of it, but as a whole I thought it was really well done. If not that episode then Timebomb would be my next choice.
Ausiello has listed DAW as a nominee for Best Supporting Actress, saying, “When her Jessica’s good, she’s great. When she’s bad, she’s brilliant.” I’ll heartily agree…