TRUE BLOOD, Episode #505, "Boot N' Rally Ally" Director: Michael Lehmann Writer: Angela Robinson Start Date: 2/10/12 Location: L.A.
[SCRAWNY MAN (JIMMY)] In his 30s, very skinny, babbling in terror, he's found in a padded cell. RECURRING
[KATE] Late 20s-early 30s. Skinny, unconscious, Kate is one of the prisoners with the Scrawny Man in the padded cell. No lines in this episode, RECURRING
[KATHY] 20s. This pretty brunette fangbanger is more friendly than slutty. 4 lines, 2 scenes (10)
[BEVERLY] This plump, good-natured family friend of Luna's has been babysitting for Emma while Emma is out with Sam. CO-STAR
[BURLY VAMPIRE] This burly vampire at the bar asks for a Tru-Blood. CO-STAR
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TRUE BLOOD, Episode #506 Director: Dan Attias Writer: Alan Ball Start Date Approx. 2/29 Location: L.A.
[VIVIAN] Female, Caucasian, early 20s to late 20s. She is radiantly beautiful and British. RECURRING
Kristen Bauer van Straten as vampire 'Pam de Beaufort' in True Blood (HBO)
For the next few months, if you stay current on the casting calls and newly-cast members you'll have a good chance at getting a rough sketch of what some of TRUE BLOOD Season 5 will look like. So far, the biggest casting coup has been that of one Mr. Chris Meloni.
Casting however, is ongoing along with the rest of the season 5 True Blood production so between now and True Blood's June 2012 season 5 debut, I'll gather up the latest scoopage (and spoilers!) and periodically share with you. I'm not wild about blaring trumpets announcing casting calls for expendable extras (for example) so I'll hold on to that stuff to include with posts like this one with news worthy of you sinking your fangs into.
Kristen TRUE BLOOD SCOOP - January 23, 2012:
Anything more on True Blood? Fact: We love us a good flashback, but we love 'em even more when they answer questions that we've been pondering for years. In episode four we're finally going to learn what happened to Terry (Todd Lowe) back in '03 when he was serving in Iraq—and believe us when we say it's going to be intense.
Newcomer Giles Matthey has landed the multi-episode role of a hot and mysterious British faery. One report has him catching Jessica’s attention, but that’s not confirmed. 'Claude' was previously played (briefly) by Neil Hopkins (LOST) on the show.
In the books, Claude is described as “the nephew of Sookie’s half-human/half-faery grandfather, 'Fintan', and cousin to Sookie’s father … He makes an impact on all women and is described as being absolutely breathtaking … He started out as a stripper at Hooligans, a club in Monroe, which he later becomes owner of, and has branched out to print and runway modeling … Women usually say “wow” when they see him, but his interest is men.”
There has been speculation that this season Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten), Eric Northman’s (Alexander Skarsgård) 'child' and confidante, will have her origin story explored.
Alan Ball, creator and lead writer on the True Blood team is looking for a diverse roster of new cast members. A 'non-threatening man in his 30s' and a prostitute named 'Washcloth Helen' are among the casting calls. Both of these characters will be introduced during a flashback to a San Francisco brothel in 1905. The date is significant because 1905 is supposedly the year when Eric maid Pam vampire if you are following the books. The True Blood scribes have previously changed the story so the 'book fact' that Pam actually turns in London doesn't at all mean that TV Pam will do the same.
It's no secret that the legions of Pam fans have been clamouring for her backstory (we've witnessed both Bill and Eric's being turned) and it's also no secret that a) vampires don't age and b) human actors do. So doing the math, yes, season 5 would be a very good time to enjoy the story of how Pam voluntarily(!) became a vampire.
1 | Janina Gavankar revealed that “a major thing happens to Luna early in the season, and it’s going to change her life forever.”
2 | The cast learned that Chris Meloni was Bon Temps-bound last month at a table read, news that elicited “gasps” throughout the room, recalled Gavankar. “We’re so excited to have him.”
3 | Alcide’s days of playing Mr. Nice Guy are over. “As you saw at the end of Season 4, he’s not taking anyone’s s— anymore,” said the man-beast’s portrayer, Joe Manganiello. “Now you’re going to see an Alcide who’s going to slam you up against the wall and do his thing. Who doesn’t like being slammed up against the wall, right?” Asked to clarify his use of the word “slam” — i.e. is it a euphemism for, ahem, another s-word — Manganiello cracked a devilish smile and replied, “It could be a fun slam. And it could be an angry slam. You never know?” He then reminded us that, “Alcide is single.”
4 | The latest True Blood script Manganiello read contains “some really fun [Alcide-Sookie] stuff,” he revealed. “Stuff that makes you really nervous… I’m watching my words really carefully.”
5 | Ryan Kwanten hinted that Jason may have bitten off more than he could chew with regard to his romance with Jessica. “As you know, anyone who gets involved with Jason better have her wits about her,” he said. “But I think in this case, it’s Jason who better watch out. The tables have finally turned.”
6 | Where do you go after spending half of Season 4 being raped by a werepanther? “Even that can be topped,” teased Kwanten. “Jason was very lucky to survive; he was down for the count. He has a desire to life. I admire that in a man.”
Christopher Heyerdahl, who plays an ancient vampire in the Twilight Saga movies, will now play one in another screen adaptation of a popular book series, this time on TV. Heyerdahl is joining HBO’s hit vampire drama True Blood in a recurring role. He will portray 'Dieter Braun', an ancient, powerful vampire who plays a large part in the intelligence of the Authority and especially enjoys enhanced interrogation. That is familiar territory for Sanctuary alum Heyerdahl who played the ancient Volturi vampire Marcus in 3 of the Twilight movies: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 and the upcoming Part 2. Additionally, he played a demon in an arc on the CW’s Supernatural. Heyerdahl... currently co-stars on the AMC drama series Hell On Wheels, playing Norwegian badass The Swede. The period Western was recently renewed for a second season.
[TODD JEFFRIES] Seen in flashback to Iraq in 2003, this U.S. Marine joins his squad (which includes Patrick and Terry) on a trip to a small village, where their plans to party and wreak a little havoc go tragically awry. 5 lines, 1 scene (26).
[JEMARCUS KESSLER] Seen in flashback to Iraq in 2003, this Marine Lance Corporal is traveling into a town with his squad (which includes Patrick and Terry) and is preparing for a night of partying and mischief-which goes tragically awry. 7 lines, 1 scene (26).
[IRAQI BOY] YOUNG LOOKING ARAB 18 YEAR OLD. Seen in a flashback to 2003, this Iraqi boy whose village is being blown up by American soldiers speaks out in Arabic to the soldiers. 2 lines in Arabic, 1 scene (28) MUST SPEAK ARABIC OR BE FAMILIAR WITH IT.
[IRAQI MAN] Seen in a flashback to 2003, this Iraqi man whose village is being attacked by American Marines as a lark speaks out in grief and rage after they murder a 12 year old Iraqi boy. 1 line in Arabic, 1 scene (29) MUST SPEAK ARABIC OR BE FAMILIAR WITH IT.
[IRAQI WOMAN] Mother of the Iraqi boy seen in a flashback to 2003, wails with grief. Recurs in episode 505. [Non speaking in episode #504, recurs with lines in episode #505] (29) MUST SPEAK ARABIC.
[ANGELA, LILIANNE, DELILAH] These three impossibly gorgeous, flirtatious, charming women in cocktail dresses greet Judge Clements (an old customer) and Jason and Andy as they take them on a limo ride to a mysterious destination where they find a sensual party in an exclusive club. 4 lines, 2 scenes; 3 lines, 2 scenes; 3 lines, 2 scenes respectively (35).
[LEDA] This radiant, beautiful woman with just a hint of sadness in her face is in the exclusive club. She beckons to Jason and freaks him out a bit by seeming to know a bit too much about him. 6 lines 2 scenes (43). [DANCER] FEMALE, SCANTILY CLAD. This beautiful dancer in a very exclusive, secret nightclub recognizes Judge Clements and goes off with him. 1 line, 1 scene (43).
[MELANIE] 20s, this female fangbanger goes with Pam to entice a young vampire to feed on her. 2 lines, 1 scene (49).
My take on the new casting is that (tiptoes out on limb) "Claude" with the British accent is 'Claudette' the faery's twin brother. He may have ditched Faeryland when Sookie and Earl did or there may still be a passageway from the human to the world of the Fae. I don't think True Blood is done with the faerys as the show's lead is one and there's a lot of story potential there whether or not they follow the books.
My second observation is that bringing Debbie Pelt's parents into the mix could mean big trouble for Sookie. Again, it won't have to be by the book--but why not? That particular thread of the story worked out really well.
TRUE BLOOD Se.ason 5 Casting News - Episode 5.03 - 'Whatever I Am, You Made Me' - Casting Call:
[LINDSEY] In her 20s, attractive in a small town kind of way, she’s fixing a flat tire in a narrow country road when a vampire comes upon her. 1 speech & 3 lines, 1 scene. Co-star.
[MOLLY] In her 20s, bubbly, with a retro Bettie Page/Suicide Girl vibe, “cute as a button if buttons had fangs,” she works for the Vampire Authority and outfits two prisoners with complicated deadly devices. Visible tattoos a plus. One-day guest star. Possible recurring.
[MISS JILL STEELER] In her 40s, an ex-teacher, recently divorced and back in town, “she used to be beautiful, now she looks like an attractive, pleasantly plump housewife.” Guest star. This role contains topless nudity.
[BARBARA PELT] In her 50s, a kindly, well-dressed woman, she is Debbie’s (Brit Morgan) mother who is anxiously searching for her missing daughter. She and her husband, Gordon, confront Alcide. Guest star.
[GORDON PELT] In his 50s, a kindly, well-dressed man, he is Debbie’s (Brit Morgan) father who is anxiously searching for his missing daughter. He doesn’t appreciate Alcide speaking ill of Debbie. Guest star.
[DOROTHY] Seen in flashback to 1905, this pretty young prostitute has been glamored and is being drained by two vampires when another vampire saves her. 1 line, 1 scene. This role requires nudity.
[TRACY] In her 20s to 30s, heavily made-up, hair-sprayed and spray-tanned, she owns a small town clothing store and talks trash about Jason to Jessica. One-day guest star.
[CLAUDE] Early 20s. Very attractive, omni-sexual guy (with and without a shirt) A mysterious young man who speaks with a British accent and catches Jessica’s attention and curiosity. Recurring. Must have a British accent.
Director: David Petrarca Writer: Raelle Tucker Start Date: Approx. January 12 Location: L.A.
True Blood | Remember Alcide’s crazy ex, Debbie Pelt? Well she’s about to be crazy with family. The HBO drama is in the process of casting the not-so-dearly departed’s mom and dad, Barbara and Gordon, who will hit Bon Temps loaded with questions bout their “missing” little girl. Though both ‘rents are described as “kindly,” Gordon will be riled up and grow defensive soon enough when Alcide speaks ill of the dead. Er, of the “missing.
SOURCE: Matt's TVLine - ”Matt's Inside Line on Castle Bombshells, Secret Circle, True Blood, OLTL Finale, Revenge & More
The character is to be featured in True Blood Season 5
The fifth season of True Blood promises to be a hairy one — the show is hunting for actors to play werewolves galore, including one who sounds suspiciously like he could be Alcide’s father!
The lycanthrope in question, J.D., is said to be a hard-bodied fiftysomething who isn’t likely to share a water bowl with the new pack leader anytime soon. And since 1) that sounds a lot like Alcide to begin with, 2) his pop features prominently in Charlaine Harris’ fifth Sookie novel, and 3) our resident werehunk was last seen being growled at by an unidentified wolf… well, you can do the math!
EDIT/ Wait! Wasn't it Sam (Sam Trammell) not Alcide (played by Joe Manganiello) who came upon a none-too-friendly-looking wolf in True Blood's season 4 finale?/End EDIT
My picks to play the part? Maybe Andy Garcia? Mitch Pileggi, who just took another recurring role in the Dallas reboot… or what about Mr. Intensity himself, Vincent D’Onofrio?
EDIT/ I'd like to see Ron Perlman get the part.
We’ll also be meeting: former pack leader Marcus’ mother Annie as well as a hot young she-wolf named Rikki who’s determined to sniff out the deceased’s fate;
EDIT/"Marcus,' who was killed by Sam and Alcide was in his thirties. His mom will probably be in the age range of Alcide's dad (see above). It's possible that "Rikki' will be the late Marcus' sister.
...a couple of beta dogs charged with interrogating someone (my guess? Sam);
EDIT/ This is quite possible and is more in line with the snarling wolf that was facing off with Sam when last we saw him.
'Holly’s teenage sons, Rocky and Wade'
EDIT/ I actually have come to like Holly or more correctly, the actress Lauren Bowles who plays her. Bringing in her sons sounds to me like Holly will continue to get some decent face time-- which makes me happy.
"... a corrupt judge (aren’t they all?); a humorless vamp named Cat (to… balance out the canine/feline ratio?); and a couple of sexy spoilers for Jason and Jessica’s romance.
Add all that to what we already knew — that Salome*** (yes, the Salome) will feature prominently in the season, and so will Eric’s vamp sis, Nora — and it’s obvious that we’re in for another jam-packed season."
I am super-curious to see 'who' True Blood will cast in the role of Eric's maker's other sire, Nora. She's got to be someone who is going to get on Eric's last nerve.
Now that I've read the description of Salome, it should be a hoot to see who lands that role, too.
***Christian traditions depict her as an icon of dangerous female seductiveness, for instance depicting as erotic her dance mentioned in the New Testament (in some later transformations further iconised to the dance of the seven veils), or concentrate on her lighthearted and cold foolishness that, according to the gospels, led to John the Baptist's death.
A new ramification was added by Oscar Wilde, who in his play Salome portrayed her as something of a femme fatale. This last interpretation, made even more memorable by Richard Strauss's opera based on Wilde, is not consistent with Josephus's account; according to the Romanized Jewish historian, she lived long enough to marry twice and raise several children. Few literary accounts elaborate the biographical data given by Josephus.
The Season 5 Premiere of True Blood will be called "Turn! Turn! Turn!" Filming starts at the end of November, 2012.
Pretty amazing to think that True Blood season 5 news has begun begin trickling in (out?) the month following the Season 4 finale!
Kathryn Stanley as Salome (1926, photo by Edwin Hesser)
“Thou rejectedest me. Thou didst speak evil words against me. Thou didst bear thyself toward me as to a harlot, to me, Salome, daughter of Herodias, Princess of Judaea!
Well, I still live, but thou art dead, and thy head belongs to me.”
Somewhere between the beginning of season 4 of HBO's True Blood and now--True Blood lost me:
I still find many of it's characters compelling but a significant number over the last two seasons were not remotelyso. They include the deceased 'Tommy Mickens', shapeshifter and brother to the owner of the local 'Cheers'-type-establishment Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell). Let's not forgettheir trailer park-stereotype parents (mom was a shifter, dad just an abusive drunk) were mercifully were given little screen time i season 4 and better, were swiftly killed off.
Anytime they were onscreen I was drifting off:
Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwantan) and Crystal, the werepanther and the entire 'Hot Shot' storyline. It seems that the producers of True Blood figured out in Season 3 to not take this cringe-worthy story much further so they didn't. Unfortunately, they dropped the story like a hot potato at the very beginning of season 4 after a big season 3 build-up so it felt very abrupt. Literally, it felt dropped--though the ultimate goal was met quickly which served the story despite it's other flaws.
They did the same to the "Fae' storyline, pretty much. The audience was not really receptive to the faery godmother thing and the rest so--poof! Gone. (And, they killed off Claudine, those bastards! She was so cool in the books.)
The witches' invasion was OK. Certainly casting Fiona Shaw in the lead was a good choice but the outcome of the witches' Bon Temps takeover was so that Eric would lose his memory and embark with a clean slate, in an affair with Sookie Stackhouse. Beyond that, did anyone really fear Marnie/Antonia or care all that much except for Eric getting his memory back?
And that is probably NOT the worst of it about things not-great in season 4. After so much hype about Sookie and Eric the romance just went pfft. Though I thought it impossible, beyond flirtation Alexander Skarsgård and Anna Paquin don't have the chemistry that makes for a believably hot, intense romance. I don't know why--or maybe that is exactly why but their lovemaking scenes never came near the hotness of some of the 'Sookie and Bill in love'-action.
Finally, they still haven't figured out what to do with poor Tara (Rutina Wesley). The season-ender of True Blood had Tara getting her brains literally blown out.
Too bad this scene (above) never happened. It looks like it has potential.
EDIT/Oh yeah. This too. The reconciled werewolf couple Debbie Pelt and Alcide Herveaux. Except when Joe Manganiello as Alcide has his shirt off, this was another wasted effort that show a complete lack of...IDK, caring? on the writer's part. It made no sense whatsoever that Debbie attempt to murder Sookie as she and Alcide have not even made it beyond hugging. Just the same, true to form Debbie tried to kill Sookie in her own house only his time she got both herself and Tara shot. (Tara's brains spattered so far that if she comes back as anything but a ghost I may-- though I almost never threaten this--I may say to hell with the show.)
Tara's (Rutina Wesley) brains in True Blood - Season 4 Episode 12
Sookie (Anna Paquin) reacting to Tara's sacrifice, screams for help (guess who will respond first? The list is ever-growing).
So where will the series pick up next season? Right after this moment? Would you feel cheated if it didn't pick up on this moment if somehow Tara still 'exists?' I think I would.
Vampires have feelings, too:
Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) shown with 'Ginger' (Tara Buck) is as upset as we've seen her, again for the same reason--her maker, Eric. This time in disgust (and still bedding Sookie) he ordered her away after she disobeyed a direct order (and said screw the safety of the humans, essentially). But he and Sookie (and Bill) are kaput so I'm thinking it will be easier for Eric and Pam to resume their very smooth relationship as boss and the boss's 2nd in command. Let's hope so!
Despite my numerous quibbles I am curious about season 5 True Blood so read on about some of the first tidbits of True Blood Season 5 info. spilling forth as the TB writers 'break' season 5.
So far, we have had official confirmation--as well as duh! the big hole where Russell Edgington used to be in episode 12, that Denis O'Harewill return to season 5 True Blood as the former King of Mississippi. I'm sure his story of escape will be intriguing. I'm guessing one of Russell's other 'progeny' finally found him(?) due to the signal of 'maker in trouble' getting through--but truly, I have no idea.
True Blood Season 5 NEW Character Announcement and Descriptions:
As the producers promised, True Blood is introducing several new characters in season 5 — and EW got the early word on two of the roles.
Creator Alan Ball and his team of scribes have put out a casting call for someone to play Nora, a beautiful and intelligent 25-to-35 something who plays a double agent within the Vampire Authority. What’s even better than that? She’s got a big history with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) because she too is a progeny of Godric(!). Nora will be a series regular role that may (or may not) involve a little nudity...
Meanwhile, Co-Executive Producer Raelle Tucker told EW that they’ll include a “very significant, strong, mysterious woman at the center of one of our main stories next year … a very familiar and compelling character. It may be someone you’ve heard of before.” Especially if you’ve read the Bible: The True Blood team also put out the call for someone to play Salome, as in THE Salome, daughter of Herodias.
She’s a powerful ancient vampire (hmm, don’t remember that part from the New Testament) and a world-class seductress who’s also a little mad. So she’ll fit right into Bon Temps.
The original Dark Shadows was 'a memorably offbeat ABC daytime drama about a vampire whose extended family are bedeviled by ghosts, witches, and other Gothic woes.'
Johnny Depp has recounted how as a boy he practically raced home to watch Dark Shadows after school each day. I did the same but living in the Northeast (versus Depp's Kentucky) we got released from school too late in the afternoon to watch the entire episode. I still turned it on and caught the second act of each one-hour installment. As Depp says, Dark Shadows was 'very weird' so it didn't really seem to matter that I was only getting about half the narrative. The parts I saw were terrifically fun and seemed quite subversive being unreeled during weekday afternoons.
“I remember seeing a group photograph of the cast of the original series,” he told EW. “For me it captured the weird Dark Shadows vibe in a single image." - Dark Shadows director Tim Burton
'Weird certainly sums up this particular family portrait — a shot director Tim Burton, who also obsessed over Dark Shadows as a boy, staged in the early days of production.
Here’s the Collins family, from left to right with a brief description of each character following:
Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter) – From Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen, to the cannibalistic cook Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Burton can’t help but cast the mother of his children as a deranged person. This prim and proper psychiatrist, who has taken up residence with the Collins family to care for their troubled youngest boy, might seem to break that trend — but don’t bet on it....
Carolyn Stoddard (Chloë Moretz) — Though she played a voracious child vampire in the critically acclaimed Let Me In, Moretz is on the human side of the spectrum in Dark Shadows — though that doesn’t mean this cousin of young David Collins (and daughter of Michelle Pfeiffer’s character, seen on the far right) isn’t without her own peculiarities...
Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green) — The Bond girl from Casino Royale turns up here as the villain of the story. “Angelique is a witch who has known Barnabas since the 1700s, when they had an affair that went sour. She is the one who cursed him to be a vampire and locked him in that box...”
David Collins (Gulliver McGrath) — Lonely, confused, and neglected by his pompous father (Jonny Lee Miller, over on the right next to Pfeiffer), David has no one to confide in except his bizarre psychiatrist — and the dead people he claims to see...
Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote) — This young woman arrives to become David’s new governess, only to find herself swept up in the vampire-witch melodrama. “When Barnabas meets Victoria, he’s instantly reminded of the woman he lost in the 1700s, before he was cursed to be a vampire...”
Mrs. Johnson (Ray Shirley) — “Poor old Mrs. Johnson …” Grahame-Smith sighs when talk turns to the old woman seated in the back behind Depp. “She is the mostly blind, mostly deaf maid, who has been with them for decades and decades... I don’t think she actually says anything in the entire film....
Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley) — How awesome is it to play an actual Groundskeeper Willie? The Oscar-nominee for Little Children is... the guy who takes out the trash, mows the lawns, and fixes the cars, except he’s usually so drunk and so disinterested that he doesn’t take his job seriously anymor..."
Roger Collins (Jonny Lee Miller) — This scion of the once-great Collins family is one of the main reasons the aristocratic clan has fallen into such disgrace. “He’s a creepy, self-centered guy who likes to order Willie around, likes to pretend the family is still on top of his game...”
Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) — The mother of Carolyn Stoddard, and mother-figure to David, she’s the one adult member of the Collins clan who is at least slightly competent. “Elizabeth is the rock of the family. She’s the matriarch,”...with a witch perpetually trying to destroy her, and a long lost vampire relative turning up to reclaim control...'
SOURCE:EW Weekly - Johnny Depp's true 'Dark Shadows' vampire revealed!
Before shooting, Depp said: “What Jonathan Frid did with that character and that classic look he created… I find it very difficult to stray very far from that. I think it’s going to be somewhere in that arena, with maybe just a couple of different touches here and there.
“I do remember, very vividly, practically sprinting home from school in the afternoon to see Jonathan Frid play Barnabas Collins,” the actor says. “Even then, at that age, I knew — this has got to be weird.” -- Johnny Depp
SOURCE: The Inquisitr - ‘Dark Shadows’ Cast Photo Released; See Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins
True Blood's Season 4 finale was very uneven--much like most of the season:
It's easier to rattle off the 'misses' than the hits so that's where I'll start.
Misses (in no particular order):
1. Alcide's (Joe Manganiello) 'Let's use our brains instead of hearts' chat with Sookie (Anna Paquin). What a way to approach asking a lady out! Having dumped his adulterous, V-addict wife, Debbie Pelt and disapproving of Sookie's choices in men (vampires) he suggests that Sookie start using her head and give him--a werewolf a shot.
This was probably among the longest bits of convo that Joe Manganiello as 'Alcide Herveaux' has had and though others have criticized the actor for being 'wooden,' I did not see it. Until now. Not only did Alcide seal the deal that he will NEVER 'have' Sookie but he pretty much guaranteed that the Alcide storyline is going to evaporate in season 5. Hopefully, Alcide's ending won't be as as brutally abrupt as Jason's stint with the dentally-impaired denizens of Hotshot because let's be honest, he is one fine male specimen. Sookie is going to be man-free for a time--and then--who knows, but at most, a short stint with the wolf-man is all there will be. Too bad.
2. OMG, Marnie (Fiona Shaw) no! Not again with the 'I've been a freak all my life and people are mean, POOR ME.' This has got to be at least the third full-blown pity poor me speech they've given Shaw as the mousy palm reader turned revenge-seeking uber-wiccan. Was her crappy life supposed to justify her behaviour? It would have been better to simply go with her being driven mad. Instead Marnie simply became a harpy. Waste of Shaw's abilities--at least as the season wound down.
3. WTF?! with the long, lingering suckling sounds then wider shot of both Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) feeding on Sookie's wrists?! All three are snug on the sofa with Sookie, as Jason would put it, using Sookie as their own private soda fountain. Just ugh and OMG how freakin' cheesy is the fact that both men were in matching robes? No wonder she dumped them! She knows that a big bromance is brewing between them! Did you see some of the eye-fucking going on between Eric and Bill in the last couple of episodes? I'd love a nice Eric & Bill adventure if only to stir up both sides cheering for Sookie to pick one. The scene though was just icky on all kinds of levels though I think it was meant to be slightly campy and amusing (before Sookie got all traditional and decided she just could. not. love. both of them at the same time).
4. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and Hoyt's 3-minute "I'm doing Jesssica' scene: a total waste of three minutes intended simply to give Jim Parrack as Hoyt some season finale face time. I like the actor but this was totally superfluous.
The rest was typical Jason and the one line of any significance was repeated by Jason to Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) after their tryst--no need for Hoyt to have been in thisepisode--at all.
5. Speaking of a waste of time. Kevin Alejandro got plenty of face time. he did not need to engage in the interminable back and forth with the possessed-by-Marnie, Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). It went on forever...could have trimmed that by at least a minute with less candle-lighting and chest slashing. RIP 'Jesus', BTW. Kevin Alejandro did a very credible job this season and became a character that the audience grew fond of. That's the point of course, when you know that you will off him before season's end.
6. Luna (Janina Gavankar) & Sam (Sam Trammell). How long did it take them to say a whole lot of nothing and then goodnight? And haven't they been all about nothing? Does anyone care about them? Anyone? I like Sam--who doesn't?--but there is zero chemistry with this pairing and speaking of zero chemistry let's take on the Jason and Jessica storyline that is brewing:
7. Jessica and Jason (above). We get it: they are both really into sex. What else do they have in common? Immature, selfish behavior, punctuated by occasional bravery and selflessness. I'm willing to give this pairing some time in season 5 but what I'm not willing to do is watch the mind-numbingly awful attempts at keeping the actor who play's Jessica, Deborah Ann Woll's, boobies under cover. And by 'boobies' I mean nipples. We get cleavage, we get side boob and maybe even underboob but in the two times we've seen Jason and Jessica make love when her breasts are in camera range she clutches them in an obvious attempt at modesty. Did no one tell her that there is simply no room for modesty on True Blood? The same goofy camera angles and weird use of sheets was employed by Rutina Wesley as well in the two seasons she had a boyfriend. It's very distracting on a show that otherwise is pretty liberal in it's nudity (it is after all, NOT television but HBO).
There were some great moments in the True Blood season 4 finale but not enough--by a long shot--to make a great episode:
Maxine Fortenberry's (Dale Raoul) quips about Sam's shifty bro Tommy's deviousness and thievery which segued into comforting Sam were a nice touch.
Nan Flanagan's (Jessica Tuck) comeuppance at the hands of Eric and Bill was spot on-- though I will miss her.
Pam's (Kristen Bauer van Straten) tirade-to-tears about Sookie's 'fairy vagina' and stupid name only to have Ginger (Tara Buck) uh, gingerly slip an arm around her in comfort was really quite a sight (you just know Pam is going to glamour that memory out of Ginger given the first chance). Scroll down after the jump for the video of the scene.
The return of dead-since season-one Gran (Lois Smith)! It was totally awesome to see her in all her glorious badassery when she literally tore Marnie's spirit out of Lafayette. (The resultant tedious and trite convo between Marnie and Antonia (Paola Turbay) took some momentum out of the scene, however. )
Debbie Pelt's (Brit Morgan) reappearance was no surprise to the 'bookies. With a few change-ups this was how she died in the Sookie Stackhouse series. In the book series however, Sookie took her out alone. 'Book' Tara is a minor character and was in no way involved.
What True Blood Tara did was pretty cool though--but ultimately pretty stupid. She got half of the side of her skull blown away. I think this was done to telegraph to any doubting audience members that yes, at last, the never-written-well character of Tara Thorton is finally over.*
But will Rutina Wesley be back? She, as you can read below, is unsure but 'trusts' Alan Ball and she reminds us, this is True Blood (so anything can happen). Other than short otherworldly-type visits I'm thinking the majority of the audience want Tara gone. We've long since realized that the True Blood writers are incapable of giving the perfectly capable Wesley a storyline she can sink her teeth into. RIP then, Tara and Jesus. I'm assuming though, that the bad guys won't be resting in peace.
Season 4 Finale Grade: B-. Out of the four True Blood seasons so far, I rank Season 1 and Season 2 in that order and Seasons 3 and 4 about on par with one another. Both suffered from sloppy, self-indulgent writing and extremely bad editing. Please, in the name of good screenwriting Alan Ball, please ditch Raelle Tucker. If you have any doubt about this women's rationalle whist writing True Blood, listen to her explain Jessica's sexuality in the 'Inside The Episode' HBO clip (embedded in this post). Tucker explains that she wanted "Jessica' to flaunt her sexuality unashamedly (like a man could). We, the audience however, see Jessica in flagrante, seemingly ashamed of her own body (the breast-clutching). Huge disconnect there. Tip of iceberg in Tucker's writing skills-issues. Don't even get me started on her apparent non-acquaintance with healthy sexuality.
From the 9.12.11 exclusive interview with Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton):
Q: In your mind, is Tara dead?
A: Well I mean half my head is missing.
I’m just gonna keep saying that. You know, it’s True Blood. I feel like anything is possible. If anything, it is the golden hour though. If she is able to be saved, it’s like she’s got 20 seconds. It’s not a lot of time. I’m curious to see what they’re going to do with all of it. I hope I’m back. But again half my head is missing [laughs] ...
I don’t know what their plans are for next season. I know that Alan has said there are “big plans,” but I don’t know what that really means, and things can always change. I’m not for sure, but I trust him completely. At the end of the day, it’s hard to see how I’m coming back, seeing as half of my head was just blown off. I don’t know. They may figure something out. I mean it’s True Blood. There’s always flashbacks. There’s phantasms.
True Blood Season 4 - 'Alcide Makes His Pitch to Sookie' (VIDEO):
Uploaded by trueblood on Sep 8, 2011
For The Love Of Sookie:
'Watch a clip (above) from the season finale of True Blood which premieres on Sunday, September 11th at 9:00 pm.'
Poor Alcide! (Joe Manganiello) Gorgeous, sweet hunk of a guy just can't seem to get any good lovin'!:
Now that he has divorced demented Debbie--wolf-style ("I abjure you!') after finding her in their home in her underwear with now-dead Shreveport packmaster Marcus, Alcide finally turns to Sookie (Anna Paquin) urging them both to not follow their hearts but instead--their brains! It is a highly unlikely prospect for either one of the notorious 'fools for love,' but still, hafta give Mr. Herveaux props for trying. Sookie could do a lot worse than Alcide Herveaux but if her TV counterpart !!!BOOK series SPOILER!!! follows her Sookie Stackhouse series self, Alcide shall only have a brief interlude of happiness with our fair Sook.
Let's face it, Sookie is on team fangbanger all the way. It's either Eric Northman (played by Alexander Skarsgård) or Bill Compton (Paquin 's real-life spouse, Stephen Moyer). No other human, faery, shifter, shifter-werewolf or wereother, truly has a chance for the love of Sookie.
Joe Manganiello is a very likable Alcide whose physical attributes need no touting. Clearly, Sookie could make a go of it with this hot-blooded man-creature. But <sigh> Sookie still has much to learn and the kids question has not been addressed between these two yet, (mostly 'cause Sookie keeps shutting him down).
Episode #48: “And When I Die” (season finale) Debut: SUNDAY, SEPT. 11 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
It’s Samhain, Wicca’s greatest holy day, and spirits of the dead surface in Bon Temps, giving Sookie (Anna Paquin) valuable allies to combat Marnie’s (Fiona Shaw) newest incarnation. Lafayette’s (Nelsan Ellis) latest medium encounter imperils his relationship with Jesus (Kevin Alejandro); Jason (Ryan Kwanten) finds confession good for the soul, but not the body; Alcide (Joe Manganiello) makes a heartfelt appeal to the woman he loves; Terry (Todd Lowe) receives an unexpected visitor at Merlotte’s; Sam and Luna (Janina Gavankar) envision a storybook ending, for once; Nan (Jessica Tuck) wears out her welcome with Bill and Eric. Debbie confronts Sookie and Tara(Rutina Wesley) with deadly consequences, and the denizens of Bon Temps brace for a new crisis with a familiar face.
Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Scott Winant.
'How many times has Sookie saved your life, letting you drink from her like your own private soda fountain?' - Jason to Bill:
True Blood Season 4: Eric, Bill, Pam, Jessica, and Jason Clip (Effing Sookie Clip):
Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgard), Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) and Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) are about to blow up the Moon Goddess Emporium when Jason (Ryan Kwanten) intercedes, informing them that (in addition to Tara) Sookie is now held hostage inside as well. So commences a chorus of exclamations from the vampires beginning with Eric, of 'Effing Sookie.' Jason takes great umbrage at this display of disrespect and ungratefulness and proceeds to stand up to them, ticking off a list of the many ways that Sookie has pulled the vampires' collectives butts out of the fire on multiple occasions.
'Fuck you chump, it's her home!' - Jason to Eric
True Blood Season 4 - Sookie, Marnie, Lafayette, Jesus, and Tara Clip:
'Marnie just puked the bitch out.' Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) the medium, after witnessing Antonia leaving Marnie's (Fiona Shaw) body.
True Blood Season 4 Episode 11 (4x11) Promo - 'Soul of Fire' (HD)
True Blood - Season 4 - September 2011 - Episode #47 Synopsis:
As the Wiccan-vampire standoff reaches a critical juncture, Sookie (Anna Paquin) summons her faerie powers to prevent Marnie (Fiona Shaw) from bewitching Bill (Stephen Moyer), Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) and Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) into a suicide march, while Jesus (Kevin Alejandro) casts a secret spell designed to un-bind Marnie/Antonia and break the witch’s deadly defenses. Sam (Sam Trammell) settles a score with Marcus (Dan Buran); Alcide (Joe Manganiello) confronts Debbie (Brit Morgan) about her allegiances; Andy (Chris Bauer) finds unexpected passion in the forest; Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is consumed by the past. Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Michael Lehmann.
Alexander Skarsgård smolders in HBO's True Blood as the spellbound 1000 y.o. Viking vampire, "Erik Northman":
The official synopsis for True Blood season 4, Episode 10, "Burning Down the House":
"As all hell breaks loose in Shreveport, Sookie summons her most potent powers yet to save Bill, in the process breaking a spell and leading Marnie to re-evaluate her mission. Jason urges Jessica to glamour him for Hoyt’s sake; Terry drags Andy to “Fort Bellefleur” for an intervention; Alcide reconsiders his allegiances after Marcus’ fight with Tommy. Jesus, accompanied by Sookie, Lafayette and Jason, tries to breach the Moon Goddess Emporium’s defenses to liberate Tara and Holly, while Bill leads a brigade of vampires committed to blowing the place to kingdom come."
After the jump - True Blood - Season 4 - September 2011 Episode Press Releases
"There have been times for me when it has occurred to me that I could put my career on hold and become a maker but these last several hours with you have erased those thoughts forever." - 'Nan Flanagan' to a bloody-tears-streaked, broken-hearted-in-love 'baby vamp' Jessica - True Blood Episode 4.09 - 'Let's Get Out Of Here!'
Nan and Jessica play so well off one another! Kudos to actresses Deborah Ann Woll(Jessica Hamby) and Jessica Tuck (Nan Flanagan).
True Blood Season 4 - Jessica and Nan Clip - [VIDEO] [SCREENCAPS]:
True Blood Season 4: Hoyt and Lafayette Clip [VIDEO] [SCREENCAPS]:
True Blood Episode #45 - 'Let's Get Out Of Here'
After the jump: True Blood Season 4: Let's Get Out of Here PROMO:
True Blood Season 4: Marcus and Tommy Clip
[VIDEO]
True Blood Season 4: 'Let's Get Out of Here Promo.'*
Anyone else wondering where True Blood is taking the the Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Jason (Ryan Kwanten) storyline?:
(Cont.)
Or is 'Jay' that great of a BFF to Hoyt (Jim Parrack)? Also, there was that little matter of Jason's nearly-life-wrecking 'V' (vampire blood) addiction, too. Jessica would be quite a package of temptation. Pretty sure Jason would be gone in a flash even if he attempted to succumb to temptation. You just know Hoyt hasn't talked about it -- 'Jessica's problem' -- to Jason. Jessica's eternal vamp virginity is going to be a big shocker for him--if the two ever even get that far.
We haven't seen this scene yet (as of pre- 8.21.11), right ?
Isn't Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) (Episode 8 spoiler) possessed in this shot by the lullaby-singing French lady who is obsessed with poor little Arlene's (Carrie Preston) & the season 1 Bon Temps serial killer's baby, 'Mikey'?
Cool! There are some shots that are from next Sunday or beyond here! Sort of spoilers. I'm pretty sure that is a possessed Lafayette in the (current 8.24.11) shot above.
Your thoughts (about any of these shots)? Note:Be sure to click to enlarge and look through the slideshow. There are many more of the entire True Blood cast--wth several stills of not-yet broadcast scenes).
On Sunday - HBO True Blood Season 4, Episode 9: 'Run' Original Air Date—21 August 2011:
Synopsis True Blood Episode 4.09 -
Convalescing after her latest near-death trauma, Sookie envisions a world where there's room for both Bill and Eric. Jesus tries to purge the restless spirit out of Lafayette; Marcus enlists Alcide to help him deal with the Sam situation; Bill and Nan Flanagan clash over their agendas; Hoyt asks Jason to make a delivery to Jessica; despite Tara and Holly's misgivings, Marnie plots her next move against the vampires, during a "Festival of Tolerance" event at Shreveport.
Next US airings: Sun. Aug. 21 9:00 PM HBO Sun. Aug. 21 11:05 PM HBO
The premium cable television series True Blood, is based on the book series by Charlaine Harris about a telepathic waitress in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps and her fairly speedy realization (after 20-something years) that she is not the only one with special powers, that in fact, Bon Temps is a sort of mecca for all things fang-tasticly supernatural.
Even Sookie herself is less human than she once thought.
The scene in question took place in book four of the Sookie Stackhouse series entitled 'Dead To The World.' It was the first time that Sookie, having found out about her first vampire lover Bill Compton's deception/betrayal, took the Viking vampire, Eric Northman into her bed--or more correctly, shower, where they made crazy-hot, passionate love.
The fans lapped it up and for years have been looking forward with great anticipation to the 'Sookie and Eric shower scene'. Well folks, this is it.
Did it live up to the sky-high expectations that all the waiting and and especially talking up of the scene had generated? In a word, no.
As show-runner (and writer of this episode) Alan Ball had hinted that the shower scene on True Blood wasn't going to play out like the shower scene from the book.
Boy, was he right! Fact is, Sookie and Eric never actually even got wet in the shower. They both were taking the equivalent of "V" trips (vampire blood--humans get high on it) and instead of water emanating from the shower--snow began to fall from above. Then Sookie and Eric found themselves in some kind of Viking forest fantasy world--complete with comfy bed where they hopped in and went to it.
And that, along with some trippy, you-had-to-be-there dialogue , was that. Ball has been knocked--even before this non-shower scene, that he favours the Sookie and Bill (Stephen Moyer) pairing over the Sookie-Eric one. If so, this scene would seem to give further evidence to that assertion. For my money, all the Sookie-Bill scenes have been hotter than whatever heat Sookie and cold, dead lover Eric have generated.
Anna Paquin as Sookie is still very beautiful to look at but for my (cable bill) money I'm more satisfied with Sookie and Bill and in fact, look forward to the day that they reunite. Whether they stay that way is a big question but I have no doubt that before Alan Ball departs, there will be at least one more go-round with Bon Temps's sexiest twosome.
Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) has a "Russell Edgington' moment after he rips out the throat of a Wiccan (HBO credit).
HBO True Blood Season 4, Official Episode 4.09 Promo: 'Run':
UPDATE! Episode 4.08 VIDEO Recap with Screencaps:
Joe Manganiello as True Blood werewolf Alcide Herveaux, carries a limp, gutshot Sookie (Anna Paquin) to safety.
This is NOT a promo--it's only a tease. My bet is there will be more coming up this week--longer, better (maybe) but still I agree with other disappointed #trueblood fans, we absolutely got shorted on the promo for next week's True Blood episode "Run" (4.09).
Season 4, Episode 9: 'Run'
Original Air Date—21 August 2011 Convalescing after her latest near-death trauma, Sookie envisions a world where there's room for both Bill and Eric. Jesus tries to purge the restless spirit out of Lafayette; Marcus enlists Alcide to help him deal with the Sam situation; Bill and Nan Flanagan clash over their agendas; Hoyt asks Jason to make a delivery to Jessica; despite Tara and Holly's misgivings, Marnie plots her next move against the vampires, during a "Festival of Tolerance" event at Shreveport. Next US airings: Sun. Aug. 21 9:00 PM HBO Sun. Aug. 21 11:05 PM HBO
True Blood Season 4 -: Episode 8 "Inside The Episode" with Screencaps:
Inside the Episode #44: Writer Alan Ball and director David Minahan offer their insights:
After the Jump - Recap True Blood Episode #44 'Spellbound' [VIDEO]:
Stephen Moyer as 'Vampire Bill' the King of Mississippi
Witches vs. vampires - whose side are you on?:
The war between the two factions escalates on tonight’s episode of HBO’s “True Blood” (at 9 p.m.). In “Spellbound?,” written by series creator Alan Ball, Marnie/Antonia (the sublime Fiona Shaw) and Bill (Stephen Moyer) face off in a cemetery.
Bill claims he wants peace, but he’s brought a small army with him, including Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård). Things get violent fast, and Sookie’s life - and love life - just be taking yet another dramatic swerve.
“There’s no such thing as forever,” Sookie tells Eric earlier in the episode, and those words seem prophetic. The two take their intimacy to even greater - bloodier - levels.
Alcide (Joe Manganiello) vows to stay away from Sookie, but that’s a promise he cannot keep. Sam (Sam Trammell) makes a new enemy, while his brother Tommy (Marshall Allman) walks in a woman’s shoes. Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) is no longer himself - literally.
Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Hoyt (Jim Parrack) experience not one but two wrenching break-ups. But Jessica discovers moving on with Jason (Ryan Kwanten) will not be that easy.
True Blood featured vampire cast including Deborah Ann Woll as "Jessica' (far right)
In re: DEBORAH ANN WOLL - A primer on how to SPELL HER NAME:
In journalism, which I thought was what we were getting from the Boston Herald, it is a cardinal sin to misspell an actor's name (a book or movie title, etc) wrong even just ONCE.
The Boston Herald gets Deborah Ann Woll's name wrong EVERY time they mention her, insisting it is WOLF instead. Ironic, given that they are singling her our for praise.
It _would_ be funny but how low are we going to set the bar for spelling an actor's name correctly, the title of a book...a website?
I always misspell SpoilerTV when I credit them--this post's source, but I go back and fix it before hitting 'publish'.
Do we no longer have time to even get the basic stuff right? A person's name is spelled the same in every language. Not trying to be an English as first language snob or spelling police. I am the typo queen myself (see, levity!!) but I try mightily to get proper names spelled right.
Vampire Bill glamours his way onto the evening news:
Best clip of the three.
In the aftermath of the vampire suicides (under the spell of the witches) 'Vampire Bill' Compton a/k/a the 'Vampire King of Louisiana', (Stephen Moyer) glamours his way onto the TV news after the reporter's initial refusal to allow him to make a statement.
True Blood Season 4 - Marcus, Alcide, and Debbie Clip:
Marcus (Dan Buran), the packmaster of Shreveport, says the word 'f*ck' or a variation of it about 15 time in 60 seconds whilst discussing the witches vs. vampire situation with his pack.
True Blood Season 4 - Antonia and Tara Clip:
Tara (Rutina Wesley) listens intently to Marnie/Antonia (Fiona Shaw) ranting that their efforts to kill 'all vampires' were almost for naught as just 'a single vampire (Maxine Fortenberry's neighbour) burned.' She insists that the vampires must be 'snuffed out, once and for all.'
After the jump: HBO RENEWS HIT SERIES TRUE BLOOD FOR FIFTH SEASON:
True Blood - Eric & Sookie Make Love VIDEO & PHOTOS:
True Blood Season 4 - Episodes 6 and 7, 'I Wish I Was The Moon', 'Cold,Gray Light of Dawn' Screencaps & Video.
Sookie and a devoid-of-memory but totally smitten Eric, finally give legions of Truebies (True Blood fans) what they've been waiting for--carnal knowledge. HBO copyright.
People often remark about how beautiful Deborah Ann Woll is. I agree completely--especially about the porcelain skin--she has a flawless, creamy complexion though ironically, as a kid she got teased for it.
She was blond then too, and became a redhead and a self-professed 'theatre geek' about 13 years ago. She's one of the actors I most enjoy on True Blood as she brings a magnetism to the screen that is irresistible. (Poor Hoyt and now, Jason. No chance at all! LOL)
SPOILER ALERT:
Bon Temps' witch's coven led by the possessed "Marnie" (Fiona Shaw):
The undead face their greatest threat in tonight’s episode of HBO’s “True Blood” (at 9 p.m.).
In “Cold Grey Light of Dawn,” Marnie (Fiona Shaw) is gone. Her body has been taken over by the 400-year-old witch Antonia, who, as flashbacks revealed, died a gruesome death during the Spanish Inquisition and has good cause to want payback. With her powers, she can compel vampires to walk into the sunlight - to their own fiery doom.
Bill (Stephen Moyer) quickly realizes she could massacre them all. His plan to save his subjects is almost as deadly as the sun itself.
Meanwhile, Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) take their lovemaking to just about every part of Bon Temps it seems, much to the distress of Alcide (Joe Manganiello). Eric decides he doesn’t want his memory back if the price is losing Sookie’s love.
Tara’s (Rutina Wesley) life is saved by TMZ - sort of. Sam (Sam Trammell) uncovers his brother’s deception. Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) realizes the sad truth about her relationship with Hoyt (Jim Parrack), who has no idea his best friend Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is also lusting for the red-headed vampire.
Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) begins to learn just how powerful he is. Could he be key to fighting Marnie? Trouble is, she makes a great case for wanting to rid the world of vampires, one even Bill acknowledges.
At hour’s end, one familiar vamp cannot resist the siren call to daylight …
Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica Hamby in the last moments of her human life
At the tender age of 17, True Blood's quasi-innocent vampire Jessica Hamby has studied up on carnal knowledge, killed a horny trucker, and attacked her boyfriend's mom. But this works out just fine for Deborah Ann Woll, the actress who plays her, who gets to live out all her unfulfilled adolescent angst. Woll spills more details on her character's season-four exploits, then got to the bottom of other pressing matters, such as her favorite flavor of blood and her policy on biting folks for a photo op.
Q: Part of being a vampire is being loyal to your maker. How would you defend your character's maker, Bill Compton, who's become a jerky politician?
He's under incredible pressure. And he has some incredibly powerful people making decisions for him. I think Bill is as disappointed with that as we are. Bill is really alone now. He doesn't have a family except Jess, and I think it's really wonderful that this season they get to [bond] quite a bit. Because things aren't going so great with [her human boyfriend] Hoyt, [Bill] is all that she has.
Q: So … Jason Stackhouse and Jessica? Didn't see that one coming. I'm actually really excited about that story line. The thing is, Hoyt is such a great guy, but the really sad part of it is that his mom was right: She told Jess all those years ago that Jess can't give him what he wants. While Hoyt is more open-minded than his mother, Hoyt really wants conventional things. He wants a wife and a normal life. And that's not something Jess is capable of, nor does she want it.
Though most all of the True Blood behind-the-scenes interviews are well worth watching, this video clip of episode #41 'I Wish I Was The Moon,' is not to be missed:
In this season 4.05 Inside The Episode segment, writer Raelle Tucker makes mention of what I thought was the show's most outstanding acting sequence(s)--all done by Sam Trammell as 'Sam Merlotte,' personifying the character of his brother, 'Tommy' (Marshall Allman).
Tommy, who was attacked the prior night by both his shifter parents, kills them in self defense and the next morning inadvertently shapeshifts into his older brother. Trammell nails everything from Tommy's swagger/limp to his voice inflections-- as well as his overall mannerisms. It's really hugely impressive, so much so that I immediately watched the "Tommy as Sam" scenes before I re-watched the whole episode the next night. Trammell set a high bar for the rest of the cast and they really stepped up.
"I Wish I Was The Moon," was easily the best episode of season 4 (I may have chosen another 'best so far in S4' but that was then--and it doesn't diminish either eppy). If season 4 continues offering the caliber of this episode's writing, acting & direction it is on track to being the best season since True Blood's very first. It is fan-bloody-tastic to be truly pumped for the next episode and beyond and we haven't even yet gotten to the Sookie - Eric shower scene!* (From book 4 of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, which this season of True Blood is loosely based on. We don't know yet if the show will actually feature it but Eric and Sookie fans have been clamoring for it for years. Fingers crossed for them that their wait is rewarded!)
True Blood Season 4 - Fiona Shaws looks suitably witchy as possessed fortune teller, Marnie Stonebrook.
Update! July 29, 2011 - HBO renews True Blood, Show creator Alan Ball signs on for Season 5:
Big news at the opening of the True Blood panel at TCA: Series creator/executive producer Alan Ball said he has just closed a deal to do another season of the HBO series(!), effectively sealing the fifth-season renewal of the hit vampire drama. Ball disclosed the fact that he has re-signed in response to a request to address speculation that Season 4 could be his last. "I have no desire to leave," he said. "Doing the show, I'm having more fun than I have ever had in my life." He later said that he and the show's writers are already breaking stories for Season 5 and one of them is about "how one of the vampires was made."
Jul 29, 2011 - This trailer is comprehensive through the first 9 episodes of Season 4 of HBO's True Blood.
Other highlights from the True Blood presentation at TCA [SPOILERS]:
* They will be going back to see how one of the vampires was made in season five. Kristin Bauer van Straten said at Comic-Con that she really hopes we get to see how Eric made Pam*, so it looks like she'll get that plot wish granted.
<raises hand>
Me, too!
Wouldn't you love to see Pam get made!?
On HBO series True Blood she is known as Pam de Beaufort. On the show except for the fact that Pam is cryptically funny, beautiful, ruthless, lesbian/maybe bi and most importantly, Eric Northman's sire, we know little of her backstory.
In in the Charlaine Harris-penned Sookie Stackhouse book series (where she originated) Pam Ravenscroft was a young, aristocratic but unconventional woman who did not want to be penned in by her circumstances.
Unlike many made vampire, Pam voluntarily surrendered herself to Eric Northman and, she is very happy being vampire. She expresses this sentiment very succinctly to Bill Compton at the end of True Blood - Season 1, when he is being made to 'make' Jessica as punishment for killing another vampire (to save Sookie, which 'The Magister' found completely irrelevant to the charge). Pam considers 'makers' god-like and admonishes Bill with disgust that he needs to fly his maker-grade colours proudly.
*Alan Ball says the biggest challenge in shooting the show is getting everything done on time. In the end, they have to scale back on or drop certain scenes altogether. "The key to it is everyone really loves working on this show," Ball insists.
* Ball admitted that Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer were able to keep their offscreen relationship a secret for a while, but then he turned to them and said: "Not as long as you thought."
* "It's not a show where you think there's a lack of imagination," Paquin tells the crowd of reporters. Both actors insist they are encouraged to pitch their own ideas for their character. "When we were down at Comic-Con, we were pitching ideas. (Vampire King of Louisiana) Bill Compton taking over the world. That sort of thing," Moyer said (maybe?) jokingly. He also wishes for Bill to visit Merlotte's more often.
* Prepare to be quoting Pam yet again on Monday morning. "Kristin's got [a line] coming up that is possibly the greatest line of all time," Moyer reveals. * Paquin is comfortable with the fact that Bill and Sookie will remain apart. "Our love in real life is fine, so I'm fine with our characters being distraught and sad," she says. "It's not interesting television if everything works out for Bill and Sookie and they adopt five babies and live happily ever after."
Episode 4.11: ‘Soul of Fire’ – As the Wiccan-vampire standoff reaches a critical juncture, Sookie summons her faerie powers to prevent Marnie from bewitching Bill, Eric and Pam into a suicide march, while Jesus casts a secret spell designed to un-bind Antonia and break the witch’s deadly defenses. Sam settles a score with Marcus; Alcide confronts Debbie about her allegiances; Andy finds unexpected passion in the forest; Lafayette is consumed by the past.
Episode 4.12: ‘And When I Die’ – Season Finale. – It’s Samhain, Wicca’s greatest holy day, and spirits of the dead surface in Bon Temps, giving Sookie some valuable allies to combat Marnie’s newest incarnation. Lafayette’s latest medium encounter imperils his relationship with Jesus; Jason finds confession good for the soul, but not the body; Alcide makes a heartfelt appeal to the woman he loves; Terry receives an unexpected visitor at Merlotte’s; Sam and Luna envision a storybook ending, for once; Nan wears out her welcome with Bill and Eric. As Season Four comes to a shattering conclusion, Debbie confronts Sookie and Tara with deadly consequences, and the denizens of Bon Temps brace for a new crisis with a familiar face.
True Blood Season 4- Tara and Naomi 'Passionate' Clip: Jul 28, 2011 Clip from True Blood - Episode 406, 'I Wish I Was the Moon': Make sure to watch True Blood season 4 every Sunday night, 9 pm, only on HBO.
Alexander Skarsgård ('Eric Northman') & Anna Paquin ('Sookie Stackhouse') True Blood Season 4
San Diego 2011 Comic Con True Blood VIDEO & Screencaps:
I think I snagged a few more intriguing screencaps that I've added to the Picasa album but bewarned--they look super-spoiler-ish.
I realize that some scenes (most?) have been rearranged to insinuate something. Even so, certain stuff is right in your face and clearly actual scenes, not dreams. The rest of True Blood - Season 4, as rumoured, looks like a very bumpy ride, particularly for the vampires of Louisiana.
True Blood Season 4: Comic-Con Trailer (HBO):
See what's to come in the upcoming episodes of True Blood Season 4.
Jessica Tuck as 'Nan Flanagan' TreuBlood (HBO) Season 4 2011
SPOILERS Season 4 Comic Con 2011:
Jessica, with wrist's already showing deep silver chain burns, runs through Bill's mansion in the daylight and throws open the front double doors to the bright sunlight.
Also The Authority mouthpiece, Nan Flanagan, King William of Louisiana (Vampire Bill Compton) and Eric a/k/a Amnesia!Eric are, or have been in custody of captors bearing the same silver chain restraints.
Sookie and Eric get it on. I hope she fell this hard and fast on account of his blood that he tricked her into ingesting. She got all moony-eyed over him pretty quickly, like he was a rescue puppy in Adonis form.
Were-bitch Debbie Pelt confesses to were-husband Alcide Herveaux her insecurities regarding Sookie.
She's shown at Sookie's door, being let in--and pulling out something that was clearly being held behind her back like "Surprise!"
I'm thinking maybe sewing scissors?
The Shreveport pack leader harassing Alcide to join up...is Luna, Sam Merlotte's new girlfriend's, -ex. He looks to be tangling with both Sam and Alcide.
Sookie is shot in the gut. It is implied that Alcide carries her to get help as there is a very fuzzy screencaps with tiny Anna Paquin (Sookie) in Joe Manganiello's (Alcide) massive arms.
Deborah Ann Woll as 'Jessica Hamby' True Blood Season 4
Oh, now this is what were are talking 'bout when we Truebies talk about how awesomely funTrue Blood is. Here, we have 'Eric Northman's' (Alexander Skarsgård) ancient, now dead maker 'Godric' (Allan Hyde) back to re-teach Eric the ways of a 'creature of death.'
Godric: <grabs Eric by throat> You. You are incapable of love. You are damned.<forces Eric to his knees>
Eric: She can redeem me!
Godric: You cannot be saved. You are a creature of Death and the living are only good for one thing...and it is not love.
Godric: <forces Eric towards a peacefully sleeping Sookie>
Drink now.
Stop fighting your nature.
DRINK!
Screencaps for True Blood 4.05, 'Me & the Devil'
True Blood Synopsis Episode #41 (4x05): “Me and the Devil”:
Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy’s accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman’s power; Jason convalesces. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Daniel Minahan.) July 24, 26, 27 and 30 (Credit: HBO, Inc.)
Eric's Maker, Godric - Devil on Amnesia!Eric's Shoulder?:
I'm fairly certain, based on the HBO promo for True Blood Season 4 Episode 5, 'Me & the Devil' that the 'devil' in question is Godric (Allan Hyde), Eric's (Alexander Skarsgård) maker, who appears as a 'devil' on Eric's shoulder metaphorically, urging Amnesia!Eric to attack the sleeping Sookie. It makes sense that bits of Eric's memory are seeping into his semi-consciousness, first when speaking in his native tongue to Sookie, now when remembering his maker with whom he had a 1000-year relationship, until Godric's suicide near the end of season 2.
As with many True Blood episodes, there make be other devils (possibly literal ones --yikes!) in episode 5 but from we see so far, Godric is getting the starring title song credit by getting there first in the HBO official promo with this fun little scene.
All in good fun--until someone gets bitten.
True Blood Synopsis Episode #41 (4x05): “Me and the Devil”:
Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy’s accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman’s power; Jason convalesces. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Daniel Minahan.) July 24, 26, 27 and 30 (Credit: HBO, Inc.)
Nude Amnesia!Eric To Sookie Come. Come Play With Me!:
OOOh, cannot wait to see what the pic-spam people come up with from this scene...and those that follow!
That man is such ...how many times does one need to repeat this? Ad infintium? He is just so super-appealing on a way more than just the physical level. Remember Eric Northman, season 1? Compare. Alexander Skarsgård is really doing GREAT things on True Blood this season! I'm having so. much. fun. watching the series this year with his and Sookie's storyline NOT disappointing! Cannot wait to see MOAR.
"In the episode "I'm Alive and On Fire," Sookie can't control Eric, who is drunk on SPOILER (Claudine's) fairy blood. She can't even stop the playful vamp from pinching her butt. She soon loses him in the woods. With Alcide (Joe Manganiello) in wolf form, she finds him, hours later, in the sunlight, enjoying a naked dip in gator-filled waters."
This 3-second True Blood Episode 4.04 clip is a tease in every sense of the word!
Oh my goodness. Looks like Joe Manganiello, True Blood's werewolf 'Alcide Herveaux,' is so front and center, a new high for the bar of Sookie's (Anna Paquin's) sexy suitors has been established. Holy...is that pubic hair peeking out?...it's got to be a shadow, RIGHT? Just. Wow.
True Blood Season 4: Alcide Comes To Sookie's Aid (HBO):
Scroll down for some pretty breathtaking screencaps of the longest pants removal interlude in True Blood history:
TRUE BLOOD Episode #40 (4x04): “I’m Alive and on Fire”: Alcide helps Sookie hunt for Eric; Marnie searches for guidance to break a spell; Bill discovers a common bond with the Bellefleurs; Jason begs for liberation from Hotshot; Sam penetrates Luna’s inner circle; Arlene sees the writing on the wall; Tommy returns to his roots. (Written by Nancy Oliver; directed by Michael Lehmann.) (Credit:HBO, Inc.)
True Blood Season 4: Jessicas Vlog - The Ethics of Glamourin
After the jump: True Blood 4x04 - "I'm Alive and on Fire" Promo
and True Blood season 4: Marnie is asked to reverse the spell :
As the King of Louisiana, Vampire 'Bill Compton' now has some serious responsibilities including 'meting out' some serious consequences to an 'idiot' vamp.
True Blood Season 4: Bill metes out punishment (HBO).
While Felton glowers in the background, Crystal, who you may remember Andy Bellefleur referring to as, 'Crystal? As in crystal meth?', attempts to comfort a bloodied, battered and bound Jason (Ryan Kwanten).
True Blood Season 4: Crystal comforts Jason (HBO)
True Blood Season 4: Tara and Lafayette discuss Eric (HBO)
With Amnesia!Eric having left the building, 'Lafayette' (Nelsan Ellis) shares his knowledge of the powerful 1000-year old Viking vampire and his advice about how to proceed after Eric's murder attempt on Marnie.
I just totally dig the material that Nelsan Ellis as Lafayette is getting so far in season 4 True Blood. In interviews the writers and cast have hinted strongly that this year's cast of familiar faces will be taking on new 'roles' within the show and this clip is a really great example of a completely different side of Lafayette. He also looks fabulous, don't you think?
Below: Awesome Official Promo Photos from upcoming Season 4 True Blood episodes including 4.04 - "I'm Alive and On Fire":
Kristen Bauer van Straten rockin' it harder than ever as vampire Pam, True Blood Season Four.
True Blood - Episode 4.04 - I'm Alive and on Fire - Promotional Photos
A Series of 'Cute' Amnesia!Eric Clips' & Screencaps:
True Blood Season 4: Sookie, Claudine, and Eric Clip:
On True Blood it is 'cute' when someone kills your SPOILER! faery godmother --according to some of the YouTube comments/'Eric Northman' fans. (In fairness, this clip from the scene is played pretty comically). It appears that Sookie's Fairy Godmother, Claudine, returned to 'our side', obviously deliberately, but didn't anticipate (quickly enough, anyway) 'Amnesia!Eric' and his faery bloodlust. From what we know thus far, Claudine was ordered by Queen Mab of the Fae to kidnap Sookie to bring her to the land of the Fae permanently to 'breed' as the vampires had almost wiped them out (see Eric and what is left of Claudine in the video above). Sookie escaped with the help of Claudine's brother , a rebel Fae named Claude. In the books they are the surviving 2 triplets, with a another female having previously been killed. The Fae it turns out, are not what they seemed. Here's Claudine in her 'Earthly' form:
Pam (distraught): I believe Bill set Eric up and sent him into that coven... knowning it was a trap...wouldn't be the first time he tried to get rid of Eric...
Sorry Truebies, That Shower Scene Will NOT Be (cont.):
Just as the more intuitive True Blood fans suspected, telepath-part-faery 'Sookie Stackhouse' (played by Anna Paquin) and nice guy werewolf 'Alcide Herveaux' (Joe Manganiello) will not be involved in a romantic relationship in Season 4 True Blood (*pause here to digest this distressing news*), according to TV Guide (scroll down for link).
It seems, as in the books, Alcide gets back together with his werebitch V-junkie ex-girlfriend, Debbie Pelt (have to love that name!). Truth be told, I'm unsure if Alcide will ever get involved with Sookie given that HBO bothhas not yet renewed True Blood for season 5 nor has Alan Ball inked a deal with the cabler, despite the sky-high season 4 debut ratings. Seems likely that the two situations probably go hand-in-hand. Ball has dropped hints in various places including Issue # 1113 of Rolling Stone magazine, in which he says:
'I am negotiating for a season past this one...but I don't believe True Blood is 100% dependant on my participation. It has a very strong following and a really strong cast, and there could be future where I step back and the show would continue.' - Alan Ball, True Blood creator & showrunner
TV Guide SPOILERS:
Q: Loved the True Blood premiere, but where the heck is Alcide? TVGuide: He'll show up in Episode 3, but he will be "spoken for," as they say, which will provoke an interesting reaction from Sookie. Nevertheless, Sookie will need his help. "The great thing about Sookie is that she drags him off on all these adventures," Joe Manganiello tells us. "She's the key in unlocking that reluctant hero inside of him and he recognizes that as a good thing."
Ausiello Spoilers - 'The Eric & Sookie Shower Scene':
Q: I have to know — will this season of True Blood have the smokin’ hot Sookie/Eric shower scene featured in the book?
Ausiello:Yes… and No.
“There is a shower scene,” explains exec producer Alan Ball. “But it is not a direct re-enactment of the shower scene in the book. It goes to a slightly different place.” “Sookie and Eric are in the shower together,” confirms Ball, who assures me that, “Everybody who’s been waiting for Sookie and Eric to hook up, this will be a very good season for them.”
Q: Any more details onScott Foley’s True Blood role? Ausiello: “He was Terry’s platoon leader in Iraq,” says Ball of Foley’s character, Patrick. “So they [share] a military history.” ...Foley will debut in the Season 4 finale and then recur throughout Season 5. Ball, meanwhile, confirms that a deal is not yet in place for him to return as showrunner for a fifth season. “I’m negotiating,” he says. Of course, HBO hasn’t renewed the show itself — but Ball isn’t worried. “There are no plans for this show to end,” he assures. “I’m pretty sure there will be at least one more season, if not more. It seems like it has a lot of life in it still.”...
New Season 4 True Blood Scenes Video and Screencaps (6.28.11)!:
True Blood Season 4: Critics Spot (6.28.11) [VIDEO]
This NEW True Blood tease is kinda cool because it, as is True Blood's way, answers some questions (sort of) and raises a few more. Like for example, what is up with Eric (Alexander Skarsgård)?! In the clip, 'Eric' has dropped fang, looks angry and/or distraught, has a pretty ladder beside him and someone has just shut him inside...whereever he is--his luxury 'hidey hole' at Sookie's rehabbed home, perhaps?
I also dig seeing the beginning of the end of SPOILER!!! witch Hallow Stonebrook in the 1700's as she is being burned (I presume) at the stake. I'm pretty certain that that scene will entail torture preceding the actual burning--my cue to cover my eyes. 'Hallow' is the present day malevolent spirit inhabiting Marnie's (Fiona Shaw) body--giving her crazy strong black magic powers. Enjoy the video and be sure to scroll down for the screencaps from this and another very recent True Blood promo video--and click through to my True Blood screencaps, photo stills, wallpapers and screensavers albums for hundreds more.
Catch the new season of True Blood on Sunday nights at 9pm. For more information on True Blood, go to http://itsh.bo/ibzU7X or jump in on the Twitter conversations http://twitter.com/truebloodhbo #TBWITHDRAWAL.
Watch True Blood online at HBO GO® http://itsh.bo/hWfz80. Free with your HBO subscription through participating TV providers.
Vampire 'Jessica' (Deborah Ann Woll) and human roomie, 'Hoyt Fortenberry' (Jim Parrack) in a scene early in season 4 True Blood: Sam Merlotte's (Sam Trammell) new shapeshifting honey, 'Luna,' (Janina Gavankar).He told her he'd enjoyed the view and would try to take her from behind--when they next shift into horses and race wild together.
Plus! Episode Three True Blood Preview - 'If You Love Me,Why Am I Dyin?':
True Blood Season 4 Episode 3 "If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin?" Promo:
Having just watched episodes one and two of Season 4 True Blood on HBO and HBOGo, I think the character that surprised me most was the generally self-composed, very self assured vampire sherrif Eric Northman, with his frequent displays of emotion. And this is before the big 'thing' happens near the end of episode 2! (cont.)
Warning True Blood Episode 2 Spoilers:
Is it the vampire backlash in the wake of Russell Edgington killing the news guy on live TV killing Fangtasia business 'cos Pam seems very snarky as well?
Could Bill's !SPOILER! assendence to being the King of Louisiana be chaffing Eric just a bit or has Eric truly missed Sookie?
Not only is Erik more sentimental- sounding in eppy 1 but he's sort of mood-swingy as well. This sets the stage for the SPOILER totally new Eric not being such a jarring change from the bad boy Eric of (in Sookie's mind/time-frame) just a week ago.
She needed a plausible way to segue into bedding this guy and as of episode one we have him buying and refurbishing her house whilst she was "away"...to control her he says, but we know he means (too), protect her. He's made it clear to his second in command, vampire Pam, that he has significant feelings for Sookie-- feelings of the almost human kind. And Pam makes Sookie aware of this, causing eyebrows to be raised.
Episode 1 of True Blood went fast and was very amusing. Episode 2 has a different pace. I want to watch it again not on my HBOGo before I have a real comment on it.
True Blood Season 4 - Recap s04e01 (#37) - 'She's Not There'
Jessica - A House Is Not a Home [VIDEO]:
Babyvamp Jessica Soliciting Homemaker Tips?!
After the jump: Synopses for True Blood Episodes 1-6:
Stephen Moyer,'s True Blood Season 4 'In 3 Days Promo: Here are the some screencaps (new scenes/angles):
Check out the screencap albums for lots more:
True Blood Season 4: 3 Days PromoStephen Moyer (Bill Compton) 'Vampire Bill', 'Sookie Stackhouse's' former paramour.
True Blood Season 4: 4 Days Promo Rutina Wesley ('Tara Thorton')
OK. One question. Did Pam (Kristen Bauer van Straten) just throw Lafayette across the Fangtasia dungeon floor and if so, is he now putting the whammy on her? Her fierce look is getting sort of unsure--bewitched?
We've seen her dispatch with Lafayette previously in this scene and she looked very confident.:
I can't even believe how fast the season 4 premiere of True Blood has come! (pause) Kidding!
True Blood Fans have endured the sucking, waiting since August 2010 for a fresh full-length episode of True Blood to savour. But here we are, teetering on the very brink of the Sunday, June 26 9pm E HBO offering of a brand new episode and (if you signed up for HBOGo) the second episode shortly thereafter! It should pack one helluva one-two punch in the space of 24-hours or so and with any luck, the sky-high ratings will shake up 'talks' between the most brilliant Alan Ball and the 'one true premium cable network,'HBO, so that our man remains on board with the show for season 5.
I'll have more on that later--in the next couple of days--but if you have not read it before be aware this could be Alan Ball'slast season at the helm of True Blood! (again, quote attribution from the source--Ball himself) a bit later. I have both a spousal birthday and other deadlines that must be attended to ASAP!
OK. Here we go with the fishing contest in the pool full of Spoiler-ish/ True Spoilers material that Source: TVGuide has unleashed upon us! 'EDIT's are MINE!
"True Blood has brought witches, werewolves and vampires to life over the last three seasons, but everything you think you know about the supernatural beings will be upended this season.
"Everything you thought you can count on, you can't," executive producer Alan Ball says. "Vampires are not stronger than certain humans, shapeshifters can do things other than shift and there are ghosts."
Here are 10 things we TVGuide knows do know about what's coming up, straight from the cast of True Blood:
1. It's all about the witches (EDIT: Duh!): A band of witches tap into a new form of power, causing Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) to lose his memory. At the head of the coven is Marnie (Fiona Shaw), a (formerly mild-mannered, now possessed by a 1700's) vengeful witch coming into her powers and out for revenge. Unfortunately Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) will be dragged into the increasing vampire vs. witch tension. "Lafayette loves his boyfriend, [Jesus, a practicing brujo], so he's trying to deal with [magic] in stride, but it keeps sucking him in and he doesn't know what's going on," Ellis says.
"He discovers who he is in the middle of all this stuff."
SPOILER: You knew already that Lafayette is a witch, right? There have been no clues or anything. (snicker)
2. Sookie, independent woman: After discovering that Bill (Stephen Moyer) was working for (his) Queen Sophie-Anne, to gain information on her, Sookie is "learning to stand on her own," Anna Paquinsays. "At the end of last season, she was at a point where she was willing to walk away from everyone and everything, particularly those troublesome boys. It's not that she doesn't want or need anyone, she just isn't dependant anymore." That's OK for Bill, though. "Bachelorhood kind of turns out all right for Bill," Moyer says. "He's decided to enjoy it while he can."
3. Vampires in trouble: Eric's unfortunate run-in with the witches will send his lieutenant, Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten), into a downward spiral, which is bad timing in the current vampire climate. "The post-Russell Edginton world is hard for Pam," Bauer says. "It's a political environment this year, so she's supposed to be doing what the other vampires are doing — holding babies and shaking hands — but she's incapable. So we see her cause some trouble."
Pam in a downward spiral? Our vicious, beautiful, font-of-sarcastic quips Pam?! Progeny of Eric Northman, Pam? I have not been privileged as the Almighty (j/k)TVGuide to get the first three episodes of season 3 to watch but if Pammy wasn't 'downward spiralling last season when she thought Eric Dead for Sure (I suggest this as the final title in the SookieStackhouse series) and after she'd been horribly tortured by the Magister, I don't believe she's gonna 'spiral downward' in the human sense. She may act out. And when vampires act out...look out!
4. Tara returns as a new woman (EDIT/ Sorry: snooze): After getting out of Dodge in the season finale, Tara (Rutina Wesley) will return to Bon Temps hoping to turn over a new leaf, but will immediately find herself in a mess of trouble. "She gets swept back into the world of vampires so quickly," Rutina says. "She doesn't want it, but she has no choice." Fortunately, there may be hope for her yet. "If there was to be love for Tara, I think she's ready for it because I think she's learned to love herself and has opened up in a way."
Holy double-entendre, Batman! As my favourite source, "Spoiler TV" put it, (a character) is 'turning gay.' True Blood could step on a landmine with this one but I'm going to assume, given the open-mindedness in portrayal on the show of the sexual preference spectrum that this will not feel forced or cliche.
My one concern as far as I can care about the character of Tara and TBH, I don't really (but I do care about the True Blood narrative) is that in three seasons she has shown no hint at all in being attracted to women. Also, she's not particularly at an age (late 20's) where one discovers this. On top of all that she's been written as having a not-so-secret crush on Sookie's brother, Jason for most of her life. Maybe 'turning gay' is the right term but oh, they'd best be careful in making this seem, as they like to say, 'organic.'
5. Shifty shapeshifters: The days of Sam (Sam Trammell) turning into a dog or bird are child's play compared to what he'll do this season. "My character explains the full-range of capabilities that shapeshifters have, and a lot of people that she's talking to at the time don't even know some of that," says Janina Gavankar, who'll be a love interest, 'Luna,' for Sam this season. "There's a really dark side to shapeshifters as well and that's something we'll explore this year. There's potential wrongdoings that can happen."
6. Jessica, domesticated? Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and Hoyt (Jim Parrack) will make a go of living together, but a human and a vampire cohabitating isn't going to be easy. "Jessica is a vampire and I'm not quite sure that domestic life is really what she's in for or what she desires," Woll says. "She's still gotta figure that out because they moved into this very quickly." Helping her navigate this life is Pam, who acts as a "big bad" older sister, says Bauer. "Pam is a very different kind of mentor for Jess than Bill is," Woll adds. "The things you might not want to tell your dad, you may tell your cool aunt."
7. Jason's growing up: Once the older slacker brother of Sookie, Jason (Ryan Kwanten) has now stepped into a role of responsibility that will get him into even more trouble. "This is the season of the biggest growth for Jason, where the young boy turns into a man," Kwanten says. "He's forced to try and raise a tribe of people and eventually fight for his life."
8. PD's into V: The end of last season teased impending trouble for Andy (Chris Bauer) when it comes to V, otherwise known as vampire blood, an addictive drug that can ruin your life (See: Jason Stakchouse, Debbie Pelt and the rest of the werewolves from Season 3). "It's like old demons, new problems," Bauer says of Season 4 for Andy.
"At first V does a lot of good. He had that cast on forever, but after a couple of drops, all of a sudden he's ready to box. He's a guy who we know has issues with substance, and he keeps saying he's done, but he's not done."
I love Chris Bauer so I'm hoping that the 'V' that he gets into (he's a semi-recovering alcoholic) gives him many juicy scenes in S4! (Get the pun? Wasn't even on purpose!)
Arlene and Terry tackle parenthood: As if Arlene (Carrie Preston) could ever be the voice of reason, she's especially on edge this season. "I wouldn't be playing Arlene correctly if I wasn't playing her fully, fully stressed out," Preston says. "When you're talking about a child or potential child, and you're talking about it having a father that was a serial killer, in Arlene's mind, she's absolutely justified in freaking out. Luckily, Arlene has found Terry [Todd Lowe], who will put up with all her insecurities." On a possibility related note, Preston adds, "Arlene is going to come face-to-face with something that we haven't even seen on the show yet." (EDIT/ Common-sense?)
10. Debbie's back, baby: Alcide's psychopathic, V-addicted ex-girlfriend, Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), will return this season with a new prerogative. "You're going to get to see a different side of Debbie," Morgan says, adding that Debbie will attempt to make amends with Sookie and find some normalcy. But the werewolf in her isn't gone. "You're going to get to see cool things with some of the wolves that you didn't get to see last season," she says."
'A little bird' told Eric of Marnie's coven and he demands that they no longer meet--ever (or else).
True Blood Season 4: Eric Clip:
True Blood Season 4: Jessica and Hoyt Clip:
Hoyt, just home after a grueling day fixing Bon Temps infrastructure complains that his dinner is not made (like mama used to?)
'Do understand how gross human food is to a vampire? It's all dead! - Jessica to Hoyt
Then Hoyt blows it by making it too personal: 'Do you think bleeding out into your mouth wasn't gross for me at first?!,' he retorts.
True Blood Season 4: Lafayette and Jesus Clip
Just a little bedroom banter about light and dark magic... Jesus assures Lafayette that he (Laffy) is 'light.'
Lafayette worries that they may be 'steppin' in on a place... where (they) don't belong.'
Update 6.24.11
'True Blood: Season 4 New 8 Clips (HBO) '
Vampire Pam goes further in her conversation with Sookie about Eric...taking a surprising tone with the part-faery telepath.
Vampire Pam & Sookie the Part-Faery Telepath Bond Over Their Mutual Dislike Of Estrogen-fueled Bookclubs:
Am I mistaken or is this one of the first times that Pam (played by Kristen Bauer van Straten) has used Sookie's (Anna Paquin) first name other than when speaking of her, like when talking to (then glamouring) Sookie's brother Jason when he first went to Fangtasia in search of V?
Pam's voice is just dripping wih sarcasm though Sookie doesn't seem to be intimidated. Should be a very cool scene.
SOOKIE STACKHOUSE BOOK SPOILER!!!:
Wonder if, like in the books (you knew that was coming!) Sookie and Pam will become friends? Pam refers to Sookie as her 'best human friend' in the books though obviously not in that 'estrogen' girls-bonding way. LOL.
What could she be referring to when she tells Sookie that 'Eric is (Pam's) maker so Sookie couldn't have possibly believed that Pam 'would side with her' (Sookie)?
NEW & Same-scene Sneak Peek Screencaps:
True Blood Season 4: One Week Promo (below)
True Blood Season 4: 6 Days Promo Ater the jump: True Blood Season 4: 7 Days Promo - True Blood Season 4: The Blood is Back Promo
On a recent Friday, on a soundstage representing a New Age shop in Shreveport, La., another sign warned “Live panthers on set,” but those terrifying predators were nowhere to be seen. Instead, Sookie Stackhouse, the mind-reading, vampire-attracting waitress portrayed by Anna Paquin, and her friends Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) were cowering in fear of a sinister Wiccan, played by Fiona Shaw, who appeared to be carrying on a conversation with herself — or maybe with someone else inside her.
When Ms. Paquin visited behind the cameras during a shooting break and sprawled herself across a director’s chair, she playfully declined to explain what exactly had transpired in this scene from the next-to-last episode of the coming “True Blood” season.
“Would you want to know what you’re getting for Christmas on Christmas Eve?” she asked. “There’s something about anticipation that makes it more exciting.”
TRUE BLOOD kicks off its 12-episode fourth season SUNDAY, JUNE 26 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), on HBO, followed by other new episodes on subsequent Sundays at the same time.
E!Online reported on Wednesday that a True Blood 'set spy' (loose lips sinks ships) says there is a statue of Michelle Forbes' evil maenad Maryann in the back room of the Moon Goddesses magic shop that features heavily in this season's witch storyline.
True Blood fan favourites Alexander Skarsgård (Eric), Kristen Bauer van Straten (Pam), and Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica) are photographed filming possibly the final episode of Season 4 of HBO's mega-hit supernatural series, True Blood in La Puente, CA on June 9th, 2011. The darkened set included bodies on the ground for the scene. True Blood season 4 debuts on HBO on June 26 on every Internet viewing device you own.*
*as long as you subscribe to HBO.
SPOILER!!!
There is no doubt, given how how far along the show is in filming season 4, that this very well could be part of the epic battle that many devoted book fans have been waiting for.
At this point, Eric has regained most if not all of his memory--defo he's remembering to use the styling gel and to forgo the unfortunate plaid shirts that he sported whilst in Sookie's care after being robbed of his memory by the witches.
**Note: In this photo set both 'Pam' and 'Jessica' are dressed similarly (combat boots, ponytails). However, their jackets are not the same--'Jess' is in leather and 'Pam' is not, for one. Can't mistake Mr. Skarsgård, tho'! :D
Jumping from 'Faeryland' into the portal, back to Sookie's world SPOILERS:
Claudine's brother Claude (at right) told Sookie than since she had NOT eaten the light fruit she could go through the portal but her granddaddycould NOT because (in so many words) he'd been eating the light fruit (for 20 human years). So, Granddaddy gave Sookie a prod, then jumped with her which means this is probably the last of Gary Cole for awhile or forever. Hope not.
There is an ominous 'crying Sookie' in some sneak peeks snaps (see previous album here) when she first returns to Bon Temps. I wondered why...now it seems 'Granddaddy' did not get through the portal. Hopefully he did not die getting Sookie through. :(
Add a Caption
OK. I'd lay down $ that this is faery godmother 'Claudine' in her 'real' guise. Queen Mab is not AT ALL pleased with this turn of events involving Claudine's 'charge', one 'Miss Sookie Stackhouse.'
In anticipation of the June 26 HBO Season 4 debut, HBO has released 24 NEW HQ character and cast images!:
If you click through you can enlarge them fully and do with them as you wish. I spy quite a few that would make great wallpapers!
(Pictured above: Left to right - Alexander Skarsgård, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer)
Here are some really cool cast and character True Blood HQ season 4 photos:
I like that most seem not overly Photoshopped. There are imperfections here and there--stray hairs, some bloodshot eyes, a bit of lint showing up on dark fabric. Just like real people--except yes, prettier than many of us! Rutina Wesley (Tara) has such an awesome smile--lights up her whole face.
For the few bloggers that seem out of sorts about Anna, Steve and Kristen wearing their real-life wedding bands/rings, these are a mix of cast and character photos. I mean c'mon, other than the big night at the end of season 2 when Bill rented out an entire fancy restaurant in order to propose to Sookie, have you ever seen Sookie Stackhouse as fancied-up as she is in the photos here? Non.
IDK, if given a redo, if the photographer would have asked the cast to take off their personal effects as well as gotten crazy with a lint brush and eye-drops (poor Kristen Bauer van Straten appears to have injured her right eye in one shot-- it is terribly bloodshot--made me wince in sympathy).
Bottom line? I have no knowledge of the circumstances of this wonderful set of shots of our heroes (and anti-heroes) but I think like much of the barrage of True Blood-related publicity it may have been done on the fly--which is cool with me. I like the way the little imperfections make them seem (ironically, in some cases) more human.
After the jump: Official True Blood Season 4 Press Release!
The Digging Up Season 3 HBO special which, at the VERY end included teasers/spoilers for Season 4 of True Blood is worth a closer, second look:
True Blood: Watch FULL 20 Minute VIDEO 'Digging Up Season 3' NOW!
In the special, some of the cast members recapped what happened during the last season (Season 3) in a helpful effort to entice fans to watch season 4. Or, for those of us too cheap to buy the DVD or perhaps consider that seeing the season once was enough, yet we still don't want to forget stuff when season 4 premieres on HBO on June 26.
At the end of the Season 3 recap we were offered yet another sneak peak at Season 4 in HBO's ongoing effort to staunch #TBWithdrawalknowing that #WaitingSucks. Notably absent was commentary from TB stars Anna Paquin (SookieStackhouse), Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton) and Sam Trammell (Sam Merlotte).
Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica Hamby) opines that'Season 4 is about everyone’s true identities being revealed.' Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette Reynolds)'reveals' that Lafayette enters a new world that he has never seen before (and that says a lot for Lala!). Alexander Skarsgård (Eric Northman) says we will see a 'brand new Eric' in Season 4. (Duh,duh, dun! The Viking is still gonna have that SPOILER! amnesiac episode(!) Kristin Bauer van Straten (Pam de Beaufort) tells us that there will be 'diresituations. (Kudos to Ms. Bauer van Straten for refraining from hyperbole--no small task when you are 'hyping' True Blood.)
Ryan Kwanten (Jason Stackhouse) says there will be a 'lot more blood and a lot more sex this season....just like people expect of True Blood' (slight paraphrase). Rutina Wesley (Tara Thornton) says we may see 'some happiness for a while,'... but that it 'won’t last...because this is True Blood.'
Ms. Wesley has said this before in re: season 4 about her character, Tara Thornton. Poor Rutina seems absolutely unenthused about True Blood season 4. Can you blame her? Can't blame Ryan Kwanten, either for summing up the show's appeal as 'sex and blood,' as his character is best known for having sex and getting his arse kicked, literally & figuratively.
No more talk of the 'greatwriting and fantastic cast', guys?
Rutina Wesley as 'Tara Thornton' and Alexander Skarsgård as 'Eric Northman' in Season 4 True Blood on HBO (June 26 premiere in U.S.):
Original airdate 'Digging Up Season 3'Season 4 True Blood Tease VIDEO: June 7, 2011. It appears that Eric attacks Tara but it smells more of a witchy trap to me.
Screencaps: True Blood 'Digging Up Season 3' Season 4 True Blood Tease VIDEO Screencaps Credit: HBO, inc./ From & thanks bunches: TheTrueBloodSource
True Blood's fourth season guest stars Courtney Ford (Dexter) as Detective Andy Bellefleur's lawyer sister Portia, Fiona Shaw (Harry Potter's Petunia Dursely) as the season's witchy fortune-teller and a member of Jesus' coven Marnie a/k/a / possessed by 'Hallow Stonebrooke', and Gary Cole as 'Grandady' Earl Stackhouse. (found at ugo.com)
This promo aired after the "Digging Up True Blood Season 3" on HBO.
The Digging Up Season 3HBO special to promote the DVD (that aired June 7th) showed some new scenes. Some were additions to previous teases.
Season 4 is about the 'characters true identities being revealed,' says Deborah Ann Woll (Jessica).
Jessica is seen feeding off an unidentified male.
Much more after the jump!
Pam vs. Lafayette in the Fangtasia dungeon, Tara' s new girlfriend? Queen Mab returns!
'Vamping':Jessica Tuck ('Nan Flanagan') Stephen Moyer ('Bill Compton'), Kristin Bauer van Straten ('Pam Swynford de Beaufort'), Alexander Skarsgård (Eric Northman) and Deborah Ann Woll ('Jessica Hamby')
Ausiello-one-time-only-rant ('cos who wants to be as tedious to read as he is?):
Though Ausiello may be considered to be an awesome spoiler source (I'm looking at you @HBO), Ausiello himself is not a genuine True Blood fan, as hard as he may try to convince us as such (I take that back; he doesn't really try, does he?). I say this partly because he or his minions get basic things like the name of the actress who plays Pam, Kristen Bauer van Straten, wrong all the time--which back in the day was a huge no-no and IMO, still is (esp. considering how high-profile i.e. well-paid the guy is).
He gets plenty else wrong too about True Blood, mainly when he's feigning excitement about knowing that which we don't. In fact, we actually or probably do know because we love the show, we've read the books, and we 'troll'* the Internet for True Blood tidbits (Hint: Some comment sections on the better-quality TB fan sites are excellent sources).
*as in 'fish for'
Ausiello: There was a...nice surprise in my mailbox...the first three episodes of Season 4!... I’m going to declare that the show gets off to its strongest start yet. The trouble is, there’s not much I can tell you without spoiling one of the biggest (literally and figuratively) twists in the series’ history. But give me a second, I’ll think of something… Oooh, there’s a very subtle clue in this trailer.
Also:
| An unlikely new romance takes shape.
(Fansite Sookieverse Blog seems to be leaning in the direction of this couple being Tara and her new, cage-match fighting BFF. My opinion: Making Tara a lesbian will not make her more interesting).
| * *i***** *******e* ***s.
(I hate stoopid puzzles like this.)
| Pam is at her bitchiest best.
(Ya think?! Wow. This is new for Pam! *sarcasm*.)
| Jessica makes Hoyt dinner — sounds boring but I swear it’s not.
(Will it be raw and bloody?!)
| There’s some big real estate news — sounds boring but I swear it’s not.
(Speculated at Sookieverse (see above) to be Eric buying up Sookie's home since she'll have been gone to Faeryland far longer than she expected. Theory is, Sook paid no real estate taxes in that year so it went to auction and Eric bought it. Guess then he wouldn't have to ask to go inside!)
| Sam comes dangerously close to exposing his naughty bits.
(It's HBO. I've seen more male naughty bits on Game of Thrones than I ever again wanna see on my flat screen EVAR! But Sam Trammell ('Sam Merlotte'), that would be OK--I would in no way feel in 'danger.')
Is anyone wondering, like me if Sookie's faery godmother, Claudine changes too? I didn't see _any_ faeries that remained unchanged after Sookie zapped Queen Mab.
It's cool that Barry-the-bellboy popped up--but he had more face time in the books than he's yet had so I think they could give him something to do with the Fae storyline. He's a telepath which means he is valuable to just about everyone, it seems. And in the same amount of danger as Sookie. It would suck if they killed him off quickly.
Maggots on the lumiere fruit: (Images Credit: HBO, inc.)
There's not much time at all to savour the deliciousness that is the land of the Fae a/k/a 'Fairyland' before everything turns all maggoty in the first 6 minutes of True Blood Season 4.
The TB Season 4 premiere does not give our heroine, Sookie Stackhouse (the very awesome Anna Paquin), who has recently discovered that in addition to having a life-long, inherited, telepathic 'gift' she is also a small part 'faery' or one of the Fae, [Book SPOILER] due to a daliance Earl Stackhouse's (Gary Cole) wife (the lady that we knew for far too short a time as Sookie's 'Gran') had with Fintan, a human-Fae hybrid.
Neither Sookie nor the audience gets a heavy dose of the sugar-sweet, just-too 'happy' to-be-authentic,'Land of the Fae' before a very-weary-of-the-bullshite Sookie smells something bad. Indeed. The 'light fruit' is literally crawling with maggots. Ew.
Queen Mab has made her presence known and that she will have her WILL be done!
Alan Ball and Co. like to lead viewers down the rose petal-strewn garden path then take a sharp detour into some very dark, thorn-covered places. That's because at it's core, True Blood is savoury good fun but of the distinctly dark-humoured, horror-tinged kind:
So much for the snarky comments that Faeryland was going to stay laughably cheesy.
Season 4 looks like it gets off to a rollicking start.
Wait. What was that?
Oh, just 'Queen Mab' being sent sailing by Sookie's 'microwave fingers' across the courtyard into that knarled-up old tree. No biggie. She'd tried to have her minions (see above) force-feed sookie a light-fruit. Sookie reacted.
After trying to force-feed Sookie a light fruit Queen Mab is sent hurling into a huge old tree--which dies instantly-- seemingly along with the rest of 'faeryland'--which turns from warm & lively oranges and pink hues with pretty faeries everywhere to dead-looking shades of gray populated with distraught, dirty, troll-looking creatures.
Oh shite!
'Grandaddy, run!'
True Blood VIDEO First 6 minutes Episode 1 Season 4:
My goodness, there are just a TON of True Blood Season 4 spoilers here in the True Blood July Episodes Descriptions:
Bonus: Awesome, Jessica-centric sneak: 'I can eat who I want!' - True Blood teaser! [VIDEO] (scroll to bottom):
True Blood July Episode Descriptions (HBO Sundays, starting June 26)
-- Episode #38: “You Smell Like Dinner”: Sookie adjusts to Bon Temps’ new realities; Bill reveals pieces of his past; Eric crashes a witches’ meeting; Jason gets his wounds licked; Andy struggles with his addiction; Sam learns of Luna’s special talents; Jessica satisfies her blood cravings; Arlene witnesses strange behavior from her family. (Written by Brian Bucker; directed by Scott Winant.) Playdates: July 3, 5, 6, 9 and 14
-- Episode #39: “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin’?”: Sookie makes a deal with Eric, and reconnects with Alcide; Bill punishes an errant vampire and counsels a guilt-ridden Jessica; Jason is cast as a reluctant savior; Tommy eyes a scam and alienates Sam; Marnie flexes her newfound powers; Pam delivers an ultimatum to Lafayette, Tara and Jesus; Eric spoils Sookie’s faerie reunion. (Written by Alan Ball; directed by David Petrarca.) Playdates: July 10, 12, 13, 14 and 16
-- Episode #40: “I’m Alive and on Fire”: Alcide helps Sookie hunt for Eric; Marnie searches for guidance to break a spell; Bill discovers a common bond with the Bellefleurs; Jason begs for liberation from Hotshot; Sam penetrates Luna’s inner circle; Arlene sees the writing on the wall; Tommy returns to his roots. (Written by Nancy Oliver; directed by Michael Lehmann.) Playdates: July 17, 19, 20 and 23
-- Episode #41: “Me and the Devil”: Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy’s accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman’s power; Jason convalesces. (Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Daniel Minahan.) Playdates: July 24, 26, 27 and 30
-- Episode #42: “I Wish I Was the Moon”: Sookie searches for Jason under a full moon; Marnie connects with spirits of the past; Arlene and Terry cope with a suspicious inferno; Debbie urges Alcide to join a new werewolf community; Tommy trades places with Sam; Lafayette feels the spirit in Mexico; Eric surrenders to his King’s will. (Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Jeremy Podeswa.) Playdate: July 31
I really need to come back and give these epsiode descriptions a thorough read. What do you get from them? Are you more enthusiastic about True Blood season 4, less, or IDK how this works, but 'not sure'?
Look up high, specifically on the side of the 9000 building along Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood, California and you will see a quartet of sexy supernaturals including vampires 'Eric' (Alexander Skarsgård) and 'Bill' (Stephen Moyer), werewolf 'Alcide' ( Joe Manganiello) and faery-telepath 'Sookie' (Anna Paquin).
It is pretty apparent that all three guys are into Ms. Stackhouse but which of the potential/former suitor(s) will she choose? You'll have to tune in to HBO's True Blood on June 26 to begin to get the answer. Until then, keep looking around!
EDIT/ If you want to gaze upon a HQ version of this image, it is a copy of (one of) the previously-released True Blood HBO Promo Poster Art I shared here.
Joe Manganiello as 'Alcide Herveaux' - Pretty much a safe bet for romance with Sookie in the next season:
Casting for season 5 has already begun though the premiere of season 4 True Blood doesn't even get underway until June 26. Most interesting in this June 1 casting call is the mention of a 13th episode in season 5 which will add a bit of breathing space for the additional season 5 characters.
The fact that a casting call is going out for Alcide's construction foreman is indicative to me that Joe Manganiello who plays Alcide, will perhaps get more screen time and a better shot at a romance with Sookie in season 5, something that seemed inevitable if he were to get any at all as thus far, the season 4 episodes don't seem to be promising much Alcide-Sookie 'togetherness.'
If you are a 'bookie' I would expect this to be a good sign that showrunner Alan Ball is weaving in more of Alcide Herveaux, has been a sympathetic book character for much of the book series, into season 5 of the TV series. Personally, I like the vibe Joe Manganiello brings to Alcide. His warm, nurturing sweetheart of a guy wrapped in a growling, 6'5" package of eye-candy is quite compelling.
Expanding (presumably) upon Terry Bellefluer's (Todd Lowe) character's screen time is a good idea IMO, because he been brought ahead in True Blood as an Iraqi war veteran which grounds this fantasy show farther into in present day (versus the nearly 60-year-old Vietnam war vet that Terry is in the books). War veterans have long been 'outsiders' to mainstream society and bringing out Terry's 'uniqueness' a bit more instead of just the odd (no pun) one-liner is a good way for Alan Ball to continue to show empathy for the misunderstood and sometimes mistreated in modern society.
Finally, I must confess a real appreciation for the talents of Todd Lowe as Merlotte's short-order cook, Terry. When first I saw Lowe out of character I did not even recognize him. He transforms himself through sheer talent into our beloved shell-shocked vet so I'm looking forward to a bit more expansion (sounds like it includes backstory) in his role.
A Taste of Terry:
Here's a casting notice for episode #412, 'And When I Die,' as well as some news about season 5. Though unofficial at this point it appears that season 5 TrueBlood will feature a 'lucky' 13 episodes instead of 12!
TRUE BLOOD, Episode 412, "And When I Die" Writer: Raelle Tucker Director: Scott Winant Start Date: Approx. 6/15/11 Location: L.A.
THIS IS THE FINAL EPISODE OF THE SEASON.
[PATRICK DEVINS] 35 to 45, tough, and ruggedly attractive, he served in the military with Terry, and they share a serious history: Terry saved Patrick's life twice. 7 out of 13 episodes next season.
[DOUG] This schlubby guy in a hard hat is Alcide's construction foreman. 2 lines, 1 scene.
Even a spoiler hound as big as me did not anticipate just how much TB writer Alexander Woo spills in this brand new interview about True Blood Season 4!:
(EW Magazine Illustration)
Want to know the answers to a number of cliffhangers from True Blood's season 3 finale? (Like for example, the definitive answer to: Did Sam shoot Tommy? (It's here.) Do Bill and Sookie really break up? (Uh, I'm not sure I wanted to know but I do now) and, does Bill go to Peru like in the books? And there's much more, depending on how intensely you have been spoiling yourself!
I'm putting all the articles into a silde show album. Click through and read them but be prepared for a few genuine eye-openers!
Credit #1: Pages 1, 2, 3: SFX Magazine and Found & scanned by and thanks to: PaquinAnna.com. Credit #2: Pages 4 and 5: EW Magazine and Thanks to TrueBlood-Online.com. Credit #3: Pages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11: Article credit: Ashley Jude Collie Scanned by and Thanks to TrueBlood-Online.com. Credit #4: Pages 12-13: Credit: A Few Little Season 4 Spoilers in TV Guide | True Blood News - Season 4 Spoilers Credit: http://www.trueblood-news.com/a-few-little-season-4-spoilers-in-tv-guide.
Below is an excerpt from the TVGuide article (credit above). If you have been keeping up with the general plotline plans for Season 4 at all, then this will be a simple retred of that. Alan Ball has never sounded less enthusiastic about his show. I'm gonna blame the interviewer.
TV Guide Magazine’s Summer Preview (6.o6 -19.11)
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble! In Season 4, “There are two factions at war: vampires and another fueled by witchcraft and power over the dead,” says creator Alan Ball. Battles go down and Sookie’s lightning-bolt-shooting EDIT 'microwave' fingers/End EDIT strike again.
“We see her use her powers,” Ball says of Anna Paquin’s steel magnolia.
“Other people see that too, and it’s going to complicate things.” She’s not the only one releasing her inner magic.
Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) get mixed up with Wiccan medium Marnie (Fiona Shaw).
And witches cast a spell on Eric (Alexander Skarsgård): “Sookie will see a different Eric,” Ball says, but she’s still feeling heat with Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Alcide (Joe Manganiello). Adds Ball, “From the Team Eric, Team Bill viewpoints, one of those teams will be happy, one won’t.”
Moyer says that Season 4 is “very different. Everybody’s taken a real shift. Some time has passed, there are a lot of hierarchical shifts, and there’s a new bad influence in town.”
Joe Manganiello as werewolf Alcide Herveaux and Anna Paquin as telepath-part faery, Sookie Stackhouse in a Season 4 embrace:
The folks at True Blood are giving us just a little more to feed our addiction--can't have anyone going through full withdrawal, right? SPOILERS:
The setting for True Blood Season 4 is being sketched out. As we saw in the previous promo 5 minutes ago yesterday, shortly after Sookie gets to the land of the Fae a/k/a Faery land she meets her 'dead' grandaddy, Earl Stackhouse--husband to Sookie's 'Gran'.
If you just read Charlaine Harris' latest Sookie Stackhouse installment you might be inclined to believe that [SPOILER] Earl is not Earl--rather he's the half-Faery 'Fintan', that Gran cheated on Earl with. At this point in the books which True Blood is ever-more loosely based on, neither you nor Sookie know this. As the TV show will probably continue to move away from the Sookie Stackhouse book series, it may be something entirely unique to True Blood going on.
Regardless, 'Earl' (played by Gary Cole) does not recognize Sookie as 'just last week' when last he saw her she was about 8 years old. Huh. Must be that time in Faery land and Human land don't quite jibe.
This teaser goes on to show trouble in Faery land--involving Sookie using her 'microwave fingers' and someone else getting zapped through the air, looking at a very rough landing.
Also included in this jam-packed 30 seconds Sookie, still dressed as she left with her SPOILER faery godmother Claudine many months ago, has returned and (significantly) is standing on her front porch listening to Eric tell her that 'everyone' who supposedly loved her 'gave up on her' whilst she was gone--including Bill, who based on the previous teasers as well as this one has been a very busy vampire.
We also get a cute shot of a pigtailed Sookie embracing Alcide (I'll bet he didn't give up on her!) and a new shot of Andy Bellefleur pulling a gun on Sam Merlotte in what appears to be Merlotte's parking lot. I smell a red herring.
We have Bill 'interacting' with a strawberry blond [SPOILER] witch who is disrobing and then exiting the room with bite marks on her neck. Sookie appears to witness the woman leaving, though it could just be how the teaser was edited. Sookie asks "What do you want from me," in a voiceover but we have no idea to whom she is speaking.
In addition to the new stuff there are more repeats of scenes that were already teased--the panthers munching on a trussed up Jason, Pam imparting words of wisdom upon Sookie, the Queen of Mississippi looking snarly, Bill looking mournful, Sookie in her little yellow beater of car getting grabbed through her open window by a man that looks very much like Eric.
Finally, in the most puzzling part of the tease, Eric, who has not gotten amnesia yet, tells Sookie that she is his. What I'm wondering is why he uses a threatening tone and facial expression, why Sookie looks apprehensive, and what is that 'thing' on Eric's throat?
Anyone have any ideas? We'll be playing this guessing game for the next month and for three months after that most likely, so feel free to drop me a comment!
Sookie (Anna Paquin) has completed her journey to faeryland. (Get used to the spelling. It is how the cool kids--as well as Charlaine Harris, the author of the Sookie books and the American version of J.K. Rowling, spells it.)
Sookie is led to a super-cheesy-looking faeryland by her 'faery godmother', Claudine. Sookie expresses incredulity bordering on rudeness ('You suck.') when Claudine reveals her identity, though the full-blood faery seems not at all bothered by the comment (You're not dead are, you?').
Since True Blood is all about 'whoops, we got 'ya,' on the predictability scale, epecially important to keep Truebies riveted as the books have long ago been published, the golden faeryland we see may be a cover for something...not so shiny.
Sookie herself has immediate suspicions when the other partygoers including apparent newcomers like Sookie, seem to be getting high on ...fruit.
Sookie also bumps into Barry the bellboy from the hotel upon which Godric, vampire Eric's maker 'met the sun.' Barry too, has a faery godmother--a guy.
As Barry and Sookie are left to 'mingle' by an apparently overworked Claudine, Sookie spots a man who we briefly see in a flashback of Sookie's childhood. She greets him,"Grandaddy Earl?" and he at first knows not who she is. After she identifies herself, Earl Stackhouse (Gary Cole) is incredulous that he just saw her as a child 'last week.' Duh, duh, dun.
