True Blood season 2 - the end

[shapinglight]

Just finished watching the final two episodes of True Blood season 2 and...

Spoilers behind cut



...I am sooo glad to see the last of Maryann. God, she was boring, and the last but one episode was the worst of the lot. The best bits of the ep were Sam taking Arlene's kids to Fangtasia and poor old Bill stuck playing Yahtzee with Queen Sophie Ann. Oh, and I liked the Jason/Andy team-up, but even the best bit of that was in the final episode, with Jason explaining how hard he has to work to get all that pussy. "I work out like a m***erf**ker and watch a lot of porn and stuff." Of course you do, Jason.

:pats his poor empty little head:

Actually, Lafayette's vision of Eric in Tara's mum's dress was pretty disturbing too. Heh!

Anyway, once they finally got shot of Maryann in the final episode, things looked up straightaway, with the lovely Bill/Jessica scene (bittersweet, considering she and Hoyt are on the outs :sob: and Bill doesn't know she's off murdering truckers while his back is turned. Kids today, eh?) Also, this episode confirmed me as a Bill/Sookie 'shipper - not to the exclusion of everyone else, but at base. It's odd. In some ways, they are like Bangel, but in other ways poor old Bill is very much stuck in the beta male position to Eric, like Spike was with Angel, so it's not as simple as Bill/Sookie being like Bangel and Eric/Sookie being like Spuffy. Anyway, I thought Bill's proposal was very sweet, even though you could see it was doomed to go down in flames.

Ultimately, I don't know if season 2 could be said to be a better story overall than season 1. Parts were better - the Godric/Fellowship of the Sun plotline - but parts dragged the way the serial killer story did in season 1. However, it continued to develop existing characters and introduced more, most of whom were very enjoyable indeed. Loved it (mostly).

I've also watched all the webisodes and chortled loudly over Jason praying to 'that lion from Narnia', and I've watched the promos and am hoping Tara won't have to spend the whole season being victimised again (it didn't look good for her in the bits they showed) and that Lafayette gets plenty to do. One thing's for sure, though, it'll probably be lots of fun.

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

with Jason explaining how hard he has to work to get all that pussy. "I work out like a m***erf**ker and watch a lot of porn and stuff." Of course you do, Jason.

:pats his poor empty little head:

Nods and pats him as well.

One thing's for sure, though, it'll probably be lots of fun.

That's what people who have seen bits and pieces are saying, we'll find out on Sunday over here.

[shapinglight]

You lucky things. :(

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

The Jason/Andy pair-up was comedy gold! And I liked Jason convincing himself that he'd saved everyone. Ha!

And I too find myself sympathizing with Bill/Sookie. I know that Eric is hot and whatever, but really at this point I see no reason whatsoever why Eric would want Sookie or why Sookie would want Eric. Nothing in their personalities meshes for me. And I also don't see Eric = Spike. It's the alpha/beta thing. Eric doesn't seem Spike snarky to me. I actually can see the Damon = Spike comparison on Vampire Diaries easier than I can see the Eric = Spike comparison. Again, the personalities seem different to me.

That said, True Blood is there for the fun so as long as they keep doing crazy shit I'll keep watching. :)

[shapinglight]

And I liked Jason convincing himself that he'd saved everyone. Ha!

Heh! He did rather let his bit of paramilitary training go to his head, didn't he?

but really at this point I see no reason whatsoever why Eric would want Sookie or why Sookie would want Eric.

It is a bit of a mystery, which is why Sookie sometimes veers towards Mary Sue territory. Everyone wants her. They do (mostly) keep her away from that brink, though. And I agree that Eric's personality is not much like Spike's, any more than Bill's is like Angel's, except with the tendency to brood.

That said, True Blood is there for the fun so as long as they keep doing crazy shit I'll keep watching. :)

Oh yes! I can forgive this show a lot!

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

Season 2 was based on my least favorite book in the series and I was glad when it ended. While I enjoyed a lot the the FotS stuff, Maryann was horrendous.

While I see a few comparisons between Bill and Angel, I don't see them as being very similar at all. I can't stand Bill. He's got all the broody sulking seriousness that Angel had without the quirky humor and self effacement that actually made me like Angel.

I end up being left with the intense hope that television Bill's fate ends up being the same as book series Bill even though I know that I will end up being disappointed. (not gonna say any more, though in case you haven't read the series)

I agree with everything else you said, though. Jason and Andy rocked my socks off. The more I see of Jason the more I adore him. He's a hoot.

While I found much of Tara's story to be tiresome because it involved Maryanne, I do love her on the show. Mostly because I rarely ever have any idea where they're going to go with her. I'm hoping to see a lot of her and Lafayette this season just because their stuff won't be coming from the book series. I kind of look at their storylines as being well crafted fan fiction.

[shapinglight]

While I enjoyed a lot the the FotS stuff, Maryann was horrendous.

God, yes! I can't imagine that the opinions of people on LJ are much different to those of general viewers, so hopefully Alan Ball will have taken that lesson on board. All that said, the actress who played Maryann was fine. It all just went on for far too long.

I think Bill does have a sense of humour. In fact, I don't think he takes himself as seriously as Angel does (possibly because he doesn't have the whole Souled Vampire Pawn of Destiny thing going on), so I think we'll have to agree to disagree on that one. I do know lots of people don't like Bill. I didn't like him that much myself until Jessica came on the scene. It's his scenes with her that made the character for me.

I'm hoping to see a lot of her and Lafayette this season just because their stuff won't be coming from the book series. I kind of look at their storylines as being well crafted fan fiction.

I hope they get lots of good stuff too. Tara got lots of screen time in season 2 but her story was very frustrating, and IMO there wasn't nearly enough Lafayette. I don't think there ever could be. :)

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

IMO there wasn't nearly enough Lafayette. I don't think there ever could be.

Word.

[suki-blue.livejournal.com]

Hurrah, you finished!

I love your comparisomes to Bangel and Spuffy. I totally see that.

I've also watched all the webisodes and chortled loudly over Jason praying to 'that lion from Narnia',

LOL, I loved that bit so much! Bless his cotton booties. I'm really looking forward to season three and seeing what they do with Tara, Lafayette and Sam. One week until it airs!! When will you be able to watch it?

[shapinglight]

I love your comparisomes to Bangel and Spuffy. I totally see that.

:)

I should have said, I enjoyed Eric's scene with Queen Sophie Ann too. It was hilarious. Alexander Skarsgard has a rather unlikely flair for comedy.

When will you be able to watch it?

I'm currently debating with myself whether to d/l or not. I suspect I will, which will be the first time ever since AtS ended that I've been so impatient.

[suki-blue.livejournal.com]

Alexander Skarsgard has a rather unlikely flair for comedy.

He really does! I loved the scene at Fangtasia with him, Sam and the kids.

I'm currently debating with myself whether to d/l or not. I suspect I will, which will be the first time ever since AtS ended that I've been so impatient.

Personally, I'm really hoping you'll d/l it. It will nice to squee and discuss with you! First time since AtS? Oooh that really says something!

[shapinglight]

I loved the scene at Fangtasia with him, Sam and the kids.

Not to mention him asking Lafayette if he had blood in his hair. :)

I suspect I probably will d/l. Usually, I can wait for things, but in this case....

ETA: mind you, I don't know where to go to get a d/l. Someone had kindly given me the name of an LJ comm, but it isn't accepting new members at the moment.

[suki-blue.livejournal.com]

Not to mention him asking Lafayette if he had blood in his hair. :)

LOL, oh yes, classic!!!

Oooh, I don't know anywhere on LJ that offers the downloads (although I'm sure there must be more than one place). I can help you set up downloading via 'torrent' files, if that's any good to you, or failing that I see no reason why I can't upload each ep to Megaupload or somewhere like that for you.

[shapinglight]

or failing that I see no reason why I can't upload each ep to Megaupload or somewhere like that for you.

Really?

:squees extremely loudly:

[suki-blue.livejournal.com]

Hee! I just checked the Megaupload FAQ and it seems I can upload up to around a gig per file so that's plenty for each ep! The shows airs on a Sunday and I don't usually work Mondays so I shall d/l then via bit torrent and then upload to MU for you. No idea how long it takes, but we'll soon find out!

CAN'T WAIT!!!

[shapinglight]

:Massive hugs:

[calturner.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad you're going to be watching along with the rest of us. :D

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:bounces off the ceiling: LJ people are so wonderful.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Oh Lordy - I HATED Maryann - I'm so glad someone else did too. She was so irritating!! They stretched that storyline out far too long IMO - half the episodes would have been enough for me.

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I HATED Maryann - I'm so glad someone else did too. She was so irritating!!

I think you'll find that most people hated the Maryann storyline. I'm so glad we won't have to put up with her in S3!

[shapinglight]

As far as I can see, everyone hated Maryann. A shame for the actress, since there was nothing wrong with her performance, but it just dragged on way too long, like you say.

Hopefully, Alan Ball has taken people's irritation with that storyline on board for season 3.

[flake-sake.livejournal.com]

Yay, you're done with the season! I felt the same about Maryann, in the beginning I was very intrigued by her, but she fell flat throughout the season and I liked the godric/fellowship parts much better.

They seem to make more and more changes from the books as the seasons go on, so I'm excited to see what they'll make of the next one.

I'm hoping they'll give Tara the role of the witch from the later books, I'd love to see her more active too, since she used to be fantastic.

[shapinglight]

I felt the same about Maryann, in the beginning I was very intrigued by her, but she fell flat throughout the season and I liked the godric/fellowship parts much better.

I haven't seen a single person saying they liked the Maryann story yet. The Godric/Fellowship parts of the season were way, way better. When I rewatch (which I suspect I will), I think I'll probably skip large chunks of the penultimate episode.

I'm hoping they'll give Tara the role of the witch from the later books, I'd love to see her more active too, since she used to be fantastic.

I agree she was terrific in season 1. One of my favourite characters. I thought her character was pretty much wasted in season 2, even though she was in it a lot.

[diebirchen.livejournal.com]

Hmmmmmm? Well, first I wish they'd stick a bit closer to the books. Secondly, Bill? He arrived with the hidden agenda from the start. Not the best recommendation.

[shapinglight]

Really? I haven't read the books and probably won't, so I'm (mostly) happy with what we're getting. The major problem for me is one of pacing - ie. that the wrong storylines are being dragged out too long.

The character interaction is always first rate, though.

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

Well dang! So much for my vagueing that part up in my comment. I'm sorry you were spoiled, but then again, they're not sticking all that closely to the books and Bill seems to be AB's baby so there's a sizable chance they'll change that storyline.

[shapinglight]

I suppose it was a spoiler, wasn't it, now I think of it - but only for the books, and like you say, it may not be the same in the show. Wasn't Queen Sophie Ann Bill's maker in the books? I wonder why Alan Ball changed that?

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

No. Sophie Ann was his Queen but not his maker. IIRC, that was always Lorena. He does have a link to Sophie Ann, though, but I'm not going to repeat it in case it carries over into the series.

The one major difference is that Bill didn't kill Lorena in the books and she especially wasn't killed in book 2. In fact, her role in book 3 was important enough that major plotlines for season 3 are completely up in the air as far as I'm concerned.

[shapinglight]

No. Sophie Ann was his Queen but not his maker

Ah. Okay. I'm expecting Lorena back at some point in the show. After all, Godric's dead now and he was the one who said she should never come back.

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

I thought Bill killed her. It's been a while since I saw season 2 but isn't she dead?

Hrm. Maybe I should rewatch season 2...

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I don't know why, but I was also under the impression that Bill had killed her, but found out that he hadn't when I rewatched S2 again recently. So I definitely think she'll be turning up again at some point.

[shapinglight]

I agree. Unless they feel they have nothing else to say about the character/relationship.

[shapinglight]

He definitely didn't kill her. She was last seen almost begging him to love her, being told by him to go and duly doing so. I felt really sorry for her, even though Godric's words to her were quite justified.

[diebirchen.livejournal.com]

Yes, reeeeeeally! In fact, once in the series Bill was complaining to Eric that he had maneuvered Sookie into sucking out the silver and thereby taking in some of managed to give her his blood so quickly upon arriving. I assume it will come up sooner or later in the series. I agree with your comment on pacing, and the whole Maryann thing annoyed the hell out of me. Tiresome in the end. As I said, there is much to say for sticking closer to the novels, but the series is making the authoress a veeeeery rich woman. She, no doubt, sees the books and the series as separate entities, as do I. Wish it were less so.

[shapinglight]

She, no doubt, sees the books and the series as separate entities, as do I.

She does. I just read an interview with her today in the latest SFX vampire special.

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I adored the Jason/Andy team-up! I think they're my favourite ship on the show. *g*

I can't understand why some people seem to think that Eric is like Spike. As far as I can see, the only similarity between them is the blonde hair and the fact that they're both vampires. I love Eric, but he is not like Spike at all! Like you say, he is the alpha male, while poor old Bill is definitely in the beta male position.

I can see the similarities between Bill/Sookie and Bangel, but only on the surface. Neither ship is really like Bangel or Spuffy at all. I have a soft spot for the Bill on the show and quite like the Bill/Sookie relationship, but I'm open to Sookie having other relationships, be that with Eric or someone else. My view of Sookie/Eric is definitely influenced by the books, although I do try to keep them separate in my head.

Ultimately, I don't know if season 2 could be said to be a better story overall than season 1.

I was thinking about this the other day. I think S1 probably flowed better, but I enjoyed the overall character development in S2. Some of my favourite episodes of the series so far were in S2, but it also had the awful Maryann storyline that bogged it down. But S2 also had Hoyt and Jessica, who I adore, and the Jason/Andy show, so I think the good outweighed the bad over the course of the season. I honestly think the show is going to go from strength to strength in S3, as there are storylines being introduced that I'm particularly excited about (I only know very basic plot points of S3 though, from what I've seen in the minisodes and trailers).

I loved the minisodes, but I especially enjoyed the Jason one. I have no doubt that S3 is going to be a lot of fun...and I can't wait!

[shapinglight]

I adored the Jason/Andy team-up! I think they're my favourite ship on the show. *g*

:) They are pretty cute.

Neither ship is really like Bangel or Spuffy at all. I have a soft spot for the Bill on the show and quite like the Bill/Sookie relationship, but I'm open to Sookie having other relationships, be that with Eric or someone else. My view of Sookie/Eric is definitely influenced by the books, although I do try to keep them separate in my head.

I feel the same way. I know that Eric and Sookie have a relationship in the books. Do you think that will happen in the show, and if so, will it be at all similar to the books?

I think S1 probably flowed better, but I enjoyed the overall character development in S2.

Yes, I think that probably sums it up for me too. I would say that the Maryann plot is definitely the series' worst mistake so far, but in spite of it, I enjoyed season 2 enormously, and in large part that's down to character interaction (though the Godric/Fellowship of the Sun plot was great).

I honestly think the show is going to go from strength to strength in S3, as there are storylines being introduced that I'm particularly excited about?

Such as? I know there'll be werewolves. What else?

[calturner.livejournal.com]

Do you think that will happen in the show, and if so, will it be at all similar to the books?

I'm completely spoiler free (other than what we've seen in the minisodes and trailers), so this is only guesswork on my part, but I do think there will be elements of Eric/Sookie in the show, but I don't think it will be as important as it is in the books. I don't think it will happen until much later in S3 though, or possibly even in S4 (if we're lucky enough to get one).

Such as? I know there'll be werewolves. What else?

You don't really want me to tell you, do you? All I'll say is that there are characters and storylines involving the werewolves that I'm looking forward to, as well as other plotpoints that I won't go into here. As I said before, I don't think they'll follow the books too much, so I'm looking forward to seeing where S3 will take us. I enjoy a show so much more when I'm unspoiled!

[shapinglight]

I don't think it will happen until much later in S3 though, or possibly even in S4 (if we're lucky enough to get one).

I'm pretty sure there'll be a fourth season. I read an interview with Charlaine Harris in SFX's latest vampire special, in which she said Alan Ball was signed up till the end of season 4.

I hope we do get some Eric/Sookie and not just in dreams. I'd be happy for that avenue to be explored. But then I'd be happy for them to explore Eric/Lafayette or Eric/Bill too. :)

I enjoy a show so much more when I'm unspoiled!

Me too. BtVS is the only show I've ever wanted to be spoilered for, that was only after season 6.

[calturner.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure there'll be a fourth season. I read an interview with Charlaine Harris in SFX's latest vampire special, in which she said Alan Ball was signed up till the end of season 4.

Oh, that is good to hear!

But then I'd be happy for them to explore Eric/Lafayette or Eric/Bill too. :)

That's one of the things I love about True Blood. I'm open to just about any pairing, which is nice after being invested in Spike/Buffy for so long. At least I know I'm not going to get hurt this time!

[shapinglight]

At least I know I'm not going to get hurt this time!

Yes, it's very nice to know. I read an interview with Nelsan Ellis yesterday in which he said that in season 3, Lafayette gets a love interest. Looking forward to that.

Also, apparently we'll mee the vampire king of Texas. I'm getting curious about these kings and queens now. Do the books explain how the hierarchy works? Is Sophie Ann queen of Louisiana because she's the oldest vampire in the state? That would make her older than Eric.

[vampirefever.livejournal.com]

My Spuffy/Bangle comment in your last TB post was meant as a bit of humour, not a serious comparison between the shows. Although, I still prefer Eric to Bill :)

[shapinglight]

Oh, goodness me, I know that, don't worry. Also, being in the Buffyverse fandom for so long has probably got me overanalysing stuff, when really True Blood is just daft fun and I shouldn't think about it too hard. I really don't mind that much who gets with whom as long as we get lots of delicious character interaction. That's the best bit.

[kseenaa.livejournal.com]

Looking forward to the next season to. :-) I can't wait!

[shapinglight]

It's great fun so far. :)