In what would be a boon to Sookie-Eric fans, True Blood boss Alan Ball isn’t ruling out incorporating a major (and controversial) plot point from the books that, up to now, has only been hinted at in the series (spoiler alert): That Bill came to Bon Temps and seduced Sookie with the ulterior motive of getting her to work for Queen Sophie-Anne.
“It’s certainly something that I found really compelling in the books,” says Ball of Bill’s deep dark secret. “I was like, ‘Wow.’ But I can’t really tell you what I’m going to do story-wise. So much of the appeal of the show depends on the element of surprise.”
Bill-Sookie shippers are no doubt hoping Ball opts not to go there. In addition to driving a stake through the heart of their favorite couple, it could push Sookie into the arms of Eric.
“I try to stay out of how the fans are responding to the show,” says Ball. “I have to tell the story that I think is the most interesting story. Certainly, the main ingredient in drama is conflict and revelations. For every person who loves Bill and wants him and Sookie to just be in love always, there’s another person who’s like, ‘I’m sick of Bill. He’s such a wuss. I like Eric. He’s dangerous.’ Especially when you’re working on a show like this with the kind of palette and the colors you use; you want it to be continually surprising and shocking. Not for the sake of being shocking, but that’s part of the fun.”
What do you think? Should Ball remain faithful to the books and blow Bill’s secret wide open? Or should he overlook the dark twist on account of not wanting to destroy Bill-Sookie? Sound off below!
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Maryann won’t return next season
Drama please, if it will mean more Queen Sophie!
It doesn’t have to be EXACTLY like the books, but what Alan Ball is doing, well I think he has totally messed with how good TB is. Season 1 rocked for me! And I was intrigued by Eric immediately. Even then Bill bored me. Now? Sookie and Bill are a yawnfest. It really makes me wonder what they are like as an engaged couple in real life, because their chemistry to me on the show is lukewarm. Where as Sookie’s chemistry with Eric? Sizzling hot! I just want something to happen in season 3 that will bring back that smart, sassy Sookie that I love from season 1 and be done with the “Where’s Bill? Where’s my bf Bill? I can’t think without him being by my side” season 2 Sookie!
Totally agree!! If I hear “where’s Bill” one more time I’ll barf.
I do Agree!!With What you said about Bill and Sookie. 1st season the chemistry Between them was Hot. I think it’s because they just met and you could tell they had a crush on eachother. I don’t feel it with them anymore.. But, I do with Eric. It’s like butterflies in the stomach feeling. How could you not have them with Eric? Don’t worry!! I am pretty sure Eric and Sookie get closer. We all know Alan Ball Will Give us a run for our money. i just hope her focuse’s more the Vampire’s and not so much the others..I am ready for the Alcide..
It would be a great layer to add to the story. I think it’s foolish to think that the two of them will stay together the whole series, so why not incorporate an awesome storyline in with the inevitable.
Love your name – Mary!
OMG I totally agree! The only time you get to see that sassy and spunky Sookie from Season One is when she’s sparring with Eric. There’s so much chemistry there. If I hear “Where’s Bill?” or “Sookeeeh is Mine!” one more time, I’m BARFING! Alan should keep closer to the books, Eric and Sookie are the heart of the books and they are NEVER boring!
I just realized why Season 1 was so much better than Season 2 has been. It took more of CH actual lines from the book. Some of the things the characters said were right from the book and they were good. Didn’t need to be changed. Although Season 1 was not exactly like the 1st book, it was a lot closer than Season 2 has been to its corresponding book. Maybe there’s something there…meaning straying from the book too much = disaster…
Agree. I want sassy Sookie back. But AB has done a superb, Emmy winning job so far and I expect him to contine to do so.
The show is so far and away from what it should be at this point… I love it, and I love the books, but you can barely consider them based on the books anymore and it is starting to wear thin for me. I NEED Bill and Sookie to break up – I need the revelation to take place, and I NEED Sophie-Anne to stop being so OPPOSITE the vampire she was presented as being in the books (and where the HELL are her guards that never leave her side? She IS a queen!).
Now that the way overplayed insanity w/Maryann is over and we can try to find the story line again (hopefully) maybe this is a perfect time to start putting in some of the very important things that kind of make Sookie who she is emotionally… ANYWAY!
ERIC.
You said pretty much everything I wanted to say! The Maryann story line annoyed me to death because she was NOT that big of a character in the books. Nothing close to how they made her in the show. I hate how they depicted Queen Sophie-Anne. And Sookie definitely needs to get closer to Eric if they want to be anything like the books. I don’t know, the whole series finale kind of just pissed me off. Stick to the books please!
So agree with you. I NEED to see Andre. He is so hardcore. I can get why there may not be the other two cause they’re huge and brothers. How many actors out there would fit the two “Bert’s” description. But Andre, he needs to be in the show. No doubt about it. That cuts into some major plot points down the line if he’s not included. And yes, can we please have Sophie Ann from the books? I can’t stand the Sophie Ann that has been written for the show. Just not who I pictured at all.
i agree. the books are way more exciting than the show. (not that i dont tune in every week) but Eric and Sookie are HOT! im also ready to see Alcide.
The Queen needs Andre for so many plot points….and they both need to be teen-aged sociopaths, both old and cold. Although the Queen did have a fondness for Hadley and I don’t see that chemistry at all..
Well said, I love the books and I love the series – but they no longer seem like the same to me. And as for the Queen – I HATED David Ball’s version of her. Please find your way back to the integrity of Season 1, at least a little bit.
I loved the books and that is what reeled me in to the show. I wish Mr. Ball would try to steer a little more parallel to the story line in the books. I hated how Sophie Anne spoke as if she were 17 instead of hundreds of years old. “That Blows!” Im so grateful that Maryanne is dead. I thought it got ridiculous. It hurt to watch the show. I looked forward to the small parts that actually somewhat mirrored the book.
Sophie Ann was only 15 when she was turned into a vampire and she’s about a 1000 years old. Since vampires live for so many years they adapt to the time period so that they will fit in. That’s why Sophie Ann uses modern slang. Every character on the show isn’t exactly like in the book, so I think changes are kind of expected now. I love all the changes Alan Ball has made, but I have to say…one of the changes I don’t like is Jason killing someone. That kind of takes away from his naive innocence a little bit and that’s what makes him so loveable.
I think they should stick to the basic framework of the books. They deviated so far from them the second season, I had to go back and reread just to remind myself how it was supposed to be. The books are what drew a lot of fans to the show and vice versa…We want the visual of those stories. Especially book 4.
Exactly!! Book 4 is my fav of the series because of the Eric/Sookie chemestry. I am really hoping to see this full on, so if we need to find out Bills dark secret sooner, so be it! It will just push Sookie and Eric together quicker.
I couldn’t have said it better. Sookie and Eric is way better. That storyline is amazing and there’s so much they could do.
The Sookie and Eric story through the whole book series is ..Great
He should definately follow the story from the book. It gets pretty interesting after Bills cover is blown by Eric.
Sookie and Eric all the way. So give Sookie/Bill the bombshell that can destroy them.
But even if not, the chemistry between Sookie and Eric kills anyway.
I can solve this whole thing with just one word: THREESOME!
I would NOT be opposed to that.
Well said!! Eric/Sookie fans: Happy. Bill/Sookie fans: Happy. Eric/Bill fans: Happy.
I would SOOOO much not be opposed to that either !!!
Sounds good to me : )
Foursome is better: Sookie/Eric and Bill/Queen Sohpie-Anne
That’d be sweet.
How about foursome: Bill/Sookie/Eric/ME
I concur. I’m dying to see that. I wish that it were in the books, too.
Stay with the books! I’m so ready for some Eric lovin’!!! Bill is so last season! I am interested in seeing Alcide and Quinn though. Yummy! I also hope Eric loses his memory and goes running (NAKED) down Sookie’s driveway…. SUPERYUMMY!!! Come on Alan… you can take those pivotal points away that even Dead series fan is looking forward to!!!!!
seriously. me reading about eric running in front of sookie half buckit nekkid would make me die a happy woman if that came to series. but if the bill/sookie relationship doesn’t end because of the queen, it most certainly will have to when he cheats on her with what’s his maker’s face…right?
Yes, I loved the books and have read them MANY times. I want to see the show reflect the books more. I also want to see the show be about the development of Sookie into a strong and independent woman. In the Books we see Sookie go from “I’m Bills” to “I am my own.” I think introducing the multiple partners of Sookie will be exciting tv. In addition, the underlying story of Sookie and her constant attraction to her three “men” Bill/Eric/Sam is amazing TV. Yes, I wanna see Bill go the hell away. He is a wimp. He is the bad guy. I so hope and pray I get to see Eric like it is in book 4! I hope Alan Ball is listening!
I agree with this wholeheartedly – I want to meet all of these characters… they are so appealing and interesting. Sookie needs to diversify!!!
That was book four so you may have a season to go for that.
I haven’t read the books, but heard about why Bill really came to Bon Temps, and I will be really upset if Ball doesn’t follow through on that. If he doesn’t, then what the h e l l was with the last two episodes this season, what with the looks and innuendo between Bill, Hadley, and Sophie Anne? Yes, I am all for Sookie and Eric, but wanting to see the two of them do it aside, Bill has always seemed weasel-y to me. Again, I’m not loyal to the books, but changing Bill’s motives for coming to Bon Temps completely changes BILL. I would also like to get back to more natural conflict (FotS, for example), than crazy Maryann-type monsters. I mean, vampires coming out of the coffin is supposed to be a metaphor for homosexuality…what exactly did Maryann represent in that scenario?
Even when Sookie finds out about that in the books…she still kind of ends up back in love with Bill. So even if Alan Ball keeps that in the show (which he has), I think there’s no guarantee Sookie will end up with Eric. I know she STILL isn’t with him in the books!
Did you get to the 9th book yet?Please read the books again, I beg you. *Book Spoilers* It is still up in the air as to who Sookie will end up with, and she does admit to loving Bill, but she has also committed to being with Eric by the end of the 9th book. There is a conversation between the two of them where Sookie tells him she’s not sure if her feelings for him are real or not, but she’s never been the type to go with more than one guy at a time and right now he’s her guy. So I’m not saying she’ll end up with Eric, but right now he’s got as good a shot as Bill does.
You might want to read the synopsis for the next book (book 10, called Dead in the Family) that CH put out. It pretty much answers the Eric/Sookie question (for that book anyway, we won’t find out how it goes until it comes out in May).
still not with bill or eric? she ends up kinda married to eric in the books
Im so dying to find out.. I feel like she has to be with Bill.. Hes her first love! And his character based on the tv script looks really nice, havent read the books though.
Stay as true to the books as possible! (The books are GOOD)
well he’s already blown that several times over. either way there will be likely be more Sophie and even some stumbles in the road for the whole Bill and Sookie thing. I mean in the books that big secret comes up in like the 6th book and they were already broken up.
the fun of the fourth book is what the SE crowd better be hoping for
Umm, would that be the SHOWER SCENE??? (drools a little on keyboard…)
I believe in the post-finale interview Ausiello has with Alan Ball he says that some plot points from later books will occur sooner in the TV series because it makes for better TV. So moving the reveal of the “big secret” up is a reasonable assumption because it will help to develop the characters sooner.
shower scene! shower scene! shower scene pllleeeeeeeeeeease
Gracious Plenty, please!
LOL! When I read that I started crackin up in my bed lol Sookie cracks me up. I do hope they keep to the whole plot of the fourth book. Excellent viewing right there. Here we go ladies!..and my gay counterparts <3 lol ooh E&S!
It’s already been hinted at a few times on the show, go for it!
I think AB even gave them in the DVD commentary too. It was perfect in the books (the drama, the shocking truth!), and yes, it would be perfect in the show.
Bring on Sookie/Eric!!!
careful. just because Bill might be outed and Sookie dumps his butt doesn’t mean it would definitely be Sookie and Eric. there’s always Sam, or someone new. now that Sookie knows that supernaturals are not going to be as headache and cringe inducing as mere mortals she’s potentially got a whole new world to play around in
Not if AB really does follow the books,*SPOILER* but then again in the books she has atleast 3 other lovers than Bill- including Eric.
BOOK SPOILERSActually the relationship between Eric and Sookie isn’t the center of the books. The core of the story is Sookie and her journey through this supernatural world. It’s about her journey to self realization. As far as her love life goes, Bill and Eric aren’t the only ones that she has a relationship with. After she breaks up with Bill there are many other men in her life besides Eric. Although, he plays a large role later on in the series. In book 9 you can’t overlook the fact that Bill is still there for her even thought she has left him. He saves her life twice. While Eric is nowhere to be found. MAJOR SPOILER AHEAD. In fact Bill could very well have given up his own life to save her. If you want to stay true to the books. Yes, Sookie will have sex with Eric. But, there will be other men in her life and gets seriuos with some.
“Many” other men? Erm …. *one* besides Bill and Eric. (BOOK SPOILERS HEREIN)
Eric/Sookie is about so much more than just sex. What Sookie remembers of her time with Eric is the great sex, the conversations & the companionship. In the 9th book, she seeks him out for emotional support. They’ve clearly fallen in love but just can’t admit it yet. And Eric/Sookie is in fact the core story of the books. Eric is always in the game, whether his competition is Bill or Quinn or potentially Sam. Sookie’s love life question always involves Eric, even when she is dating Quinn for a short time. She thinks to herself that at some point she must choose between Eric and Quinn. And she does!
Stay closer to the books, Mr. Ball, and yes on Eric/Sookie!!!
I really wanna know what happens at the very end!! So theres not any possibility to be with Bill at the end even if she has other lovers??
What about Quinn eh? eh? Mr Tiger Tiger I thought that was a good little piece of Sookie land. I really really really do hope they stick to the damn books. C’mon AB….
Right KT…there should be dancing in the streets..Yahoooooooo!
Blow the secret wide open
. Love Sookie/Eric
i agree blow the secret wide open.i love sookie and eric. from what ive read online season 3 is going to be great.
I think he should.
I’m the ones that are sick of Bill, the Sookie/Bill thing is getting too boring now.
So, I’d like to see Bill like the books. This Bill in the show its just too fake for me…
I really want to see the Eric/Sookie relationship instead… It could be funny to see the love/hate ralationship…
Or at least Alan Ball can give a try to see if the audience will like it
Hate to say it, but if Sookie and Eric gets together, eventually that’s going to become boring too. Most fans only want them to happen because of the shower scene, and that’s about it. I can’t picture Eric loving anyone else but himself.
With Alan Ball not following the books 100%, I think fans need to be careful about keeping their hopes high.
He even mentioned in a recent interview that he doesn’t understand the fascination with Eric.
*BOOK*
But it doesn’t really because Sookie and Eric take a really long time to be together and the road is not smooth. They do have a love/hate relationship and it smolders for a while. If AB could show that- all their ins and outs, trust me it will be interesting for a while.
LOL, honey, no. I haven’t read one line from the books and I’d prefer ES over BS anytime. I know several people who feel the same. Fact is that Eric is much more interesting than Bill on the show and that would lead to a much more interesting relationship between ES. If they did them, they’d never end up as BS since Eric is so far from Bill, it’s not even funny.
@IDK I agree. They sort of get together in 4 but then it takes another 5 books for them to really deal with their feelings for each other.
The fact that you’re suggesting people want a Sookie/Eric relationship because of the shower scene proves that you don’t understand Eric fans at all. There are 3 1/2 books of development between them: A sort of friendship, or at least exchanges based on mutual feelings. Eric has a sense of humor, he doesn’t treat Sookie like she’s a fragile little girl and he allows her to laugh at herself and opens her up to the idea of having freedom in her own sexuality, and what she wants. Bill is more dominant in their relationship, and uses that to his own advantage. I loved Eric before that scene, and I’m kind of offended that people think that we like Eric just because he’s this hot bad boy. We’re not perverts, we just want to see a relationship that’s based on mutual respect and not just proclamations of love and threats to any man within a two foot radius of Sookie. The Eric/Sookie relationship hasn’t been boring for 9 books. I don’t think it will be for 10 or 13. Even when Sookie wasn’t “with” Eric, he was there. That’s not based on how cute his butt is.
I can’t believe AB said he does not get what the facination over Eric is?! HELLO! Eric is constant. he is always there in the books. He is behind the “veil” protecting and watching out for Sookie. He is not forceful like Bill. He is not using a blood tie, threats and sappy love words to keep Sookie. Yes, it is a mutual respect as well as attraction that binds them. Yes, he allows Sookie to be herself. They have a kind-of-friendship first that develops out of mutual interest. When Sookie wants to go “exploring” Eris is not always happy about it.. but he sits back and lets her. Eric has many times put his own life in peril to protect/save Sookie. In additon, this story line has NEVER bored readers. It’s not just a sex thing. We want to see Eris and Sookie together because of the RELATIONSHIP.
I thought this was supposed to be a discussion about staying true to the books not Bill VS Eric and I was going to stick to that. HOWEVER to just say it’s the shower is awful. Shame on you!
“Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink,” I said, and Eric laughed out loud. That was why I liked him, I thought rosily; he “got” me. ~ [Sookie:] “I never heard that ‘total avoidance aside from orders coming from flunkies’ was a valid way to show caring”…[Eric:] “You’re calling Pam a flunky?” He had a ghost of a smile on his lips. Then he got back to being miffed.
There’s just so much more under the little comments and beyond the bond that’s so adorable with him for her.
To Recordcozy:
Charlaine Harris even admitted her favorite part between S and E was the shower scene. She just said she wasn’t sure how they were gonna work out the height problem…
Believe me, it will not get boring. 9 books later and their relationship is still progressing. Even in the 9th book, when they’re married (vampire style), you still don’t know what’s happening. There is a lot that goes on between them that brings them together then tears them apart, but one constant is the fact that Eric is ALWAYS there for her, unlike Bill.
Both Bill and Eric are highly flawed characters. Bill has a problem with hiding things and not being completely honest. Eric is flawed in that he is a master manipulator. He will manipulate anyone, including Sookie, to get what he wants. As far as the marriage, Eric manipulated and tricked her. She had no idea what was happening. In book 9 Bill risks his life on several occasions to save her and Eric is nowhere to be found. In fact, Bill may end up dying as a result of his actions in saving Sookie. In fact Sookie says, and I’m paraphrasing,”I saw Bill clearly, for a moment, and knew that I loved him.” She may be with Eric but Bill is still in her mind and heart.
recordcozy & EricIsMine hit it on the nose – one man lets Sookie BE and other one is always trying to turn her into some ideal OR putting her on a pedestal no mortal woman could ever live up to. Sookie is a serial monogamist, we accept and love that about her – it’s difficult for her to NOT have someone in that role in her life. However, the majority of her character development is done under Eric’s wing rather than Bill’s, so to speak. Eric is bored of simpering women (hi Pam!) and he likes that Sookie has spunk. In the show, men completely aside, that’s what I miss about Sookie. She showed brief bits of it in the finale and the episode previous, when she took charge of a situation or mouthed off. In the books it was more subtle but in the show we’re seeing it even more: she defers to Bill when he’s around and doesn’t stand up for herself as much as she might otherwise (acknowledging that she was pretty peeved at Bill for the Sam-as-bait ploy). But she never ever allows Eric to get the upper hand. In fact, it’s this actual point that becomes a regret by the ninth book – that she never lets Eric have the power that Bill had over her means that in some visceral ways, as much as she might feel for him, she never truly trusts him to know better based on age & experience. There’s a lot of drama and character development to be had from Sookie NOT being with Bill, but she actually isn’t “with” Eric for most of the rest of the books – her interactions with him and the repercussions of his amnesia help develop HER character as well as his. Plenty of story to be pulled from all that for a TV audience that demands drama & surprises.
I would rather see Sookie go her own way. I dont like her relationship with Bill and (even though i have not read the books) would like to see Bill turn out to be working for Sophie.
But i dont like the idea of her and Eric. That would just seem forced because of the blood bond.
Most of this season was boring compared to the first one, and the Maenad storyline just got to be stupid and silly after a while.
I would like to see Sookie get some brains in the next season, and stay away from both vampires and get some new, and smarter friends. Get rid of Tara she was decent first season and has degenerated into an idiot and cheesy cliche in the 2nd.
I think that Bill is the most intriguing character in the series. Then again he was my most favorite character in the books.
Ball has to do it!
Sookie and Eric. Quickly please! The books work. That story element works. If the show WANTS to work in the long run they have the cast and talent to do it – so please, please, PLEASE stay true to the real building romance, which is Eric/Sookie all the way.
Agreed. When you get down to it, this story does not belong to Alan Ball. The creation of the TV show, yes, but this show would not exist without the books. This is Charlaine Harris’ vision, not really Alan Ball’s. And the ES relationship is the most compelling thing throughout every one of the books, hands down.
I couldn’t agree more. I have been reading the comments and this one caught me the most “This story does not belong to Alan Ball” I am sorry but it does’nt I understand he wants to keep a certain element of surprise but it is true the story is good because of the books if they don’t stay true to the books I feel they will loose peoples interest readers and non-readers.
He should stick with the book! In the books, it turns out that Eric and Sookie are better matched for each other anyway…. It will also be fun to see Bill and Eric switch roles of the lover and the jealous one
Sweet Baby Jesus. Ugh, this sucks. Little by little were discovering all these secrets Bill has…and this one will just destroy them if Ball decides to go with it. It’s obvious then she goes running into Eric’s arms..I mean who wouldn’t? Lol. But still, it’s Bill and Sookie, and I can’t imagine Bill doing any wrong…And shame on HBO for making us wait 9 months. It’s ridiculous!!! Okay I’m done venting.
Oh, this BETTER follow the general plot of the books. Bill grates on my nerves in almost every scene he’s in.
More Sookie/Eric please. bring on the drama.
Just make a good, watchable, exciting show. The books gave an outline of stories and characters. The tv show should adapt that in the most dramatic way possible whether it’s using the same plot points or not.
Exactly. Well put.
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!
This actually SAVES Bill. And, gets me some romantic Eric.
Let’s be honest… I think anyone will have chemistry with Alexander Skarsgard… He is beyond hot… But I do agree that I am very sick of Bill/Sookie… I am loving the forced separation right now!