Though last night’s True Blood finale tied up a bunch of loose ends, it also untied a bunch more! For instance (spoiler alert): Who kidnapped Bill? Why was Eric mostly MIA? Will the Queen return? Are Jessica and Hoyt over? What is Sookie? And that’s for starters. Luckily, series creator Alan Ball agreed to a little post-episode Q&A to finish us off.
Some folks were surprised by the structure of the finale and your decision to wrap up the Maryann story in the first 30 minutes.
ALAN BALL: I try to look at the show as basically almost like it’s a novel, and each episode is a chapter. I guess I’m influenced by the fact that when I watch TV shows, I watch the [DVD] boxed sets. Ultimately, it’s just organically the way it worked out. And the season finale last year was very similar.
Why wasn’t there more Eric in the finale?
BALL: There is a reason for not seeing Eric in the last part of the episode, but if I explain it, I’ll be [giving away] too much.
Will he be prominent next season?
BALL: Yes. Although, when I saw your [latest episode of Ausiello TV], for a moment I thought, we’re going to have to kill Eric, because you are the man. I thought wow, I had many seasons of Eric planned but I guess I’ll have to off him. [Laughs]
Speaking of which, are you surprised at how passionate the Sookie/Eric fans are?
BALL: Yes. I try not to get involved in that because it just sort of — it’s too confusing. I don’t want it to influence what the show is. Personally, I’m like, yes, Eric’s hot, but beyond that he’s dangerous, and I don’t know if he’d love anybody besides himself. What’s the appeal there? The bad boy? The danger?
Why wasn’t Sookie susceptible to Maryann’s powers but Jason was? Do they have different parents?
BALL: They have the same parents. We will find out what Sookie is [next season]. There are such things as dominant and recessive genes. Maybe Jason is fundamentally human but he has a trace of some non-human stuff. He’s kind of a ridiculously perfect [human being]. He’s athletic and has that charisma thing, so maybe he had some help in that regard. [Laughs] Ultimately, if you look at percentages, he’s mostly human. Sookie has a stronger genetic predisposition in another direction. People who have read the books know exactly what I’m talking about. People who haven’t, it will be revealed.
What’s up with the Queen’s Yahtzee obsession?
BALL: You’re 400 years old. What are you going to do? [Laughs] It’s something we came up with in the room and we thought it was funny.
Fans are polarized about Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen. A big complaint is that she doesn’t come off scary enough.
BALL: She will. You don’t want to introduce a character you’re going to see later and blow your wad up front. It’s funny because the fans are so rabid. Of course, that’s fantastic. And the fact that they’re so completely wrapped up in the show and they get upset and they think, “I don’t like that! I love that.” It means people are watching and the show is really affecting them. I think of the show as having a long life. You can’t explain everything and blow your wad in the first episode the first time time you introduce a character. All I can say is keep watching. It will make sense.
Will she return next season as a series regular?
BALL: She won’t be a series regular, but she will appear. Every state has its own vampire royalty. We will meet the King of Mississippi and there will be some interesting stuff happening between him and Evan’s Queen. (Find out who’s just been cast as the King!)
As much as I loved Michelle Forbes’ portrayal of Maryann, the story felt like it dragged on a little long. Why did it take her so long to get to the endgame?
BALL: That’s part of what the queen talks about. They’re always improvising. She really can’t conjure up a God. But she’s so fervent in her belief; she keeps trying this sacrifice and that sacrifice. She’s completely delusional. She killed Miss Jeanette and I think she thought that was going to work. She always thinks it’s going to work. It never does because the God who comes never actually comes. But she so fervently believes that he will, and she’s been believing it for thousands of years. That’s how they were able to outsmart her.
Have we seen the last of her?
BALL: Yes, she’s gone. They destroyed her. She will never rise — which I hate because I love [Michelle], and she was so much fun to work with. She’s really delightful and everyone loves her and we hated to kill her but we had to.
How closely will you follow the third book next season?
BALL: We take the gist of the books, [but] we will depart whenever we feel like it makes better television as opposed to reading. We continue to use the books as templates. But now that I’ve read all nine books there are things that are revealed in later books that we are moving up so that they’ll probably happen in the show earlier than they do in the books.
Will you introduce werewolf Alcide?
BALL: Yes.
Have you cast him?
BALL: No. We will also meet Sam’s blood relatives, the super bad vampire Franklin Mott, we’ll meet Debbie Pelt, we will actually meet the people who live in Hotshot a little bit ahead of schedule. We’ve already broken four episodes and I’ve sent writers out to write scripts over the hiatus.
Have we seen the last of the Fellowship of the Sun?
BALL: No. Just because Steve got humiliated, they still exist. And maybe he’s angrier than ever.
The fact that Jason killed Eggs has me thinking you might restart the Jason-Tara love story next season. Will you?
BALL: Certainly, Jason is going to be consumed with guilt. And he’s going to feel like, “I’ve ruined her life and I’ve got to make her feel better.” Whether that’s wise in any way shape or form remains to be seen. I think Tara certainly gave up on her obsession with Jason, but now that she’s dealing with the worst thing that ever happened to her, she might be more vulnerable to his charms.
Is Tara ever going to be in a happy relationship?
BALL: Happy relationships are boring. We all want them in our own life. But I don’t want to watch them on TV.
Any plans to give Lafayette a boyfriend?
BALL: Yes.
Anything imminent?
BALL: Nothing I can talk about. But certainly we will see more and more of Lafayette. He built a lot of walls around himself. But we will see him get vulnerable next year — and not just being afraid of Eric.
Any regrets killing off Godric? As I’m sure you’re aware the character was very well-received.
BALL: There’s no regret in killing him off because I think that [story was] really powerful. That was my favorite thing about the second book. However, we can always go back in history. He and Eric had a relationship for a thousand years. We can always go back and see him again.
Are Hoyt and Jessica doomed?
BALL: They still love each other. But there will be problems — as you probably could tell based on last night’s episode.
You do realize how awesome those two are together, right?
BALL: I totally know that.
How long do we have to wait for season 3?
BALL: It’s probably going to premiere around the same time it did this year. We’re going to try to shoot one episode before the Christmas break. I don’t know if HBO will bring the show back earlier, but it certainly won’t be later.
Is there anything I’m forgetting to ask you?
BALL: I’m surprised you didn’t ask who took Bill.
Who took Bill?
BALL: It was Hoyt’s mother.
PHOTO CREDIT: Steven Lippman/HBO
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AHHHHHHHHHHHH – need to show Eric/Sookie relationship build in the 3rd season. Need to, need to, need to.
I think their relationship will definitely build this next season. Who else is going to help her find Bill?? Eric is beautiful, but Bill is better for Sookie.
if you’ve read the books, Bill is a sneaky bastard…Eric is true from the start.
down with Bill! I’d take Mr. Northman in a heartbeat!
To Mrs. Northman:
And Eric bringing in Lorena to keep Bill from Sookie in her hour of need isn’t sneaky? Keep your comments to the TV show characters, which are different from the ones in the book!
If you read the books you will definitely be a Eric/Sookie fan. Bill never does a thing for Sookie and he is very sneaky and possesive. I’m hoping Ball is playing up Bill’s character now so that when the real Bill is portrayed it will be a slap in the face for all the Bill/Sookie fans. Eric has always been honest with Sookie and tells it like it is.
I have watched to show from the start and I only read the books because I wanted to know if Sookie would ever get a clue and leave Bill for Eric. Bill is not the kind of man a woman would want to keep in the show or the books. He is just a completely uninteresting character.
To Patricia- I agree we should be looking towards the tv characters but I think Ball is going to keep the storyline in that while Bill loves Sookie he’s been deceiving her this whole time- there were some definite clues to this in the season finale.
So with that said- I’m read for some Sookie Eric time :K
To Patricia,
I agree, the TV Bill and Eric are different, comparisons are silly
*sigh* Enough with the Eric thing already!
agreed! so over the eric thing…. i read the books and i still want Bill
I can’t help it as a true follower of the books you would understand. Eric is the Viking Vampire and damn he looks good in red briefs.
The fictional character Eric from the book looks good in red briefs? Or is their a real picture of Alex Skarsgard in red briefs floating around?
You are right. Eric is Eric, the Viking, but Bill is the home body right now, and although that doesn’t follow the books, Sookie will need Bill to keep her grounded for at least the next few episodes.
I agree. The Eric fan’s are getting a bit nauseating. It makes these talkbacks feel like a Twilight discussion.
We all have our favorite characters and that’s always going to be an element of any massively popular show like True Blood. Yes, Eric fans are somewhat passionate/obsessive/outspoken and I say that as an Eric fan myself, but that’s just part of the show. I personally cringe when I read a comment about how Bill and Sookie are perfect for each other, but I do make the attempt to keep the nausea to myself and not tell them to get over it already. But really, if the comments bothered me that much then I would stop reading them. JMO!
Please God no. Give Eric something a lot better than Sookie
Agree! Eric needs to be with a more bad ass character, sookie is too much of a good girl.
I agree vt. I know it’s all about Eric/Sookie but how long do you think it would take Eric to become completely bored with dear Sook? He needs a badass love interest. Let’s see that.
I think the good girl thing is great for Eric, He is a bad boy character but wanting a good girl shows that bad boys do have good in them. I think its great he wants Sookie…
Eric will never really love anyone besides himself, and yes, I’ve read all the books!
Besides, Sookie won’t end up with either of them.
Personally, Sookie should end up with Sam and they can grow old together. And, that is something she can’t do with neither Bill or Eric.
In the books, Eric is only “with” Sookie when he has amnesia, and that is short lived. Otherwise, he is acting like it’s the thrill of the chase, and because she’s had his blood. I don’t think book Eric or TV Eric is capable of love or affection that is real. It seems more like both Erics “want what they want” with Sookie, no more.
It seems AB may choose to keep Eric as the villain to balance Bill’s Goody Two Shoes, and may not catch the essence of either from the books. In the books while being in love with love Bill really didn’t do anything relationshippy with/to Sookie (she was struggling financially, and he never helped, offered etc In the show he is more heroic, so I can see why tv fans like him, and any good things Eric did in the 1st 2 books have been left out (pink spandex, orgy, etc anyone – god I was praying for the pink spandex – hope we get te red silk vriefs and the shower scene. I bet AB makes Bill the hero through all of this though. Oh well – I was always a Spike fan – thought Angel was boring.
I completely agree…Spike and Eric fan through and through. I think reading the books has spoiled Bill for me. I cannot get into how valiant and “good” he is in the TV series. I think it makes it so much more boring that AB has make Eric the villain and Bill the good guy. In the books…we get multiple facets to the characters and thus there is an actual discussion to why one would be an Eric versus a Bill fan. In the TV series you feel like an ass for not liking what seems to be better for Sookie…the knight in shining armor always around to save the day (like that crazy going out in the sun scene in the first season! What was that?) Oh well. I actually enjoy both the book and the TV series but I was a little disappointed with the season 2 finale. Hope we will see a bit more complexity from the characters next season!
I agree! It is just loosely based on the books… Like a template. I think he will change almost everything again… Thought season 1 was more true to the story. It’s a shame that AB tries to make the show his own in this way. If it continues, I’ll def. stop watching the show…
Cjayeh, you are 100% spot on. I always feel bad for liking Eric- guilty almost. Before True Blood ever aired, my friends and I (who have read the books) always discussed how you could see the good and bad in both Eric and Bill- concluding Eric was better. But because the characters Charlaine Harris wrote have been stripped of their depth, the viewers who have yet to read the books simply miss the points we try to make or the reason we prefer a certain character to the other.
I also agree, Kimmy, that AB’s choice to make the story his own in season 2 unfortunately didn’t work. I don’t expect him to directly follow the book for season 3, but he should consider using it as a blueprint. My grade for Season 2: B-; Season 1: A; Season 3: TBD
I personnally can’t wait for Quinn to show up! Here’s hoping we can get Vin Diesel cast since he was who Charlaine based his character. Sorry if this is a spoiler!
I’m with you Paprika; I can’t wait to meet Quinn. I didn’t realize that Ms. Harris had pictured Vin Diesel when she wrote the character but he is totally who I pictured while reading the books. And I can’t wait to see who they get to play Alcide because I could never get a picture of him in my head. Who could play that part?
I thought AB really understood Eric but to hear him say he might not be capable of loving someone besides himself makes me worried. Especially since he said he read all the books.
Javabooknut, I totally agree with you—his comment makes me think he has a personal vendetta against Eric and will only cast him in a negative light. That’s not fair—Book Eric was very caring and concerned about Sookie—more so than Bill at times. Eric is a solid character he acts like a vampire is suppose to act, TB Bill on the other hand is totally out of character most often, I don’t even see him as a vamp, but as a flawed p###y whipped human.
Do you think Eric would risk his life for Sookie? We may find out in the next book, but so far while it’s obvious that Eric likes Sookie, does he actually love her?
I totally agree. AB just has a thing against Eric. If he really did read all the books he would see how Bill is a total A$$ who just follows orders and Eric truely does love Sookie. Plus, the way AB portrayed Godric as his maker and how he was turned while in battle is BS. The true storyline was much better and showed the tender/vulnerable side of Eric. AB is just portraying him in a bad light and is playing up Bill. I think the first time Bill actually tells Sookie he loves her is in book nine… so where the hell is this “will you marry me” coming from. I guess it does show you how possessive Bill is in a sense.
I also want to see more of Eric and Sookie
That’s definitely going to happen. Lorena clearly kidnapped Bill, so that gives Eric room to slip in and make a move on Sookie. Of course…if he sticks to the books. Alide also comes into play in the 3rd season.
OH MAN!! I think he’s going to have Eric and the Queen kidnap Bill because he knows about the Vampire blood. CRAZY!!!!
ERIC WILL ONLY LOVE HIMSELF,
no matter if sookie looses bill and ends up with eric, she will only LUST for him! She will ALWAYS love BILL. ONLY lust for Eric. Because before she sucked his blood, she absolutley HATED Eric. Eric is hott, irrisitable, I love him myself, BUT you need LOVE in a series! Not just LUST.
Do you see what I mean?
I can’t wait for next season and to see who they cast but Alan always makes me nervous. You never know what Alan will do, lol.
Was he serious when he said that Hoyt’s mother took Bill???
SERIOUSLY ConY?!?
That’s what I want to know. Is he serious?
HAHAHAHAHAHA!
LOL! No. Don’t believe anything Ball says. He said that Lafayette was dead in the preview for Season 2 and we all know that wasn’t true. He was joking. Ball is very, very clever.
He’s tricky. He didn’t say that LaFayette was dead — he said something like “Those that have read the book know that LaFayette was found dead in the back of Andy’s car.”
Which is true…for the book.
Yes, if you read between the lines, AB is teasing us. Smart, creative, keeps fans wanting more. Enjoy the suspense, people!
Yeah I remember watching that! I was Happily surprised when I saw him but still it really threw me off. I had told my boyfriend so know when I think I have little tid bits of info he doesn’t want to hear them! lol anyways I love his humor. That would be hilarious if Hoyt’s mom took him to get revenge on Jessica!
Lafayette is becoming a regular and is actually getting his own storylines. I’m soo excited about that. He is hilarious.
Yep, I bet he was. See Hoyt’s mama was so all-fired mad after Hoyt walked out on her, that she began to blame Jessica for all of it and when she couldn’t find Jessica, she decided to track down Vampire Bill, use silver to incapicitate him, and her previously unseen super strength to drag him back to her now empty trailer to fill that spot in the bed that she wanted to earlier in the season. How’s that for a twist? Good one, AB!
J/K.
The vampire Lorena took Bill.
@GinnyOliver …. J/K means just kidding. Sorry my sarcasm must not have come across. Although I’m not positive that Lorena is the one that Bill myself. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Alan Ball has it where Eric was the one behind it. *sigh*
I really think Eric took Bill. He told the queen that he would take care of Bill. He’s also strong enough to do it. Hoyt’s mamma doing it doesn’t make sense to me.
I doubt it. Remember the person who took Bill was wearing gloves, why would a person need to wear gloves to wrap silver around a vampire? My guess is that it was either Eric or Bill’s maker.
Or wearing gloves hides the identity of a male or female…..DUH!!!!!
If Bill’s kidnapper was ANY vampire they would need gloves to handle the silver chain that was used but Alan Ball is apt to take this somewhere we don’t expect since historically that’s what he has done so far so I guess it could be about anyone!
Let me say, I am a huge fan of the books and have read/re-read them along with the other Sookie short stories Charlaine Harris has written. I am MUCH fonder of Charlaine Harris’ original story than Alan Ball’s “alternate universe”, but True Blood is mostly entertaining and if I really get tired of the two versions not aligning then I guess I’ll have to just quit watching.
Every single time that I have ever seen a book or series of books turned into a movie or a show it is NEVER the same – EVER! So, SUCK IT UP all you complainers!
There! I said it.
think Lorena
NOT! I think Bill scared her too much last episode.
I’m with you Jenna. If Ball is using the books as a template then Lorena is the direction to look in. Hopefully that also means that Eric and Sookie will have a bit of a trist!!
If AB is using the books as a base for the series, lets not forget Alcide and the King of M are coming up, and lorena was introduced early this season and she did say ” i wish you hadnt said that” when she last spoke to bill. Like they say, dont mess with a woman scorned. there had to be a reason why she was brought in. AB is good about leaving trails during the season to build up for the next, which i can wait for those silk boxers. Team Eric!!
I agree cuz in the book he ends up in the kings house hostage and sook and eric save him.yea i hope they hook up
He better not have changed the storyline and made it Eric. If he does it just proves that he has a thing against Eric.
He was trying to be funny
I think any Eric lovers need to take heed. AB basically told us that he doesn’t get the Eric-love. So this adaptation will be all about Bill and Sookie. Good to know this now I guess.
This show is going to run for a while – even if the Sookie-Bill relationship is the dominant romantic umbrella, there’s no reason you might not get a season or two of a hot Sookie-Eric pairing.
Oh yes I wouldn’t mind that! I love Eric but I do like Bill more. Book Bill and TV Bill are different, and I like that, but yes I agree it wouldn’t be bad to have a Sookie and Eric Fling!
All I have to say is there better be some Eric/Sookie love in there somewhere. Also I am upset that they didn’t show Eric more last night.
I’m with you on that!
He may not get it, but if there’s enough Eric/Sookie love, and if comes up with a story he likes going in that direction, he could always change tacts. Which is not to say it will happen, but rather that it isn’t a lost cause yet.
I personally thought he meant more about not getting the rabidness of Eric fans not seeing him for who he is on the show. It seems to me that the character of Eric is so much more interesting than just Sookie/Eric. The obsession with that pairing takes away from the character – I think. I also think he’s saying he won’t let their rabidness dictate his story. And for the record, maybe not on EW.com, but there are LOTS of Bill fans out there. We’re less ornery but we’re just as rabid.
You are so totally right…absolutely lurking around rabidly out here!
I entirely disagree. I believe being with Sookie allows Eric to show different sides of his personality. Yes, we all love him as the badass sheriff of Area 5, but he was also wonderful as a heartbroken guy being comforted by Sookie.
As for us Eric fans, we’re not “ornery”. And even if we come across as angry, we do have a right to feel that way. You can’t deny that Eric’s plotline was severely cut short at the end of the season. And replaced by Bill and his bland “white knight” act.
No way!!!! If AB makes this all about Bill/Sookie he will seriously upset millions of SVS readers. The entire storyline is about their growing love. If AB would portray Eric as he is in the books everyone would understand why we LOVE Eric!!! Alex Skarsgard it such a great actor and he could do so much more with Eric if AB would let him. Bill can bite me!!!!
Calm down, Rose. There are millions of Bill fans as well. Ball has let Alex do a lot with his character – see the scene on the roof with Godric – and I suspect he will continue to do so. There’s more to Eric’s character than just Eric/Sookie.
Oh, really? There’s more to Eric’s character? Is that why we get 2 minutes per episode? We had what? two or three episodes out of 24 where Eric had screen time. He doesn’t think much of the character obviously.
In the books Eric isn’t a major character for a while but when he is there its powerful. I’m hoping Alan is following that guideline and we get to see him later because these little tastes of Eric aren’t enough
There’s only an hour a week to work with. With so many other plot points to work through, they can only fit so much in. I’m sure Eric will get more screen time in the future, but it’s not like he disappeared from season 2. I think he was involved a lot, but maybe you just want more of him.
Ha ha, you sound like crazy football fans arguing over referee calls and playtime.
This isn’t a recreatioon of the books!!!
I’m so sick of reading about the tv show not following the books!! AB has said (and everyone else) he is not bound by the books!!
I you want the same thing to happen – GO READ THE BOOKS AGAIN!
Um, Mark? He’s said the books are a template *points above*. Meaning some details change, but the gist is there. When Sookie and Eric have had something going on and off again for….well, since the beginning of the series, kinda hard to avoid, no?
I totally agree, I would also be excited to see Quinn introduced into the story line soon, just to see who they cast to portray him.:)
Some shows start out with certain character love matches put to paper in the scripts, but then once the actors actually act it out, the chemistry the creators/writers were imagining isn’t always there.
Think Sawyer/Kate on Lost…initially is was meant to be all Jack/Kate all the time, but when the on-screen chemistry between them never ignited – suddenly the “bad boy” character transitioned into being a 3-dimensional character who, despite his many obvious flaws, one could still see the main heroine falling for (and not just because of his chiseled good-looks!).
That’s the way I feel regarding Eric/Sookie…the chemistry is just more palpable between them – Bill/Sookie is already grating on my every nerve…he’s far too possessive and controlling and often treats her like a child.
Just my two cents!
HUGE Sawyer fan here. Love Sawyer/Kate and couldn’t disagree with you more. I don’t think Josh Holloway’s role was expanded solely because he had chemistry with Evangeline Lilly. The writers of that story knew exactly how everything was going to play out.
Bill and Sookie are hot together. If we jump right into next season with Eric and Sookie, then where is the fun in waiting? They gotta get our attention somehow…..
I’m sorry, but I don’t find Bill and Sookie “hot together” in any way. At least not anymore.
I totally agree with the sawyer/kate analogy! That was one of the main things that made Lost such a good show. They weren’t afraid to work with the antagonists of the show. Let’s hope Alan Ball understands that too!
I was so upset by that he read the damn books they get together for crying out loud I mean come on. Or maybe HE was once again playing it close to the vest.
His answers requarding Eric didn’t satisfy me. Boo!
Me either. The Eric/Sookie relationship is the best part of the books. I don’t understand why he thinks Eric can’t love anyone other than himself. Is he reading the same books I am?
Obviously not, and it really makes me sad. Such great characters and potential – wasted…
Seriously. I mean there’s been loads of *hot* actors on tv shows but I’ve never seen anyone quite like Skarsgard. It’s not because of his looks, it’s in his portrayal of Eric. They really are fools if they don’t utilize him more. lol What a waste indeed!
The idea that Eric can’t love anyone else but himself is contradicted by his own show! Did he forget that Eric was willing to kill himself along with Godric because of how much he loved him? What I don’t understand is Alan’s sick obsession with a boring character like Bill who has zero complexity.
He needs to keep Eric as the bad boy for right now to keep his suspicions of Eric kidnapping Bill. Eric will use Sookie in Mississippi and save her that will start the bonding between them to become stronger. We all know that Eric wants her bad. He needs to prove himself to Sookie so she can trust him. for the Eric and Sookie thing to take place. Bill will be in the forefront of the relationship with Sookie this coming season, Eric and Bill’s attachment to Sookie will become stronger on both sides of the coin, for what they are about to go thru. Then Alicide comes in with all his problems brought to Sookie, with Debbie Pelt. Sounds Like a lot of fun to play find Bill Compton. I hope Jessica and Hoyt get back together. I think after she had the blood of Hoyt’s mama, she wanted more of the real thing. Hoyt is someone, she will never bite, she cares too much for him. They will break up, eventho they do make a cute couple. Just a few thoughts on the upcoming season
AMEN! Jenn ur right does he eve watch his own show. Cause Bill/Sookie got zero chemistry.
SO many thoughts here. First off, everyone needs to remember how notorious HBO and Alan Ball are about misleading statements. Second, the Sookie/Eric relationship isn’t a major point in book 2 or even book 3 it’s a gradual build, much like the show has been. Heck here we are in book 9 and they’re still not REALLY together. Also, for ABs comment about Eric not being capable of loving anyone but himself he’s already SHOWN on the show that he doesn’t really feel that way with the Godric storyline but even if he did believe it, there are many fans of the books who still feel that he’s incapable of truly loving Sookie or anybody else.
I think Alan Ball needs to go re read those books. I think he sort of get Eric’s character. He is a vampire who cares about Eric, but he is loyal to those around him, he has a sense of humor and, he does care for Sookie, he gets her. I think He needs to pay more attention to Bill’s character. Season 2, they emasculated Bill All he did this season was run around yelling Sookie, Sookie don’t, Sookie stop, Sookie enough.If you didn’t watch season 1, you would think that Bill was human. Bring back Vampire Bill, with layers, good and bad.
I think that he’s just telling us a little bit of stuff, keeping a bunch of stuff under hit hat, so to speak. Perhaps he is not an Eric fan, but he clearly stated a couple of times in an interview that CHs books are a hit, and if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Don’t get me wrong, after reading all of the books I am SSOOOO ready for Eric and Sookie, but let the action rise slowly…drag us along and watch the passion build. Yum.
Oh,also, I wonder what Eric is up to now that I have read this. It makes me a little sad to hear Alan say he doesn’t get Eric’s appeal other than him being attractive. I really hope he doesn’t make Eric a compelte ass hole and make Bill seem like a fantastic guy. Bill is a vampire after all, make him a little bad.
Jocelyn, that’s what they have done so far with Eric and Bill’s characters and it is extremely disappointing. I’m only hoping it doesn’t continue in Season 3. I really, really, really, really, really hope somehow someone can clue AB into the massive appeal Eric holds for many people and why. I was also sad over his comments about Eric’s appeal.
Ball doesn’t seem to have a clue about Eric, huh? I hope he gives us a little Sookie/Eric action in season 3, I’ll even settle for dream sequences… I’m not greedy… Oh wait, maybe I am… Eric likes that in a woman, doesn’t he?
Well, what Ball said *is* Erik – that’s the character. The character isn’ going to change on the whim of a percentage of fans, particularly because multiple future season only make sense if Erik is *Erik* (well, except for the bit when he’s not, which is great, too).
Tarc- First, Erik is actually Eric. And I don’t think I’ve seen hardly any fans that don’t agree that Eric is dangerous and a “bad boy” but there is much more to him than that. He’s like an onion (i.e. layers) and definitely not a one-dimensional character. I can’t recall anybody wanting to change Eric, just wanting all the sides of Eric fairly displayed.
I’m so disappointed with this interview. I don’t see how Ball could have read all the books and decided to make Eric the villian from the “template”. I also don’t see how he could have decided Bill was the hero. True Blood is different from the books, we all know that. But it shouldn’t have been advertised that it was based on the books, the beginning credit shouldn’t have Sookie Stackhouse series or anything on it. And they sure shouldn’t have hired the wonderful Alex Skarsgard to play Eric, he is the perfect visualization of book Eric and it’s heartbreaking to see Ball’s disregard for so many viewers love of that character.
Totally agree with this statement. You can’t take the protaganist and make them the villain, its no longer capturing the world Charlaine Harris created, if they go this way. Very disappointing, what a waste of a great love story
You guys are seeing something in the books I just don’t. Yes Eric is hot and yes Sookie and he have a relationship but I just don’t see it as a great love affair. I also have to agree with Alan Ball: while Eric does care for Sookie, I don’t believe he loves her and if it came down to Sookie or himself? He would choose himself in a minute.
Felicia, are you watching the same show the rest of us are? He’s willing to kill a maenad for her. I’d say for this so-called “selfish” Eric everyone is talking about, thats pretty darn selfless.
I want werewolfs dammit. Now that vampires have become so damn pussyfied(Twilight, Vampire Diaries) they are the only badass mythical monsters left
Uhm, from Dracula flying around in his cape and tossing his long hair, to Spike painting his nails and chasing his soul for the love of Buffy, when do you find that vampires were NOT pussyfied?
You think the Twilight vamps are pussyfied??? I happen to love the way that Vampires are being portrayed these days!!!! Sexy, Mysterious, and able to love humans without ripping them to shreds…
Bring on the mutts, but make them realistic or delay them for months until you can make them believable.
But so much of the remaining books follow the Eric/Sookie story line. Is he going to deviate from Charlaine’s storyline altogether then?
It will get pretty interesting by the time he reaches All Together Dead. Oh wait, I’m sure Eric premeditated that, right? And it was the blood bond that…well. If he’s read up the ninth book I don’t think he can *avoid* Eric/Sookie
Actually, the books follow the ‘Sookie storyline’ and Erik is often around, but only briefly as a romantic interest.
This just further ignites my rage at last night’s finale. lol
I want to trust Alan Ball, but I don’t.
Totally agree with you!
WHAT!!!!!!!! Hoyt’s mother no frickin way, that has to be a joke!! please don’t make me read the books, I like being surprised on TV
You have got to be kidding me?!? First ConY, now you. How gullible are you people…
If you decide to read the books, you better start from the beginning, cause you’d be lost starting in the middle, based on the TV show.
And I hasten to add that I found Harris’s storyline more and more irritating with every book. Largely because she broke up Bill and Sookie. Quinn? Really? Ugh.
The books have a tremendous falloff in quality after #4 – I think Harris just started to stretch things without an endgame. Thankfully, Ball seems to be making course corrections along the way.
Harris did her thing and Ball is now doing his. When she wrote the books, they were hers, now they belong to TV. To keep us watching, he has to shift around story lines or the show could be canceled. Harris wrote from her heart, not to keep people happy. If she didn’t write what she did, Ball wouldn’t have the story to use as his background.
@smartypants You’ll forgive me if I disagree with you abouth whether or not this show is an improvement on the books. In the books and hinted on the series, Bill Compton came to Bon Temps specifically to seduce Sookie at the direction of the Queen. He might have fallen in love with her but his first agenda was to secure her as an asset for the queen. That said, Alan Ball, by trotting out the tiresome manead storyline, didn’t doing anything to improve on the books. Any season finale that features a meat tree, an ostrich egg and a brahmin bull cannot be taken seriously. This whole season stretched the suspension of disbelief which is necessary to make the whole thing work. With the exception of the Dallas storyline with Godric all else failed. So I don’t know how you can come to the conclusion that Ball is “making course corrections” when these so called corrections aren’t nearly as interesting as the books.
I think alan ball is going to have eric be behind the bill kidnapping. Eric meets lorena and he has her kidnap bill,while he tries to seduce sookie.
in total agreement there …Eric may be evil but even evil has a lighter side sometimes.
OK, now i’m worried.. i think Eric will be the bad guy, villain! when he’s not
AB should read the books again, he didn’t caught Eric’s essence AT ALL!!! hummm.. :S let’s see what happens next year
Or maybe AB wants us to believe that Eric is going to be the bad guy and we’re all totally falling for it… idk I like it in the land of denial, although there are dark clouds on the horizon even here.
I’m gonna be SO PISSED if AB turns Eric into a villain. And I hate the fact he didn’t get Alexander’s talent, the Eric-Sookie pairing’s potential, and this character in general at all, as someone else said (Just a narcissist ? Since when ?!!)
I want Eric/Sookie (even if Ball doesn’t want them to end up together). I want a darker Bill (he is becoming so irritating!). Oh, and maybe a little more Pam!
No.
Lorena kidnapped Bill. Eric wants to find Bill because he promised the queen he would silence Bill over the whole V selling business.
Eric is going to get Sookie and Alcide to go searching for Bill which will introduce us to the Mississippi vamps and Debbie Pelt (one of my favorite characters).
I believe Eric’s interest in Sookie will take a huge back seat to his promise to the Queen.
In the books the secret project was the vamp identities. In the series the secret project is the selling of V.
Was he serious when he said that Hoyt’s mother took Bill??? [2]
And I want Sookie with BILL, not Eric. lol
Yes. He was serious. He gave away the biggest spolier less than 24 hours after the cliff-hanger premeired… Now you know. It’s Hoyt’s mom.
HA! Can you imagine!?
XD
thanks E, we needed someone like you, so sick of this freaking stupid question
On the one non gullible hand I don’t think it’s hoyt’s mother but there is the strange twisted part of me that thinks wouldn’t it be funny if it REALLY was? That he really did give away the cliffhanger but because it’s so unbelievable none of us believe it.
One thing I definitely can beleive is that Alan Ball was as serious about his comment related to Eric’s appeal as he was about Hoyt’s mom taking Bill. He would redefine the series if he ignored the relationship with Sookie and Eric.
Also – don’t forget what Sam said to Bill on the porch after killing Marianne. I believe it was something about hiding a secret takes more effort than dealing with the results of revealing it. A bit of foreshadowing perhaps? I totally thought Bill was going to confess at the restaurant, not propose…
Helen, I picked up on that as well. There have been a few scenes that also made me believe the “secret” will be part of the storyline. I am a huge fan of Sookie/Bill, but I also want to see the Eric/Sookie relationship play out in the show. Especially the “witches spell” : )
I think Hoyt’s mom taking Bill was a joke.
DARN IT I wanted to know some other details and they didn’t get asked. Oh well. Thanks Aus for the amazing interview.
I know Katie, I noticed that too. I get that AB likes Bill a lot but that’s totally missing the mark to say that Eric isn’t capable of loving anyone. By book 9 it’s painfully obvious that he loves Sookie. And what he said here doesn’t jive with the whole Eric and Godric story, which also basically proved that Eric is capable of love for someone else.
Even completely straying from the books, I don’t see how anyone that watched “Timebomb” or “I Will Rise Up” could say that Eric is incapable of love.
He means being “in love”. He already said that what Eric & Godrick had what very deep, like father, son, brother all at one.
But the weak cursed Eric is NOT the true Eric. That vampire only loves himself.
You need to read the books again if you think that Eric could never be in love with Sookie. And read them without your Bill-colored glasses and you might see a whole new story.
Since you mention cursed Eric, I’m guessing you are going with the books and I have to say I’m not sure how you can he loves only himself. Have you read all the books? Because Eric clearly has love for others, yes his number one priotity is himself and he’s never made any secret of his selfishness, but one of the most wonderful things about Eric is that he loves others without even wanting to. He actually seems to often surprise himself by having feelings and by things he does for Sookie.
And I don’t get how you saw that AB was talking about Eric being “in love”- he says “I don’t know if he’d love anybody besides himself” – not be in love with anybody, but love anybody.
Agreed.
Agreed twice. What is this obsession with Eric hooking up with Sookie? Now, I love him as a character, the show wouldn’t be the same without him so don’t get me wrong. And as bad as I want to read the books, after becoming a fan of the show I refuse to because I think those that have read the books are trying to connect the two & the show is only BASED on the books so they’re having a hard time adapting. Eric is fun, but NOT the man for Sookie. Yeah he’s a bad azz & every woman loves one, but think about it:
1) He locked up, chained, & fed on Lafayette
2) He knew she could possibly get killed at any minute during the whole Dallas trip
3) He has said time & time again that “Bill is abnormally attached to this human” like Sookie was nothing
4) He flat out said he didn’t love humans to the queen
5) He tricked Sookie into drinking his blood
6) He’s ERIC!
Like I said I love him love him love him on the show, don’t wanna see him go but Bill/Sookie have been through sooo much together & he truly loves her. People keep saying Bill treats her like property – & Eric wouldn’t? He just wants to use her for her powers, nothing more. Obviously he is capable of love, not saying that. But he is not what Sookie needs. And do people think Eric would be less controling? Give me a break. Wake up people – and women wonder why we have trouble choosing men. Because most would chose someone like Eric instead of Bill. Sad…
@ Nikki:
1) Lafayette got off easy for what he was doing. Now I know what you’re going to say “But Eric’s making him sell V now.” Only this time it’s on the Queen’s orders. Jason got a slap on the wrist b/c he’s Sookie’s brother & he helped save Godric.
2)Sookie knew what she was walking into. Hell, she’s the one who came up with the plan. Eric offered himself in place of her freedom.
3)Why does saying Bill’s attachment to Sookie is strange such a bad thing? Eric doesn’t understand it b/c he’s been without those feelings for centuries. Bill’s just a pup compared to Eric.
4)Um, did you see Eric’s face when he said he didn’t love humans? No, he’s not in love with Sookie but he obviously has feelings for her.
5)I could say the same for Bill except he used an attack on Sookie’s life as an excuse for Sookie drinking his blood thus building a blood tie between B/S. Bill’s motivations were not pure which is why he got so outraged when Eric knew how Sookie had first had Bill’s blood.
@Nikki – Eric may not be the best choice, but he’d definitely be the most fun. ;D Really though the best choice is purely a subjective opinion.
I’m not sure I agree with your general statement about women choosing the wrong kind of men. I think it’s really all in what you’re looking for. Personally, I’d much rather just have a good time with Eric for a few weeks than a lifetime with devoted Bill. But if you are looking for more than just a good time (which I’m definitely not!), I’ve definitely heard that those redeemed bad boys can make some of the best significant others!
Well, Alan Ball just took a huge crap on Eric and Eric/Sookie lovers.
And he basically gave away that Eric took Bill with his first answer
You are so right on, I mean what the heck- eric and sookie are the reason so many people watch. I think Alan Ball needs to re-read the books and this time try to comprehend the material, Otherwise He’s gonna lose a lot of viewers.
Ditto. I’m trying my best to have faith. I really, really am, because after all I hated the Jessica thing at first but now I love her character, so I’m trying to have faith, but it gets more and more difficult, especially after reading stuff like this. I just hope, hope, hope that AB and the other writers can tune into the Eric love out here!
Perhaps you should rewatch HIS show and comprehend HIS material. There are way more True Blood watchers than book readers (that’s a fact based on # of books sold). He won’t lose any fans because for many of us the end all/be all ISN’T just Eric.
Show may be AB’s, but the base material that they EXPAND upon came from Charlaine Harris. And Fact- not everyone that reads the books buys them….I know many people that borrow copies to read from friends as well as libraries. I’ve personally loaned my own copies to my family and friends and first got started reading the books myself when my aunt lent me her copy of Dead in Dixie. Book sales doesn’t automatically equal number of readers.
The same fact can be made about the viewership numbers. That doesn’t account for the number of people who watch the show online or DVR it etc. In fact I watch the show with about 12 other people give or take and only 1 person has read the books and only up to book #4. My point is a very sizeable amount of the viewership have not read the books. And I was responding to the claim that Eric/Sookie are the reason so many people watch the show. Perhaps, but a lot of people watch for Bill/Sookie. I’m sorry that you don’t like Mr. Ball’s interpretation of the source material or the different directions that he goes in but if that is the case you might better be suited to just reading the books.
Comprehend the material? This isn’t organic chemistry or ancient philosophy. There’s no real depth to the books that AB missed.
Eric is a killer. He believes in vampire hierarchy. He’s a capitalist. Sookie intrigues him, but he doesn’t love her. Only fake “under a spell” Eric loves Sookie.
Eric is NOT the reason why I watch the show!
I comprehend the material just fine, and Sookie’s only into Erik when Erik is not really Erik – as Ball said. Sookie’s not destined for Erik – at least, not until after Alcide, Quinn, etc. Frankly, I’d be far more interested in seeing Erik and Layfayette. Sookie’s got more men to go in her life… and interesting ones the audience will love to meet!
I hope they come here to MS to film parts of season 3. I heard that the books use the names of real places in my hometown.
OMG. Someone please tell me he was just kidding about Hoyt’s mother taking Bill …
He was joking don’t worry about it.
Eric is a bad guy that lonely and misunderstood. There is love there like sookie said and i hope AB does put the eric and sookie relationship on the show and not just bill and sookie storyline. I wonder what he going to do about bill not being in the later book that much?
Why is everyone so damn crazy about sookie/eric relationship…he gives me the creeps
because this is supposed to be based upon a series of books in which the Sookie/Eric is the main romance.
It’s like alan ball adapting gone with the wind and having scarlett with Ashley
LOL, that’s a pretty good comparison Aminta.
that’s the best comparison!
all the people who are damn crazy about the sookie/eric relationship are the people who have read the books..
i LOVE book 4, it’s the only one i couldn’t put down, it’d be a shame if AB disregarded one of the key plots within the book!
First, EW is quickly becoming one of my favorite sites. Thanks for all the True Blood coverage.
Second, I was massively disappointed in the Season 2 finale. It didn’t live up to my expectations at all and quite frankly really didn’t leave me salivating over Season 3 as I thought it would.
Okay, now the interview stuff. Alan Ball might just be a genius, because this interview left me hankering more for Season 3 than the Season 2 finale did.
Where was Eric? There was an actual reason, a good reason, he was MIA for the episode? Really? I hope it doesn’t continue in the vein of Eric being the evil, villain, perpetrator of all bad things as much of Eric’s stuff has. But I was overjoyed to see that he will be more prominent next season. What about Pam? I hope that statement holds true for her as well.
Ball’s answer to the question about passionate Eric/Sookie fans really surprised me. When have women ever not enjoyed the “bad boy”? And saying that Eric may not be capable of loving someone other than himself. Bull. Eric proved that he can love another with his relationship with Godric. He can be loving and loyal, as well as selfish and dangerous. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE realize that Alan Ball!
I’m really looking forward to meeting the Mississippi characters, Sam’s family, and getting more into the Jessica/Hoyt story line.
And YES PLEASE give us flashbacks with Eric and Godric. While I also think that Godric’s death made for the most powerful story of the season, I would absolutely LOVE to get to see more scenes featuring the incredibly talented Allan Hyde and Alexander Skarsgard.
Mad props to Michael Ausiello for some terrific questions!
Ditto to everything! =)
Agreed! This interview definitely got me more excited for Season 3 then the finale!
Oh no! His comment about Eric just poured salt on my wound from last night.
On a happier note, I’m excited about Alcide and the Jackson vamps. Also hoping to see more of the Newlins come back with a vengeance instead of that pesudo-war they had at the church. And more Godric flashbacks!
Brenda, I get exactly what you mean about sald on the wound. Ouch, Ab, ouch!
I’m also looking forward to some more scenes with the Newlins, they were some hilarious characters. And of course, Godric flashbacks would be amazing! But at the top of my wish list is getting more Eric and Pam!
I totally agree! I honestly think AB is jealous that Alex S. is taking pretty much all the spotlight, he is doing everything he can to destroy that character. How can he not see his appeal? If he didnt want people to love that character, he should have cast someone else. Because AS is like a dream, and an amazing actor.
I’m not a big Bill fan, but to say AB is jealous of the attraction fans have to Alex S. is absurd.
Eric stays true to this vampire ways — Bill fights his urges and longs to be human again. They are DIFFERENT. One isn’t the villain while the other is the good guy. Get over it.
Really? He’s jealous that an actor on his show is popular?
I’m sorry, that’s just an insipid statement. It’s one thing to say that Alan ball doesn’t understand the appeal of the “bad boy,” but to say he is jealous of the actor he hired is just plain odd. Why would he be jealous of Alex S.?
Rowan – for some folks it’s because if the Eric they want portrayed is not portrayed it must be some conspiracy against a fictional character or against the actor. It’s insanity.
It worries me what he said about Eric, how can he not get the appeal, it’s not just that he’s hot, it’s the hole character! HAS HE REALLY READ THE BOOKS!!!! Bill is soooooo BORING!!!! and was he serious about Hoyt’s mother?
AB is a pretty smart fellow. I think he is purposely throwing us off track to maintain suspense. It is not a mistake that Eric appears so attractive and that Bill has become more boring and pasty, don’t you think?
Ooh, good point. That makes sense. It has been pretty striking – the makeovers (and make-under) of a few of these characters. Of course, maybe I’m just reaching and being overly hopeful that my favorite character will start dominating, but…who knows? I just really hope he uses Eric properly and to Alexander Skarsgard’s full potential. He’s hit the jackpot with Alexander there; he needs to take advantage of it.
According to you maybe. I’d wear that man like a scrunchie – and that man is Bill. Eric can go pretty himself up somewhere else.
Thanx for the amazing interview, Ausiello!
And AB, keep the good work, I agree with you with the Eric thing…
Maybe Bill is boring in the books, but in the series he’s HOT. And Stephen Moyer is a terrific actor!
Eh, not really. He is so boring, even in the show. Like tons of HBO posters said, its like they cut off his manhood.
PUHLEASE. His manhood is fine and I’m sure it’s beautiful. Bill/Stephen is smoking hot. Please and THANK YOU!
Are you crazy!!! Bill hot?!? Eric kicks his butt!!! Alex makes Stephen look like a total dweeb!! 10 times the actor!
Look I was as Stephen fan a LONG time before True Blood, but what they’ve done with the Bill character…I can’t even look at him when he’s with Sookie. Honestly, the gag reflex. I don’t think Alex is better looking than Stephen, but the sour way Bill is portrayed, his paternalistic attitude toward Sookie, makes him SO unattractive, not to mention the awful hair and makeup. It truly has tainted my love for Stephen. Eh whatever. I don’t have to watch.
Every time I look at Eric I can’t help STARING at the huge bags under his eyes. I don’t see his appeal. To you he’s hot, to me no thanks. Move along you big oaf.
Oh, please. Being voted 6 times in a row the sexiest man in sweden is no small feat. Be reasonable.
Agree that SM is a terrific actor. I’ve seen him in other things and he’s always been brilliant. Disagree about the character Bill. Can someone explain why AB has turned him into a do-no-wrong-even-when-I-did-wrong saint? It’s like I have a small aneurysm every time I watch this show. Actually, it’s like he and Eric have switched roles, except Eric was always open about his opinions and *exactly* what he was going to do. Does Bill love Sookie? Yup. (SPOILERS FOR NON-READERS SO STOP READING THIS POST) By book three did Eric admit to having feelings for Sookie? Yup, loud and clear he did. And went out on quite a limb for her, too, if I recall.
So what you’re saying is that you’d rather Eric be the do-no-wrong-even-when-I-did-wrong saint?
I’m on book 3 now and almost done. I’m not getting the Eric having feelings for Sookie except beyond sex. I just read the part where Eric gave Sookie blood after being staked and Eric prematurely e. j. on her back. Real romantic. He’s helping find Bill for other reasons not sook. and how many guys does Sook have to make out with Alcide, Eric, Sam. Eric told Sookie Bill cheated–Bill hasn’t admitted it yet. I don’t think I’m reading the same books as Eric lovers. I think Sook should drop Bill and Eric and end up with Pam.
I think he’s joking about Hoyt’s mum too.
Alan Ball, the show is not only about what you like, it’s also about what fans want to see. And WE WANT ERIC. MUCH MORE ERIC (not as a bad ass, though). He’s so great, and not only because he’s hot, believe me.
Anyways, thanks a lot for bringing Alcide, I’m happy now
It’s AB’s show, and he can do what he likes with it. It’s not about what the fans want to see, it’s about the story that AB wants to tell. He even says at the beginning of the interview that he tries to stay away from the fan stuff because he doesn’t want it to influence the way he writes the show, which suggests that he’ll keep going the way he’s going because he believes it makes for good television viewing. And just because he’s not going where some fans want him to go, doesn’t automatically mean that what he’s doing isn’t good television viewing.
Totally agree Shayne.
It’s not about what the fans want to see?? I would kind of think that it is since we’re the ones watching the show which allows them to continue making it. Well, I guess if a producer wants a show to fail then they should stick to what they *thought* would work rather than what *actually* works.
Well, the finale scored 5.1 million viewers, which is a 100% increase over the season 1 finale. Judging just by that, I’d say that what they *think* works *actually* does work.
And it is about telling the story that the creator – I’m talking about all stories, not just True Blood – wants to tell. It’s impossible to keep everyone happy all the time, and I’m sure AB knows that. I mean, if you think about it, practically by definition, when the story is about a love triangle, it means that at the end, half of the fans are going to be unhappy with the outcome. So, at least to me, it would make more sense to stay true to the vision he has, and put his passion into that, and hope that he can pick up more viewers who like it that way, than to try to write by committee and risk losing the integrity of the story.
to be honest i think the real test/proof will come with the season 3 premiere.. this final ep for me just kinda like me a bit “was that it? i waited two weeks for that?”
scrap the above.. dunno how i made so many mistakes hahaha
to be honest i think the real test/proof will come with the season 3 premiere.. this final ep for me just kinda left me going “was that it? i waited two weeks for that?”
in the books it was the king of missippi and lorena that kidnapped bill, in the time he is missing sookies grows ALOT closer to both eric and alcide, so we’ll see , alcide becomes sorta like a jacob black to sookie
yuppp! =) can’t wait for Alcide to be cast already
I would like for AB to consider Jeffrey Dean Morgan for Alcide. I think he would be perfect and so easy on the eyes!
good call on Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Alcide! Too bad he’s tied up with another series right now.
i cant wait for steves return especially knowing what he does hehe
True Blood is a wild, fun ride into a crazy world. Alan Ball is the perfect tour guide. Thanks, Michael, for a great interviews, with so many provocative hints at what’s coming next year. I would agree with Alan that you are the man, but you DID try to convince us that Eric would be killed off. Not cool, dude.
Oh, I wish they wouldn’t give away what Sookie is in the third season. I can’t wait to see who they cast as Alcide, though. And it will be fun to meet the people of Hotshot. For some reason, I think James Cromwell would make a good Calvin Norris.
Good choice but i think he’s too old.
I’d like to see someone like
Antonio Banderas play Alcide, but the accent would be all wrong. He sure would be hot though!
alcide is closer to sookie’s age.. antonio banderas would be too old..
the boys over at campblood suggested ryan reynolds.. now THAT would be hot.
What about Sam Elliot as Calvin Norris? A bit older, perhaps, but VERY hot nonetheless!