Gratuitous Slave Imagery, Hobbit-Troll-Vampires & Team Jesus: Roundtable for True Blood S03E05

Andrea: See, the ploy’s so complicated that no one understands it. Thea, you gotta go with the cleverness Alan Ball is laying down, homie!

Kidding! Let me see if I can even understand what the hell Bill’s supposed to be doing: I think it boils down to Bill trying to get away from Russell the best way he can. So, he denounces his fealty to Sophie Ann (per vampire protocol, I’m thinking) and is pledging it to Russell with the added delicacy of throwing Eric and Sophie Ann under the bus in exchange for “getting rid” of Lorena so he can continue his mainstreaming by having a life with Sookie. But, in order to convince Russell he’s on his side and have Lorena think he hasn’t signed off on her death, he had to convince them he no longer loves Sookie. (Wow, those years of watching soap operas sorta paid off…)

Thea: Aha! Thanks Andrea! You are both a pop culture warrior and a master of soap opera literacy.

Thea: I was however, thrilled to see some depth to Tara’s character for the first time in as long as I can remember. The way she changes her tactics with Franklin to try and play along with his game was a surprise (it’s rare that this character tries the subtle approach) and also finally shows that she is in an effing serious situation and the viewer should have some compassion for her…even though there were still several moments in her captivity played for comedic effect. Look how fast I can text motherfucker!

I have to say that I do not care for this Franklin storyline (yes Andrea, even though it gives us James Frain…). On the one hand I like the way it gives Tara a new backdrop and provides opportunities for us to see her character in more depth…something that we’ve definitely been crying for, for ages. But on the other hand, I am so sick of seeing the violence against this woman. I like the way they are showing Tara’s resourcefulness, and I like the way we are meant to root for her (for once), but I don’t want to see her tied up or duct taped or starved anymore.

Contrast that to Sookie, who no one tells what to do, ever.

Tami: I was so happy to see Tara get some spark back…to see her actively attempting to manipulate her captor. I hate that TB is forcing us to feel so ambivalent about her situation. She is in serious peril, but reminders of that are outweighed by campiness. James Frain (hubba) is an awesome character actor who has made Franklin a fan favorite. I’m spotting lots of “Franklin, I’ll be your vampire bride” comments and folks on HBO’s TB boards are calling for him to become a recurring character. I like the character. He’s fun. Problem is, as I mentioned last week, while we fawn over this witty, cracked, speed-texting, weird-sexy vampire, it’s easy to forget the woman he’s keeping bound and gagged, as well as the creepy messages about what constitutes a consensual relationship.

Andrea: See, folks on the True Blood boards got it twisted–I want to be James Frain’s future bride (respect to his lovely present wife, but you know… ), but I just couldn’t be Franklin’s vampire bride. Even when Frain’s bringing the camp and the swagger to his character, I can’t bring myself to even laugh with/at his antics. Franklin is so completely textbook abusive that I just watch him with wide-eyed terror. I really want him to meet his demise, preferably by Tara’s hands. Perhaps then I’ll laugh in relief that Tara got away from him. Then she can go kick Bill’s ass. Then I’ll laugh in joy.

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