Talking to SFX magazine, True Blood creator Alan Ball revealed that he is open to straying from Charlaine Harris’s novels, on which the programme is based.
Asked if he will be adding more supernatural elements to the show, he replied: “I don’t think we have ghosts, not anytime soon.
“But Sam has mentioned werewolves. There are more mentions of werewolves in season two. We don’t really see them yet – that’s in season three.”
Discussing the plausibility of introducing other creatures, he said: “I think there’s a certain willing suspension of disbelief. Our approach in the writers’ room is to keep it rooted in the characters’ real lives, and we never do anything because, wouldn’t it be cool if someone’s head exploded?”
Ball added that the relationship between Sookie and Bill will remain the core of the show.
TV viewer only up to episode 2.9, no book influence.
I think the appeal of Bill is that he is portrayed as being quite different than most other vampires, someone that has gone “mainstream” and is no longer lost in immortal self-indulgence, thus why he is a special match for Sookie. It’s also easier to relate to him in the sense that he comes from a time period I am more aware of, as opposed to the 1-2k old vampires.
On the other hand, more recently we get to see a more honest side of Eric, with his loyalty to Godric. Prior to that he was a hard character to relate to or understand; he was just a sherriff that did what he wanted and appeared to be nothing but whim. He might indeed be hot for Sookie, but it seems like if there’s anything there right now, it’s just because he wants what Bill has; vampires reacting about the same as humans might. The other side of that is, given all the info we have about her, I just can’t see Sookie willingly turning to Eric. He has threatened her current love, captured and tortured Lafayette, and knowingly sent her into a trap. I’d think that would be enough to put her off him for at least, say, 3 or 4 seasons. So who knows. :)
It’s possible that Eric and his loyalty could follow in the Yoda-like path that Godric seems to be taking — Equality With Humans! — which would be quite the turnon for such a fair-minded and caring human. Eventually, after Sookie gets over Bill’s strange and unexplained accidental death by plasma screen, she will be able to look to new Eric for love, support, and no doubt protection.
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Debbie Blomert Reply:
September 28th, 2009 at 19:16
Ab is ruining it, bills stakes longshadow, rises from his coffin in the daytime, saves everyone from the maenad,eric calls in lorena, bill proposes to sookie, ITS ALL BS, those were done by eric not bill, the core of the show like the books should be eric and sookie, Yes CH gave AB liberties with HER characters, I like Jessica and Lafayette, great additons to the show, but he changed the CORE of the characters and that is just so wrong. AB write your OWN story, then create it yourself. As for the “bookies”making up 5% of the viewers? My bullshit meter is going off the charts!
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I personally like Bill with Sookie better than I like Eric with Sookie. But I like Eric more than Bill. The only reason I want to see the love triangle play out is so people can see the softer side of Eric. I don’t understand how people can say mean things about an actor just because of who they play on t.v. Honestly I would like to see Sookie end up with Sam. Sam has never done anything to hurt Sookie, he is sweet and Sookie has an attraction to him, he is always there to help her, and they can go out in the sun and have kids together, lol.
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BBB Reply:
August 20th, 2009 at 19:56
I sometimes think that too Jocelyn. But I feel bad for Sam…As much as I love the Bill/Sookie tandem, I am not very fond of the way Sookie treats her men.
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i dont get the bill thing. wonder if ball even read the whole series – sookie/bill is not the core of the series – the main line is sookie/eric throughout the series. he needs to rethink his above statement.
even though ball has yet to show the good things eric does for sookie (that bill didnt do)…the chemistry between eric/sookie (alex/anna) is amazing..
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Shadaliza Reply:
August 27th, 2009 at 6:35
The show and the books are too different things. Sookie/Bill might not be the core of the books but it is the core of the show.
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debi Reply:
August 29th, 2009 at 17:06
I’m so thrilled that Bill and Sookie will remain the core of the show. It’s the reason I’ll keep watching. If it followed the books, I wouldn’t be able to continue.
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hi
im finding it hard to understand how the love triangle can act out and sookie and bill have any kind of relationship?? unless the book version of the love triangle is ignored??
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Shelley Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 1:34
At this point I think it’s safe to say that the book version of the triangle is being ignored. For one thing, the only good feelings that Sookie has for Eric are fake and the product of trickery; the only Eric/Sookie action has been in Sookie’s head; and despite the fact that she’s seen his softer side, I don’t see her forgiving him for what he did to Lafayette any time soon.
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linz1 Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 11:07
right……so we could see some kind of love triangle but not necessary the same degree as in the books. Im glad as bill isnt in the books much after book 3 is he and I cant see how he could remain the star of the show with sookie if he isnt in it???
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Now I regret reading the books and loving Eric’s character. TB’s version of Eric as arrogant and self centered with almost no redeeming quality is annoying (except that time in Dallas). I’ll wait till season 3 and see how it plays out otherwise I’ll cancel my HBO and just wait for the dvd to come out.
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Kara Reply:
September 12th, 2009 at 5:26
Me too :( Eric is so integral to the books. I will be crushed if the storyline remains pro-Bill.
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Sookie Reply:
September 16th, 2009 at 3:13
I think that the story is great the way it is and people should just settle down and let the story unfold. I don’t think it’s pro any character. If Bill is a really great character on the show why not just allow yourself to love him. Why can’t you love Eric in the books and Bill in the show? I think that Stephen Moyer has done a fabulous job on the show. In fact all of the actors have done a fabulous job. So just sit back appreciate great writing, and great acting, and have fun. I read the books and love the show just the way it is and I’m not the only one. Besides, this isn’t just the Eric and Bill show. There are lots of other fun and interesting characters and fun storylines going on. Alot of people just like it for all that it is. I think the Eric vs Bill thing has gone too far.
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I really hope this is true as I was dreading the series progressing and bill not being in it like in the books!! Does this mean I can continue to watch?? I hope so!!
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Ive just finished reading book 8, I didn’t think much of Eric before, that I had seen so far (series 2, episode 11), but I’m was hoping to see the book Eric on TV!
Please bring more of book Eric onto the screens!!
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As I have said in my previous post I have read the books. The fact of the matter is that both of these characters, in the books, are highly flawed. So, I hesitate to put either one of them on a pedestal. With my interpretation, Eric’s bad could be even worse than Bill’s. Because Eric is so manipulative, cunning and controlling in the books. Yes, i do believe he falls in love with Sookie.But I also think that, if given the choice between Sookie and being King. He would choose King. Eric does something in Book 9 that I think is quite horrible and, in my opinion, Bill redeems himself in a big way. Both are bad and both are good and i wouldn’t put either one on a pedastal. Book talk over and on to TB.
I don’t understand why people think that Bill is being made into such a hero. I don’t see that. After all he killed Uncle Bartlett. He was going to feed on the boy toy in front of Sookie. Look how he was when he was with the vampire nest. He wasn’t very nice. I think he would have killed Jessica’s family if Sookie wouldn’t have been there. Then he grabs the guy by the neck at the airport. If he would have harmed Sookie, he would have been toast. No, Bill aint no saint in the show. Then there’s the time that he charmed the gun off the policeman(priceless)one of my favorite scenes. If Sookie wouldn’t have been there…
As for Eric. We are just getting to know him and I don’t think that he’s been portrayed as a total evil guy. We got to see his good side with Godric. We got to see him help get Sookie out of the FOTS. I think he would have done that even if Godric wouldn’t have ordered him to. Yes Bill has been in the series more than Eric. But that’s how it was, in the first 3 books. Eric didn’t become a major player, in the series, until much later on.
As far as AB making Bill likeable. I think that was brilliant, because this is a love triangle and Sookie has to have a reason to love Bill. This is why you will begin to see Eric in a better light as well. Take a closer look, you already are. Sookie has to have a reason to love Eric as well. To make it work, she has to have feelings for both of them, whether we like it or not. So, why not try to be like Sookie and fall in love with both of them. I’m trying to do that, and I’m finding it to be rather fun. Although, very partial to Bill. Because I love, love, love, Stephen Moyer. He’s my kind of hot. So sit back, relax and just have fun. Fall in love with both and let the series stand apart from the books. If you can’t love Bill in the books. Fine, then just love Eric there and love both of them in TB. Guaranteed, it is fun to do that.
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i am so happy to hear Alan Ball saying the relationship of Bill and Sookie is remain the core of trueblood…
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Anna and Steven are cast as the lead female/male, so it’s pretty obvious Sookie and Bill will be most important to the action. I get that, but then I was a fan of TB before I read (and enjoyed) all 9 of the Sookie Stackhouse novels. At this point, I want to see Eric redeemed somewhat or at least conflicted, or at least shown to have more emotional facets than he’s shown so far in TB. The fabulous Godric arc in TB was a set up for more of this (I hope).
Having said that, some of BookEric’s accidental (and on purpose) heroic action and some his softer side have been sidelined, and he’s been written as more villainous and brutal with the hard to forgive torturing-Lafayette-in-the-dungeon stuff. In contrast, Bill isn’t portrayed as dark in TB as in the books, he’s getting the heroic edit that defangs him a bit, in my opinion. BookBill is deliciously complicated.
If this is to justify keeping BillxSookie as the main pairing, there will have to be major changes in TB to accomdate, especially with other potential Suitors.
I’m trying to keep an open mind because True Blood is fabulous on its own, but I can’t help the fact that reading the books has given me a different perspective and expectations for what will come in later seasons of TB.
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I’m amd efintiely pro Bill…so what if there’s a love triangle in the book. The majority of the show’s fans haven’t even read the books. I’ve read a few and stopped when Bill’s character started to dwindle. I can’t read anymore because I want SOokie and Bill to be together. It’s no big shocker that the show deviates from the book…big whop. That’s a given and it happens all the time. It’s not anything new. Directors and show creators have to change things up a bit for it to be interesting and in orde to leave their mark on it. I for one can honestly say that if Bill and Sookie don’t make it to the end..I won’t be able to watch anymore. I was almost in tears at the end of season 2. I lover their chemistry. It’s mind blowing and intoxicating. Stephen Moyer is brooding, fatally sexy and so tender with his love interest. It gives me tingles every time he touches her and that’s what the director wants. Great job Alan.
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i Couldn’t be more happier.,.,.,4sookie–bill !: )
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We love Sookie Stackhouse novels. I hope this turns into a real movie, with Eric the real partner of Sookie since there’s no hope that would be the ultimate turn of events in the TV series TB. We think Alan B. is devoted to Sookie/Bill love relationship, which many of us don’t find appealing. I remember TB creator commented about the character of Eric Northman, “he is hot, but is dangerous,” and that “we don’t know if he ever loved somebody besides himself.” How could he be a good pair to Sookie?
I think it’s not fair to say that, given Eric’s character in the CH novels. In fact, I am now with book 5, and I couldn’t remember any particular instance in the novels I’ve read that he did show his dangerous side without having to protect an innocent one (e.g. he stabbed Long Shadow, but that was only to protect Sookie, he killed the werewolves in Sookie’s house but that was again to protect her, he didn’t kill those men who ambushed them at the gas station in book 3, etc.).
We love Eric not because he’s hot, but because of the totality of his character, from like a stone-heart vampire given a thousand of years he accustomed himself to vamp politics and he’s been successful. What’s wrong with that? Wouldn’t it be possible that a true love could melt his heart? Besides, there are many instances in the story that proved Eric’s soft, good side. He’s funny, he protects his employees in the bar, he does not hurt without a good reason, he saved Sookie several times (even more than Bill did), he is true to his profession as a sheriff i.e. protecting vamps in his area or giving justice to whatever dreadful that happened to them, like when Bill was kidnapped, he didn’t waste time to find him, not only for the sake of Sookie but because it was his job as a sheriff.
When Eric lost his memory, I think CH demonstrated that Eric used to be that Eric long time ago, gentle, caring and loving (he cares for innocent people too e.g. when Maria almost got killed in book 4, he helped to bring her to the hospital). And perhaps, a true love could somehow bring that back in him, no matter how stone-hard his character had been for many years because of his position and success in the Vamp hierarchy.
I think Eric’s character is full of life and should be the best partner of heroine Sookie, instead of Bill. Bill was willing to give up on Sookie and just decided to come back to her after his mate was killed. Eric is stronger, has a soft side and could also love.. That’s the most interesting part of it because he used to be not that kind of person, and that’s the difference between him and Bill.
It’s a little frustrating in TB because it’s very unlikely to find a great heroine, who is paired to a weak character like Bill’s. Well not to be taken literally, but yes Bill may be stronger than the weres or shifters, but not compared to more powerful vampires. In the novels, he didn’t even have any strategy to protect Sookie, which he should have thought of in the first place, given the fact that he’s a younger vampire.
In the CH novels, on the other hand, Eric is portrayed as of course stronger and more brilliant. He has ways to protect Sookie against those older and more powerful than him. Remember when he stepped in opportunistically and offered to exchange blood with Sookie instead of exchanging with another powerful vampire, he managed to convince the Queen and the others to allow him to do it. Now, why couldn’t Bill think of such ways to protect Sookie from his maker, so that he didn’t have to leave her?
Since Eric could not be the real partner of heroine Sookie in T.V. series TB, maybe in the movies he could be. And they can get other actress if Ana P. can’t do it since she would probably refuse to make love scenes with Alex S. given her engagement with Stephen M. in real life. (Maybe that was one of reasons TB could not make a good team for Eric-Sookie, because in real life it’s Bill-Sookie (or Stephen and Ana for that matter), and Alan B. just doesn’t want to ruin their real life romance.
They could get equally competent actresses who can portray the role of Sookie Stackhouse, anyway. Maybe Scarlett Johansson or Rachel McAdams.. Alex Skarsgard would still be best for the role of Eric Northman. How’s that?
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I watched the 1st 2 seasons (obviously since thats all their is rite now) before I read the books. TB is a great show, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Alex Skarsgard because hes super sexy and talented. Not saying I dont like Stephen Moyer, hes a super good actor too, but Im not the biggest fan of lead characters that are actually in a relationship. To me, this just undermines the acting part of it, as they dont really have to..but thats just my opinion.
They have portrayed Eric to be a bad guy in TB as he is not in the books. There is not much depth to him in the show as of right now, and it would take a large turn of events to change sookies opinion of him, even if he does really love her, she never had feelings for him from the beginning, like she does in the books, therefore; shes never gonna know if her feelings for him now are true or only caused by the blood.
Eric does some stupid stuff in the book, but so does bill, more than he does in the show. It is kinda kewl to see the show a little different than the books because we dont exacly know how it is gonna play out, but changing the whole basis of the love triangle? thats just dumb.
SPOILERS****
Bill cheats on her in the books, plain and simple, unforgivable. Christ, he was gonna up and leave her without saying a word to her. Major unforgivable move on his part.
The love between Bill and Sookie, will never be truly known if it is true or not because right from the getgo, Bill fed sookie, forming a kinda bond making her automatically attracted to him. At least with Eric, the feelings are forsure true because they were there from the beginning, without any influence.
Ill still watch it regardless, cuz im interested to see how it plays out, but i am going to be very disapointed if they keep making bill shine head over tails above eric, thats just way to far off of the book to make me happy.
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