True Blood jumped the shark.
There's no denying it. When slick vampire Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) defied gravity and flew up, up, and away just like Superman in this season's penultimate episode "Frenzy"... well, I'd put that right up there with Fonzie strapping on his water skis, wouldn't you? Not only did it look ridiculous — as this show's vampire effects unfortunately often do — but there was absolutely no precedence. When one of Arlene's stunned kids shouted, "He can fly?!" I was right there with her. I've been watching this show for two seasons now and I had no idea that vampires could fly.
I was prepared to call it quits. The show's second season started off very strong, but the plot involving bitchtastic maenad Maryann (Michelle Forbes) paled greatly in comparison with the goings-on at the vampire-phobic Fellowship of the Sun Church. By time they got to the fourth or fifth straight episode where Maryann drove the residents of Bon Temps into fits of orgiastic sex and violence, the storyline had basically lost whatever steam it had started with.
And yet here I am, a couple days after the season finale, looking forward to the next batch of episodes (set to air summer 2010). The finale, "Beyond Here Lies Nothin'," might not be an example of great television, but it is an example of great True Blood. Which brings me to the conclusion that True Blood succeeds by explicitly not being great television. To be sure, it's had its share of heavy emotional moments. I won't soon forget the aftermath of Sookie's grandmother's death, or the beautiful way in which they did away with Amy (Lizzy Caplan). Not to mention the fact that repressed road worker Hoyt (Jim Parrack) and teenage vampire Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) have one of the best relationships on TV.
Article comments
1 - Willow
Uhm, Eric has referenced flying in the past. In his scene in lafayette's house he says "I must fly" and leaves. He also flies in the book. You just don't pay attention.
2 - Willow
Also he looks at the deer and cries because Daphne turned into a deer and he was sad since she was dead and she was the only other shape shifter he knew. PAY ATTENTION.
3 - Jenn
If AB sticks to the story line of book three then the one who abducted Bill is not Eric! I won't post who it is so as not to spoil those who don't follow the books!
I was very upset with this season of True Blood! There was SO much potential and it looked halfway through the season as if it may actually own up to that potential but it's second half left me flat, bored and disenchanted! Let's hope that next season will be much better!
4 - R.P.M.
I thought that was strange too. I also wish they had kept Godric on a bit longer. His reference to Jesus was classic.
As far as the flying goes, Anne Rice who pretty much owns the Louisiana Vampire Novel thing often had her older, stronger vampires be able to fly. But it wasn't all of them and there was more history regarding their origins than a Yahtzee loving 'Pop Tart'...I think her whole set-up and role is more ridiculous than him going sky-born.
- R.P.M
Riddled Phantasms Magazine
5 - Jeanne Browne
I read the first two books before the series started; kept being distracted by the differences and initially thought the books were better. But as the series continued (1 and 2), that all they really were was somewhat different. But I did recognize that there were cinematic inconsistencies re: storyline, character, etc. But ultimately, I had to agree with the books' author, Charlayne Harris, who said that Ball had made his own thing of it but remained true to its spirit, message and wit. The series' weaknesses and plot details/special effects aside, "True Blood" deserves its place in the rarefied category of quality, ground-breaking TV. It's key over-riding ideas top all other considerations. This creative combination of horror, humor, melodrama and satire suggests that the mysterious, the Other and the other-worldly may be very much with us and asks what an interesting world it would be if that were true. It makes a case for evil coming out of hiding (at least in part) and some of it seeking redemption and re-acceptance by normalcy and mortality; it also shows us the frequent banality of evil which, along with its more traditional magic and melancholy, presents us with some very interesting parallel realities. Most important, TRUE BLOOD suggests with cunning and style that the kinds of things that now seem to be so divisive: racism, sexism, homophobia and such, would be greatly minimized in a reality where the true enemy is not human. The series has so far been uneven, but I look forward to its return, because it's smart and timely. Essentially what Arlo says in this review: "What to make of the series? It was too extreme and campy to take as straight drama, yet too human and grounded to dismiss as kitsch." Exactly.
6 - Tony
I think saying they jumped the shark by having a vampire fly is a little much. First of all, in various forms, vampires have flown throughout mythology. Secondly, the original premise of the show we vampire's at least quasi-trying to fit in to humanity so obviously they won't be flying around regularly.
Was this slightly inconsistent? Yes. But to jump the shark you've got to go quite a bit further.
7 - Chelsea Doyle
I disagree, I've been hooked and in love with this show from the very first episode. But such is television taste, and everyone feels about things differently. I was very glad at least that Sam is the one who killed Maryann, because he really deserved that chance since she's been trying to kill him all season.
I really wouldn't call Eric flying jumping the shark. If there was never anything about vampires flying in lore, that'd be a WHAT moment, but it's not uncommon.
8 - Arlo
Willow: I should have made the connection between Daphne and the deer. I didn't; my bad. That one's on me. However, while Eric saying, "I must fly" might be a bit of clever foreshadowing, it is in no way a direct indication that he can actually fly. And the books are irrelevant in this matter since I am purely discussing the TV series.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. I understand that flying is part of vampire lore. But it's an aspect of the mythology that has always struck me as particularly stupid, especially in the relatively down-to-earth Sookieverse.
9 - Chelsea
Not all vampires can fly. Its a gift of Eric's that is covered in the books. So those who have watched more than the show were not surprised and for those who haven't, the surprise was kinda the point.
10 - Darth Vader
I liked this series much. It is not a classical vampire story.
11 - Mary K. Williams
Arlo - I'm not quite sure I agree with the jumping the shark theme, but more because I have missed several eps. So , I can't agree, but I can't disagree either. Either way, I enjoyed your write up. And I think we both agree that the show has some fantastic qualities. And Willow: Take it down a notch. You can point out mistakes or whatever without lecturing.
12 - April
You know, I have heard TONS about this, yet have not watched it. I do plan to though!
13 - Veron
In season one, it was in the graveyard I think, Sookie asked Bill if vampires had powers and Bill said they had different kinds of powers.
14 - StupidonLineName
The entire second was spent making practice runs at the ramp, but I could see Fonzie's skies leave the ramp as Bill & the Queen began talking.
i'd like to see Bill die just because Eric is a better actor.