Y'know what? Compared to the Season 8 wangst I was feeling all weekend, I was on a sugar high giggle fit of happy watching this episode. Jason waxing philosophical! Jessica waitressing! And I was really taken with Eric in this episode, because you could see the fear in his eyes when Pam was threatened. Midway through the episode, I came to the unsettling realization that I was rooting for a drug dealer.
So, yeah, Bill is being monstrous and very likely irredeemable, but to him in his twisted way... it's love
So this comment got me thinking about Spike and being monstrous . . . and I realize that it is Spike's confusion about right and wrong that makes it possible to come back from his monstrous acts. In 'Crush,' where he first displays some Franklin-like behavior, you can tell he doesn't know any better - this is how he always impressed Drusilla, so that's why his realization that such behavior isn't kosher is something you can sympathize with. Again, with the AR, he's clearly confused; he's also heartbroken and driven to the edge of his sanity. That doesn't clear him of his actions, but it is forgivable when taken in the context of his soul quest made in penance. Not so Bill; with the last episode, I was thinking of how the lack of soul mythology liberates characterization in True Blood, because every vampire's actions are their own and can't be blamed on a lack of a soul, like Buffy vamps can (I think this was in shapinglight's post where I came to this conclusion; I think there's a meta waiting to be written on the subject). This makes it easier to evaluate vampiric actions in True Blood, but this time it is clearly not in Bill's favor. Bill is acting monstrous of his own accord; he may have some good guy aims for doing what he does, but his actions are still unforgivable. Hey, let's go Season 8 comparison on his ass: Bill is like Twilight; he professes to be a good guy doing things for the greater good, but you don't do good by doing evil. Yeah, still eagerly awaiting a Twangel smackdown. My life is incomplete until I get a Twangel smackdown.
Shit. Season 8 wangst strikes again. I need a hug. I think I'll go watch Jessica's vlog to make myself feel better.
And yes, I'm well aware I need to go watch Being Human. It's on the list, I promise!
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-07-12 08:20 pm (UTC)So, yeah, Bill is being monstrous and very likely irredeemable, but to him in his twisted way... it's love
So this comment got me thinking about Spike and being monstrous . . . and I realize that it is Spike's confusion about right and wrong that makes it possible to come back from his monstrous acts. In 'Crush,' where he first displays some Franklin-like behavior, you can tell he doesn't know any better - this is how he always impressed Drusilla, so that's why his realization that such behavior isn't kosher is something you can sympathize with. Again, with the AR, he's clearly confused; he's also heartbroken and driven to the edge of his sanity. That doesn't clear him of his actions, but it is forgivable when taken in the context of his soul quest made in penance. Not so Bill; with the last episode, I was thinking of how the lack of soul mythology liberates characterization in True Blood, because every vampire's actions are their own and can't be blamed on a lack of a soul, like Buffy vamps can (I think this was in
Shit. Season 8 wangst strikes again. I need a hug. I think I'll go watch Jessica's vlog to make myself feel better.
And yes, I'm well aware I need to go watch Being Human. It's on the list, I promise!