"Heads will roll" if Bill angst doesn't end, True Blood fans say

Remember that infamous scene on HBO's break out hit show Game of Thrones where Jeoffrey threatens his betrothed Sansa with the spiked head of her father? Of course you do. First off, it wasn't too long ago. Secondly, it was epic.

Now, fans of director Alan Ball's series True Blood are joining Jeoffrey in his menacing. They say they'll be unhappy if season four doesn't deliver the show's main character, telepath Sookie Stackhouse, out from under her angst-filled relationship with vampire Bill, which has dominated the past three 12-episode seasons.

WARNING: The following post may contain spoilers for those who have yet to watch the first two episodes of True Blood's fourth season. 

In particular, there was an outcry after TV Line's Michael Astellio interview with Ball. Ball says the shower scene between Sookie and Eric, a Viking vampire long lusted after by many Charlaine Harris enthusiasts, is still on but will have some tweaks.

In particular, a blogger at SookieVerse laments Ball's creative revisions to Harris' original True Blood story.

Memo to Ball – I haven’t been waiting for an Eric/Sookie “hook up” – I’ve been patiently waiting for this show to shift its focus to Sookie and Eric as a going concern. That’s not to say I want to watch them play happy couples for the next two seasons; I don’t even expect them to be “together”. But a little less Bill angst would be MORE THAN WELCOME. I’m being upfront and honest here – that’s all I’m interested in as far as triangles and Sookie’s love life is concerned. If it doesn’t happen – and if this ridiculous propping of Bill continues and Sookie and Eric are reduced to a fling – you’ve lost me. Me, and much of your audience. Just saying.

Few new True Blood fans realize that Harris essentially wrote Bill out of many of the series' books. After Eric reveals to Sookie that Bill only came to Bon Temps to spy on her for the vampire queen of Louisiana, Sophie Ann, Sookie feels betrayed and rarely ever speaks to him. And, while her fall out with Bill does inevitably throw her into the arms of Eric, the latter relationship dominates much of what is to be a 13-book series.

Essentially, what I'm trying to say is I understand where the above blogger is coming from. I too have been faithfully counting down the days until Bill would become a mere blip on Sookie's radar, but I would say my appetite for revenge was sufficiently quenched when Sookie ruthlessly vanquished him from her house before he could even explain his predicament.

On the other hand, I think viewers need to except the fact that this show is merely an loose adaptation of the books. That's why Tara is now randomly a lesbian. Besides, Bon Temps and Sookie's life will ever be as readers pictured it in their minds while they flipped Harris' pages. It's just not plausible. Also, this television show explores the different facets of the characters' lives, a subject untouched by Harris, who mainly relies on the narration of Sookie.

So, I applaud Ball for continuing to surprise us - even when it comes to the hated Bill. Who would've thought Bill, a vampire portrayed as computer-loving, rule-following geek in Harris' series, would be the mastermind backstabber working with the VRA? What does it mean now that he's king?

Ball has opened the door now for so many possibilities and hopefully many more seasons.

What do you think about Bill's storyline for this summer? Are you disappointed he simply didn't vanish from the show? Share your thoughts below or tweet me @jessica_priest.

The next fourth episode of True Blood will premiere on July 10. Here's a preview of what's to come:

Posted in: Alan Ball,Alexander Skarsgard,Anna Paquin,Bill Compton,Eric Northman,Game of Thrones,HBO,Sookie Stackhouse,Stephen Moyer,True Blood,TV