In my post on True Blood season 4 spoilers, my dismay at having the amnesia storyline omitted from the synopsis sparked some good conversation. I think the Netflix blurb may likely be the synopsis for the first episode and not the whole season but I still really want amnesia Eric to have a big part in season 4. It has been said though, by some Eric fans and also MANY Bill fans, that the amnesia Eric story is a cheap trick and one they don’t want to see.
I understand the idea that amnesia Eric is not the REAL Eric and surely Team Bill fans will scream this all season long in their usual nauseating fashion. It may be said that without Eric being “dumbed down” or “pussified” Sookie would never have hooked up with him, hence their whole relationship will be based on smoke and mirrors. Never mind the fact that Sookie’s relationship with Bill is built upon smoke, mirrors, lies, deceit, and brutal violence.
I submit though that amnesia Eric is not a cheap trick but rather a way for Sookie to see into Eric’s soul without vampire subterfuge getting in the way. Eric has clearly shown that he has a soft spot for Sookie but after 1000 years Eric is guarded about opening himself up to feelings of love for a human woman. Who can blame him?
Sookie has become increasingly interested in and drawn to the small bits of humanity that Eric has displayed and then quickly tried to hide. The amnesia arc in the books was a way to get past that barrier and see more of that side of Eric. It did not transform him into something else but rather peeled away most of the other layers that Eric has added to his inner skin in the thousand years he has been alive. Those layers are experience, memories, battles, power plays, politics, and tribulations, among many other things he has faced in the past millennium. Without those layers he is closer to the Eric he was as a human and thus in many ways Sookie does get to meet the REAL Eric… one she saw tiny glimpses of, and liked. The one he tries to bury deeper with every day that he his undead.
Can anything that happens between Sookie and Eric during this time be seen as real? Of course it can! Eric with amnesia is still Eric. This reminds me of a fave movie of mine called The Long Kiss Goodnight. In this movie Samantha the housewife finds out that amnesia erased the memory of her former self, Charlie the Spy. When she remembers her former life she quickly reverts back to her old ways of killing for hire, drinking, and swearing like a sailor but a friend points out that her “amnesia” personality had to come from somewhere. She realizes that her docile Suzie Homemaker personality was always a part of her but that it could not emerge among feelings of self loathing.
Eric Northman with amnesia is not a created persona it is merely a base version of himself. Sookie essentially gets to see a version of Eric that would/could exist without all the vampire bullshit. In this way she gets to see deep into his soul and his personality and she likes what she sees enough to get involved in a relationship with him. After Eric recovers his memory in the books they go their separate ways for a time but not because Eric was “back to normal” and not attractive to Sookie anymore, it is because he has no memory of what happened while he had amnesia. It is residual unexplained feelings that prompt him to find his way back to Sookie in later books and to make peace with a part of himself he thought he had buried… his humanity, which allowed him to fall in love with her. The experience eventually brings them closer because whether he would have wanted it or not, Sookie got to know him better than anyone. They don’t have long drawn out conversations about how Sookie actually loves a “fake” version of himself now do they?
Who knows if that will last but we can say with certainty that whatever happens between Eric and Sookie the whole amnesia arc was not a cheap trick. It was a window for Sookie to see a very real aspect of Eric that she knew was there somewhere, only buried. At this point in the books both Sookie and Eric have reconciled “base” amnesia Eric and Eric the Vampire Sheriff of Area 5… and found that their love for each other is still very much there. I can only hope that the TV show will share this story with the same poignancy as the books did.
***********************************************
Season 4 is loosely based on Book 4 in the Sookie Stackhouse series:
[amzn_product_inline asin='0441012183']
i completely agree with this…i’ve always felt that amnesia eric was the essence of who he really was without all the…dust shall we say,he’s gathered on his 1000 yr journey… and sookie sees this and understands this…that being said…God knows how TB sookie will act :s but one can always hope..
LOVE the dust analogy!
thanx
its just always how i thought of it since reading the books and then hearing that people think its not the real him just irritates me!
Thanks for that affirmation of my thoughts! Excellent job!
i loved it in the books, and i hope i will love it in TB, but TBSook and amenisia-Eric? judging from her last seasons ignorence, something will be off..
I completely agree with you; it really bothers me how people say it’s “not the real Eric”, and I hope that Alan Ball sees this as an important part of Sookie and Eric’s relationship.
You are absolutely right
People who loose their memory don’t loose their personality.
It’s like the armor that Eric has built around his core, his inner self, through out his 1000 years just falls away, bc he no longer has memory of his experiences.
I agree fully with your article and feel that not only is it NOT a cheap trick but, it was a chance to see the persona that “Eric Northman” guards, behind the quips and tough exterior.
I have to admit that I am one of those who don’t want to see AmnesiaEric on screen. Why?
First of all, I never really liked that version of Eric in the books. He turned into a sweet, harmless puppy and that, for me, erased what I find so fascinating in a vampire: the danger.
Secondly, I don’t think AmnesiaEric is the REAL Eric. In my opinion, what we are is also what we have experienced during our lives. Those 1000 years are what Eric is NOW made of, and not some exterior cloth he can drop off.
Third, I was slightly disappointed by the sex Sookie had with Eric during Amnesia. To me it felt like Sookie was simply taking comfort in Eric because she was no more scared by him, yes there was a lot of sexual attraction, but it was emotionally flat. I repeat, it was only my personal feeling. It was like CH decided that these two had to have sex in some way and then everything should have gone back to what it was before.
Besides, is Amnesia Eric REALLY necessary for TB Sookie to discover what he really is under the surface? No, I don’t think. Let’s not forget that in TB we have ALREADY seen a lot of emotions from Eric. And so did Sookie. She witnessed Eric’s despair at losing Godric. And this is an pivotal difference between the books and the show. She also saw him sacrifice himself to the sun to defeat Russell, and she saw his face after they kissed and the tender look in his eyes when he caressed her before biting.
Real Eric is already there, Sookie only needs to dig a little deeper. If she is given a little more time to be alone with him, she’ll do. TB Eric experienced the loss of his human family and his maker. Sookie lost her parents and Gran. These experiences, if shared, can make him and Sookie bond way more that an amnesia.
I’m a true E/S shipper but I don’t mind if I don’t see them having sex next season. I prefer them to bond little by little, with all their selves. Both fully conscious of what’s happening between them.
That being said, I will enjoy the amnesia plot as much as I do with anything concerning Eric, but surely I won’t complain too much if they decide to omit it. I hope however that they won’t replace the amnesia storyline with the madness one.
Hime, first i thought that the amnesia plot would be the best for Eric and Sookie getting to know each other better, however you have just convinced me that perhaps in terms of TB it would be better if he did not get the amnesia, and i totally agree that it would be more exiting if Sookie discovered the real Eric slowly, like putting together a puzzle, even though i’d love to see all the romance going on in between them since i am a fan of eric and sookie relationships
Hime, I like your thought process. However, going back to the books, Sookie also saw the softer side of Eric before the amnesia, just as she has in TB. The fact remains that in both the books and the show, Sookie is at a place right now that she never wants to see another vampire again, especially Bill and Eric.
I don’t see how she will continue to bond with him the way things are now. It took something drastic and forced, like the amnesia, for her to get to know that softer side, really start to like him (consistently-not the on again, off again we are seeing in the show), and to trust him. Trust is the biggest issue. In the books, she trusted that AE was really Eric, just beneath all the layers.
So, if they don’t do Amnesia Eric, I think they will need to come up with something else. I can’t wait to see what it is!
I am truely looking forward to this plotline next season, however, I have just realised that once he gets his memory back, we will have 3 or 4 seasons without E/S love (and we all know it’s love). OMG – this makes me so sad.
What is funny is that this plot line may not even be pursued next season. Probably will not. So all this speculation for nothing.
well, mr ball has said that eric WILL in fact get amenisia.. so i think its a safe bet to guess that the plotline WILL be persued XD
It is speculation based upon the fact that AB said he would include the amnesia storyline. But regardless this issue is pertinent for book readers too.
Woah! When did Alan Ball say that? He confirmed he is pursuing that plot line?
He said it at a ComicCon before season 3 started, in response to a question, that Eric would get amnesia in season 4.
Well glad I am proved wrong! : )
I just finished reading the amnesia story line in the 4th novel and I am surprised that it is the favorite book of so many fans. I love Eric and Sookie together, but who wants a scared innocent babe Eric? It was a completely different character, not REAL Eric. I found it obnoxious and a disappointing way for them to finally come together. If they do the amnesia storyline in the show, I hope that they will at least make his personality a little closer to normal. Personally though, I think it’s a cop-out.
One thing I will give the show, is that they definitely know how to take CH’s stories and improve upon them, making them so much better than the novels. SO I have faith they will work it out in a good way.
Well remember as Godric was about to “see the sun”, Eric begged and cried for his maker to think otherwise and Eric even wanted to die too. That moment in the tv show is a glimpse at the real Eric. One who is not hard, cold and made to look evil. He’s an emotional man that has such loyalty and love in him. Sookie has seen Eric cry and I think that opened her to him just enough for a soft spot to form. Even willingly sacrificing himself for Godric and Sookie to leave the FotS.
I totally agree that Eric’s amnesia is not a trick but just a glimpse at the real Eric. The funny, carefree, vulnerable (at times) Eric. Sookie even admits that she likes this Eric more in the books. She hated the political kahuna he was before. Eric has then struggled with his memories and emotions after he regained himself and through 3-4 books, he tries talking to Sookie about it. If it was any cheap trick, its a long running one. One that even Pam seems bothered by; going as far as calling Sookie out to stop leading Eric on and have mercy on him. In Dead and Gone, she debates her feelings for Eric are because of the blood bond or real but nevertheless, she had feelings for him before. Bill is the past but he’s important. Eric genuinely has love for Sookie and throughout the novels, he’s shown the desire to protect her and give her everything.
I dont mind if they dont do the amnesia as long as they do justice to the E/S story, that’s all I ask for. The way they do it isnt important to me. I too prefer Eric’s real personality. Personally, I think they should make him have amnesia but closer to what he was like when he was human, like in the flashback we saw when his family was killed. Your core personality is ingrained in you. Yes, your memories and experiences shape who you are too, but the core of who you are is still there. If you are a good persona with a good heart, your experiences shouldnt irreversibly change that.
I actually started watching the TrueBlood series before I read the books-that being said book 4 in the Southern Vampire series is my favorite and Amnesiac Eric is a huge part of that-its not a cheap trick and all the nay sayers will see that
I see both sides, but I still think the amnesia subplot is pivotal to Eric and sookie’s relationship, and here’s why…everyone’s talking about how sookie sees the “real” Eric. But if you recall, when Eric finally remembers what happened, he’s pretty shocked too. I think it’s important for both of them, not just sookie. Leaving it out would rattle the foundation of the whole Eric and sookie thing. I hope that in the show it’s done better, though. No disrespect to the books but I just wanted their finally getting together to be a little more interesting. It seemed like CH lavished all this attention on sookie and bill and sookie and Quinn …and then when she finally got together with Eric it was completely anticlimactic. So I hope TB does a better job. Although having Alex skarsgard to look at will make whatever happens a lot easier to take!
As a Lit Major, I have always been a believer that you NEED to read the book. Always. If there is a movie or a show based on a book, you MUST read the book.
I mean, it’s cool if you want to watch the movie or some of the show first. I would never fault a person for getting into the series that way. I just think that eventually you need to read the book. Especially in the case of a novel series like the Southern Mysteries.
The reason I feel so strongly on this is simple. You see, I hate when people ask me stupid questions about a movie/show based on a book. Or come up with silly theories over what certain things might mean. But worst of all is when fans of the show/movie(s) complains about something from literary cannon when it appears in the other media.
The Eric Amnesia thing is a perfect example of this. I am SURE a lot of people are going to complain about this arc. Bill fans will complain about all the facts you mentioned before, and Eric fans will be mad about him being “ruined”. It makes a girl want to scream, “It happens in the books!!!”
There is such a fine line between spoiling the whole story, and smacking sense into people.
Personally, I loved amnesia Eric. He was interesting. Though I was sad when he got his memory back, and forgot what happened when he didn’t have it. That was confusing.
Anyway, I’m excited for season 4
People remember when Eric and Sookie finally had a talk, he told her the witch’s spell was to make him find his heart’s desire without knowing or something like that. That is why he was running towards Sookie’s house. He said they found the spell dog earred in Hallow’s spellbook. I again with what a lot of others said. You must read the books to really understand what’s happening. This was definitely not a trick! And when he finally remembered in Book 8, he was sitting on her bed with his hands in his head saying he remember everything. He immediately started calling her lover as he did in book 4. Eric truly loves her. He always done things without her asking. He broke her phone and sent her another, he repaired the door Quinn broke and he graveled her driveway and Bill did none of these things, giving his money to the Bellfluers, knowing his GF was struggling. Eric is a man! I love them together and I believe CH wants her true fans to read between the lines all of what has transpired between our favorite couple. They love each other and protect one another. I like the TB series, but besides Alex playing a hell of a role, I am very disappointed with how they portray our lovely Eric.
I have a bad feeling that Charlaine Harris is breaking them again. I mean their relationship. I beg it won’t happen but how would the story continue otherwise?
I mean now they got each other. I actually can’t evaluate how many bill/sookie-people are out there but from what I have read everybody seems actually to be more in love with eric
Well but Alan Ball also said that Bill and Sooki would be soulmates. So who knows? I guess some part of her will always be bonded to Bill cos he was her ‘first’. No woman ever forgets the first.
I just hope CH hears my prays and leave them together and hopefully Alan Bell brings them together as well at some point but that might be stretched over another 3 seasons…*sigh* before we can finally see them..*peep* Oh guys you fucking know what I mean XD
I have books 5,6 and 7 on their way to my house right now. I read book 3 and 4 before season 4 of the show and im glad I did, I have this other understanding of the characters and therefore there is this deeper story going on in the back of my mind as I watch. Its a lot of fun and I also can follow any subtext the actors put into the character’s performance and read it in my own way in regards to twhat Ive read in the books. I was very happy to see Eric talking to Sookie on her bed in the last episode, it was a nice nod to the book.
I dont like that Sookie is kissing all the characters. The certain some1 4 Sookie is with Eric. Y becoz Eric was an asshole & now he is mister softman. That is the best romantic episodes ever. Eric & Sookie R the best couple in True Blood. Bill is an annoying royal asshole!!!!