'True Blood': The mystery that is Sookie Stackhouse

 The question "True Blood" wants us to be asking is "Who is Sookie Stackhouse?" The entirety of the season apparently hinges on the answer to this question, and this episode delves into it more deeply than any episode before. The list of characters who know her secret is growing by the episode (even as the audience has yet to catch on), and the answer is so surprising that it even shocks Eric. I worry that this is a lot of buildup for this plot point, that by making it seem like it's so shocking, the show will force us to all come up with our own theories (which I'm about to do) and thusly create a situation where the final reveal is something everybody's figured out already and/or something everyone's speculated about, thus making it feel a little anticlimactic. Plus, if it's something that was hinted at or expressed in the books, there's a whole segment of the audience that already knows, and these moments must be painfully boring for them. 

So all those warning expressed, let's speculate about just what Sookie Stackhouse might be, shall we?

An extra in a commercial for a feminine hygiene product and/or yogurt: The weird meadow full of women clad in pastels and whites, dancing around and emerging from a glimmering pond, complete with gentle music lilting along in the background sure seemed like a commercial for something, something that's trying to cover up its unpleasantness by making everything about itself look really, really nice and above board. Obviously this isn't the answer, but the weird lighting, gauzy filters and abundance of pretty extras flitting about sure made it seem as if this might be the case.

Something Greek something or other: When in doubt on "True Blood," think of an obscure Greek or Roman creature that will fit the evidence you have. I don't know of any mind-reading creatures with lightning fingers in either mythological tradition, but the portrayal of the space she went to when in her coma was similar to traditional depictions of Greek maidens frolicking about in meadows, tra-la-laing along, their bare feet skipping through the grass. On the other hand, the show has gone to the Greek well a couple of times before, and it seems unlikely that it would go there again, if it wants to keep things unpredictable. On the other hand, the strong connection to water held by the maidens suggests that Sookie may be a Naiad.

Some other sort of water spirit: This seems like the best guess, given all of the evidence. A nymph (also from the Greek, and naiads are a kind of nymph) would be my best shot at trying to figure out what we're talking about. The restorative pool, the way that everyone had to disappear into the water when Bill drew near and the talk about how the water was filled with light all suggest that Sookie's life is closely tied to the water in one form or another. Plus, water spirits are somewhere the show hasn't played before.

Sookie is also a shape-shifter, improbably: I have basically no evidence for this, but given the way this season is going ...

A higher power, just below a god but above, say, a vampire: This would fit in with the show's gradual arc of having Sookie attain more and more importance as it goes along. I'm thinking of something akin to, say, one of the Fates (again, with the Greek). This doesn't quite fit the scene that we're shown, but it would fit with Eric's surprise at Sookie's identity and ultimate role, as expressed by her cousin. Still, it seems unlikely that something like this would be hereditary, and it sure seems as though Hadley is at least partly in possession of Sookie's secret abilities and talents. I highly doubt this one is the case, and I'm sticking with water spirit for now, but I could see an argument for this all the same.

Sookie is a fairy: Nah. Too obvious!

Naturally, Sookie's travails — which involved nearly dying when Bill almost drained her dry and the hospital couldn't find a matching blood type for her (hmmmm ...) — were only a portion of this episode, but they were again the most involving part of the show. She killed Lorena (in one of the most disgusting scenes in the history of the show). She rode in the back of a truck and offered her blood to an ailing Bill to help him recover (a move that nearly resulted in her being killed). She had her visit to the other world, then came back to scream at her once-almost-fiancee. She was even involved in a long standoff with some werewolves that ended with Tara using Sookie's mind-reading powers to take out Alcide's ex-fiancee. (Have I mentioned that I much prefer feisty Tara?) It was an all-around good episode for the character and for actress Anna Paquin, and it once again suggests the series had the right idea by giving the character so much to do in this storyline.

It's not as though there's nothing else going on elsewhere. It just continues to disappoint. For once, the story of Russell and Sophie-Anne got kind of boring, because it delved a little too deeply into vampire politics, with Russell debating authority with the Magister, then finally killing the guy (in another of those patented bloody killings). At the same time, though, this whole thing was filled with a lot of blather that I just didn't find as interesting as I usually do the political sections. Maybe it was the removal from the Sookie storyline, which was really cooking along, that irked me. I suspect, though, that it was all a little overwritten.

Meanwhile, over in Sam land, he infiltrated a dog-fighting ring that was both the new employment office for Johnny Burns from "Deadwood" and something that felt like it was out of a Charlie Daniels Band novelty single. I was glad the Sam plot at least had a little momentum, but he still feels stranded off in some other, far worse show than "True Blood." Similarly, Jason continues to be stuck over in some sort of "Dukes of Hazzard"/"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" hybrid, and while I don't necessarily need these two to be attached to the main story to have fun with their storylines, it would help if they had even an ounce as much drive as the Sookie and Bill storylines have had. I feel slightly weird complaining about this, since Sookie and Bill were my least favorite parts of Seasons 1 and 2, but it's like the writers figured out how to fix their storylines, then summarily forgot how to write for everyone else.

Still, the central storyline is so compelling and the central question of who Sookie is is so fascinating that I couldn't help but like this episode all the same. Was it as good as last week's? No. But it was a fun and gory trip back into the Gothic Southern atmosphere of the show, and any missteps it made were more than canceled out by the over-the-top theatrics of Sookie visiting the other world or Lorena exploding in a pile of giblets or Eric standing the background and brooding over his master plan. I really feel like "True Blood" is building toward something that will be grand, over-the-top fun this season, and I hope it doesn't short circuit on the way there.

Other thoughts

• Come to think of it, Eric needs more to do. He was central to a lot of scenes tonight, but it doesn't seem as if he's driving his own fate at this point, and that's central to the character being as entertaining as he can be.
• Critic Dan Fienberg has described this show as the most "visceral" on TV. After seeing so many people exploding in blood, I'm hard-pressed to disagree.
• Honestly, after "Buffy," I'm always surprised when a vampire is killed on this show and doesn't explode into dust.
• This episode was a little shorter than many others this season and felt it. Everything seemed to be going along all pell-mell throughout.
• If Sookie isn't through with Bill after this latest ordeal, I don't know what I'll do. Their love may be pure or whatever, but there is just no way the two can exist in each other's worlds. Now I'm sounding like Lorena, aren't I?
• Send me your thoughts, either in comments, in my e-mail, or on my Twitter.
• "You wouldn't know love if it kicked you in the fangs."
• "Vampire burrito? For me?"
• "I never really thought I was smart enough to get depressed, but here I am."

— Todd VanDerWerff (follow me on Twitter at @tvoti)

Photo: Brit Morgan plays Debbie on "True Blood." I honestly don't remember seeing this shot in tonight's episode, though HBO insists it was. Credit: HBO.

Related articles:

'True Blood' Saturdays: 'Where do you think you are, lady? Red Lobster?'

'True Blood': A great, gory, good time

Complete Show Tracker 'True Blood' coverage

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Comments

[Dillon Locke]

Sookie has to be a fairy or nymph.. The dancing, the water, the white light coming out of her hands. There has to be something she has that the queen and Bill want, or else she wouldn't seem so important to them.
As for Jason, his character is rather boring and gets to be a lil tiresome after some while. The show started 2 minutes late and went off 10 minutes early and still nothing was really explained. Except the fact that Sookie loves the water that some nymph hippie gave her after someone was bathing in it.
Damn, I love True Blood!!

[Marilyn]

The picture was definitely not in this week's episode - that looks like Sookie's house in the background, so I'm guessing this is probably a shot of Debbie from the next episode?

[Josi]

All good points - water spirit seems like a fair assessment. Only main point I feel left out was that Bill didn't burst into crispy-fried vampire when kicked out of the truck... something to do with that Sookie blood, I'd say! Also in need of mentioning (for me any way) is the sister water spirit mentioning the darkness coming as Bill was approaching Sookie's hospital bed. Apparently the spirits are concerned with the mingling of the vampire with Sookie and how it's going to screw up whatever powers she has going on.

Interesting show. Glad I don't have to go up against Russell and his lightening-quick movements. Pam out - magistrate in... chains and all.

Meh on the Sam line - I'm sure Tommy will defect and go back to his parents. Where's that kind of family loyalty these days??

[markiejoe]

True Blood has jumped the shark this season. Nothing is interesting. Absolutely no sense of humor about itself. Divergent plot lines where never the twain shall meet. Blood and guts everywhere to no purpose. And the "plot" (such as it is) is incomprehensible.

They've really lost it I'm sad to say. Oh well, Weeds comes to the rescue in a couple weeks.

[san frann]

why didn't they immediately find jason to give sookie blood? what was the whispering sookie heard when she was in femalia-land regarding her parents' death and not to be afraid of water? did tara really kill ol' freaky schizo what's-his-name vamp that kidnapped her by beating him with the fire tender? or will he reappear to come back and retrieve his bride? can we just assume the incredibly annoying ol'queenie mrs. manson (now new bride to the king of mississippi) will be taken out soon in some hideously gruesome way?(one can only hope)jason is becoming more annoying than usual with his reno 911 act....

[Natasha]

An oracle?

[Pat G]

The water nymph idea sounds right...and with all the water and light is the opposite of vampire-land. That said, I really hope that Sookie and Bill aren't through. I did like them together...

[KarenJ]

That bit about the 'feminine hygien product and/or yogurt' was darned funny! I think you may be referring to the 'cream cheese' commercials of the angels in the clouds? Maybe not... most commercials meant to be aimed toward women/girls are pretty goofy. All frilly and puffy goofiness.

Unfortunately, I think we'll have to deal with the 'Bill and Sookie' nonsense for quite a while longer. We still need to get more involved in an 'Eric, Bill, Sookie' triangle. And maybe even Alcide will join that group at one time. Or maybe Sam will get back in the picture?

Anyway, I decided not to try to hard to theorize what Sookie is. Figured I'd just be dissapointed in the end. My one thought though - they went with something Greek/Roman for the last new creature. I'd really like it if they went with something more in the Celtic folklore line. But, a nymph is probably more likely (btw, a naiad is a type of nymph). Ah well, the Celts are too obscure I suppose.

I don't think that picture was in the actual episode. Maybe it was in the preview? I'd have to watch the episode again. (I don't think Debbie was wearing that jacket... was she?)

Not as good as last week. But it was some good gory fun. Really loved the 'ode to Lorena and Bill' at the end. One of the few 'Postmortem's' I've actually liked. It didn't seem to fill-in or confuse the story line. Just a 'bit of extra fun. (And no - I didn't like the Snoop Dog one either).

[cinders23]

Heck yeah, this episode was filled with blood & guts. But no one mentions the dogfight. They shot a dog and threw him (her) onto a pile of dead dogs. There was NOTHING campy about this scene. I am still sick to my stomach over this. All the blood has a kind of "wink-wink, yeah this is gross" quality to it.( Although I had to cover my eyes with Lorena & the scalpel.) There was a whole undertone in this dogfight scene that no one is addressing. The vamps spewing blood and the werewolves reverting to human when killed is all FICTION. The dog fighting IS NOT FICTION!!! This really bothers me more than trying to answer the question, "What is Sookie?" And I can't wait to see how Alan Ball answers that one!

[sam]

I think the dark/light is the key. Sookie's blood was an antidote to the daylight.
If she is completely drained then the soul/light leaving her could be captured by the vampire..thus giving them the ability to go out in daylight. A super power for a vamp.
My guess. :)

[Ron]

The Buffy/Angel/Joss Whedon reference concerning vampires exploding into dust was humorous. Get David Boreanaz to reprise his role as Angel on "True Blood" assuming he slayed the dragon. Or maybe Puppet Angel from 'Smile Time' could show up for added comic relief.
I prefer the more realistic vampires of "True Blood" than on BTVS/Angel. However, I liked seeing vampires being dusted as on the latter two shows.

[Markus H.]

Good lord, sorry it's "too obvious" for you, but anybody who's read the books knows exactly what Sookie is, and it doesn't look like they're changing it for the series either. (They can't really change that because it's the basis for so many storylines in later books. And why would they? Just to satisfy some Showtracker's sense of "obviousness"? Puh-leez.) Having Claudine introduce her to this "other" world -- which, knowing what it was, was very VERY funny; whoever thinks True Blood has lost its sense of comedy has either never read the books, or doesn't understand comedy -- was THE dead giveaway, but apparently only for those of us who read. I'm just waiting until they introduce Claudette, Claude (especially Claude!) and Sookie's grandfather. Oh, and Mr. Cataliades! I'm sooo looking forward to seeing who they cast for him.

[Katharine Saavedra]

Whatever Sookie turns out to be, Lafayette is connected to it. His speech by her hospital bedside was very telling.

[bryan]

It's a blood bath this season on True Blood. Russell and Queen Anne aren't getting more interesting, just more talkative. Sookie's powers are vague and never really seem to help much. She's also screaming way too much. Right now this show is suffering from too many characters and storylines....and too much blood.

[RebeccaH]

I believe Sookie will turn out to be just what she was portrayed as in the books. What's interesting is how it will be handled. I'm rooting for not nearly as nice as in the books. Also there's the question of Jason. I think we're going to see some family drama here.

[Gnat]

Have you read the books? I know they aren't following that closely but I hope she is at least the same she was in the books or it would be too weird.

[Ami Colon]

She's a fairy

[Maggie Mae]

I won't comment on what Sookie is, because I've read the books and if they stick to the books as it appears in introducing Claudine, it is obvious. Friends who haven't read the books guessed it a long time ago based mainly on the fact that Sookie and Jason both seem to be insanely attractive to others (though Sookie mostly to non-humans cuz the humans are scared of her). Sookie LOVES the sun. Sunbathing is her favorite hobby. How many sunlight loving creatures do you know that 'enchant' humans without even trying? Hmmm.....The water sprite idea is intriguing but remember Sookie is afraid of water, enough that she's never learned to swim (mentioned it last night) and was surprised when Claudine said this episode that it wasn't the water that killed her parents.

For whoever asked why they didn't have Jason give her blood, well apparently in this version he's not really be a full blood relative. Or if he is a full blood relative he took after they human side and Sookie took after the "other". They made it clear he couldn't donate by the fact that Sookie rejected the universal blood donor blood type and Jason is the universal acceptor (AB Negative). If she rejected O no way would they give her AB *winks*

[Barb]

If they follow the books, it will be revealed that Sookie is a fairy.

[Peter]

Lafayette has to be my fave, even tho we all love Sookie. But the picture at the top of your article is not her.

Where are the editors when you need them?