Sam Trammell spoke with Zap 2it’s Drusilla Moorhouse about the True Blood season 5 finale, playing two Sams, and Stephen Moyer’s “impressive” direction. The interview’s relatively short, so we’ve included it in its entirety. Minor spoilers ahead.
Fans of “True Blood” star Sam Trammell were treated to a very special “double your pleasure, double your fun” in Sunday’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” episode.
When Sam Merlotte’s shapeshifting girlfriend Luna inadvertently transformed into Sam, and got stuck that way, Trammell had the opportunity to play dual roles — one of them a very distressed woman.
“It was really exhausting and challenging,” he told Zap2it about filming the hilarious scenes. “It was great — I loved doing it.”
“Somebody” also marked costar Stephen Moyer’s directorial debut “He was so prepared,” raved Trammell. “It was a lot of fun working with him. I was really impressed at how ease he was directing.”
Although Luna’s eventual transformation back to herself wasn’t the most romantic moment (she puked in a bucket), Trammell thinks the on-off couple might be back on. “I can’t give anything away but from my perspective it looks like they’re back together,” he teased.
We couldn’t resist asking the erstwhile owner of Merlotte’s about his business, what with most of his staff missing and Bill threatening to take Tru Blood off the market. “I wonder who’s cooking the food now,” Trammell mused with a laugh. “Lafayette’s off doing his thing, Terry and his jailhouse chili are gone, all of our waitresses are doing witchcraft or dead, and Sookie doesn’t have a mortgage to pay so she can just run off when she wants to …it’s pretty crazy.”
“But the customers are loyal!” he insisted. “The people come back, even though the food’s not being made.”
Loyal customers of “True Blood,” meanwhile, can look forward to a roller-coaster season finale. “It’s going to be a very bloody finish to the season,” Trammell teased.
“The finale is incredible — I think it’s the best finale we’ve ever done. What happens this season is insane. People are going to be on the edge of their seats waiting for next season.”
I know that this is a site dedicated to Steven Moyer, but we need to give Sam Trammell big props for doing such an excellent job of getting in touch with his feminine side. His acting and Steve’s direction were all that was necessary to create Luna’s stunning transformation into Sam. The higher voice, the sway of the hips, and barely suppressed hysteria which have been such a telling part of Janina Gavankar’s portrayal of Luna were beautifully replicated by Sam Trammell. Steve was not just being beautifully generous when he described Sam’s excellent work, he was being extremely accurate.
Comment by tabby1249 — July 31, 2012 @ 10:49 am
I think that around here we always give credit where credit is due, and Sam did a magnificent job as “Luna in Sam’s body,” no doubt about it.
Just as Steve did a wonderful job directing this episode.
John seems to be the cook at Merlotte’s at the moment, but I’m not sure who, if anyone,is serving. I haven’t seen Jessica hostessing there in quite a while either.
Comment by Crazy4Bill — July 31, 2012 @ 11:16 am
I agree with you C4B!
I also want to give kudoes to how Stephen directed Luna right before she shifted into Sam.
She was angry, and as Stephen shifted frames quickly showing her talking to herself, It seemed what he was trying to achieve was showing Luna for a moment stuck as two people, Sam was in her, arguing with her, schizophrenic if you will.
Then seeing Sams body but with Lunas spirit, well, Sam Trammell nailed it comnpletely.
It is obvious how much respect and trust there was between these fine actors and Stephen with his directors hat.
Bravo to Sam and Stephen.
Comment by BN — July 31, 2012 @ 12:10 pm
This is an amazing cast, and Stephen as director made them feel even more safe and willing to go even further in their scenes. You can just tell they loved the experience.
Sam Trammell is so consistently believable, in even the most bizarre circumstances, that it’s easy to see why the writers really wanted him to do the “Luna as Sam” thing.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Comment by iamtrue2bill — July 31, 2012 @ 7:57 pm
RE: Sam Trammell’s interview:
I’m a little nervous about this finale. Several people have now said it’s bloody and shocking, and will leave us on the edge of our seats.
Oh great, another nine months of anxiety and angst, waiting to find out what happens. I don’t know if I can take it – LOL!
Comment by iamtrue2bill — July 31, 2012 @ 8:00 pm
Such kind words from Sam! I’m anxious about this finale too, iamtrue2bill.
Comment by Katie — July 31, 2012 @ 9:54 pm
I just mentioned in Lexie’s post what a good job Sam Tramell did in this episode. The whole cast is so talented.
Comment by Ariel — July 31, 2012 @ 10:47 pm