EPISODE 508 – THIS BILL DOESN’T RESEMBLE SOMEONE THAT I USED TO KNOW!
by Mary
OK, how do I recap Bill’s scenes tonight? What an extraordinary episode! I am so blown away, I hardly know how to begin. But try I must! Bill’s first scene opens with the fanged gang exiting the elevator in the Authority HQ, still under the influence of their “Lilith-V” trip, wearing their Mardi-Gras beads, faces and hands dripping with blood, ecstatic, mesmerized, and awe-struck by the colors and shapes around them. They’re engaging in silly, uninhibited behavior – typical for people “tripping.” Eric is the last off the elevator. He’s coming down. He’s watching everyone, still somewhat confused, starting to regain his senses. He asks Bill, “what the hell just happened?” Bill, eyes glazed over, responds in his dreamy, drifty state of mind: “We saw her. She appeared to us. We saw Lilith. We were in the presence of God.” Eric answers, “We were as high as fucking kites.”
The next scene finds all the vampires lounging on Authority sofas, recalling the night’s experiences, especially Lilith’s presence. Nora says that this is obviously a sign, telling them they are on the right path. Russell is beside himself with ecstacy, declaring, “I am born again!” Nigel’s thrilled that he got to eat a child (gag!). After Salome directs Steve Newlin to have the guards procure some humans (including a baby for Nigel – yuck!), Eric has had enough. Starting to go, he asks Bill, “are you coming?” Bill looks at him, and turning away, gives his attention to the group. It’s obvious Bill isn’t going anywhere. Salome is smiling. She likes this!
For me, the scene that follows is the most difficult to watch, and one I am still struggling to accept. Bill arrives in Salome’s room, where there’s a young woman tied to the bed. She’s a captive, crying out, “don’t do this!” Salome invites Bill to join her in a midnight snack. Bill, noticeably disturbed, declines. Salome will have none of it. She challenges him, asking if he thought their foray into the NOLA nightclub was an anomoly – if he thought they would now go back to Trueblood. Bill admits he didn’t. Salome urges him to feed on the captive woman, who is pleading for her life, explaining she has a four-month-old daughter. Bill is now struggling with himself, he snaps at Salome, “I will not be bullied! Understand this. I have fathered children!” Salome, becoming impatient, queries “If you really loved your children, why didn’t you make them vampire, keeping them with you forever?”
In a lush, amber-tinted flashback, we see Bill visiting his daughter, Sarah, on her deathbed. Sarah, sick and frail, gazes at her father, who is standing at the foot of her bed. He is dashing – beautiful silk cravat at his neck, tailored suit, walking stick. His dark hair and smooth skin belie his actual age. Sarah is incredulous of her father’s youthful appearance. Bill tries to explain his state of being, avoiding the taboo word “vampire.” He tells her he’s been made privy to a secret of remaining young. Sarah begs him to avail her of the secret, and restore her youth. “Please, please, I don’t want to die!” Bill tells her, “immortality is a curse!” Sarah is desperate, and continues to beg him. Bill must pull himself away forcefully, leaving his daughter to die. He is bereft.
We are back in Salome’s boudoir. Salome is admonishing Bill that to refuse God’s gift is blasphemy. Bill’s struggle is written on his face. He moves hesitatingly toward the woman. We see him fighting within himself. His vampire nature and his nobility are at odds. Finally, he sits next to her, he pauses, and then…in a flash, fangs bared, he plunges them into her neck! Salome is very pleased. She utters a prayer of gratitude. End of scene.
I am stunned. How did this happen? How did Bill, a vampire who has championed mainstreaming for so long, who independently chose not to kill his victims, but glamour them with instructions for B 12 and iron supplements, make this turn so suddenly, and so completely? Has he blindly accepted a philosophy that’s diametrically opposed to his professed convictions? Does Lilith’s vision truly hold such power? Is he just posing as a sympathizer to this vision, making it appear he is a bona fide convert in order to devise a plan that will bring them down? Is that wishful thinking on my part? Mark Hudis, writer of this episode, remarks on “Inside the Episode” that he thought it was interesting to have Bill, who has been so good overall, make a dark turn. Interesting? Okay, perhaps it is. But I am committed to the Bill Compton I have known – as human, a loving father and husband, a farmer, soldier; a mainstreaming vampire, King of Louisiana, philanthropist of BonTemps, devoted protector of Sookie Stackhouse. I will be waiting to see him again.
In the last scene with Bill in this episode we see the members of the “new” Authority gather around their conference table, Bill and Eric included. The order of business, as outlined by Nora, is a discussion of how they should eliminate the mainstreaming faction from the vampire population. There are a few choices suggested, none of which are strategically viable. Then, quietly but decisively, Bill utters the word, “TrueBlood.” The discussion stops. Everyone listens. He describes how taking out the factories – “there are only five”- will make the drink unavailable, necessitating vampires drink from humans. Exclamations of praise ensue. Eric gives Bill a sideways glance, whispering, “what are you doing?” to which Bill replies matter-of-factly, “evolving.” OMG! End of episode.
What is going to happen to Bill Compton? Will he become the old Eric Northman, now that Eric seems to be melding into dead Godric? Will he become the poster boy for the Sanguinistas? How will he explain this to Jessica? Will he continue to protect Sookie?
Hey, Lilith, I want my Bill back!
Post script: This episode was so expertly directed, I need to give kudos to Stephen Moyer. The scenes were so well paced. They were edited precisely. The acting, especially by Stephen himself and Sam Trammell, was just superb! It went so seamlessly that I was surprised when it ended. I wanted more! What a great debut by Stephen!
Fantastic Bill recap, Mary! The questions you ask are the exact same ones that I found myself asking last night. Is Bill truly turning to the dark side, or is this some kind of long con? Regardless, SM has been rocking (as usual) this season. And his direction of the episode was phenomenal! Here’s hoping he tackles another episode next season!
Thanks again for the recap!
Comment by SenseofDoubt — July 30, 2012 @ 9:29 pm
Thanks for the Bill-cap, Mary… I think Bill is in a gray area… he’s questioning and doubting his beliefs… and also stuck at the hands of Salome- doing what he’s told at the risk of death.
And while I think he’s taking a slide down a dark path, I don’t know if it’s a hundred percent all the way dark… at least not yet, ya know? More awful things need to (and knowing Bill’s luck, probably will) happen to him to really push him fully into anti-humanity Bill mode, I would think… But he’s on dangerous ground at the moment.
Comment by shelhill — July 30, 2012 @ 10:34 pm
Superb recap Mary and you ask “how did this happen”? I think Bill had two choices: mothers death or his. Salome is just another Lorena, he can’t get away from powerful she-vamps that want his body and soul and he would have ended up dead as Dieter. I believe he’s gone 007 again and is just trying to stay one step ahead of the crazy crew and figure out a way to stay alive and come up with a plan. I hope I am right.
Also can you imagine Bill turning his daughter in 1910 when he was still with Lorena?! That would have never happened. I think the writer Mark Hudis and Steve are backing the “dark” Bill story arc now and things wil change later. Again I hope.
This was the best S5 episode so far and Stephen’s directorial debut was a smash. I think he’s well on his way to more episodes in S6 if he should want.
The rest of the episode was excellent especially the scene where the girl went flying across the bedroom, you all know which scene I’m talking anout *hotflash*.
Comment by callonmebill — July 30, 2012 @ 11:04 pm
Excellent, Mary! I will be seeing this ep in a couple of days time and can’t wait!
I think Bill has always had that bit of “bad” in him, which he constantly tries to keep in check. I put him akin to a recovering alcoholic or drug addict – he has to constantly work at it or else he slips back to “Lorena” mode.
Comment by Lizzie1701 — July 31, 2012 @ 12:06 am
the flashback, for me, was unnecessary. He got to his dying daughter, young, fresh and all, and he’s telling her about immortality. To his dying, scared of death daughter! Why did he even start talking about it, he could have appeared to her as some kind of illusion, just to see her, just to hold her hand, to say goodbye. He gave her hope she could be saved, and then clumsily had to refuse to help her…
Comment by Joanna "Teahead" — July 31, 2012 @ 2:11 am
Fantastic recap Mary! As the others said – the struggles you describe are mine as well. In nearly 200 years Bill has strived to maintain a decency – to think it is just gone so quickly ….I am inclined to think he’s playing along to find a way to stop them. But the message AB is also sending says people in a fervor of their beliefs will do anything, find the comfort to forgive anything, hide behind “God” to give them permission…… And who knows how it might affect any of us should we believe we actually saw “God”.
While it looked like the flashback was his final fall because he did not save Sarah…. maybe it was his final realization that he had to do whatever it took to stop the savagery, including sacrifice this woman. He didn’t choose to not save Sarah because he didn’t want to be with her. He chose to leave her with her humanity, as finite as it was, because he believed it was better than being vampire.
Comment by shocknawe — July 31, 2012 @ 7:36 am
I hope to see the episode today, so I can read your recap Mary. I’m so looking forward to it.
Comment by aemac — July 31, 2012 @ 7:53 am
Thank you, for the best recap I’ve read so far, even if it is just about Bill … who else matters? I want my Bill back too, though I’m willing to go with him on a dark descent as long as he finds his way back to the vampire we’ve grown to love.
Comment by Bennie — July 31, 2012 @ 7:56 am
Dearest Mary,
Your heartfelt Bill recaps have been the highlights of my week this season, and this week is no different. You captured Bill beautifully, his constant battle between the forces of dark and light. But at the same time you read our own minds as well. You channeled our questions, thoughts and dismay, but also our never ending hope.
We have followed Bill this far and will never give up on him. He is the ultimate male we all dream of and I have no doubts that should he suffer this fall he will rise again to champion all.
I will be patient for our Bill to return.
Till next week…
Comment by BN — July 31, 2012 @ 9:00 am
As Sookie said to Bill a long time ago,’There’s darkness in you….I know it. And it scares the life out of me. But there’s good in you,too. When I look into you eyes, that’s what I see.’
If anybody can reassure Bill and bring him back from the brooding, dark solitude of being a Sangunista~style vampire, that would be Sookie Stackhouse. Their love transcends time and place.
But I believe the former AVL ‘double~agent’ has not savored every drop of the Lilith Kool~aid. I believe Bill has another plan in mind to rid himself of his current predicament.
Bill is brilliant and very resourceful. Don’t under~estimate him. IMO ~ Russell and Salome are being lulled into a false sense of security where Bill Compton is concerned…..and it surely will be their downfall!
Thanx for a very nice recap, Mary!
Comment by RL — July 31, 2012 @ 9:17 am
Joanna (Teahead),
The flashback seemed unnecessary and showed a side of Bill that was unthinking and a touch cruel. Rather than make me feel bad for Bill, it made me angry at his selfishness. Exactly what did he think he was going to accomplish by showing up at his dying daughter’s bedside looking like the vibrant, young father of her childhood memories?
It is possible perhaps that this is AB’s and the writers way of reminding us that Bill is a VAMPIRE. Through 4 seasons Bill has been for the most part, gentle, reasonable and stoic, if not always truthful and trustworthy. I also think he has shown a fair among of ‘going with the tide mentality this season which will NOT stand him in good stead. I believe he will look back on the events of his actions with regret.
Finally, I believe that this makes Bill MORE interesting. No one can be the good guy or the bad guy all the time. How one dimensional and non-compelling would that be? Eric on the other hand, is coming off as the voice of reason this season. It may very well be he (and possibly Sookie) that pulls Bill back from the brink of self destruction. Why else would we have had all the ‘buddy’ episodes at the beginning of the season?
Comment by tabby1249 — July 31, 2012 @ 11:03 am
I don’t think the flashback is showing us that he’s cruel… but that yet again, he is drawn in by his love for his family, sadness at the thought of his children dying (that’s what brought him to see Thomas) wanting to say goodbye to them. I think he just didn’t expect her to really question him… so it was more of poor planning on his part. Which I took as he had like before, managed to escape from Lorena very briefly, so this was an impromptu trip.
I agree that I wish he would have played the “im a ghost” or somethng, although he didn’t want to lie to her… and he knew that when she died, she wouldn’t find him in the afterlife. But like most of his flashbacks, it ended poorly… making him feel even worse. Although I think he was right in not turning her, vampires are monsters, he couldn’t do that to his little girl.
Comment by shelhill — July 31, 2012 @ 1:26 pm
@Teadhead and tabby, what I’m thinking is Bill would have never turned his daughter in 1910 when he was still with Lorena; to go on father-daughter bloody-orgy runs with Lorena! He could have glamoured her though to ease the pain till death.
@shocknawe you stated it perfectly and that is why he never was a maker up until he was forced with Jessica.
Comment by callonmebill — July 31, 2012 @ 1:39 pm
Oh, I agree callonme bill, that he would never have turned his daughter. Even as he moves into this dark phase, I don’t think he will start recommending the vampire life.
Comment by Tabby1249 — July 31, 2012 @ 4:32 pm
Wonderful insights from all!
Thanks you for all your wonderful words!
That flashback scene is a tough one for me to dissect. On one hand, I agree that Bill was convinced that making his daughter a vampire would be the cruelest act – especially with Lorena as his maker.
I also think he could have been smarter, and perhaps kinder, if he had either disguised himself, or, as callonmebill said, glamoured her into accepting her death. However, he most likely had to sneak out of the house like a defiant adolescent, so Lorena couldn’t forbid him to go!
Having said that, Bill was so scrumptious in that gorgeous period costume, including sideburns, it was worth it! I would love to see him in that costume again.
As someone said to me, Bill is trying to walk on shifting sands right now. He really believed he would meet the true death. He said good-bye as best he could to Jessica, he said good-bye to Sookie, he has lost his monarchy, he has lost his belief in the Authority. He’s in a desperate place – susceptible to dark influences, and a return to his basic vampire nature. This may well be a big part of his turn to the dark side.
Maybe it will be Sookie, or Eric, or both, who help him see the light again. Hope…hope…hope…
Comment by iamtrue2bill — July 31, 2012 @ 7:34 pm
This was a really beautiful recap about Bill. I’m glad he’s my favorite character and I’ll stick by him until the end!
Comment by Katie — July 31, 2012 @ 9:59 pm
Mary, I love the things that you say about Bill. I hope that Bill is playing everyone.
Comment by Ariel — July 31, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
Mary, once again a beautiful and well thought out recap/review of Bill. I love your insight into Bill’s character and your analysis of why he does what he does. Thank you!
Comment by aemac — August 1, 2012 @ 10:54 am
Thank You Mary, for summing up one of the most dramatic episode in season 5! And giving us another point of view, into the complex character of Bill Compton. And I also agree on assuming that Bill be able to recover his belief on humanity, and realize he also once was “Human”!
Comment by Linda L Washington — August 2, 2012 @ 11:53 am
Thanks Mary!
My favorite line and I think it speaks for most if not all of us:
“But I am committed to the Bill Compton I have known – as human, a loving father and husband, a farmer, soldier; a mainstreaming vampire, King of Louisiana, philanthropist of BonTemps, devoted protector of Sookie Stackhouse. I will be waiting to see him again.”
Comment by purpleprince — August 2, 2012 @ 7:27 pm
Fantastic recap!
Comment by vampire vixen — August 2, 2012 @ 8:45 pm