Did That Final 'True Blood' Sex Scene Cross the Line?

By Jane Boursaw Posted Jun 28th 2010 06:40PM

Pop-ed: Fans of 'True Blood' were told that this season of the HBO hit about vampires and werewolves would include some of the most twisted scenes on TV, but did last night's episode -- particularly its closing moments -- go too far?

After the credits rolled, I filed my review for TV Squad, attempted to regain my sense of what's right and wrong in the world, posted a note on my Facebook page and trolled the Internet to see what other people were saying.

Haven't seen last night's episode yet? Beware: major spoilers ahead!

Yes, I'm talking about that final, shocking, head-spinning scene -- where good-guy vampire Bill Compton turned very bad when he threw his ex, Lorena, on the bed and attacked her, twisting her head around so that she was staring the other way, blood oozing out of her mouth as Bill had his way with her.

I'm not sure it could be classified as rape because she is the one who wanted it, and she even managed to spew out "I love you" during the act. Plus, they're both vampires, and judging by the earlier sex scene between Tara and Franklin, vamp sex is pretty intense to begin with.

Even Lorena herself, actress Mariana Klaveno, said it was the most shocking thing she'd ever read in a television script. "My jaw dropped on the floor when I read it and thought, 'Oh my god, I actually have to do that?'" she said in an interview with E! Online.

"[They said] 'Here's your script, pray that your parents will be okay when they watch this episode. They may not want to.' It was a little uncomfortable, but we got through it."

Over on our Facebook page, the comments are varied, with "freaky," "shocking" and "gross" used to describe the scene. Some felt it was OK because it's on HBO, and 'True Blood' has a tradition of pushing the envelope on blood, sex and gore.

A Little Less Kinky: Lorena Turns Bill Flashback

But one viewer may be re-thinking her 'True Blood' habit, noting that Stephen Moyer, who plays Bill, is calling the scene "a watercooler moment for the next 20 years." "This might cross the line for me and I haven't felt this way since the rape scene in 'The Hills Have Eyes' remake a few years back," wrote Nicolette Black.

"I am sorry, but rape is not entertainment and should not be showed in such a light manner," she added. "I think I may be dropping 'True Blood' from my viewing. I was going to give it one more season because I really did not like last season's storyline, but I think they finally crossed my line. I want more story, sex and violence gets boring after awhile."

The Twitterverse is buzzing, as well:

What do you think? Did 'True Blood' cross the line with Bill and Lorena's twisted sex scene? Or is it just another night on HBO? Tell us on Facebook >>>

Tags: mariana klaveno, stephen moyer, true blood

Comments

(84)

Monday 28 June

By stef

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First and foremost, this was NOT a rape. Second, this show is on HBO...so don't act surprised/shocked/disgusted/offended by it!

By fiddle

exactly!! it wasnt rape, if it was, she was raping HIM!

By e

I know, trying to make this "scandalous" is just weak. And even though the person writing the article clearly explains that this was'nt an act of rape, I still get the impression people want us to view this as such an act, especially when the article *quotes* a person who says that "rape is not entertainment". Wait a minute, why would you quote some sensitive-type (Nicolette Black, who??) that can't tell the difference between rape and rough sex?
Why? So that some casual readers who've never seen the show much less the latest episode can think TrueBlood is nothing but rape and gore.

Tuesday 29 June

By MandiP

I agree. No it wasn't. Once again: True Blood is for Adult Viewers. Twilight is for Tweens. Here starts the difference.

By Jessica

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I honestly wasn't shocked that Bill did what he did. If you read the books you will see that Bill while a nice guy is clearly no saint. Lol Team Eric, Alexander Skarsgard is so hot!

By suzy

I thought the scene was fine. Loved the head twist. But actually the first show was boring, second really good now this past one I was disappointed in. I hope the season doesn't pan out like that.

By lynn

For those who do not know in TrueBlood Vamps have to do anything their "maker" tells them to. She told him to "make love to her", and during he says "i will never love you" while breaking her neck. He had to do it according to their "world" it was not rape on her, but on him.

By sb

Exactly!!! I kept wanting to scream at the article while reading it, that Lorena told him to do it & HAD to obey. If you watched True Blook more than once, you would know the power that a maker has over the vamp he/she turned. This scene was not the scandal everyone is making it. Turning her head was a little creepy (I guess), but it's not like he actually broke her neck (she is DEAD alreay).

By al

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lorena relased bill as her maker ...it was a flashback....so she doesnt have a hold on him there..during the godrick shows

By cherishbuffy

oh my god people, has any body read the books, Its about time that they followed the book, I want the series to be closer to the books, than maybe it will make m0re sence to me, as far as the scene with bill and his maker I felt it was a good scene it showed his pain that he did not want to be with her, This is hbo not reg tv dont watch if you are a prude and get the book and read so you understand the relationship between them, I do wish it was closer to the book, in the book she holds him captive starving him and keeping him in chanins and sookie rescues him and kills his maker, and this kind of ends her relationship with bill and she ends up with eric , gthan it gets good, last season there was to much bull if you get my drift and if i did not pick up the books i would have stoped watching it my self,

By Reena

to cherishbuffy: I agree, I did wish they followed more of the storyline in the books (I read the books before I started watching) - but I saw in an interview with Bill Moyer, that they had to drift off the book storyline so that it was more exciting for everyone, otherwise, you would know what was going to happen next. They cover the book storyline somewhat but even Crystal (who will be on soon) isn't the same as in the book. I do like the show, but the books even better!

By Eve

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It was disgusting. I love the show but that wa s amajor turn-off.

By Greg

Exactly, this was not rape! She was making him do it and he most likely twisted her head around because he hates her so much and was revolted by having to have sex with her.

Thursday 08 July

By Jim

Erm...it's not rape, but she's "making him do it". What the eff is rape then?

By Tammy

As far as last night episode of True blood sex scene being too graphic. Maybe you all need to read the books they get down to the details and can pretty graphic also. Its a horror show show not anymore graphic then some of the other horror or thriller shows I've seen. I do think Eric rocks though!!!

By ancortez

Yeah, it definitely pushed the boundaries. It was disturbing, but to call it rape maybe stretching it. Violent, rough? yes. But Lorena wasn't saying no, quite the opposite. It was revolting and yet kinda hilarious. Definitely a "WTF?!!?" moment. In any other show, that would probably be gratuitous, but with True Blood, I think it's just an escalation in intensity.

By Mima

I don't think last night's final scene was anything worse than the bloodsucking "turnings", murders & orgies we've already seen ... while the scene was wild & crazy, and I suppose shocking, everything True Blood is about is "shocking" - isn't that what we're all turned on to!! while rape is NEVER acceptable, the show is fiction and freaky - Lorena "turning" Bill wasn't exactly an easy digestible scene, either

By db

exactly !!!!

By squirrelgp

Why do movies & TV also have to be so different from the book??? In the book,Sookie NOT Boll kill's Lorena!!! I LOVE the books,hate the TV show....

By Tiffany

Not that I've gotten around to reading further than the 1st novel in the series yet, but who is to say that the show won't follow the book in that it will be Sookie that kills Loraine? Because seems to me that despite her head being spun around and such, she is still very much alive...well, as alive as a vamp can be I guess, lol. Just my Two cents.

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