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 gary

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Can someone tell the dullard that wrote this article that it's not tv, it's HBO.

By Nico Toscani

*watches joke shoot over everyones head*

Tuesday 29 June

By Kevin

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What I loved was when Eric said to Sookie "I got your rug all wet". Can anyone say double entendre?

By JRB

I was disappointed with last night's episode. The end of the show was shocking but it is HBO not network television. My biggest disappointment however was how the balance of humor and horror that makes True Blood so great was gone! It's almost as though they go for shock value over story development.

By tiggergirl9

Yeah, Bill's pants were totally on the whole time...every time the shot panned to him pants firmly on and zipped up. So...perhaps some domestic violence but no sex scene here folks. :)

By Tiffany

IT WAS NOT RAPE... God for once actually watch other episodes before you cry for crazy maker

By maxw2u2

Lets not forget the previous week he three a lantern at her and she caught on fire! Lorena is a baddie. Bill is a little ambiguous at this point. I found the scene an OMG moment but wasnt upset about it. To me it illustrated that at the end of the day these characters are vampires and are dark....even Bill. I just think the whole show and cast are excellent. Im riveted each week.

By Bionica

Hmm Am I alone thinking it was.. cheesy?

By Aslinn Dhan

Hey, Lorena could have stopped Bill. In the world of Charlaine Harris, the elder Vampire is the stronger Vampire....and she told Bill in the last season: Your Blood knows mine, you can never overpower me....Bill just took advantage of her being all caught up in the sex and twisted her head around. He should have gone ahead and torn it off her shoulders.....

By Anon E Mouse

In the storyline of the show, she was Bill's "maker"; hence, she is more powerful than him. If she wanted to, she could have stopped things. While it was gross, I don't think the scene crossed any lines.

By Aurea

First of all...this was NOT a rape scene!! Anybody who thinks it was needs to look up the definition of 'rape' in the dictionary. As to my thoughts on it..I found it mildly disturbing simply because I couldn't imagine Bill having that in kind of anger in him...but then again..I am not a Bill fan. As to people saying this show doesn't 'respect women'..get a clue. There is nothing disrespectful about the scene. Lorena goaded Bill into a reaction. She got HER way.

By Cynnibun

I wasn't shocked by the scene at all, but yes, I closed my eyes and peeked through my fingers. It was far from a rape as, she was begging for it. If you don't like it, don't watch it but, as others say it is on HBO, at night, and parents should definitely monitor childrens television habits. Go HBO and TRUE BLOOD!!!

By susan

i think it may have crossed the line,but i will still be watching it.

Wednesday 30 June

By Rhonda

Well, if you have followed the show all along, you would realize it followed their storyline. Remember, their sex flashbacks, etc. last season were always a bit rambunctious! haha It seems like it's a force of their vampireness & the fact she is his maker. As far as breaking her neck so he didn't see her face, that made sense also since we all know he hates her, but can't deny her because of the fact of her being his maker. And yeah, it's been a ground breaking show geeze like last season's cluster....well, you understand, the Mary Ann group activities! LOL They were very ground breaking & thank goodness we have HBO or we would have to watch some boring vampire show like ugggghhhh Twilight or The Gates...BORING!!!!

By JANA

I AM A TRUE FAN OF TRUE BLOOD AND I TRUELY BELIEVE THAT THEY CANNOT GO TO FAR AS FAR AS THE SEX I LOVE BILL IT HURTS ME WHEN BILL CRYS FOR THE MEMORY OF HIS FAMILY I JUST HATE IT WHEN HE HURTS !!! AND THEN THERE IS ALEX WHEN THEY SHOW HIM HAVING HOT AND HEAVY SEX SOME TIMES I MUST REWIND AND WATCH AGAIN AND AGAIN I SO BELIEVE THIS IS THE BEST SHOW EVER HBO HAS A BIG WINNER WITH THIS SHOW I LOST FAITH WHEN THE SOPRANOS WENT OFF BUT THEY HAVE A REAL WINNER WITH TRUE BLOOD

By shannon

As his maker Bill has to listen to her. It was not rape. She won't leave him a lone he is tortured by her.

By sandy

Bill's character is tortured. he had his breaking point (AS a vampire just might have...) VAMPS here. He is controlled by his maker. he is helpless. I think sookie will save him. remember er "power" If you read the books, you'll know who she is.

in that moment with lorena, his maker, he is telling her that she is keeping him from his wanting to hold on to humanity, and b/c she has no feeling for his plight, this is all she'll get from him...She doesn't know what love is. He will never love her. their relationship will never be more than this. A breaking point on his part...he has nothing now in his mind. geez ppl, it's a show.

this show is supposed to be cheesy! lol sexy, funny, campy, cheesy, violent, sad, scary...you name it. that's why it's soooo great!

doesn't anyone remember sookie's a..."glowy power??" I think she will kill Lorena. The book readers all know what that is related to. I think this power will be used. In the books, her power is yet to be known or even if she has it though.

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