alter ego: counterpart: second self
a) one remarkably similar to another b) one having the same function or characteristics as another
True Blood is structured around character pairings. Each major character and some minor ones have alter egos who share many characteristics and find themselves in very similar situations. Studying these pairings can provide insight into the characters and also allow us to make predictions about upcoming seasons.
This is a very rough comparision between Lisa and Coby and Jessica and Hoyt. There is hardly a single thing that Lisa and Coby are or have done that doesn’t have a correspondence to Jessica and Hoyt. This allows us to make some predictions about what will happen to Jessica in the future.
Mothers (Sookie & Arlene)
*Waitresses at Merlott
OK, this is fascinating. Are you theorizing that ALL of the characters have a twin, a couterpart? Excellent!!
Do you think Tara is Sookie’s counterpart? If so, do you think one of Sookie’s lovers is destined to die? I was thinking of this aspect this morning and wondering if you listen to some of the things Tara says about herself could she actually be offering insights into Sookie as well?
Or do you think Sookie has another counterpart?
I’m not sure about all of them. The pairing that really took me by surprise was Eric and Jason, but I haven’t had time to write it up yet. I started out with a few similarities and didn’t think it would be as strong as the case for Bill and Rene. Now I’ve found nearly twice as many similarities.
The Sookie/Tara pairing feels a little different in character than the others and not as extensive, but there are definitely psychological and circumstantial parallels. Sookie jumping blindly into the relationship with Bill when she was at the lowest point in her life after Gran’s death is exactly what Tara did with Mary Ann and the death of Eggs is going to drive her into the arms of a vampire. Both those girls have death wishes.
In some ways Lafayette is a foil for Sookie, but I’m not sure that’s all he is. I don’t have a good handle on him or Sam yet. If anything strikes you, I’d love to hear it.
Sorry, I got distracted and couldn’t finihs my thougths.
Since Jason killed Eggs, I’m thinking that when Eric rescues Sookie from the trunk of the Lincoln after being raped and nearly drained, Eric may darn near kill Bill, and then of course Sookie will stop him. It would really be powerful if they weren’t broken up yet, her aha moment–Sookie’s choice of life over death.
I think you are right on the money about Tara’s dialogue. On the inside she is just as innocent and idealistic as Sookie, which is why she has had to develop such a hard protective shell. I’m kinda intrigued by the idea of Dawn being two years younger, but referring to Tara as baby.
I”m not sure yet, but since Lafayette is a completely unique character both on the show and in general I’m thinking he may be the conscience of the audience? How he behaves and what he says in response to events is how Ball thinks the audience SHOULD react? Not everything fits yet but I’m still thinking on this theory.
Sonya,
It’s interesting you associated him with the audience. I’ve been looking for how that role is being fulfilled. I’m going to have to devote some thought to this.
Renee,
Alternatively, Sam could be the conscience of the audience. He’s the One-Eyed King in the Land of the Blind, after all. ;~) He certainly does have seem to possess more moral clarity than the rest of the characters.
True, and he is very middle America.
I’m starting to notice that Lafayette functions in society the same way the vampires do–ostrasized but used in secret.