My love/hate relationship with Alan Ball has several chapters. It’s actually a hate/love/hate relationship, which I’m certain he is very upset about.
Today’s Alan Ball rant? Jessica.
I think he did an amazing thing by creating Jessica. As you book readers know, she is not canon and is unique to True Blood. When she was introduced, I applauded the concept and eagerly waited for the unfolding of her story line.
It was entertaining to see Bill shuffle her off to Eric and Pam. And equally entertaining to them shuffle her back. Her dead trucker disposal problems (complete with chain saw rental) was hilarious. I liked her being a waitress and Merlottes and revealing Arlene’s bias against vamps.
Her relationship with Hoyt was cute though the end of Season 3. So what if Summer makes a mean biscuit? She’s got nothing on what Jessica has cooking in her oven!
However, I refuse to see Jessica as one of the desirables on True Blood. She’s eternally 17 and therefore off the menu. I have a fatherly or big-brotherly perspective of Jessica. That being said, I recognize her beauty and appeal to those who see her as a desirable; she is statuesque, with stunning coloring.
That’s the love, now the hate;
AB took a page from “Lost” with certain expects of Jessica. What became of her pesky healing hymen? Why was there a doll in the house she shared with Hoyt at the end of Season 3? How has Maxine Fortenberry left them alone? Bon Temps is a small town – Maxine should be all in their business.
Season 4 was the worst for Jessica. I get that her relationship with Hoyt was falling apart. But to fall for Jason Stackhouse? As part of that awful Hot Shot storyline? Puh-lease!
I thought her being part of the Vamp-Matrix hit squad against the witches was out of place, too. Nothing we’ve seen about her character leads us to think she was that much of a bad ass. I’m not saying she couldn’t do it, I’m saying it was out of her character. How is it Eric and Bill had confidence in her during battle? She’s a young, inexperienced and immature Vamp – not the sort of person I would choose for that situation.
Sadly… I have no interest now in what becomes of Jessica in Season 5. The way her character was written in Season 4 has made it a dead end for me. Jessica needs to take a trip to New Orleans like Tara did or some other self-awareness odyssey to rein in my interest.
And no, for Gods sake, I do NOT want to see her naked! I’m no pedophile
*Bonus random thought from the mind of the Dude; why are there no Vamp Ninjas? A Vamp Ninja should be able to bitch slap Russell Eddington, no matter how old (young he is). Or, let’s have Bruce Lee show up as a Vamp, a la Bubba. I can sleep better tonight now that I’ve got that off my chest.
While I too love the creation of Jessica, I really see no purpose for her any longer, especially if she is just used a plot device (see Hot Shot) to be used to have yet another couple on this god-forsaken show. As far as her ever-regrowing hymen goes, you can see why continuity always takes a back-seat on this show. How people can think this show is amazing beyond belief amazes me. I bet if we all got together and made a list of continuity issues, the list would be more than a mile long. Great post!!
Thanks, Nymeria!
I swear AB took a queue from the “Lost” writers as far as loose threads on TB is concerned. It seemed every SL not involved with witches was just filler last season.
I’m just waiting on a four toed giant statue to show up or to find out Sookie has been in Purgatory since the Rattrays attacked her in Season One. But… I would be tickled to see Hurley make an appearance at Merlottes. Dude!
Or, have Sawyer blow through town and have an encounter with Alcide ;
“Easy there, Scooby Doo! You don’t want to spend the night in the pound again do you?”
Or, have Kate show up as a new waitress at Merlottes. Damn…. I’m loving that idea! Wonder if we can get some viral movement to attract Evangeline Lilly to the show?
True Blood writers, producers and HBO – this Dude feels you owe him Evangeline Lilly on this show!
Thanks! That’s my blog tonight – why we need Evangeline Lilly on True Blood.
*hugs*