Comments | peppermintyrose: The Making of Eric: Appius v. Godric

peppermintyrose

The Making of Eric: Appius v. Godric

Jan 24, 2011 06:45

I've sort of covered this subject in my fics, but it's something that really bothers me when I see it creeping out of the TB section, and into the SVM section because it's easier to write Godric. Frankly, that's why I don't read much TB fic - the fundamental problems undercutting the foundation of Eric's character. You want easy nonsensical ( Read more... )

travails of the svm fandom, the psychology of violence, ch & svm is not so amateur, family reunion from hell ditf, tb - the other white meat, the mythology of rape 101, eric northman the lover, rants of the fanficy flavour, o'kelly or appius livius ocella, sookie stackhouse - 28, i thinked about svm today

Comments 10

thanks for the insight! ext_337835 January 30 2011, 02:27:33 UTC

I really appreciated your Godric v. Appius analysis. It is something that I struggled with myself when trying to understand TB Eric. I had come to the conclusion that being a victim of sexual abuse and sharing that in common with Sookie is an important component of their relationship. In my TB fic, I actually wrote Eric as having been a victim of sexual abuse because I couldn't make sense of how he could relate to Sookie at all without having that be a part of his history. I think that if the TB writers can construct a plausible explanation for how Eric has evolved into someone who would care at all for Sookie or any human, he has the potential to be a very interesting, compelling character ( ... )

Re: thanks for the insight! peppermintyrose January 30 2011, 07:59:27 UTC

TB Eric is a big stumbling block, with regards to his past. They *can* probably fix it, but I don't think they're going to - they have that "Whereever I go there will always be women" shit to explain Eric. After all, that sort of thing really only matters to real victims, and Hollywood has a completely different way to showing rape and its affect. Everyone loves Eric anyway, so the fact that he doesn't make sense doesn't make much of a difference ( ... )

lytaj March 13 2011, 03:56:00 UTC

Hi, I just read this post and all I have to say is: yes! finally someone says Apio was important for the formation of Eric in the books, he really helped mold the character of Eric, I'm sick of hearing others say they prefer Godric because is to easy like him, if ficwriters do it Eric's maker in SVM fanfics I lose interest immediately. Although I like the character separately and only notlike him as a creator Eric TB, but ultimately is how Alan chose contrasted the relationship Godric / Eric / Pam with relationship Lorena / Bill / Jessica (well, but that's another story). This week I read a comment on DTTW, where someone said that Eric did not accept "entertain" Halow for 7 nights because maybe he just thought of Sookie, I thought wtf?! he refused because he would not be "sex slave" to anyone again.

peppermintyrose March 13 2011, 07:29:44 UTC

It is easier to like Godric - but that doesn't mean that he's particularly realistic. It's almost like AB believes that becoming a vampire is the greatest favour. Particularly when it comes to Eric, Appius is essential so that Eric isn't the worst of monsters.

Oh, yes, I've read that before. Everything Eric does is really a secret favour he's doing for Sookie. He didn't go with Hallow because he cared about Sookie - it's a complete load of rubbish. It was one of the things that I thought about, but didn't mention it above - but I did mention it in Marks. Eric didn't want to whore himself out to anyone else ever again.

finiteanarchy April 6 2011, 04:57:40 UTC

The only way I see AB rectifying the Eric character inconsistencies is if they do what it seems happened to Pam. When Pam left Eric's side, it seems she was abused repeatedly for a time. If that happened to Eric during a time when he left Godric, that might be the only reason he isn't actually a monster.

FA

peppermintyrose April 6 2011, 08:50:16 UTC

I don't think I've seen any solid evidence that Pam was abused in the TV show - not with any remark on the show. I certainly don't recall any sexual predation mentioned in the show from Pam after she left Eric's side. Sure, I can infer it because of the way they act, but that just makes AB a shit-tastic director ( ... )

finiteanarchy April 7 2011, 01:03:49 UTC

Actually I was thinking that while not under the thrall of another vampire - true, any vampire who was strong than him at the time could force themselves on him and keep him around by whatever means they felt like if they so chose.

In reference to AB not understanding that Eric could be abused by a man - I don't really see that. AB is a gay man, and open or not about what that subculture entails there is a lot of under reported violence in it - particularly male on male centered violence. I think that is something he would be aware of, even if he never experienced it himself.

But I do agree - he has no insight with women. They had to make Sophie-Anne younger than Eric - because it would be strange seeing a young adult looking woman actually be stronger than a 1000 year old ASkars Viking. Though I enjoy Nan Flannigan giving him shit on occasion.

peppermintyrose April 7 2011, 01:32:37 UTC

As long as Godric is alive, it beggars belief that Eric is forced in any way, thanks to the bond. Since they actually have a permanent judicial officer (the Magister) then, there would be no real way for it to happen. There's also no hint of it in his speech, just in his actions ( ... )

Eric, Godric/Appius abuse anonymous September 16 2011, 15:14:44 UTC

I know it's a while since you posted this analysis, but, I'm interested to know what you think of the dream Amnesiac Eric had on TB about Godric in this context. The dream where Godric forces him to drink from Sookie and tells him that he's damned?
Godric was far from the 'saintly' maker we saw in Dallas and the first thing he did to a much younger looking (and feeling) Eric was stroke his face which seemed to terrify Eric. He then forces him to drink from Sookie, later we see Eric upset and shedding tears and Sookie tries to comfort him by saying something along the lines of 'He was your maker and you miss him/loved him'.

Re: Eric, Godric/Appius abuse peppermintyrose September 16 2011, 22:12:12 UTC

Ah yes, I just saw that scene this week ( ... )