Friday Five: ‘Beautifully Broken’ Characters

Last Sunday night’s episode, Beautifully Broken, gave me a lot to think about concerning the characters of True Blood. Here is my list of five beautifully brokens from the show. (Hey, if Terry can have a list…)

1. Beautifully Broken Tara: This poor girl has been through so much in the first two seasons already. You kind of wonder how much more she can take. Lafayette just barely pulled her back from a very bad place. Can Franklin Mott possibly be her ‘fix’?
2. Beautifully Broken Jessica: Like Tara, she has the power to make us laugh as much as cry for her. Jessica is having to stumble through her new life as a vampire without the person who made her to guide her. Now she makes a terrible mistake that leaves her feeling she is so far removed from Hoyt that she doesn’t deserve him, even when he would be willing to accept her as she is. I think it would be awesome if Pam were to step in for our teen vamp.
3. Beautifully Broken Sookie: Yes, she’s showing a lot of strength and backbone, but when she broke down in front of Eric, we see just how vulnerable she is without Bill. The fact that she left some things unsaid before he was taken isn’t helping.
4. Beautifully Broken Eric: What? That big, strong, viking? Broken Eric? Yes, just a bit. We still don’t know the whole story, but what was that WWII flashback really about? Whatever it is, it’s enough to unsettle the Area 5 Sheriff. Add to that his guilt over putting Sookie in danger and you have, if not totally broken, at least a pretty good crack.
5. Beautifully Broken Lafayette: As far as I’m concerned, last Sunday’s episode was owned by Lafayette. While struggling with his own demons, he’s trying to save his cousin’s life and show her that, in spite of everything, life is worth living. Yet we see his own mother, a pitiful case, abuse him. And it seems like she makes this a regular thing whenever he goes to visit her. One has to wonder what fresh hell is in store for Lafayette.

Mel and I discuss this episode further in this week’s podcast. What are your thoughts?