Truly, Madly, Deadly_ The Unofficial True Blood Companion - Becca Wilcott [110]
Relationship Crypt Falls: Hoyt’s mother cooking him preservative-laden, confectionary casseroles is a far cry from what Gran used to make: fresh biscuits and sausage, a warm plate always waiting for you in the oven. Maxine’s failure is as much to herself as it is to her son. She’s spiteful and angry, and her truth is ugly and selfish. But her profound loneliness does draw a small amount of sympathy from viewers.
Paging Dr. Creepy: The entire scene in which Sookie re-enters Gran’s house is pretty creepy. First she encounters Jane Bodehouse who has just sacrificed her finger to offer to the god; then she’s greeted by a man bathing in her sink fondling what appears to be part of an intestine; then the town coroner, Mike “Makes You Feel More Alive Bein’ in the Presence of Death” Spencer spoons her on the floor where her grandmother lay bludgeoned to death while he chastises her for letting Bill put his “dead dick” inside her, far too reminiscent of the dearly departed Uncle Bartlett.
Location, Location, Location: The hotel Andy stays in (which was used in season 1 as Tara’s temporary home) is Crescenta Motel, located in, you guessed it, La Crescenta, California, in the foothills northwest of Pasadena. Originally called the May Lane Motel, it is on Route 66.
Suzuki Sets the Scene: Queen Sophie-Anne’s home is an existing location in Malibu, California. Ingerslev loved the nostalgic feel of the outdoor pool. The crew spent a few weeks setting the scene. Inside, the crew created custom-made dioramas for each window to create the illusion of an ocean view for Sophie-Anne — what she might want to gaze out on, if she could survive in daylight — a brilliant detail. To ensure that the audience didn’t misunderstand the dressings as poor attempts at reality, they made each diorama slightly surreal, almost like the set-ups one would find in a museum of taxidermy. The gorgeous interior already had an art deco feel. Ingerslev notes this as one of her all-time favorite locations for the degree of existing detailing. They even used the furniture, subbing in only new cushions, a few additional planters, and authentic period Vogue magazines, purchased from eBay.
Encore: When Jason and Andy arrive at sheriff’s office, you can hear “Frenzy,” performed by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins. Jalacy Hawkins (1929–2000), a.k.a. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, was one of the original shock rockers, known for his operatic vocal stylings, theatrical stage performances, and flashy wardrobe of leopard skin, leather, and hats. When his plans to be an opera singer fell through, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, mostly as an entertainer. He claimed to have been tortured by the enemy; it’s rumored that upon release he exacted revenge by taping a hand-grenade inside his captor’s mouth and pulling the pin. As an entertainer, “I Put a Spell on You” was his most famous song, selected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. During that song’s recording session, the band was so intoxicated that Hawkins blacked out, unable to recall how what was originally intended to be a ballad became a “raw guttural track,” one that sold over a million copies. Soon after, he was offered money by a disc jockey to come out of a coffin on stage. What emerged was Hawkins’ next persona, the coffin becoming a fixture along with a variety of outlandish costumes and voodoo props. Later in his career, Hawkins performed with The Fuzztones, Dread Zeppelin, Nick Cave, and The Clash. By the time of his death in 2000, he was responsible for 19 albums and (allegedly) up to 75 offspring. Is there any better song than “Frenzy” (1957), or any better artist than Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, to represent this episode? Bon Temps is operating under a mob mentality, ravaging themselves and one another. As sensual pleasure steps in for intimacy, and bodies are reduced to crude