There’s no such thing as a weird season of True Blood – the show is always bizarre, and at this point, we’d be more perplexed by an story line that didn’t feature multiple instances of creepy sex and cartoon violence than one that did. Season 4 has been keeping pace with that mandate so far, but some are wondering if the show’s creators have gone too far in their quest to bring us ever more nauseating sexual encounters. In a recap of last night’s episode, Dodai Stewart at Jezebel recounts a scene in which werepanther Crystal feeds “Mexican Viagra” to Jason, who’s chained to a ratty bed and has been mauled within an inch of his life, and mounts him, with several women from her inbred community watching.
In an email to Jezebel, a reader notes that True Blood creator Alan Ball laughingly says Jason is “sort of used against his will” in this video. Stewart calls what happens between Jason and Crystal rape but wonders why other media outlets are referring to it as merely a “cringe inducing” or ironic (in that Jason’s sexual potency is finally catching up to him) “sex scene.” But then, she asks, “does failing to call a werepanther rape scene for what it is mean you don’t take rape seriously?” and answers, “I don’t think so. This show is not about the real world.”
It’s certainly valid to note that True Blood is a fantasy; it’s not like being forced to sire a new generation of werepanthers is a real problem one might have. And yet, we have a hard time imagining Jezebel would be okay with the show’s creator and the media dismissing a rape scene as “comeuppance” if the gender roles were reversed. So, while we have no problem with the way the scene played out in the context of True Blood, we think it’s a bit troubling that so many writers see the turn of events as logical retribution for Jason’s promiscuity. Other aspects of the show — and the specifics surrounding his rape — don’t have much bearing on the real world, but the “She deserved it because she was a whore” defense is an argument we see in the news practically every day.
Meanwhile, did anyone else notice the other throwaway reference to rape on last night’s episode? As she’s bringing an amnesiac Eric up to speed on their relationship, Sookie casually mentions that he once “fang-raped” her — that is, bit her without asking. He apologizes, and everything goes on as normal.
So, what do you think, True Blood fans? Did you find last night’s rape-y episode offensive, or was the show’s depiction of rape just one more unrealistic flight of fancy on a show that prides itself on envelope-pushing sordidness?
Comments (11)
Uh. This is True Blood we’re talking about, right? A show about vampires who have sex and drink blood while showing a gratuitous amount of nudity and gore? Everyone watches this show for the jaw dropping shock factor, and to see if the producers can one up themselves ever single season (which they have, god bless their hearts). Anyone PC will not watch show to begin with, so this article is pretty much worthless. Slow day at flavorwire.
I thought this article was thought provoking, as I hadn’t even considered what the outcry would be if the roles had been reversed in the rape scene with Jason. But I have also read the books, which are MUCH more gratuitous, both sexually and in the gore factor. (Spoiler Alert!) Bill actually rapes Sookie in one of the books. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the books, and the scenes like that are there to move the story along, not as pure shock factor. So, for me, watching the show is actually a toned-down version of the books. But for anyone who has not read the books, I think the sex and gore on the show could be shocking and upsetting. But, if the show is that shocking and upsetting to you, change the channel.
P.S. I thought the reference to “fang raped” was, lack for a better word, clever to describe Sookie’s feelings about the past incident in a very precise manner. I personally think Sookie reacted the way she did because this wasn’t the same Eric that fang raped her, and she felt she couldn’t get mad at an Eric that couldn’t even remember her name. Now if that had been “regular” Eric, I think you would have seen A LOT more intensity. But remember, he did it to save her life. Dead, or bitten against my will? I’ll take bitten.
I had just thought about this very topic today. I assumed that it would not play out like that if it was a woman being gang raped. I did say to myself that maybe they have gone a bit far with this story line but hell, it is true blood and it is fantasy. I would never stop watching for any reason. No point in making a huge stink about it. For whomever it offends they dont have to watch. Freedom of speech and the media is there to cover upopoular speech and subjects.
I think the creators of the show should have, in interviews about this scene, called it “rape” outright – because that’s what it is. Jason is a sexual guy, that’s for sure, but he never took it – all his sexy was willingly donated. I don’t think it’s a free speech issue, so much as just being honest about what is being put out there.
I also think the show is skirting the reality that men can be, and are, raped – not by women, but by other men – and I think that they are avoiding dealing with that issue by creating a situation that is more of a bondage fantasy gone wrong, than an actual AFFRONT on masculinity and heterosexuality. That’s really the bigger cop out in my eyes, considering the show’s creator is so proudly gay. They are happy to show women being raped (Tara and the crazy vampire) but not men, unless it’s a joke – right?
I didn’t think that scene was a joke – I found it pretty sinister and creepy, actually, which is how I figured it was intended…?
Men most certainly can be raped, by both men and women. Jason was drugged, chained to a bed, his clothes were removed, he was mauled and attacked and basically eaten by two were-panthers, one a man and the other a woman. When he regained consciousness, he found Crystal on top of him, having sex with him against his will with a cabal of her female pack watching hungrily. He fought back. He said no. That is rape. Euphemistic language isn’t going to cut it. I don’t have a problem with rape as part of a storyline as long as it’s done respectfully and not sensationally. Tara was raped fairly brutally last year and more than once. It drove her to a nervous breakdown, one from which she is still trying to heal. I have a problem with main characters being raped and then the fallout is mentioned only in passing. And I think a very good point has been raised: if it had been Sookie who was drugged, tied to a bed, mauled, and woke up to someone having sex with her while a ground of men watched, there would be no hesitation to call it what it is: rape. Jason was raped.
Yes, men can be raped by women. What is appalling is that while Alan Ball’s show is a showcase for such metaphors as gay marriage, racial and social problems of all kinds and civil inequalities and even the evils of dog fighting, Ball refuses to admit this is what it is…How insensitive. Wake up Mr. B….
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I didn’t find the episode itself offensive (nauseating and potentially triggering, sure), and I even laughed at Sookie’s comment about being “fang-raped.” Granted, I surprised myself on that one, but I think having your blood sucked against your will would be a pretty serious breach of physical boundaries. Anyhow, what I find offensive is that the creator won’t admit it’s rape when Jason is clearly screaming, “NO!” in the scene while he’s being used, presumably with a whole line of women each waiting for her turn. Even more appalling is Jezebel’s calling it “comeuppance.” It’s disgusting. Promiscuity is never a justification for rape (is there EVER a justification for rape?), no matter what gender we’re talking about and anyone who thinks horny men deserved to be raped could not possibly be a feminist or believe in real equality.
Oooooh, wait, now I see! He’s using the FBI’s definition of rape, wherein men can’t be raped.
I, reassuringly so, found it disturbing. There is no doubt that it is rape – as clear cut male rape as you could possibly get I’d say. And the notion (it wasn’t entirely clear) that the rest of the women were waiting for their turn was positively horrific. I understand that it’s not going to play as seriously as this in the show – but as viewers, you’re still going to have some visceral reactions to some scenes that have nothing to do with the context of the plot. Rightly so.
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