Club Dead-Discovery- The tables start to turn in the third book and the dynamics between Bill-Sookie-Eric are really established more clearly. Within the first few chapters Sookie is informed of Bill’s deceit, his “affair” with Lorena, and his kidnapping. She feels betrayed but on Eric’s insistence agrees to help track him down. While, Eric doesn’t hide the fact that he “wants to f**k her,” the main reason he didn’t want to be the one to relay the news of Bill’s infidelity to her was that “he had always been quite fond of her.” He also remarked, “kissing her was very exciting,” which she silently agreed with. As much as Eric wanted to be the tough guy (torture, threaten, etc.) to get his way, he doesn’t like having Sookie scared of him. For E/S fans, this chapter seems to be a little step back. Eric is still concerned more about himself and his area than Sookie. However, unlike the relationship that she has with Bill, she knows that Eric is honest with her.
We see things change when he stays to assist her in the aftermath of being staked at the club in Jackson. Since was in disguise as Leif that night, he risked being uncovered by Russell by staying with Sookie. In addition, prior to the staking, when he had found out that she had been “marked” by the Were, he offered to heal her. Interestingly enough, Sookie was the one smart enough to realize that being healed would not play well into her “story.” I found it significant that Eric was thinking of her well being before strategy. After all it is mentioned on several occasions how “pragmatic” Eric is. This slip up shows how much power Sookie has on him. She could tell that he was frustrated with himself for showing such a human characteristic in his impulse.
To continue, two crucial things happen during the time they share while Sookie is injured. For one, she realizes (after reciting a line from a obscure book that only Eric caught on to), that he “got” her and that was why she liked him. Secondly, in her agony, he was at her side, their eyes fixated on each other. “Let go,” he advised her, and she loosed the grip on his hands (which she had been squeezing so hard she had drawn blood). “No, not of me,” he said smiling. “You can hold on to me as long as you want. Let go of the pain, Sookie. Let go. You need to drift away.” For the first time she relinquished her will to someone else, Eric. As she looked at him, it became easy, and she retreated from the suffering.
The next morning, if Bubba hadn’t walked in on them, they would have taken their “relationship” to an intimate level. Their bodies seemed to have more control than their minds. For this, I am once again glad that they were interrupted. Later, he confesses to her that he “doesn’t like having feelings.” Furthermore, solidifying the fact that Sookie has reignited his ability to feel and that lack of control bothers him.
He rescues her from the trunk, where she and Bill were trapped; where Bill had aggressively raped and fed on her. After coming to terms with Bill’s actions, Sookie demands that Eric take her home immediately. He obliges. On their ride, Eric points out that she tends to walk away when things between her and Bill get rocky, he doesn’t mind but wants to know if this is a pattern in her romantic relationships. She responds rather obnoxiously (IMO, though, given her state of mind I can understand her duress) but Eric seems to have really listened. What I love about this scene is the fact that they challenge each other. Eric is not afraid to call her out on her immaturity and she in turn doesn’t hold back with him the way she may have with Bill.
One of my favorite Eric moments is when he reacts to the comment of Sonny’s, one of the members of the motorcycle gang that attacked them at the gas station, regarding Sookie’s “nice tits.” “You are speaking of my future lover. Be more respectful…” Priceless. I can’t even imagine Sookies reaction.
Another indicator of Eric’s internal battle with his feelings for Sookie is apparent when they discuss how the two guys were actually able to throw the silver net onto him. He allows himself to admit how humiliating it had been that they had caught him off guard (showing weakness, not characteristic of Eric). And, when Sookie rationalizes “Your mind must have been somewhere else,” he replies, “Yes, it was.” I don’t think it is made obvious but it seemed to me that the reason his mind was not focused was because he was otherwise occupied by his feelings for her.
Then, when they reach her house they have another heated argument in response to his question of “why the hell hadn’t she gotten her driveway fixed?” I love the passion that he inspires in her. She gets right in his face, regardless of the fact that he is a scary vampire. She feels safe enough to express her true emotions and struggles with him (i.e. money problems, Bill supporting the Bellefleurs w/o considering her, not wanting to ask Bill for help, etc.)
In the midst of her emotional breakdown, Sookie stalks off to her front door, and is immediately taken by a group of Weres. Eric (having been shot in the chest and leg) followed by Bill, burst through the door just in time to prevent the men from beating her any further. After 2 minutes, all the men had been killed and Eric was at her side. He seemed incredibly anxious to know her status; if she is alive, in need of hospital care, ability to speak. He tended to her needs very gingerly, stroking back her hair and sending Bill to get her a drink.
Eric continued to amuse me in the next scene when he explains the demise of Jimmy Falcon (at the hands of Sookie/Alcide). The interaction between he and Bill is just classic. “My sookie hid a corpse,” Bill asked. “I don’t know if you can be too sure about that possessive pronoun,” Eric replied (probably grinning). “Where did you learn that term, Northman?” “I took ‘English as a Second Language’ at a community college in the seventies.” “She is mine.” Bill countered. To which Sookie responded, famously, by giving the middle finger to both. Eric laughed, and Bill said “Sookie!” in shocked admonishment. “I think that Sookie is telling us she belongs to herself,” Eric said softly. That scene always sticks in my mind as evidence of why Eric “gets” her and Bill doesn’t. Bill is so ridiculously protective and old school. Eric even has to further assure him that Sookie didn’t sleep with Alcide and that the comment about her “being good in bed” was just his way of making Debbie jealous. Bill then makes it seem like “liking Sookie” is a capital crime. I assure you Sookie was rolling her eyes and Eric was laughing at Bill’s stupidity. In actuality, Bill had absolutely no reason other than establishing his “right to Sookie” to make these absurd comments. IMO, it just goes to show how bone headed Bill Compton really is.
Before falling asleep, Sookie made sure to ask if Eric was okay. He had taken two bullets on her behalf, but he was, which eased her mind. The last indication occurs the morning following her attack. Her driveway had been completely redone, with the highest quality gravel. From the note left on her door she and Jason discover that it was paid for. And, even though she wished the man that had been so thoughtful had been Bill, of course it hadn’t been. It had been Eric.
In summary, by the end of the 3rd book it was clear to me that Eric and Sookie had some unfinished “business” that would need to be explored. The overall theme of the 3rd book has always pointed to “Discovery.” Eric and Sookie both begin to uncover feelings for one another that were buried far below the surface. I think she starts to realize that Bill has in many ways neglected her, taken advantage of her and disrespected her. At the same time Eric (who, she had before regarded as a selfish, power hungry ass) was the one protecting, listening and providing for her.
***Sorry, these are getting longer than I had expected. So much E/S goodness. Next installment Book 4-Dead to the World-Intimacy & Affection.
We see things change when he stays to assist her in the aftermath of being staked at the club in Jackson. Since was in disguise as Leif that night, he risked being uncovered by Russell by staying with Sookie. In addition, prior to the staking, when he had found out that she had been “marked” by the Were, he offered to heal her. Interestingly enough, Sookie was the one smart enough to realize that being healed would not play well into her “story.” I found it significant that Eric was thinking of her well being before strategy. After all it is mentioned on several occasions how “pragmatic” Eric is. This slip up shows how much power Sookie has on him. She could tell that he was frustrated with himself for showing such a human characteristic in his impulse.
To continue, two crucial things happen during the time they share while Sookie is injured. For one, she realizes (after reciting a line from a obscure book that only Eric caught on to), that he “got” her and that was why she liked him. Secondly, in her agony, he was at her side, their eyes fixated on each other. “Let go,” he advised her, and she loosed the grip on his hands (which she had been squeezing so hard she had drawn blood). “No, not of me,” he said smiling. “You can hold on to me as long as you want. Let go of the pain, Sookie. Let go. You need to drift away.” For the first time she relinquished her will to someone else, Eric. As she looked at him, it became easy, and she retreated from the suffering.
The next morning, if Bubba hadn’t walked in on them, they would have taken their “relationship” to an intimate level. Their bodies seemed to have more control than their minds. For this, I am once again glad that they were interrupted. Later, he confesses to her that he “doesn’t like having feelings.” Furthermore, solidifying the fact that Sookie has reignited his ability to feel and that lack of control bothers him.
He rescues her from the trunk, where she and Bill were trapped; where Bill had aggressively raped and fed on her. After coming to terms with Bill’s actions, Sookie demands that Eric take her home immediately. He obliges. On their ride, Eric points out that she tends to walk away when things between her and Bill get rocky, he doesn’t mind but wants to know if this is a pattern in her romantic relationships. She responds rather obnoxiously (IMO, though, given her state of mind I can understand her duress) but Eric seems to have really listened. What I love about this scene is the fact that they challenge each other. Eric is not afraid to call her out on her immaturity and she in turn doesn’t hold back with him the way she may have with Bill.
One of my favorite Eric moments is when he reacts to the comment of Sonny’s, one of the members of the motorcycle gang that attacked them at the gas station, regarding Sookie’s “nice tits.” “You are speaking of my future lover. Be more respectful…” Priceless. I can’t even imagine Sookies reaction.
Another indicator of Eric’s internal battle with his feelings for Sookie is apparent when they discuss how the two guys were actually able to throw the silver net onto him. He allows himself to admit how humiliating it had been that they had caught him off guard (showing weakness, not characteristic of Eric). And, when Sookie rationalizes “Your mind must have been somewhere else,” he replies, “Yes, it was.” I don’t think it is made obvious but it seemed to me that the reason his mind was not focused was because he was otherwise occupied by his feelings for her.
Then, when they reach her house they have another heated argument in response to his question of “why the hell hadn’t she gotten her driveway fixed?” I love the passion that he inspires in her. She gets right in his face, regardless of the fact that he is a scary vampire. She feels safe enough to express her true emotions and struggles with him (i.e. money problems, Bill supporting the Bellefleurs w/o considering her, not wanting to ask Bill for help, etc.)
In the midst of her emotional breakdown, Sookie stalks off to her front door, and is immediately taken by a group of Weres. Eric (having been shot in the chest and leg) followed by Bill, burst through the door just in time to prevent the men from beating her any further. After 2 minutes, all the men had been killed and Eric was at her side. He seemed incredibly anxious to know her status; if she is alive, in need of hospital care, ability to speak. He tended to her needs very gingerly, stroking back her hair and sending Bill to get her a drink.
Eric continued to amuse me in the next scene when he explains the demise of Jimmy Falcon (at the hands of Sookie/Alcide). The interaction between he and Bill is just classic. “My sookie hid a corpse,” Bill asked. “I don’t know if you can be too sure about that possessive pronoun,” Eric replied (probably grinning). “Where did you learn that term, Northman?” “I took ‘English as a Second Language’ at a community college in the seventies.” “She is mine.” Bill countered. To which Sookie responded, famously, by giving the middle finger to both. Eric laughed, and Bill said “Sookie!” in shocked admonishment. “I think that Sookie is telling us she belongs to herself,” Eric said softly. That scene always sticks in my mind as evidence of why Eric “gets” her and Bill doesn’t. Bill is so ridiculously protective and old school. Eric even has to further assure him that Sookie didn’t sleep with Alcide and that the comment about her “being good in bed” was just his way of making Debbie jealous. Bill then makes it seem like “liking Sookie” is a capital crime. I assure you Sookie was rolling her eyes and Eric was laughing at Bill’s stupidity. In actuality, Bill had absolutely no reason other than establishing his “right to Sookie” to make these absurd comments. IMO, it just goes to show how bone headed Bill Compton really is.
Before falling asleep, Sookie made sure to ask if Eric was okay. He had taken two bullets on her behalf, but he was, which eased her mind. The last indication occurs the morning following her attack. Her driveway had been completely redone, with the highest quality gravel. From the note left on her door she and Jason discover that it was paid for. And, even though she wished the man that had been so thoughtful had been Bill, of course it hadn’t been. It had been Eric.
In summary, by the end of the 3rd book it was clear to me that Eric and Sookie had some unfinished “business” that would need to be explored. The overall theme of the 3rd book has always pointed to “Discovery.” Eric and Sookie both begin to uncover feelings for one another that were buried far below the surface. I think she starts to realize that Bill has in many ways neglected her, taken advantage of her and disrespected her. At the same time Eric (who, she had before regarded as a selfish, power hungry ass) was the one protecting, listening and providing for her.
***Sorry, these are getting longer than I had expected. So much E/S goodness. Next installment Book 4-Dead to the World-Intimacy & Affection.
