Episode 4.08 – “Spellbound”
March 30, 2011 in True Blood
New casting calls are out with some interesting nuggets. For starters Maxine is still alive, but Bill interrupts her conversation with a reporter to score an interview? Go figure.
TRUE BLOOD, Episode 408, “Spellbound”
Writer: Alan Ball
Director: Daniel Minahan
Location: L.A.
Start Date: Approx. 4/11/11[VIRGIL] 35 years old, a harshly handsome blue collar Caucasian man with a cold and ruthless streak, Virgil is seen in a flashback to the 1930s. Guest star.
[REPORTER] Female, a local TV news reporter, she is delighted when Bill shows up to interrupt her conversation with Maxine. Charmed by Bill, she’s more than willing to give Bill a public forum. 1 speech & 5 lines, 3 scenes.
[RITA] In her 40s, an attractive maternal woman. 1 line, 1 scene.
As for which song the title could refer to, its probably anyone’s guess. There’s a fair few with that name.
So I’m going with Siouxsie And The Banshees’ version.
Bill, making everything about himself?! Shocking
Oooooh, I hope it’s Siouxsie.
And hmmm. The reporter is “charmed” by Bill? That may not mean anything… but it DOES make you wonder. I’m inclined to think that he’s glamouring the news reporter to guard information that he doesn’t want getting out to the public. But maybe Bill WILL be practicing a little magic?
And also, the fact that he would look for a public forum at all makes me wonder if he isn’t in fact working for the Authority next season, much like Nan Flanagan.
Yes, that’s what I am getting out of it too. That Bill has a job similar to Nan, namely PR. Which is not say that he has no power, just that I don’t think Bill is king, or Sheriff or magister.
Also, most of the casting calls seem to involve Bill. Hmmm.
“She’s more than willing to give Bill a public forum.”
Oh dear lord, NO. The last thing we need is for Mr. Sanctimonious to be given a public forum.
Maybe its compare / contrast thing the writers have in mind? Unlike the last time a vampire was on TV with Russell ripping out that guys spine, this time they’re putting a vampire on TV who is spineless?
Just a thought.
He’ll be like a vampire version of John Boehner! He cries because he cares so much.
Bwahahaha! Okay, that just made my night.
hahaha…MAS you are killing me…
Good one MAS!
Bwahahaha!
Why would anyone want to interview Maxine? Hmm… Maybe something happens to Hoyt?
I’m thinking there must be a scene in Bon Temps that attracts the media. Maxine seems like the type that would find the nearest camera and start giving her opinion… and if Bill is in a Flanaganesque position now, he would want to deflect attention away from her and conduct damage control ASAP.
Yeah that seems Maxine-like. She sure did hurry to be a spectator when Dawn’s body was being removed from her house.
Maxine and her shotgun may have done something bad….or good, depending on your point of view? She could be a heroine or a suspect…
Just what we need—- more characters to support Bill’s “vitally important” S4 plotline.
I don’t see it being out of the question for Bill to become the “non-threatening” vampire poster boy. It’s what he was trying to get Sookie and the folks of Bon Temps to think anyway. If he uses any kind of influence other than his con-man charm, I would guess glamour though. I really, really don’t think Bill is going to be an ally of the witches this season.
If they intend to keep him as a viable character/suitor, he needs to be brought out of the abyss he currently occupies. I don’t think he’s going to do anything spectacularly villainous this season at all, however much that disappoints me personally.
I agree Kirsten. And I do think that he will be a bureaucrat this season. Not a King, or a sheriff. But like Nan Flanagan, ON TV.
… which is PERFECT, actually, given his “do as I say, not as I do” track record.
I agree, with you and MAS. I never was on board with the witch thing…it would permanently cut Sookie out of his life in any way if she found out.
I wonder if what Eric said to Bill in season 1 is a foreshadow of what to come: “If you’re their poster boy, then the mainstreaming movement is in very big trouble. True Blood it will keep you alive but it will bore you to death!”
Very Good point Freyja!!!
I think now he is their poster boy…which is HILARIOUS!! lol
lmao As TB Eric would say, “Good point.” *snort*
1930′s flashback? Another Bill flashback perhaps?
I take that back, don’t think it is a Bill flashback.
C’mon, Dee… don’t you want to see the Hefner robe just ONE MORE TIME????
HAHAHAHA Don’t we all want to see pimpin Bill in his Hefner robe, so HOTT
I just keep going back and forth between the name Virgil. It can either take place in the south but it’s also an European name. Description though makes me think of the south though for some reason.
Like the title and the song, if this is in fact it. Very minor characters, so I’m not worried abou the casting calls.
ok, i am a little worried. i hope this isnt because Maxine hurt Jessica in some way and Bill comes in to give her a piece of his mind.
I’m still wondering where Portia fits into all this. I imagine Bill will have need of a lawyer or legal advice…and when will he discover the Bellefleur connection? Maybe he tries to burnish his public image in Bon Temps as a non-threatening vamp to counter the anti-vamp sentiment. “William Compton, Civil war veteran.”
Or, he finds Portia useful and glamours her to do things for him. Who knows?
I’m having deja vu. Was there a minor book character named Rita?
Duh. Red Rita.
Virgil and Mavis are both from 1930′s flashbacks. Mavis is a recurring character, first appearing in E6. Maybe Virgil is the reason she is so sad.
“Spellbound” is a great title. It’s written by AB – I think it’s going to be awesome!
Why would a reporter be interviewing Maxine? Do you think Maxine did newsworthy something with her shotgun? Did something happen to Hoyt?
This made me think of Mavis too, WFS.
The title of this ep alone is enough to make me squeal with delight….it’s the name of the Hitchock film I’ve been babbling about forever, LOL. I think Maxine saw something she shouldn’t have that could be incriminating to the new media darling. Bill interrupts and redirects to deflect the attention and suspicion away – probably implicating AE instead. I really think Hadley’s body is found.
Ah that is why the name ‘Spellbound’ sounded so familiar. I love the idea of the parallels from this Hitchcock movie.
I ve just read on Wiki about this movie..OH MY VIKING GOD!!
I think it’s perfect….i always thought that Eric would have been accused of a murders or more than one the he never really committed but since he has amnesia he can’t defend himself….
I think im gonna watch the movie like now! LOL
I would LOVE it if this is a nod to the movie…And I would love it even more if Sook went on a mission to clear AE of any wrong-doing…ooooohhhh…*rubs hands in glee*
Skarlove, Ive always found this theory really interesting. Spellbound is such an intriguing title. I think we will definitely see some elements from this movie in season 4.
I was trying not to get my hopes up, but this episode title is causing some anticipation. It would work so perfectly….and to see Sookie fight for and with AE to defend his innocence would just be amazing. It would totally compliment DTTW and would really force Sookie to confront and cement her feelings for Eric. How can you defend someone for murder if you don’t trust him yourself? Gah….keeping fingers crossed!
i think AS said at Paley that while Amnesia, people will tell Eric about the murders he did and he won’t understand why he did that….so maybe they were talking about something that happen between him going missing and Sookie finds him…
I think Hitchcock movie is REALLY a valid option for Season 4, i can see that happen!
Mony, now that you mention it I do remember AS saying something along those lines at/around Paley! But at the time, I took it to mean within the context of his past – not murders yet to come. Wow – great point!
I was just listening to bits of the Spellbound soundtrack on iTunes – I don’t think I can link to here, but the title track and concerto by Miklos Rozsa & Allan Wilson is really haunting and powerful. I don’t think it would work for the end of an episode, but it could possibly work in the 30′s flashback. There have been a few times in TB where the title song is actually used somewhere else in the ep – like Fourth Man in the Fire. A few others as well, I believe. Just a thought.
I also thought about Mavis when I read the casting side for Virgil. I think you’re right WFS and I bet he is connected to Mavis. Now if we only knew for sure who Mavis is connected to. Is she haunting Hoyt and Jess or related to Laffy and Tara or part of the witches?
Looks like I’ll be watching some Hitchcock this weekend!
Maybe Maxine is outside Sam’s rentals again. Like in S1, they are the scene of a crime, this time arson.
The song inspiration could also be “Spellbound” by Lacuna Coil. If it is a kick ass ep, they just might use it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_VS2B48c24
Spellbound Lyrics (Lacuna Coil)
Burning here, in the room
Feeling that the walls are moving closer
Silent scene the dark takes me
Leads me to the ending of another day
I’m haunted
Tell me who you are. I am spellbound
You cannot have this control on me
Everywhere I go I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
Velvet drapes, glowing candles
Silent whispers of words inside of my head
The night that comes, it waits for me
Lift me to the ending of another day
I’m haunted
Tell me who you are. I am spellbound
You cannot have this control on me
Everywhere I go I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
Everywhere I go I am spellbound
Everywhere I go I am spellbound
Everywhere I go I am spellbound
I will break the spell you put on me
The lyrics are very interesting. It could very well be this song.
Oh, I like this song. There are so many cool choices.