Vater, Bruder, Sohn

Watching True Blood is one the reasons why I fell in love with HBO all over again. While I will admit, The Wire was a pretty good series, and Entourage was worth a good bit of laughs there still hadn't been that gripping an image to come across my screen until I saw the exchange between Godric and Eric. Two of the male vampires on HBO's hit new series "TrueBlood." If you've never seen it before it's worth the watch. Chances are, if you like one episode, then you're hooked for the whole season. Thank God for HBO On Demand so I could catch up. However I care not to explain its plot in full on this blog.

No, this was about something truly compelling that I saw two nights ago. The exchange between two men that reflected respect, friendship, and love. Godric, is a 2000 year old vampire and the maker of Eric. Simply put, Godric is the one who administered the bite which transformed Eric into a creature of night. In a previous episode, we meet Godric: a bloodthirsty vampiric hunter, turned benevolent sage in his two millenia life span. The audience learned of Eric's life before becoming a vampire. He had always been a fierce warrior, slaying many on the battlefield and protecting his men even with the last inch of his life. Godric, from afar watched him with muted respect for a monster as fearless and ruthless as he. In his first act of respect for Eric, Godric bit him. Turning him from living flesh to a member of the undead. In exchange, Eric was to be "the companion of Death." Godric taught Eric the nature of being a vampire. That there was no right and wrong. No pain and sorrow. Simply survival at any cost. The series does not fully elaborate on what extent to which Godric taught Eric these things, however it is clear from Eric's constant disposition that these theories are the laws which govern his existence. In fact, prior to introducing the idea of Godric, the audience had never really seen the softer side of Eric. We see him a few shakes back desperate to find Godric and he went to great odds to rescue him. Swindled Bill to allow Suki, to infiltrate the Fellowship of the Sun's Church and flush out where his master might have been taken to. And Godric, we only have glimpses of his ruthlessness in the form of a flashback. We glance back to the day he turned Eric after murdering his entire battalion, whilst he knocking at Death's Door. In his younger years, Godric has an untidy, ravenous look about himself. A bloodthirsty vampire. But in the brief time that we've seen him during present day he gives the impression of an old man. Though he looks only about 17, Godric's very presence commands authority and while he only once showed his murderous nature, by killing Suki's would-be rapist, we never again get a glimpse into his darker side. Godric seemed to me, watching this a second time, dare I say.........ready to die. He had sacrificed himself to the Anti-Vampire Church that he may cleanse the hurt of a thousands deaths his race has dealt to the humans. And his apprentice, his son, his friend, Eric protested greatly upon his proclamation that he would be committing suicide. He would be letting the Sun take him. Godric was discontent with his existence as a vampire. He suffered silently, until he could take it no more

"2000 years is enough. It's insanity. Our existence is insanity. We shouldn't be here."

The phrase crushes Eric. He begs for his brother, his lover, his maker, and dearest friend not to go. It is a heart wrenching display. Eric, in a tender showing collapses in a fit of sobs that runs deep to his core. It was......moving. To say the least. It is rare to see men admit that they actually have feelings let alone for another man. Whether it's friendship or something more. Eric and Godric were that display. And part of my heart goes out to this fictional character, because through the power of his art he was able to convey emotions that are more real to me and so many others than they are willing to admit. "Godric, please. Please. Please." Eric sobbed pitifully. "Don't go." I am sad to see the series lose someone we only just got to know. Fare thee well Godric. You mean more to me than so much mindlessness on television. You will be missed. And may God have mercy on your undead soul. Vater, Bruder, Sohn.