Signs of an abusive relationship
The quickest of Google searches will bring you to a slew of websites, which are generally hold the same information.
I’ve bolded everything that I believe applies to Bill and Sookie’s relationship, and italicized if I wasn’t sure about one (it’s been a while since I’ve rewatched, so feel free to point out anything I might’ve missed!). I think it goes without saying that Bill is the abuser.
I’ll add in which scenes first came to mind for each. For the most part there are going to be many, but again I’ll just put down the first or most obvious if there are any outstanding scenes of significance.
You may be in an abusive relationship if he or she:
- Is jealous or **possessive** toward you. (Jealousy is the primary symptom of abusive relationships; it is also a core component of Sexual Addictions and Love Addiction.)
SOOKEHHH YEW AHRE MAHN.
- Tries to control you by being very bossy or demanding.
- Tries to isolate you by demanding you cut off social contacts and friendships.
See: Every time Bill’s ever said anything bad about Eric to Sookie simply because he was afraid Sookie would fall for Eric/Eric would take Sookie from him.
- Is violent and / or loses his or her temper quickly.
Jessica’s house, when he just kind of shook Sookie and threw her out the door comes directly to mind (though I know I’m definitely missing something huge). He does lose his temper very easily around Sookie as well, if not to her. I’ll just leave this at “SOOKEH IS MAHN!”
- Pressures you sexually, demands sexual activities you are not comfortable with.
- Abuses drugs or alcohol.
- *****Claims you are responsible for his or her emotional state. (This is a core diagnostic criteria for Codependency.)*****
- *****Blames you when he or she mistreats you.*****
The scene in @nwalmn’s beautiful gifset for the last two.
- Has a history of bad relationships.
- Your family and friends have warned you about the person or told you that they are concerned for your safety or emotional well being.
- You frequently worry about how he or she will react to things you say or do.
Annnnnnnnnnd we have Jessica’s house: Sookie was afraid to do what she felt was the right thing, simply because Bill would get mad. WHICH HE DID.
- Makes “jokes” that shame, humiliate, demean or embarrass you, weather privately or around family and friends.
- Your partner grew up witnessing an abusive parental relationship, and/or was abused as a child.
- Your partner “rages” when they feel hurt, shame, fear or loss of control.
Jessica’s house, yet again. ‘Nough said.
- Both parties in abusive relationships may develop or progress in drug or alcohol dependence in a (dysfunctional) attempt to cope with the pain.
- You leave and then return to your partner repeatedly, against the advice of your friends, family and loved ones.
Tara’s Sookie’s best friend, and she hates Bill’s guts. Sam’s not a fan, and Jason’s actually slammed his door in his face while screaming “GET THE FUCK OUT!” before (right after Bill yelled at him for not protecting Sookie, mind you)!
- You have trouble ending the relationship, even though you know inside it’s the right thing to do.
See: Season 4***
That’s a LOT of bold. This is the general consensus from a bunch of real-life websites I’ve looked at. I’m not making any of this up to help my own anti-Bill cause.
As always, I want to hear your thoughts!
No additional thoughts necessary. This pretty much say it all.
Just a small aside of that the show makes these points very, very deliberately and cleverly. Bill/Sookie relationship has been portrayed as abusive from the get-go. It always felt vaguely uneasy, even at the beginning, when no one was privy to Bill’s agenda or lies. Once that became clear, all the hints and all the signs came into focus even more.
Also, keeping the tags, because funny. :)
Yes, and the tags…hilarious! All about the booty! :))
(Source: iwatchthebees)
