For as many out there who don't enjoy HBO's 'True Blood,' there's no denying it appeals to men and women alike with its bloody bevy of beautiful bodies.  One particular coupling that had been long in the making was that of Sookie (Anna Paquin) and Alcide Herveaux (Joe Manganiello), though the story seemed to make an abrupt swerve just as the pair first hooked up.  What cause series creator Alan Ball to pull the plug, and has the door been shut completely?

For as banana boat crazy as 'True Blood' season 5 turned out to be, longtime fans of the series were especially excited to see Sookie Stackhouse finally hook up with werewolf man-monolith Alcide Herveaux, after her usual ampire paramours Bill Compton and Eric Northman were called away on vampire business.  Not only was the long-awaited Sookie-Alcide coupling interrupted mid-stride, but fell to the wayside rather quickly in favor of the already-crowded season's other stories.

Speaking to TVLine, series creator and departed show-runner Alan Ball explained his discarding of the hotly-anticipated couple, not wanting to repeat the show's all-too-frequent patterns.  Says Ball:

The decision to not do it this season [came about because] every single season, it’s been all about Sookie falling in love with this person or that person. It seemed like she had enough on her plate this season to not just [say], ‘Okay, now Sookie’s gonna fall in love with Alcide!’

Of course, that isn't to say that 'True Blood' season 6 show-runner Mark Hudis might not pick up where the pair left off, even as season 5 finale "Save Yourself" left plenty on Sookie Stackhouse's plate already.  Offering hope, Ball clarifies: “That doesn’t man that that door is closed.  All of these supernatural guys in town carry a big torch for Sookie – even Eric, who doesn’t want to admit it.”

Of course, that likely isn't the only reason for the season, as fans may have noticed that the more season 5 went on, the more visibly pregnant and clothed Anna Paquin became.  If Alcide and Sookie ever do get to do the dirty deed, they'd better do it quick, as a recent interview with Ball revealed that the show's sixth season would only comprise 10 episodes, down from the usual 12.  Well hey, for all his muscles, maybe Joe Manganiello doesn't need that long, if you catch our drift.

What say you?  Did you feel robbed that Sookie and Alcide's relationship was so short-lived?  Do you think there's hope for the couple yet?  Tell us what you most want to see from 'True Blood' season 6 in the comments!

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