Structure: Each season is centered around different major issue - first season is the only one to follow the books closely and it deals with a serial killer who murders women associated to vampires, second season deals with the curious character of MaryAnn who takes over the town, third one introduces werewolves and fourth one - based on the best novel and unfortunately the worst season of the show yet - deals with witches, fairies and magic. There also major story arcs that last through the entire series - the addiction to vampire blood - V - which is a powerful narcotic when consumed by humans, Sookie's many suitors and her doubts about all of them, the people who want to destroy the vampires - the Fellowship of the Sun, which is essentially a church and a gathering of fanatics and Sookie's struggle to find out why is she a telepath.
What makes it so great? The completely fresh universe the show creates - I always wanted to travel to Louisiana and the show has everything you would expect from that place - the passion, the sweat, the eerie vibes and all that jazz. There are plenty of fascinating locations - from the vampire bar Fangtasia to the vampire Queen's mansion in New Orleans. Also the opening titles gotta be my favorite credits sequence of all time. There are also amazing flashbacks scenes that take us far back and some of the sickest sex scenes I've seen in my life. The show features a lot of great performances - lovely and bitchy Pam played by Kristen Bauer, flamboyant gay Lafayette in Golden Globe nominated turn by Nelsan Ellis and cute Jessica played by promising Deborah Ann Woll.Whom you may recognize: Anna Paquin from "the Piano" and "X men" movies, Alexandra Skarsgard whom I'm sure you saw by accident on some site for obsessed teens, Evan Rachel Wood who makes a delightful appearance in season 2 as vampire queen Sophie Anne, William Sanderson from "Deadwood", Fiona Shaw from Harry Potter series and Michelle Forbes from "The Killing"
Who's behind it? Alan Ball, the creator of "Six Feet Under". Frankly his approach here was very disappointing and he had a bit too much freedom plus he was behind hiring Paquin. So I'm very happy that he is leaving the show and maybe it will fall into more capable hands.
Who will like it? Fans of cheesy horror films, lots of gore, quirky characters, Louisiana, vampire stories and passionate romances.
When and where? Season 5 hits HBO on June, 24.
Yeah, I really didn't like the fourth season except for Jessica, Jason, Eric (when he's a badass), and of course, Pam who is my favorite character. The line she gave about Sookie and her fairy vagina had me said, "me too Pam... me too...".
ReplyDeleteI'm not really looking forward to the next season as I feel that things aren't going to get better. I'm so over Sookie and Beeelll!
Oh yeah they turned Eric into such a pussy in season 4. Everything because of Ball - he is really biased towards Bill/sookie romance and he was stretching it out to the point I wanted to puke. Bill was absent for a lot of book 4 which was one of the reasons it was great, in the series they made him a freaking King. Pam is my favorite character too, she is amazing and her scenes never disappoint.
DeleteI've not seen the show, I enjoyed a soundtrack from True Blood I found, You did/ Chuck Prophet, was a cool song.
ReplyDeleteDon't know the opening credits sequence- sounds unmissable!
The soundtrack is absolutely amazing, it's pretty much given in HBO productions, they always chose badass songs for their series.
DeleteI LOVE this program, but admittedly, I was getting really sick of season 4. I don't think that Paquin is too bad...but man, does she have a weird accent. And that's not just because she's a Kiwi. I can't wait for season 5!
ReplyDeleteOh God, her accent...I think the worst thing she does is her screaming/maniacal laughter though - when she was throwing away Talbot remains in season 3 finale and started to laugh I thought my head will fall off from the awfulness of it.
DeleteI kind of lost interest in True Blood about half way through season 3, but I will forever love the first two seasons as they were really good. I'll remember my True Blood fandom love fondly! (Though I didn't like the books - slightly better written versions of Twilight imo, despite being published long before then.)
ReplyDeleteYeah, the books aren't masterpieces, but they are quite entertaining, I think I read 6 of them, I think the series captures the atmosphere of Louisiana much better than the novels. The first two seasons are indeed the best one in the series.
DeleteI like the TV show and I always watch, when its time comes every summer! Of course I am a big Eric fan, so you can understand I was happy during season 4, although most didn't like it because they thought Eric was a pussy. I am curious to see what Sookie will do next and if she goes back to Eric or Bill (haven't read the books). Great post!
ReplyDeleteI think reading the books really doesn't matter at that point, Alan Ball changed 90% of the story by now :) I agree about Eric, in the book he still remained manly but in the show they made him into such a wimp.
Delete