TV Review: True Blood
True Blood, a current series HBO, is a totally new type of vampire story. Most of you have probably seen the sexy dark Anne Rice version, the underground vamp society on Moonlight and the heroic, moral Angel. In the world of True Blood, vampires are out in the open, no longer afraid to make their presence known to the world at large.
It’s an interesting concept, and the execution of the series is just as fascinating. True Blood mixes horror, drama, comedy, sex and all other genres in an occasionally uneven but always entertaining show. Few shows can go from jokes about vampires “coming out of the coffin” to some fairly graphic rough sex to a brutal assault in a single episode. But if you’re willing to let creator Alan Ball take you into his dark, twisted, sometimes funny world, True Blood is the perfect escape.
Based on the first five episodes, it’s absolutely addicting, although it has some major flaws. It’s doubtful “True Blood” will have the more mainstream appeal of “The Sopranos,” or even “Six Feet Under,” but if you can past some of the cheese, it’s well worth it.
Set in modern day, vampires are beginning to “come out of the coffin” after the Japanese have developed a synthetic blood drink, True Blood. That means the vampires don’t have to munch on humans for their sustenance, but of course there are some who aren’t ready to give that up. Meanwhile, there’s an underground demand for a new drug, V, made from vamp blood that gives humans extra strength, LSD hallucinations and some help in the sack.
The reason to watch True Blood isn’t the characters, but the vampire mythology. The concept of vampires living in the open, unafraid to let mortals know they exist, is fascinating, and the show’s biggest strength is it’s ability to create a wonderful vampire culture. There are lobbyists in Washington fighting for vampire rights, women who enjoy having sex with vampires (called fangbangers), and a black market where humans sell V-Juice, aka vampire blood.
I love this show. The first few episodes I wasn’t so sure but now I really really dig it. I think what got to me at first was Sooki, something about her… or the actress who plays her. I dunno. I’m over it now though and I think it’s a great show.
You’re right though, I do see it being more of a 6 Feet Under or Dead Like Me type of audience. Here’s hoping it lasts longer than Dead Like Me.
I totally fell for it the moment I saw the teasers and preludes of the show. But I also had some unsureness after the first 2 episodes, but then it really picked up and I was hooked!
Added the HBO True Blood Trailer for those who haven’t seen it yet!
Alan Ball does a good job of establishing a realistic setting (the town of Bon Temps, LA) with a believable scenario in society recognizes vampires. The sex, while graphic, is sufficiently twisted, establishing some of the differences between humans and vampires.
The dialogue wasn’t bad and the somewhat campy atmosphere of the show hooked me in and gave it a genuine air of back-country sex and scandal. The acting of the major characters was solid, with Anna Paquin providing a solid portrayal of a young Southern woman tormented by hearing everyone’s thoughts yet clinging to her values.
I enjoyed the pilot episode, I thought that Tara was an AMAZING actress, maybe better than the lead actress, who played Sookie.
I have been a fan of the books for a while, and the first episode followed the story pretty well. My only complaint was Sookie, Anna Paquin is a very talented actress but she seems a little to sophisticated and not southern to play Sookie, plus the Sookie i imagined was a bit heavier. As time goes on the Sookie the books becomes more sophisticated and i hope that Anna becomes more accustomed to the roll.
The show is more graphic than the book, but thats all to be expected from an HBO series and as a whole I thought it was very entertaining. I\’m looking forward to the next episode.