True Blood
 

I am surprised there isn't a thread on this show already. Am I missing something?

Anyway, my question for the group is:

Is anyone else getting a strong sense that Sam (the bar owner) Spoiler: has a relationship with that dog that goes beyond normal owner/pet. At first, I thought he was a werewolf and the dog was his canine form, but a recent episode showed the two together, so that's out. But perhaps he can see through the dog's eyes or something?

I am an episode or two behind, so maybe this has already been made clear

In two episodes back, we noticed Sam was running naked through the woods, which may indicate he is a form of lycan, possible werewolf, since he has a connection with the dog.

It is possible that Bill is a master vampire and his animal to call are the canine or werewolves, so whenever Bill is protecting Sookie, the dog is near.

Also, I found it odd how Sam was crawling all over the dead girls bed smelling her sheets.

I too have been waiting for this thread.

LOVE this show.. but am freaked put a little by the credits. In fact, the wife has my fastforward thru them each week.

Fun show, good premise, and I dig the new vamplore.

My friend was talking about this show earlier today. It sounds exactly like the Twilight series, minus all the crazy Mormon overtones.

are you kidding? The credits absolutely rock! That song is excellent. "God hates Fangs!!"

Do you think demons are controlling certain people or do you think the witch doctor is a scam artist?

Yeah, me and the ol' lady have been watching this since we saw the first commercials for it. Good stuff, but I really don't know where the story is going. Sam and the dog... they have something in common, but I don't know what yet. The witch doctor seems legit, but I suppose we'll see tonight.

Great show!

At first, I wasn't interested in this series. My wife and I have watched HBO for several years, now, and some of the best TV series we've seen were on HBO, including Rome, Carnivale, and Six Feet Under. But a series about modern-day vampires, set in the South? Give me a break. It appears everything under the sun (pun intended) about vampires has already been done, in novel and movies, and on TV, and now the writers and producers are resorting to doing those same things all over again.

Yet my wife was very interested in True Blood. (She has a higher tollerance for cliches and overdone plots/characters than I do.) And as she watched episode after episode, and as I played on the computer in the next room, I found my attention drawn away from my computer by the TV show's audio, and I found mysef getting up and going see what was going on, again and again. By the 3rd episode, I was hooked.

Anyway... I have a good guess who the serial killer is: Spoiler: Sookie's best friend, Tara. Why this person? Simply because Spoiler: Tara is possessed by a demon. A demon even more powerful than the one that possessed her mother, making her mother a raging alchoholic..

Some other observations regarding this: Spoiler: At first, I thought the serial killer might be Sam, because he appeared to be mysterious and even a little creepy. But now we're seeing that Sam is a genuinely good guy, albeit he's a lycanthrope of sorts, i.e. he can turn into a dog. But now we're seeing that Tara is far more dysfunctional than she first appeared to be. Yes, we're beginning to see a tender and lonely side of her, making us feel sympathetic toward her. But we're also seeing that Tara might be genuinely possessed by a demon! A demon that the witch doctor says is more powerful and far more dangerous than the one that possessed Tara's mother. Besides, who better to blindside the TV audience with as the secret identity of the person who brutally killed Suki's grandmother, than Suki's best friend?

Interesting observations Cynosure.

Now we know Sam can shape shift in to a...dog. Anyone else find this amusing?

That had me cracking up! I can't say I didn't expect it, but it was still super funny.

Cynosure, I honestly hadn't thought that much about it, but that makes more sense than anything else I've heard.

Not sure how closely it follows the books, but if it's true to form than Sam can shift into just about whatever he wants - a dog just happens to be his favorite. For what it's worth the entire series is written by Charlaine Harris - and if you read the book (and the show follows suit) the serial killer is revealed at the end of the first one of the series :D

I am a fan of the show. Each episode just gets more and more weird. I like that.

The very nice boobs that are are scattered about in the series is also a big plug in my book.

An update on my guess about the serial killer's identity... Spoiler: Well, it appears Tara wasn't demon-possessed, after all. Furthermore, it appears the serial killer is a white male. Now my guess is that beared guy who half-heartedly asked Sookie to dance, at the engagement party. (Can't remember his name.) Why him? I dunno... Just a hunch.

My guess:

Spoiler: I think it is Jason. His sister has a strange gift and he is portrayed as a normal, but quite dim-witted guy. It just sprang to my mind though as I type this. It might be the guy that is Jason's friend. The one that yelled at his mom this past episode telling her he would drink more. He mentioned he wanted to be just like Jason and all the dead people have a direct connection with Jason.

That's a good guess and more logical than mine.

I know who it is because I accidentally came across a Spoiler: and you're all wrong so far.

I have been reading the books, and the show parallels to a point, certain things from the book, but some minor changes. I know who the killer is Spoiler: WATCH THE SHOW NO CHEATING!!. It is interesting to see how they have tried to translate the books in to a tv show,not bad. So far season 1 is basically the first book in the series (the book everything is through sookie's eyes and her experience).

Oh, I thought I had already posted in this thread before but I guess I hadn't, so here are my thoughts on the show:

It's entertaining enough.

I like vampires quite a bit, but I'm also kinda picky about them. Vampires, to me, are brutal, amoral, sensual, and classy. I'm open to modernizing vampires, but I have always disliked the whole modern-vampires-are-goths trend, and my opinion regarding this show is no different.

You want to see a modernized vampire done well? So far, Eric has been an awesome example. Attractive, quiet, commanding presence, and most importantly subtle. Bill is alright even if the whole self-loathing vampire angle has been overdone for quite awhile. The rest of the vampires just don't feel natural to me though.

The other thing is that I like consistency. Either vampirism is supernatural or it has some biological basis. You can't "cure" the need for blood with some Japanese drink and then retain the "magic" of requiring invitations to homes.

Anyway, like I said, the show is entertaining enough. I enjoy watching it, but don't expect to see me counting down when the final season is about to begin (9 weeks and 3 days until BSG begins!).

If you watched the season finale last night then you will know the theories on this thread were wrong. I was not expecting it to be a certain individual just because that person did not fit the profile, but I guess that was to happen if they mask their true identity.

I thought season 1 was fantastic and I hope they make a season 2, but I am going to read the entire book series to get more in depth information of the characters.

From what I understand they are making Season 2 for next summer.

Anyone still watching?

This show is strangely infectious.

I watch it and have read the whole series as well, it is a great watch and one of the few reasons to keep HBO.

I'm watching. I think season 2 hasn't been as good as season 1 so far - I just feel like the first couple of episodes have been lots of 'back story' without any real attempt made to focus on the dead body in the opening scene. I guess I'll have to keep watching to see where the story goes from here...

I've been watching. This thread got me watching it in the first place. I agree it doesn't seem as good as the first season right now, but I am going to keep watching. It's still very captivating.

I've seen the first new episode, I havent gotten around to watching this past Sunday's yet, its still on the DVR. I think part of what makes the 2nd season seem different is that in season 1 you didnt really know what to expect if you hadnt read the books, and things are surprising....now with season 2 you kinda know what formula the show is gonna follow and its not as fresh, not saying its bad, but its not "different" like it was last season.

I just started reading the books and of course they are different lol

I'm watching the show as well. I enjoyed the first season equally as much as I am this season. Martian teases me because I watch the show. He calls it soft core porn. I really don't see the point to all of the sex. It's just pointless filler space.

I've read the descriptions of the books. They seem interesting. I don't think I'm going to read them though.

in the first new episode I was yelling at the tv that they were ruining a perfectly good white chenille bedspread lol

Meh. I think I've said this elsewhere, but every single thing in True Blood has been done better elsewhere. Buffy alone covered 95% of this territory.

The major exception is the gratuitous female nudity, which is mostly why I keep watching.

I actually enjoy this one despite the horrific fake Southern accents and Bill's terminal emo-ness. I love LaFayette, Sam's a naked dog-dork, Tara's getting a bit annoying and I knew who the killer was just before Amy was killed. So it's a bit predictable for me. But, the vampires don't sparkle, and Eric is kinda hot... so I keep watching. :)

I don't think its like "Buffy" at all, except for the subject matter. The writing is completely different.

The high school setting for me was a bit too much for me in regards to "Buffy." "True Blood" is what "Buffy" would have been if it had been written by Tennessee Williams after a Southern Comfort bender.

I can honestly say I see no parallel with Buffy at all

Small town infested with vampires (and other miscellaneous supernatural beings). One young blond with superpowers combats their evil. She falls in forbidden love with the one good vampire, a centuries old brooding guy struggling to regain his humanity. Every story an allegory (vampire = gay, etc.).

But really, it's not that TB is a parallel to Buffy, necessarily. It's just that it is covering very well-trod ground, much of which appeared in Buffy at one point or another. And Buffy was more fun, made me care about the characters more, etc. Tara is annoying and her mother is super-duper annoying. Sam just pines for Sookie all day long and occasionally turns into a dog. Jason Stackhouse...well, ok, he might be more interesting than Dawn but he's so stupid as to defy belief. It's not exactly the Scoobie gang.

I love the show. My wife is reading all the books right now and she's on book 8 now. Season 2 is very far from the second book.

I didn't discover this series until 2 weeks before Season 2 started. I watched all 12 episodes over a couple of nights and was glad Season 2 started soon!

It's strangely addictive and as I was going through episode after episode On Demand, even M put down his military novels and was watching.

It's good campy fun. I've never seen a Buffy episode, so don't know how they compare. I enjoy the alternate universe the story is set in.

I just finished book 3 and have 4,5,6 on request from the library....I LOVE them (and yes season 2 isnt like the book...yet)

Im VERY disappointed Bubba is not in the show :( Im hoping they bring him in at some point.

I have a mad crush on Eric's character

You sound just like me...I mean, your thoughts reflect my own.
I'm reading book "dead to the world" at the moment. man, things get intense fast in the series. I love it.

And hands off lady, Eric's ass is mine. ;) Ahaha. I have a wild crush on that man.

Truth is, I'm glad the series skews off the novel's canon.

It wouldn't be as fun to watch if it was too similar.

The books make me laugh quite a bit. Such an amusing read. ^_^

mom ordered this. gonna borrow it. will let you know. luv ya

fight ya for him!!!!

More Jessica please
http://jessicahamby.files.wordpress....wood_front.jpg

No kidding! She is seriously hot.

Is Maryann a sex monster?

Im guessing they are using Maryann as the maened character that was in the books, but they have developed her more

Jessica is interesting to watch, she isnt in the books (at least thru book 3) at all

ohhh its on girl. ;)

dukes up! He is SO mine.

Maryann is indeed a maenad in the show, as well as the novels. Thing is, the books don't feature her so much, along with Layfayette and Tara. Season 2 is really focusing on the chaos Maryann put on the town, making her an even bigger threat than she already was. I'm incredibly disappointed Alcide isn't crossing over into the show, he sounds hunky! *sigh*

Jessica is indeed not in the books....at all. It was something Alan Ball put together on his own. In fact, the writer Charlaine mentioned that, and how she wished she had put her in the books.

"Oh yeah? Then explain Europe to me."

:lol:

That was great :lol:

well hell Lafayette died in the first book, he was the body in Andy's car....Callisto was the maened's name not Maryann and she's only in book 2, Alcide doesnt show up until book 3 so Im pretty sure we'll get him next season (Im DYING to see who they get to play him), and they are making WAY more out of Tara (and changed her race) than the books did, there might be one or two mentions of her in the books, the show has turned her into a major character.....same with Jason...after book one which he was barely in, he's pretty much non existant...and he had nothing to do with the Fellowship of the Sun

The show's been great, although some plot movements are fairly obvious at times (Jason/Fellowship of Sun/Pastor+His wife, etc...)

At first I hated Jessica, she was ugly, stuck up, and out of control. Now, I love her! She looks SO hot cleaned up, plus I have a thing for redheads anyways.

I've been hearing great things about this series, I am like a few people on this thread and dislike most of the new ways they show vampires, but one of my good friends told me to watch it.

... I love it and I know I shouldn't. It's cheesy and campy, but good god am I hooked to this show. I have a friend that is Sookie (minus the mind-reading... I hope) incarnate. Same attitude and southern charm. I'm thinking about picking up the series from the library and reading them.

Coming from a small southern town, I love the idea of redneck vampires mixing it up with the "Anne Rice" vampires (aloof, beautiful, deadly, composed).

This is just me but I think Steve Newlin (religous wackjob's son) had something to do with his dad dying in the car accident so he could rise to "power" and help the anti-vampire movement gain new ground.

I'm really enjoying this show. I'm kinda assuming the vampire 'cavalry' is going to have to show up soon. It seems like just about every 'main' character is in a bit of a pickle at the end of episode 6.

the first half of the season was a little slow, but things look like they're going to be picking up in a hurry. Sookie's in a pickle, Bill's got maker trouble, Sam's in a jam, Jason's getting his dick wet again, Tara's possessed, Lafayette's shell shocked.
But maybe Jessica's gonna get some.

anyone else think the 1926 flashback was hot as hell?

the scene with Lafayette and Terry was awesome, I actually teared up a little

Is Tara going to get killed off soon? Her entire storyline may be important, but I keep finding myself fast forwarding through them to get back to things about Sookie/Bill/Eric/Sam/Jason. She and Eggs are just really boring the crap out of me.

No clue, they have made WAY more out of her character than in the book so its hard to say where they are going with her, I just wanna slap her poor "woe is me, my life is worse than anyone elses" self ugh

I'm not a huge fan of Tara in the 2nd season, I liked her in the 1st season. Either let her die or merge the stories, like the they did with Jason, Sookie, and the Church.

It looks like both the Tara and the Sam stories are going to converge around Maryanne. Sam's story was interesting enough, but I'm thinking that this whole thing might worsen his trust issues with his true morphing self, which is a shame.

BTW, does anyone else think of George and Laura Bush whenever the Newlins are on the screen? I feel like George is the idiot fundamentalist and Laura is the woman that's being dragged down by him, wondering where she went wrong.

I can honestly say that that never occurred to me but it wouldnt because I dont dislike them (the Bushs). They remind me more of Jim and Tammy Faye

I wish they'd wrap up the MaryAnn storyline already she is EXTREMELY annoying, the way the book did it was much better in my opinion and there was only one friggin orgy to deal with (now if they did it like they did in the book with Eric and Sookie there it might be different lol)

The 2 things I think about when I see the Newlins on screen are 1) He is WAY to holy to be human, he has to be supernatural 2) Kinky sex, I know what's weird, but when I see Ultra-religious, holier than thou couples; I think they are into kinky freaky shit. Like he likes to be tied down, ball-gag, whipped, and branded with hot irons. Like the self-punishment talked about in Brand New World with the "tribal kid".

... and the fact I'd totally bang Mrs. Newlin and come on her double breasted jacket.

Have you started reading them yet? Im on book 6 and I cant put the damn things down lol

If my local library has them, I'll start on reading through them. I'm super-ultra broke right now, had to cut alot of expenditures, so buying books was one of the first things to go.

I'm betting that I'll have to request the books. If they do have them, I'll try to grab as many as I can, I'll most likely burn through them pretty quickly.

I almost didn't read them because it would ruin the show, but if what everyone says is correct, we are talking about two entirely different stories.

I get them from my library, and they are a really really quick read, I started reading them right before season 2 started and even being on a waiting list Im on number 6. I find Im enjoying both of them separately, its interesting to know whats SUPPOSED to happen and watch Alan Ball's treatment of that

I'm betting my library doesn't have them in stock, but he's hoping. If I happen to get all of them, I'll most likely be done by this weekend.

I am a super speed reader. Wonder if we need to start a "True Blood (Book version)" thread so we don't "spoil" it for others.

can you get to your library online? Thats how I check mine and have them hold stuff for me

I love talking about the books!! If you get any we can start a thread :)

Never thought about doing that, going to check that out right now.

oh its a life saver, I live right between two branches but we have about 10 in our county, and I can go online and see immediately which branches have books I want or if I have to request it because there is a wait.

YES! That 1920s material was incredible. I wanted to see more material between Lorena and Bill.

And the Layfayette and Terry scene was very sweet. Terry is great :) And I love Hoyt, hehe.

It almost feels like the show writers didn't think that us (the audience) would understand MaryAnn's role, that or they had to fill up a sex-scene quota, so they just go on and on with the orgies and wild parties, blah blah blah....I hate it. heh. And Tara went from being a proud idiot, to a timid idiot. I HATE the character change.

The random scene in the woods with Eggs was ridiculous too. I really didn't care what was going on.

In the books, I found Living Dead in Dallas to be one of the most interesting novels put together. Everything that happens in Dallas is great, and the show just isn't convincing me enough that they care what is going on with Godric.

The orgy in book 2 was hilarious, Eric was cracking me up. :P I had really hoped they would go there in True Blood

What's your fave season 2 moment? By far, my fave is from two episodes ago, when Sookie and Bill first arrived in Dallas. At the end of the episode, Jessica orders a man to drink. It really cracked me up. :lol:

I'm not a fan of Tara or "Eggs" (what a stupid name) either, but the scene in the woods wasn't random... it was foreshadowing what was to come later in the episode. He was remembering a previous time where he took part in the same kind of orgy/sacrifice.

In some ways, season 2 is much better than season 1, but in others ways it is far worse. I have to admit, I've never been a huge fan of the show: I enjoy it, but there are a lot of things I dislike as well. Bill is LAME when he's with Sookie, but fun when he's with Eric. Tara is lame when.... all the time. Sookie is lame.... all the time. Sam is lame when he interacts with Sookie or Tara, so.... almost all the time. The show would be 100x better if the focus were the relationship between Bill and Eric.

Tru Blood Beverage

well soon you can get the beverage.... all the blood orange you can drink.

True Blood at Comic-Con: A Twilight Diss, Fang Malfunctions and More - E! Online
Tru Blood, The Drink: They teased us before about it, but this time it's for real: a Tru Blood drink will be on the market on Sept. 10. Alan joked that it's a mix of a cabernet wine with blood, "vodka, Vicodin, Viagra and ecstasy" and that it's "completely illegal." Imagine that? Kidding aside, he said it's "a very tasty blood orange soda" that has "all natural ingredients." And, it's bottled in the same bottle you see on the show. How cool is that? Oh, and you can preorder it at hbo.com.

I'm hoping against all odds that the entire storyline was set up to make a "scrambled" joke.

I'd be entirely open to trying out the drink if it weren't $4 a bottle. They should really try to price it competitively: I see no reason why HBO can't use this drink to get into the beverage market and reach people who don't necessarily even watch True Blood yet.

That stuff goes for 45 bucks a pop at some of the swankier hotels in Dallas from what I understand :lol:

oh good one Fugly!!!

SM...Bill IS Lame...his part in the show is pretty much how he's written and Stephen Moyer is doing a fantastic job portraying what an ass and a lame person he is

Settie, I have fantasies about Eric in his pink spandex and trench coat....yum

Im really interested to see how they are going to portray Godric....if they are going to go in a different direction or keep him the tortured powerful god awful pedophile that he's supposed to be (which was so so hard for me to wrap my head around considering he was 15 when he was turned thousands of years ago

My favorite part of season two is any scene with Jessica in it lol and the 1926 sex scene

It's getting soooo good now...

I about fell of the couch laughing with Jessica's predicament...thats an awesome concept, interesting they use it because they ignore so much of the "vampire never changes" concept from the books (for example, if they cut their hair it grows right back....so WHY has Eric got that stupid short hair now!!)

He's probably working on another project and letting him have short hair looked better than putting him in a wig. His longer hair was better though... made me wish he had been cast as Thor in the upcoming movie :p Not sure I can buy Chris Hemsworth.

I was reading an interview the other day, where he was talking about how uncomfortable the wig from first season had been, thats why they went to using his own hair. Part of the reason it aggravates me is that one of the premises in the book is that when a vampire is made they spend eternity looking how they had when it happened. If they had hair stubble, they had it for eternity, if they shave it comes back. If they cut their hair, it comes back. They've used this for Jessica's hymen regrowing problem, but not for Erics hair lol

Oh really, the first season was a wig? Guess I never cared to look closely. He should have just grown it out.

It made sense in Battlestar Galactica for them to start using a wig for Tricia Helfer's blonde hair because repeatedly dying it was unnecessarily damaging. I really can't see why they wouldn't just tell him to grow his hair out for the show though... it's not like it's unheard of.

Anyway, it's a minor inconsistency. I still think he'd make a great Thor.

I believe that's why the earlier episode when Eric kills that guy in the basement and tears him limb from limb, he's getting his hair done. He was getting highlights or something like that.... I assume from that every day/morning whatever time frame for old vampires his cosmetic changes revert.

Well, no character development for Godric. And we see the Sookie and Eric storyline coming forward. I'm still unsure how the Maryanne storyline is going to be finalised, but I'm guessing she is heading for a fall...

Well since I knew Godric wasnt going to be around long, I was more focused on yelling at the TV cause the camera didnt pan down enuff on Eric's naked butt lol

Last nites episode seemed empty to me, I'm not sure why, I dont know if its because of all the hype about how great it was and I knew its because Godric died or what. I think for me the whole show was made by naked Eric and an enraged LaFayette lol

Wow, you're in my head now. :oogle:

nice episode.... the story arc is much better and more involved this year.

I was totally cracking up at Sarah Newlin on TV, "I hate your hair"

Overall, this season is better than last, but it took a bit to get there. Higher highs, and lower lows.

It's a buildup episode to the next few episodes, finishing out the season with a bang.

It was interesting that Sookie recognized a similarity between Godric's affinity towards humans and Bill's. Could Bill be Godric 1700 years down the line? Did Godric once love a human woman?

who knows, the Godric of the show is not the Godric of the book so we have no back story for the "john lennon" of vampires to draw from. Book Godric only liked little boys and tortured and abused them for fun and games before he killed them

To me this was really Jason's episode.

From his reaction to Maxine, to his interest there was a new (albeit dead) waitress at Merlotte's, to chainsawing the cd player, to getting out Sam and Andy from the freezer to playing "God" to his reaction to Sam disappearing and showing back up in a kitchen apron with a strategically placed apron string, I was falling off the couch laughing in every scene he was in.

Someone remind me, didnt the Dr say something when she was curing Sookie from MaryAnn's scratches about the poison being harmful in someway to Vamps? I cant remember.

LaFayette's line about he and Jesus agreeing to see other people was awesome.

The condition of Sookie's house breaks my heart, I hope once all this is settled it will "magically" go back to how it was....but then there is going to be a LOT of clean up going on at Merlotte's too.

Cant wait to see what happens with Jessica because of her attacking Maxine.

I know Hadley has been cast, but she isnt scheduled to show up yet is she? (Could be Sophies "food" if she does?)

all in all this epi really made Jason shine

Just as a side note, before it came on, Dave and I were watching an old episode of Criminal Minds that starred Andy, it was weird to watch an hour of him in that and then switch to drunkin "pig" Andy lol

This season started painfully slow, but it's rushing to be a great season finale.

I am loving this show so much right now. I can't wait to see what happens next.

ZOMFG!! This thread was started in '08!! I JUST started watching this!! I haven't read the thread at ALL!! but Dayum heysus, this show is good!!

Vampire blood didn't seem to have any effect on the wound, at least not Bill's blood, but it doesn't appear anything was said in the TV series.

so kinda skipping the posts cuz I don't like spoilers on things I haven't watched, I"m not even sure I want to watch it though. Basically it was described to me as "Twilight, with sex"

Confirm/Deny ?>

HUGE Deny, though there is loads of sex lol

I didn't see Twilight, but from what I understand it's not like Twilight. TB has a decent sense of humor and it's pretty clever.

something for me to squee over when I visit the thread. I've never in my life liked blond men, but good god the things I could do to "Eric"

http://www.celticdesade.com/upload/sparklevamp.png

http://www.celticdesade.com/upload/ericnorthman1.jpg

You're not exactly helping the "not like Twilight" argument ;)

I can see the similarities, but True Blood is entertaining and tolerable, despite its many flaws. Twilight is garbage, and nothing more. It's not insignificant that Twilight follows idiotic teenagers while True Blood follows idiotic adults.

Flaws? What flaws? pfft there are no flaws

What about Eric's haircut?

Pwned.

And I don't recall Eric having such heavy bags under his eyes in the first season. Really distracting, along with the tomahawk-chopped haircut.

Jason needs a new girlfriend for me to get interested again; that was the "gratuitously good" portion of the show's three-part formula, where tops were optionable.

I agree with you, I never liked blonds until now.

It's getting hot in here.