DVD- True Blood Season One

A few years ago I read the first book in Charlaine Harris' southern vampire series, Dead Until Dark. While it was okay, I didn't enjoy it enough to read any more in the series. Since the books were turned into a series by HBO, I have heard from countless people that it is a must see for anyone who loves vampires. I do love vampires and shape-shifters and other assorted mythical creatures, well the stories about them anyways. Not having cable, I had to wait until the first season came out on DVD and then I finally broke down and watched it. While it is no Buffy, Angel or even the short lived, The Kindred, I can see why people are hooked on it. It's quirky. It's cheesy and it's fun. It's basically an entertaining bit of fluff for vampire lovers. It is rare for me to like a movie or TV show better than the book it was based on, but in this case, Charlaine's stories are just more compelling on the screen than in print.

The story takes place in Bon Temps, LA. Bon Temps is a small southern parish, full of what one has come to expect from a small town in the deep south. The accents are strong, the sheriff is a bumbling fool, there are Bible beaters, wife beaters, small town hussies, dumb jocks, rednecks, racial tension, gays hiding in the closets and plenty of intolerance in general. Being a southerner myself, if not from that far South, I want to be offended that Hollywood can't seem to stay away from those stereotypes. Unfortunately, growing up in and traveling extensively in the South, I have seen places and people just like these stereotypes. The cast and crew have captured these nuances beautifully.

As the story begins, due to a Japanese firms development of synthetic blood, vampires no long have to feed on humans to survive and have come out of hiding. Makes one question, what other mythical creatures are real? Future episodes will reveal some. With vampires becoming fellow citizens, religious and political leaders take sides, often to radical extremes. The people of Bon Temps are no exception.

The main character of the story is Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie is a waitress, with the gift of telepathy, at the local watering hole, Merlotte's. She is naive, way too trusting while at the same time being strongly opinionated and impulsive. I have never been a big fan of Anna Paquin, but she is perfect as the title character, Sookie. Her boss, Sam Merlotte, is secretly a shape shifter and not so secretly in love with Sookie. In another brilliant casting decision, he is played by the charming and sexy, Sam Trammell. Rounding out this particular love triangle is the vampire, Bill Compton, played to brooding excellence by Stephen Moyer. These three characters are the main driving force behind season one, although many notable supporting characters keep the show flowing and the entertainment from getting stale. There is Sookie's best friend Tara, who always has something to say and it's usually the wrong thing. Sookie's brother, Jason who can't seem to keep himself out of trouble or his pants on. On that note, I have to comment on the odd sex scenes, the directors of these episodes think we need to see. I'm no prude, but most of the sex scenes are just annoyingly weird and while Ryan Kwanten is cute, I don't need to see him naked in every episode. When did HBO decide to channel "Skinamax"? I digress, other note worthy supporting characters are my personal favorites, Lafayette Reynolds, superbly played by Nelsan Ellis. His character puts the spice in the show. Last but definitely not least, the exquisite Eric Northman, played by Alexander Skarsgard. No offense Tom Cruise, but Lestat you were not. Is it just me but where was Alexander Skarsgard when they cast Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire? He would have been the perfect Lestat. As Lafayette would say, "I'm just saying!" Northman is the brooding sheriff of the Area 5 vampires. He has a certain benevolent look to him that disguises the darker side that oozes out when you least expect it.

While some of the minor characters are portrayed by less talented actors, it is the excellent casting of the main characters that drives the series to its success. For all the paranormal lovers out there, it is definitely a show worth watching. I give it five out of five silver crosses.