The Littlest Winslow

(Spoiler-free) Waiting sure does suck, but for fans of HBO’s delicious blood suckin’, fang-bangin’, shape-shifting guilty pleasure, the wait is finally over. Sure, the network’s other fare, full of coming-of-age Girls, Prohibition-age politicians, and sword wielding medieval-doers were worthy enough to hold us over in the meantime; however, with last night’s Season 5 premiere of True Blood, Sookie, Eric and Bill have reclaimed their spot on HBO’s mainstage with more bloodshed, sex, violence, and camp. Let the madness begin!

Although the series’ 3rd and 4th seasons were a little choppy (the Franklin bit carried on for far too long, and I liked the book’s witch-based storyline better), Season 5 is already setting up a grand, epic blowout of a season. In last night’s “Turn! Turn! Turn!” we were reintroduced to each character’s storyline in the exact spot we left them. Sookie and Lafayette were cradling Tara’s seemingly dead body, as half of her blown out head covered Sook’s kitchen floor and walls; Bill and Eric were dealing with the aftermath having just killed Nan Flanagan; Jason was busy getting stalked by newly-vamped Steve Newlin; and Sam was busy trying to keep his new love interest safe from her ex’s pack. (And if anyone can explain to me that shiz with Arlene’s possible-demon baby, I’m all ears!) So basically, everything and nothing happened, all at once. But hey man – don’t we watch this show for the blood, sex, and bloody sex? There was certainly plenty to go around!

True Blood works on so many different levels. On a purely surface basis, it’s a great, cheesy escape…the ultimate guilty pleasure. Digging deeper, however, the show displays some merit with solid writing, great set design and locations (they really come alive from the page), and a cast that gets it. Sure, there aren’t any Emmy-award-winning performances here, but the cast completely understands the tone and focus of the show, and they really commit to it, packing a punch week after week. In particular, Kristin Bauer van Straten is brilliant as Eric’s right-hand vamp Pam, with her icy-cold deadpans (see above photo) and constant “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. Plus the fact that she’s always ready to tear something…or someone…apart limb by limb. That helps too.

With Alan Ball departing as showrunner after this season, I admit I’m wary. With a show like True Blood, it doesn’t take much to jump the shark and completely become a mockery of itself. If the writing remains sharp, (and full of sister-fucking and werewolf intestine-eating!), hopefully HBO can milk another 2-3 seasons off its trashy, but beloved cash cow.

Does life get any better than this!? True Blood is on a roll…even Snoop-a-loop’s a fan!

Faaaaaantastic.

So I just finished Book 1 of The Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Though not a bad read, it simply make me like it’s television counterpart that much more.

This post is going to be spoilerific for Season 1 of True Blood and Book 1, Dead Until Dark. Reader beware!

There are some key differences in the book that vary from Alan Ball’s portrayal of Sookie and her gang of misfits. First off, the tone of the book is much lighter and airy. Sookie is a little more naive, flighty, and ditzy. Compared to True Blood’s bloody, intense, and much darker tones and themes, I was surprised by my first glimpse into Harris’s world. Sook in the book was quite different, and it was hard to get a grasp on it with Anna Paquin on the mind. (Note: It is only Book 1, so this could definitely change as I dive deeper into the books).

No Tara! There is absolutely zero presence of Tara Thornton! Though, after the first few chapters of the second book, Living Dead in Dallas, it is mentioned that Lafayette has a cousin….because he’s dead and they need to contact his family! Whaaaaat!? I know, right? I’ll pause a minute to allow you to digest.

Alan Ball really gets full credit for the crossdressing, bi-curious drug dealer Lafayette. Not only did he advance this character into a fan favorite, but he chose to keep him alive as well! Kudos, Ball (I promise I’ll get to Season 5 of Six Feet Under soon, but I’m a tad preoccupied as you can see..).

Another con for the books? The entire story is told in Sookie’s point of view. This means less of everyone else and more Sookie/Bill romance action. Look – I’m no Twilight fan and I’d rather hang myself than read that shit. What makes True Blood work is the ensemble! All of the characters are strong, funny, and interesting with each providing some sort of payoff. In the book, almost every character without the name Sookie or Bill takes a backseat. And it’s one of those really, really long van-style backseats. Major con.

So while the book wasn’t bad, I do get that it was Harris’s first attempt at the series. I’m hoping the books get a little better, but when it comes down to it…True Blood is still my go-to Sookie fix

Summer’s here, which means we’re subject to crappy Reality TV (And not the way awesome ‘Survivor’ kind!), boring sports, and repetitive reruns. You’re thirsty for some delicious entertainment, and constantly hearing about Jon and Kate and those retarded Housewives makes you want to vomit. I’ve got just the thing to quench your thirst for compelling and intelligent viewing:

True Blood.

Don’t blow this off. And don’t let your Twilight-induced-upturned-stomache let you make the mistake of not watching this show!

Created by ‘Six Feet Under’ creator Alan Ball (and based on the Sookie Stackhouse book series by Charlaine Harris), True Blood mixes Southern drama with vampiric horror and a murder mystery. Awesome.  What more could ya want?

True Blood depicts a society where vampires are “out of the coffin” and “mainstreaming” themselves into society as regular citizens with rights just like humans. It takes the notion of modern day prejudice and intolerability and flips it entirely upside down.

Academy Award winner Anna Paquin plays the lead role as Sookie Stackhouse. She’s a reader, getting inside the minds of everyone around her both accidentally, and when the opportunity strikes. When Bill Compton, a mainstreamed vamp arrives to their small southern town, the town reacts in different ways and all hell eventually breaks loose as a serial killer starts murdering “fang-banging” young females.

This show is insanely unique both in terms of tone and story (Note:  Harris’ first in the series was in 2001 – a good 4 years before Meyer’s Twilight bullshit even began). Ball adds realism and drama, giving True Blood just what it needs to be far out, without being unattainable to viewers.

Season 1 is on DVD now. Season 2 is 2 eps deep. Get started, kids. You don’t want to miss this one.