True Blood

What’s it about?

True Blood follows Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress hoping to meet her first vampire since the truce was declared. One day, she finds herself drawn to a new pale stranger in town.

Starring

Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Ryan Kwanten, Alexander Skarsgard, Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Rutina Wesley, Carrie Preston, Chris Bauer, Jim Parrack, Deborah Ann Woll, Joe Manganiello

An Introduction to True Blood

It’s the present day and sweet, well-mannered Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is wondering why she hasn’t seen any vampires yet. It’s been two years since Japanese scientists developed and marketed a synthetic blood called Tru Blood that would sustain vampires, meaning they didn’t need to kill any more to survive. This also meant they could integrate into human society, get jobs, go into bars…

Sookie is a waitress at Merlotte’s Bar And Grill (named after the owner, Sam Merlotte, played by Sam Trammell) in Bon Temps, a small town in Louisiana. Sookie has the ability to hear people’s thoughts although she has no idea how or why. This means some people are uncomfortable around her, generally because of their dark thoughts or guilty secrets, so she usually maintains a ditzy, harmless facade with customers.

After a lifetime of tolerating other people’s noise in her head, Sookie’s attention is drawn to a visitor new to Merlotte’s – he’s quietly guarded, pale, and above all, she can’t hear his thoughts! This fellow’s name is Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) – could he be Sookie’s first openly vampire customer? About time!

Summary

True Blood is based on Charlaine Harris’ series of novels, The Southern Vampire Mysteries. It portrays a world where fantasy creatures dwell in the periphery of human society, sometimes visibly, more often covertly.

Primarily, there are vampires, some wishing to integrate into polite society while others prefer to stay true to their more savage, blood-draining urges. Other, less visible creatures of the night include werewolves – traditionally not the greatest of cheerleaders for our fanged friends. Then there are rumours of witches, shapeshifters and other magical beings, some forces for good, others less so.

The townsfolk of Bon Temps go about their business in this world, including Sookie and her philandering brother, Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and tough best friend Tara (Rutina Wesley). Many of the townsfolk have a problem with non-human beings, without realising that they may be closer in proximity than they think.

There is much to come in True Blood’s seven seasons, with many tribulations, revelations and explorations of vampire lore alongside the show’s staples of sex, magic and dangerous encounters; sometimes all at the same time. The show blends Southern Gothic elements with attractive style, emotional moments and even nods to political and religious satire.

Joss Whedon’s maverick Buffy The Vampire Slayer proved that a TV audience were ready for a mainstream vampire show; True Blood is a decidedly more explicit affair and has set the bar for grown-up vampire shows, paving the way for gory treasures such as Penny Dreadful. This show comes highly recommended, especially if you like your vampires with a bit of sleaze and your heroines with… well, who can say!

Check out the Season 1 Trailer here: