True Blood’s Universal Appeal

As Season 3 of True Blood approaches, the show’s success seems boundless, and its appeal limitless. Once little known (although well-seasoned) actors and producers – such as Sam Trammell, Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgaard, and Alan Ball – are now household names. The series single-handedly revived Anna Paquin’s career for a whole new generation of viewers that might not remember her Oscar-winning performance in The Piano. For author Charlaine Harris, the series has peaked interest and sales in her best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels on which the show is based. The series has also spawned popular merchandise, including t-shirts, jewelry, posters, and even a drink, Tru Blood (Really, what other TV show has its own drink?). While fans contemplate what Sookie and friends will encounter in Season 3, DarkWaveDoom.com considers the secret to the show’s appeal.

The site (rightfully) claims that the show’s greatest draw is its reach across genres – from drama to thriller and mystery as well as romance and a bit of comedy. Fans of 19th century Goth and fantasy will enjoy the vampire and supernatural themes and the gloomy and mysterious settings (including Gothic homes). Fans who are after quick wit and the tawdry will revel in Lafayette’s snappy comebacks and the interplay between levels of authority (the town Sheriff and detective and the higher, mid-level, and newly-turned vampires). Fans of romance will find plenty of relationships to be entertained by – especially Vampire Bill’s sweet and chivalrous, though dated, “courting” of heroine, Sookie. For those who are attracted to gore and horror, the show provides plenty of bites and fights to please.

DarkWaveDoom.com also recounts the underlying themes of the show which give it uniqueness but also the depth necessary for a “huge…TV hit”. The series is set in small town, Bon Temps, Louisiana where heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, makes her living waiting tables at Merlotte’s Bar and Grille. Vampires have recently acknowledged their existence and, simultaneously, minimized their threat since the Japanese invented synthetic blood, and they no longer have to prey on humans to “live”. While trying to find their way in the world and also acquire civil rights, the vampires that once remained secretive are now exposed. Vampire Queens and Kings rule vampire states, and Sheriffs ascertain authority over their own areas within them. The vampire organization retains its own system of laws and punishment, and, like any society, is divided among those wanting to assimilate in the modern world and those wishing to retain their more radical and antiquated ways (such as drinking human blood).

Bill Compton, Sookie’s suitor and next door neighbor, wishes to fit in but finds himself continually at odds with the Area Sheriff and other vampires. While vampires struggle to find their identities, humans grapple with understanding the “undead” and the knowledge that other supernatural beings may exist. Although set in a fictitious world of otherworldly beings, the situations and problems the characters encounter are very real – the drug underworld with vampires and humans dealing “V”, or vampire blood; the challenges inherent in an inter-supernatural relationship; murder; blackmail; and death.

DarkWaveDoom.com also credits the writers and actors that bring the stories to life and allow the fans to buy into this unreality.

Season 3 of True Blood will begin airing in June 2010. In a sea of mundane writing and rehashed ideas, True Blood stands out as the show to watch for inventive storylines, astute dialogue, and emerging talent. Gaining momentum from Season 1, Season 2 brought back viewers to HBO, garnering as many as the finale of the hit series, The Sopranos. With a Season 4 confirmed, fans can look forward to a riveting continuation of life among the supernatural.

SOURCE:  DarkWaveDoom.com

(Photo Credit:  HBO Inc.)

VIDEOS: Charlaine Harris Talks In-Depth About Dead in the Family

Charlaine Harris is a real life steel magnolia. She is always so polite and charming, with just a hint of “don’t mess with me” underneath (anonymous Amazon book reviewers be warned!).

This interview was recorded in Poland where Charlaine was promoting the upcoming release of the 10th Sookie Stackhouse novel, Dead in the Family (DITF).

In the interview Charlaine discusses her work, in particular DITF and the True Blood series on HBO. The interview contains some book spoilers – so don’t watch the videos if you don’t want to know. I won’t reveal them here. Charlaine also answers questions from her fans, including some tips for aspiring writers.

Just like all True Blood fans, Charlaine is eagerly looking forward to Season 3 of True Blood and is thrilled at the casting of Joe Manganiello as Alcide Herveaux, describing Joe as much more handsome than the Alcide she imagined in her head.

Charlaine is currently writing the 11th Sookie novel, some short stories and the Sookie Companion which is due out next February.

And as for Bill and Sookie getting back together? Charlaine tells us we’ll just have to wait and see…

Enjoy the videos!

(Photo credit:  charlaineharris.com)

Stephen Moyer Missing Screen Time with Anna Paquin

It looks like the scorching on-screen chemistry between Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer will be put on ice during Season 3.

The actors, who play Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse, have been filming apart this season, much to Stephen’s chagrin. He admitted in a People Magazine interview that he misses working with his off-screen fiancée.

“We haven’t been working together that much this year and I kind of miss that. We met during the show, we met on camera, we met doing something that we love and that’s what we do.”

Now that the couple’s real-life relationship is no longer a secret, Stephen was able to open up about the hazards of dating a co-worker, especially on a show with staying power.

“… certainly to begin with when we got together, we were really concerned because it’s ridiculous to get into a relationship when there’s a possible seven years of working together. But it’s been nothing but lovely so I hope it carries on.”

He said he also misses working with the rest of the crew, who saw the sparks flying between him and Anna first hand.  The crew has  “seen every move I’ve ever made on her,” he said.

Hopefully season 3 will bring us some screen time with Bill and Sookie together but at least Stephen and Anna can see each other off-screen.

As for Stephen’s recent title from Cosmo as being a Fun Fearless Male, Stephen stated that Anna wasn’t very surprised by his new title, “She knows a little bit about my past, so she wasn’t that surprised.”

Source: People.com

Photo credit: HBO Inc.

The Annual TrueBloodNet.com Truebie Awards (TATTAs)

True Blood scored a fist-full of nominations this awards season, but largely lost out (to Mad Men, curse them) apart from a People’s Choice Award for Best Television Obsession and a Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing: Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television.

Given the dearth of awards we thought we’d come up with a few of our own for our favorite True Blood characters. We have called them The Annual TrueBloodNet.com Truebie Awards or TATTAs. We tried very hard to come up with an acronym that spelled VAMP but had to admit defeat. Perhaps one of you guys can have a go…

So here they are in no particular order…

The Award for Best Crying, Screaming and Frothy Gurgling (often simultaneously) Moment:
Sookie Stackhouse

The Award for Best Sexy Snarl:
Bill Compton

The Award for Best Arrogant Sneer (shared):
Eric Northman and Sophie-Anne LecLerq

The Award for Highest Number of WTF Moments:
Sam Merlotte

The Award for the Cutest Ever Black-Eyed Demon Couple:
Arlene Fowler and Terry Bellefleur

The Award for Best Let’s Cross That Chicken Before it Burns Moment (shared):
Andy Bellefleur and Jason Stackhouse

The Award for Best Gratuitous Washboard Ab Exposure (shared):
Jason Stackhouse and Eggs Benedict

The Award for “Being Kept in this Dungeon is Bad for My Skin” Moment:
Lafayette Reynolds

The Award for Best Maniacal Laugh While Tied to a Chair:
Tara Thornton

The Award for Best “Vampers Gave Me a Really Bad Hair Day” (shared):
Steve and Sarah Newlin

The Award for Best Clueless Sexual Innuendo Relating to Puddings:
Steve Newlin

The Award for Best 80s Killer Disco Diva Styling:
Pam Ravenscroft

The Award for Best Insane B***h Moments (shared – couldn’t separate these ones):
Lorena, Maryann Forrester, and Sophie-Ann Leclerq.
With an honorable mention to Maxine Fortenberry

The Award for How to Channel Pennywise the Clown and Still Look Hot:
Eric Northman

The Award for I Totally Like Missed That Jesus Dude Moment:
Godric

The Award for the Best “I’m 28 and Still a Virgin” Confession Moment:
Hoyt Fortenbery

The Award for Best Cackle Above and Beyond the Call of Duty:
Maxine Fortenberry

The Award for Best “My Hymen Came Back and I’m Really, REALLY, Pissed About It” Moment:
Jessica Hamby

Congrats to all the winners! Next year we hope to have voting, a trophy and everything! Hope you enjoyed the round-up!

(Photo credits:  HBO Inc.)

Sophie-Anne LeClerq – Vampire Philosopher Queen

True Blood is one of the few TV shows worth repeated viewings, which is a testament to the quality of the production from conception to realization. Alan Ball may claim that True Blood is popcorn television, but there’s real meat (or is that blood) in there as well.

The True Blood Season 2 episode Frenzy, written by Alan Ball, attracted a fair amount of criticism after its first airing in the US. Critics described the episode as being too wordy; filled with exposition at the expense of action and plot development.

The scenes with the vampire Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne LeClerq, were those that attracted the greatest amount of negative criticism, much of it aimed at Evan Rachel Wood whose responsibility it was to bring the wordy Queen to life.

So who is Sophie-Anne LeClerq and why is she so wordy? Does she spout philosophical wisdom or base sophistry?

Sophie-Anne is an immortal being, who in Alan Ball’s words: “very powerful, capricious, and most likely insane.” She has been a vampire for several hundred years, but was turned in her teens. She has accumulated the knowledge of several lifetimes, but interprets it all with the mind of a teenager.

We first meet Sophie-Anne in her Day House. Inside it is a luxurious confection of light, water, and desirable things (objects, humans, and vampires). Outside, dioramas of sand and sea block out the real world. It is opulent, perfect, unreal, and terribly sterile.

Queen Sophie-Anne LeClerq explains to a somewhat nonplussed Vampire Bill that everything in existence imagined itself into being. She also takes the philosophical position that there is no such thing as “good” (and by extension “evil”) or “time”. She forces her companions to play endless games of Yahtzee, which she extols as the “most egalitarian game in the world” as it is based purely on the chance roll of dice and requires no skill.

She is her own creation. She is what she imagines herself to be. The philosopher René Descartes famously posited “I think therefore I am” and Sophie-Anne appears to think she is one of Plato’s imaginary Philosopher Kings (or, in her case, Queen) and, therefore, she is.

In understanding Sophie-Anne you might remember the scene in the movie A Fish Called Wanda, where Otto (don’t call me stupid) West asserts that, that “Apes don’t read philosophy” and Wanda shouts back at him “Yes they do, Otto. They just don’t understand it.”

Now I’m not calling Sophie-Anne stupid (I wouldn’t dare), but she is a cautionary tale of knowledge without wisdom, power without limits, behavior without boundaries, life without death. She is the polar opposite of Sookie, who is wise but not learned, powerful (in her own special way) but ethical, strong but kind, and bounded by her mortality.

Source: Quote from Otto and Wanda taken from the film A Fish Called Wanda (1988) – MGM

(Photo credit: HBO Inc., screencaps by James)

Different Vampires, Same Fan Love

Most of us know that True Blood is not the first show or movie to feature vampires. After all, the concept of vampires dates back to Ancient Rome, if not earlier, and vampires can be found in all sorts of texts, as well as some earlier movies. However, some vampires affect us more than others, and as we’ve seen, True Blood has several great vampires, like Bill, Eric, Godric, and Pam, who all have strong fan followings. They’re not the only ones, though. After all, who doesn’t remember Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Angel and Spike? Or even The Vampire Diaries and the Twilight saga? How about the vampires from Moonlight? After all, the lead vampires of Moonlight had a similar fan following to what I see here on TrueBloodNet.com, with people in love with the vampires and the world they survived in.

Actually, True Blood and Moonlight have a lot in common. That’s probably why people like myself wish we could tune into Moonlight on Friday nights, then have Sundays to enjoy True Blood. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen any time soon, as Moonlight was canceled after only one season, while True Blood is thankfully still on air. However, the two shows still have much in common, and if you’re really in need of some good vampires while we continue to wait for Season 3 of True Blood, renting or purchasing the season of Moonlight may help you survive the vampire addiction we all share until True Blood begins airing again in June.

Moonlight is a show that vampire fans everywhere should be able to sink their fangs into. First, like True Blood, when it first came out, there were instant comparisons to another show. Unlike True Blood, which was compared to the Twilight movies, Moonlight was considered by those who didn’t watch it to be a direct rip-off of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer show’s spin-off, Angel, simply because the lead character, Mick, was a vampire P.I., like Angel was.

Even with the charges against it, Moonlight and True Blood have a lot more in common than any of the shows or movies they’ve been compared to. Let’s begin this comparison with both shows in general terms. Both are, as I’ve stated before, shows about vampires. However, there are many different “rules” to both universes. In the Moonlight universe, vampires can go outside during daylight (unlike the True Blood universe), but need to wear sunglasses and take general precautions to protect themselves from the sun, including staying in the shade while outside. Plus, if a vampire in Moonlight is outside too long, they require a lot of blood to replenish themselves from the nourishment they have lost. Another difference between the two shows is the writing and plotlines. Moonlight focused on episode-centric arcs, with only a few season-long arcs, which is very similar to a crime drama. True Blood focuses more on season arcs, like the Maryann story arc, which was the majority of Season 2.

Another similarity between True Blood and Moonlight are their lead characters, Mick St. John and Bill Compton. Both vampires are very similar in the physical way, and often carry very similar attitudes, wishing they could be closer to their humanity again and yet reveling in their strengths as vampires, since that strength allows them both to save and protect others. Both men also have saved their heroines in the past, and also see them as great assets. (Mick has Beth Turner, a young woman whom he saved as a child from another vampire, and Bill has Sookie, of course.) It also turns out that both Mick and Bill were turned by their makers unwillingly, as Lorena forced the vampirism on Bill, and Mick’s own wife, Coraline, did the same to him, but instead of on the way home from war, it was on his wedding night.

That’s not the end of the similarities between the two, though. Both are also quite young in terms of vampire age, and both also have to work as underlings for another vampire. Bill works for the vampire Sheriff, Eric Northman, and Mick works as an underling to his mentor and friend Josef Kostan. However, the relationships between the men and their “bosses” are very different. Where Bill and Eric often squabble and seem to respect yet dislike each other, Mick and Josef are very close friends, and Mick often turns to Josef when he needs help. Both vampires also have girlfriends. Bill has Sookie, starting with the instant connection between them the first time they meet. Mick, on the other hand, has to wait a bit longer for Beth, who is dating a DA when she first meets Mick. For most of the series, Mick and Beth are playing the “I want you but I can’t have you” game, until circumstances change towards the end of the series.

The similarities between the shows don’t end there. Even the leading ladies are similar! Sookie and Beth are both beautiful women. They’re blonde, smart, and able to think on their feet. Both are also great supporters of their men, with Sookie helping Bill and Eric using her skills, and Beth helping Mick solve crimes by being an observant reporter and noticing minor details that not everyone would see.

Other similarities between the two women are not quite as pleasant. Sookie and Beth have both survived a lot. Beth was kidnapped as a child, though luckily found and saved, and Sookie lost her parents in a flash flood. Later on, when both women were adults, they both suffered even more loss via murder, Sookie from the loss of her grandmother and coworkers, Beth through the loss of her boss. However, each woman has the strength and fortitude to get back up whenever life trips them up, and that saves both of them numerous times.

Beth and Sookie are incredibly strong emotionally, and neither feels the need to be turned into a vampire. However, their human strength is nothing compared to a vampire’s strength, which is why they both also get protection of sorts from the friends and allies of their boyfriends, namely Josef and Eric.

Josef and Eric can both be very suave, and they’ve both experienced centuries of history. Eric was a Viking, and Josef was alive to see the French Revolution take place. In many ways, both men are old-fashioned, believing that some of the traditions of their lengthy pasts over current practices, like drinking blood. Eric and Josef are both purists, preferring a direct source for blood, unlike Mick and Bill, both of whom practice modern alternatives (Bill drinks TruBlood, and Mick drinks bags of donor blood).

There are also days where a fan watching either show can alternatively love and hate Josef and Eric. Sometimes, you’re just irritated by how they act, but other days, you see the “mask” each of them wears. An example of this was in Season 2 of True Blood, when viewers were shown Eric’s deep and abiding love for his maker Godric, then his grief at losing the man who had been there for him for a century. In Moonlight, the example of Josef’s “mask” being off was an episode where we were introduced to Josef’s girlfriend, whom he tried to turn. Unfortunately, Josef’s attempts only brought over an immortally comatose woman. Moments like the ones above, as well as flashbacks for all the characters on both shows, help us see past the “masks” as to what they are: a singular prism through which to see mere facets of the characters.

Both Moonlight and True Blood are strong shows that are easy for the average viewer to feel emotionally connected to. They remind us that even if someone is a vampire (or anything else for that matter), there are still challenges to face in daily life, and sometimes even though immortality is a good thing, there’s more to life than just drudging through it. Besides, nothing is ever what it really seems to be on either show. There’s always something new brewing on the horizon for the characters to deal with.

(Photo credit: IMDb.com)

True Blood Season 3 Spoiler News: What’s Happening With Eric and Sookie

Not a very big spoiler news report and maybe nothing really new or shocking, however, it is always fun to hear these little tidbits that allows us to speculate further as to what may happen in season 3 of True Blood.  SpoilerTV responds to a fan’s question regarding Eric and Sookie’s relationship and provides the following answer.

What’s coming for Eric in Season 3? And what about his relationship with Sookie?

We’ll get alot more backstory seeing both his parents in flashbacks. As for Eric/Sookie they continue to have the same sexual tension as season 2 but they won’t be a true couple anytime soon. Eric will also
have other love interests this season.

So there you have it.  Eric and Sookie may not be getting hot and bothered with each other, but it seems Eric is going to have some fun anyway.

SOURCE: SpoilerTV
(Photo credit: HBO Inc. screencap by James)

True Blood Figures Featured at New York Toy Fair

DC Direct showcased many new figures while at the New York Toy Fair, including a new True Blood Bar sign that appears to be set to release in November of 2010 (according to io9.com), and is not yet shown on the HBO True Blood online store. Additionally, because it’s not in the HBO store yet, there is no price set available for the True Blood Bar sign, unlike the rest of the figures already announced, like the Bill Compton figure ($69.99), the Eric Northman figure ($69.99), the Sookie Stackhouse figure ($69.99), the Merlotte’s sign ($89.99), and the Fangtasia sign ($89.99).

Again, as cool as the True Blood Bar sign is, since HBO does not yet have the figure in it’s online store (all the other figures are in the store and are set to be released in July 2010), we are not sure when it will be released, but hopefully it will be soon.

SOURCE: io9.com

(Photo Credit: io9.com)

Love Vampire Style

It seems that vampires have their own approach and technique when it comes to romance.  This was certainly the case with Mina Murray and her aristocratic and impassioned  undead suitor in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In the film, Winona Ryder’s character is mesmerized by Gary Oldman’s  vampire count. Although the film is quite graphic, The love story seems to prevail over much of the film. This deeply passionate love is quite evident from their first meeting,their first dinner date and especially near the nd of the film.  Mina  whispering  sweetly,”My love….my love  into her  bloodsucking lover’s ear.  It is because of her love for him that she is able to  release himm from the “curse” of being a vampire.  A most touching scene.

In Twilight, there is also a lot of  passionate expression of  love.  Bella says to Edward, “Im not afraid of you..I’m only afraid of losing you.”   Edward also says to Bella, “I don’t have the strength to stay away from you”  to which Bella replies “Then,don’t.”  This wordplay between them builds up the romantic tension  as their “forbidden love” grows more intense.  There is also a scene in New Moon, where after Edward and his family have departed, Bella is in a moviehouse with Jacob Black  and he says to her, regarding Edward’s  apparent abandonement of her, “Bella,I know what he did to you, I won’t ever hurt you like that…I promise!”  It’s quite clear that he cares for her deeply also. Part of the reason, I think, that so many are drawn to these vampire love stories is that they not only express love but also devotion to the object of their affection.  Their beloved becomes their reason for living or existing.  As Edward once again stated in New Moon to his beloved Bella “You are the only reason  I’m alive  or existing or whatever it is I’m doing”   People want to feel desired and loved deeply.  They seem  to connect with this strongly and ardently.

In the case of  True Blood, HBO’s megahit show about  vampires in the fictional town of  Bon Temps,  The big draw seems to be the ever growing relationship between  vampire Bill Compton and Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress who can hear other people’s thoughts.  From the onset there were memorable moments.  When Bill asks to see Sookie again, he says “May I call upon you, sometime” a manner reminescent of a long bygone age.   Bill Compton has a special way with Sookie.  He’s mannerly and courteous. He is also  charming and persuasive.  Early on in the first season, he  makes it quite clear that Sookie is his.   Although there relationship is not perfect, both are willing to try and make it work somehow. I have to admire their determination, their commitment to each other.  In the pilot episode, Sookie tells Bill, “I have to get back to work. People are looking at me!”  Bill responds ” They are looking at you because you are a mortal and I am a vampire!” Both of them pursue their “forbidden love” and it grows and becomes more intense.   He is not  just a  bloodsucking monster, He is everything a person could want in a romantic relationship.  He is attentive, passionate  and kind. He can sense when she is in trouble and rushes to her side to help her.   Their love story is as provocative as it is moving.   In the first episode of the second season, Bill confesses love for her. He calls her his miracle  and he tells her that she has helped him feel alive again.  She has helped him to find the best part of who he is.  Although Bill is a vampire, Sookie has a better relationship with him than she has had with anyone. Their love is deep and real.  When he stood beneath her window, Tara Thornton said “Do you think a vampire can really love a human?”  Ultimately, Bill and Sookie went out for a romantic dinner date where they danced and he proposed to her, something  that most vampires don’t usually do.   He also feeds off of her, but never without her consent. Something that vampires don’t usually ask for. He can be fierce and aggressive  and even moody, but Sookie loves him anyway. I think that one of the most touching  things is when Sookie tells Bill, “I know that there is darkness in you, Bill Compton…I know it and it scares the life out of me.”  she goes on to say, “There is also goodness in you, I see it when I look into your eyes.”   She looks beyond the fact that he is a vampire and tries to see the kind, good person he wants to be.  She knows he is a vampire but She loves him just as he is.    Perhaps these  vampire love stories offer us a glimpse into what we would want most for ourselves: to be loved just the way we are.. forever.

True Blood Season 3 Spoiler News: Looking at the Romance

More True Blood season 3 spoiler news from Alan Ball regarding the romantic adventures our telepathic waitress, Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is going to experience in season 3.  Alan spoke with Michael Ausiello from EW.com and stated that whether you want to see Bill and Sookie together or Eric and Sookie you are going to be “very unhappy and oddly, very happy” this season.  The reasoning behind his comment is the addition of another hunk into the mix, namely werewolf Alcide Herveaux (portrayed by Joe Manganiello) who will be adding to the sexual tension on the show.  As Alan explains:

“Take a look at Joe [Manganiello],” he teases of the hunk he cast as the psychic’s new love interest, the werewolf Alcide. “Do you think [they] have reason to be worried? We were looking for a guy who was big, sexy, decent and heroic, with some darkness,” he says. “And [Manganiello] showed us all of that in the audition.”

Alan was so confident in Joe’s ability to convey the necessary attributes of the character that he didn’t ask him to do a chemistry test with Anna, which is normally done when there are several other actors who are vying for a role.

Alan mentions that although Alcide is not introduced to the audience at first as a potential suitor for Sookie, the circumstances that both characters find themselves in creates the dynamics for some sparks to fly between them.

“As in the book, he’s helping her find [her kidnapped boyfriend] Bill,” Ball notes, “and he has a business reason for owing Eric a favor” — one (bad) thing leads to an (incredibly sexy) other. “He’s there with her during a very painful time in her life — and his life, actually. And they’re thrown into some pretty intense situations together.”  “And hello, he’s hot!” he adds with a laugh. “And hello, so is she. Two hot people in some intense situations and, for whatever reasons, their significant others are not there… they’re human.”

Whether it is right or wrong that two people who are extremely attractive and facing stressful situations will fall into the arms of one another while their significant other is not around is up for debate, however it does make interesting television.

So how to do you feel about the introduction of another guy to heat up the screen with Sookie?  Are you happy about it or, as Michael says “should the show have spent a season exploring the Bill/Sookie/Eric triangle before making it a square?”

Let your comments be heard.

SOURCE: EW.com

(Photo credit:  HBO Inc.)

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