BLOGS
With all of the sub-par reality shows and mediocre scripted series not good enough to air during the regular season, the return of True Blood in all of its trashy, soapy, supernatural glory is like a breathe of fresh air. With fairies, werewolves, vampires, waitresses, shapeshifters, witches and lots of sex, it's the perfect summer escapist fare. Here's why we've been counting the minutes until its premiere:
10. We'll Finally Get to Find Out More About Bizarro Fairy Land
At the end of last season, Sookie Stackhouse grabbed Claudine's hand and slipped through a portal into the land of fairy, which, considering all of the odd events on this show, isn't all that strange. We've been waiting a year to find out more about this world and our curiosity is now bordering on impatience.
9. Game of Thrones is Over
The epic fantasy series doesn't have much in common with True Blood but it did leave a huge, bloody void that needs to be filled. So for the time being, we'll substitute vampires for dragons and werewolves for direwolves. Come to think of it, Daenerys would be awesome on TB -- we'd love to see her kick Queen Sophie-Anne's ass.
8. We Need Vampires and Werewolves
Aside from the fact that Teen Wolf is poorly written and terribly acted, there's something dull in this day and age about a show that just has werewolves. We've been spoiled by TB and The Vampire Diaries, and since TVD has been off for a month now, we're having some serious withdrawal symptoms. A vial of True Blood is hopefully the cure.
7. Pam, Hoyt, Andy and Lafayette
These are four of the most awesome supporting characters on TV, so we're hoping they are given a chance to shine this season. We love Pam's snarky wit and amazing shoes, Hoyt's endearing schoolboy charm, Andy's stubbornness and incompetence and Lafayette's bluntness and over-the-top wardrobe. Just no more trippy vision quests with nurses, please.
6. Jason Stackhouse's Abs
It's a superficial reason to tune in, to be sure, but have you seen Jason Stackhouse's washboard physique? And, well, considering that our lovable little Stackhouse brother isn't the sharpest tool in the shed, it's nice that he has something to be proud of.
5. We're Curious About the Changes
Obviously, as loyal Trubies and as fans of vampire romance novels in general, we've already caught up on all of Sookie's adventures in the Southern Vampire series. But since Alan Ball and Co. have taken many liberties with the books (like the existence of Jessica and Lafayette), we're curious about which direction the show will go in. Will Sookie stay in the land of fae? Will she hook up with Alcide? Will anyone be inadvertently turned into a pet cat?
4. Alcide
One of the wondrous recent additions to the cast, this pretty boy werewolf gives Jason Stackhouse a run for his money in the ab department, but he's also a genuinely interesting character who can hopefully distract Sookie away from boring, misleading Bill. At the very least, we're happy to see him stand there with a menacing glare.
5. It's Something to Get The Killing Out of Our Heads
We're still annoyed by the fact that we didn't get any real resolution from The Killing, and while True Blood took an entire season to resolve the weird "Michelle Forbes is a goddess who likes to eat fruit and make people have orgies" storyline, at least there was a payoff. That's much better than having to see Michelle Forbes just get all depressed about her murdered kid and leave her family behind for parts unknown.
2. It's For Grownups
While we love The Vampire Diaries, it's geared towards teens, so it's great to have a supernatural series where literally anything, and everything, goes in terms of sex, violence and adult themes. Thank you, HBO.
1. Eric
Our favorite Viking, this intimidating vampire is violent and evil, and yet a viable love interest for Sookie, our beloved queen of bad choices. Sure, Eric would sell out his own mother, if she was still alive, but there's something about him that is just devilishly delightful. More than anything else, we're excited to see the mischief and chaos he will no doubt create this season.
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Come ON! Have you been to the TB fan sites? Noone cares about Fairyland! It's cheesy, not gritty and looks like it belongs into the last, horrible season of Charmed! Where it still would ruin a show that would be better without it.
Hey, the show has taken liberties with the books before, maybe they will find a way to make it awesome.
I don't want to spoil anything if you haven't watched the clips HBO has been releasing but I wouldn't worry too much about Fairyland.
I can't wait! I've literally been counting down the days. And I so agree about GoT being over. I couldn't believe I liked it so much. This will definitely fill the void. But I don't know what I'll do in 12 weeks. :(
How can you mention Hoyt and not Jessica? What makes both of them great characters is each other.
But I do agree with #1, Eric is the best.
I miss Sookie. ANsd Jason, with his "para-military training"... Beautiful Eric with his perfect hair, and even Shaggy..er..I mean, Sam.
Eric is would never sell out his own mother. He's very protective of the people he loves. He would sell out someone he's indifferent to FOR his mother... but that's totally different.
Totally agree with Heather! Eric would NEVER sell out the person who he loves!!! Surely you don´t know Eriv at all....
It should be "breath of fresh air," not "breathe of fresh air."
Personally I couldn't care less about fairyland except for my futile hope that they decide to park Sookie there permanently and I never have to see her again.
You forgot to mention the story line with Arlene and Terry. While it's not as exciting as the other story lines, I just ADORE Terry and anything to do with him is okay with me.
And how could we forget our favorite Border Collie Sam?
#1 is spot on, Eric, Eric, and more Eric please! He's always been my favorite character in the books and he is in the show as well.
"Sure, Eric would sell out his own mother, if she was still alive"
while i agree eric is the number one reason,did u not pay attention last season?? where his loyalty and love for his human family was so great that a thousand years down the line he still wanted to avenge them? and not to even mention his loyalty to Godric and Pam.... seriously why would u say something like that?
True Blood is one show where I LOVE all of the supporting cast, not just limiting it to Hoyt, Lafayette, Andy, and Pam. Terry's tearful joy when telling Sam that "this is what normal people do" when he moved in with Arlene is easily the most tear inducing, sweet scene of the show to date. I love the guest stars, too-the Newlins, Russell and Talbott, they're all great. Such a fun show!!
Um, on what planet is Alcide interesting? Sure the actor who plaus him is ridiculously handsome, but he has the charisma of, like, Al Gore. The addition of Alcide is a huge reason why I stopped watching the show, along with how unbearable Sookie has become.
I watched them. 8 minutes of the first episode alone is fairyland and after that, they still will have 2 characters in the running.
@KK...OMG! Too funny. I always thought of Alcide as an escaped Chippendale Dancer but I like your Al Gore analogy much better :)
I take major issue with Eric being referred to as "evil", or you saying he would "sell out his own mother". Wrong.
Eric doesn't love many, but those he does love he will fight for...fiercely. That's the WHOLE point of his revenge storyline last season...his whole family was killed, including his mother, by Russell. If he didn't love them, do you think he would care after 1000 years? Why do you think he offered to die with his maker, who he obviously loved, on that rooftop?
Is that the kind of person that would sell out their own mother? Of course he's not above using people, but there probably isn't a person on the show who isn't even Sookie.
And that's the reason Eric cares about Sookie...because he sees some of the same qualities he has in her.
While I appreciate Eric being #1, I think some of the other comments are, well, ridiculous and totally contradicted by the show itself.
I am glad you have Eric as your #1. With that being said, one would think that you would know a bit about his character.
Eric is pragmatic and high-handed but he is not 'evil'nor would he sell out his own mother. Were you watching when he avenged his family that were murdered by Russell?
That family included his father, his mother and his baby sister. He waited a 1000 years to get revenge for their death. Your comment of selling out his own mother does not coincide with what we have seen on the show.
Eric has proven how fiercely loyal he is to those he loves. He will use someone to get what he wants, yes but he would never betray someone he loves. He may not show this side of him often but it is there.
Is this supposed to be a real review? I appreciate the snark, but did the reviewer watch the series? Agree that the character placings are correct, and Eric is rightfully number one this season, but otherwise I'm baffled. Alan Ball carefully fleshed out this character with a history that is integral to the plot. Eric's entire raison d'etre has been to avenge the death of----Surprise!---his mother, father and baby sister. Wow!That sure is evil.And I bet you'd call risking his own life to rid the world of Russell Edgington downright satanic, huh? He's no saint, that's for sure. But, if I want to watch a show about saints, I wouldn't watch True Blood at all.C'mon, tell the truth;Did you really watch the series?
Ugh - Eric, Schmeric. I've never been a fan. All I need is a dose of Alcide. I don't care if he never speaks again - he can just stand there and smolder for all I care. Hot, hot, hot!
Eric sucks. I take offence at you saying Bill was boring! HELLO! Are you watching the show! He has had the most interesting story lines yet! I PITY YOU!
Come on guys. Yes, Eric is one of the most interesting characters on the show but his Machiavellian qualities are what makes him so interesting. He is number one on my list for precisely the reasons listed above. Who gives a fig about dull as mud Bill or lump of muscle Alcide. It's characters like Eric, Pam, Jessica and Lafayette that draw me to this show. The fact that we don't know which way Eric will chose and how unpredictable he is, is awesome. Cannot wait to see him on screen again.
@amy
I'm sorry, I still take issue with the word "evil" being used, or "selling out his own mother", given what we know about his loyalty to those select few that he cares about. Having Machiavellian qualities is not the same as being "evil". Many characters on the show have Machiavellian qualities.
Eric is not a villain, this description implies he is. He is neither all hero or villain, and has elements of both. Just like MOST if not all of these characters on True Blood.
While I appreciate all the love that Eric is (rightfully) getting in the media lately. Has any of these writers bothered to watch the show past season one? Eric is 'evil' is getting old fast. Eric is by far the most loyal character on the show. He has the most functional relationships, and he shows the deepest capacaity to love, even if he doesn't love often or many.
it's me who now are asking you if you are watching the same show. Bill is by far the most boring character played in a tv show. pfft! Eric and Alcide are interesting for sure!
Eric is really the only reason this i still wacth this show. I think "evil" is really stupid and out of place for someone like him and i think you probably missed the WHOLE Eric's arc in Season 3 if you say "selling his mother" . Hellooooooooo his vendetta was for his family in season 3, 1000 years of hunting. Sometimes i wonder what kind of show you are watching, seriously.
Sorry i don't know why my comment is here, but i wasn't replying you Rose.
@ Ashley
I agree that 'Selling out his mother' is a bit extreme. As some one upthread mentioned, he would probably sell out some one else's mother. And yes, Evil maybe simplifying things too much to describe him. He is not evil. He is a deliciously gray character. A 1000 yr old viking vampire, a shrewd businessman, a loyal friend and I would say a scary adversary. He is a great character!
If you actually believe Eric would "sell out his own mother" than then you're clearly not watching the show. I'm not trying say is a nice guy; he's not. He's very ruthless, can be very cruel, and has minimal regard for humans, except when they can be useful to him (example: he tortures poor Lafayette, but later uses him as a V dealer). However, the fact is, Eric did love his human family, including his mother. He was willing to "meet the sun" just to avenge their deaths. He was also willing to die by his Maker's side, and he has demonstrated affection and concern for his progeny, Pam. Your comments about Eric imply that he cares for no one but himself, which is incorrect.
You got it spot on Ashley......and how about we bring up the "little vampire" and his *ahem* attributes?! I have a nice long list, let's see.......1. whiny(check); 2. pasty(check); 3. patronizing(check)....I have about 1,000 more but I'll leave it at that.
Eric is going to be the main reason True Blood will win awards this year!
"Eric would sell out his own mother"
I am at a loss to understand this comment. I don't see how anyone who watched Season 3 could possibly believe this. Eric spent 1,000 years waiting and planning to avenge his family's murder at Russell's hands, because of his love for them, and his sense of honour and loyalty and the promise he made to his dying father. Eric loves, and loves deeply. We have seen that with Godric and Pam. He is certainly intimidating, and he is violent, but he is not evil. He is a Viking king who was much loved by his men, and the 1,000 year old vampire is a complex, fascinating character. He is devilishly delightful, but mischief and chaos are not words I associate with Eric Northman. He is a deep thinker and a planner.
Bill boring? You must not be watching the same show as me. Killing the werewolves, selecting strippers to be eaten, head twisting sex, setting his maker on fire, throwing Eric into the cement, killing Uncle Bartlett. Sorry, but he's one of the most exciting, unpredictable characters on the show.
I'm surprised Alcide is at number four. He wouldn't be on my list at all. The only thing we know is the actor who portrays him is very good looking. The character, Alcide, didn't make much of an impression, IMO.
As far as Eric is concerned, Ashley got it right. Eric is not evil, and I think this will be demonstrated this season through the amnesia storyline. He can be violent, however. This was shown by the incident in the Dungeon of Doom. His capacity for love was shown by the Godric storyline, as well as his loving relationship with Pam. Since he had search for the killer of his mother, father and baby sister for 1000 years, your comment that Eric would sell out his own mother shows ignorance on your part. Sorry.
Agreed,Lara, TB has the most awesome supporting cast on television. Leaving off Terry was a total shame because he's the only character who's broken my heart and made me smile for his joy simultaneously. For a show about supernatural beings, it's a treat to see characters also gain strength from their humanity.
*Exactly!*
Gosh I cant understand why people are getting so upset about a fictional character. I thought criticism of a fictional character was OK?
Eric is not evil, I use to think that but I don´t anymore.
After a 1,000 years he was still looking for his family´s murderer. He made a promise to his father.
He can be cruel yes, vicious yes but not evil just a Gray character or an Anti-Hero if you will. But he cares for those closest to him like Pam, his late Maker Godric and of course Sookie.
"Teen Wolf" is way better than "The Vampire Diaries", there I said it, and not just because it has Johnny Cage in it, just compare both pilots.
And here's hoping for a season as good as the second one for "True Blood"
"Teen Wolf" is way better than "The Vampire Diaries", there I said it, and not just because it has Johnny Cage in it, just compare both pilots.
And here's hoping for a season as good as the second one for "True Blood"
Totally agree with what most people are saying - the reviewer clearly has not watched the show closely enough. To say that Eric would "sell out his own mother" is to misunderstand his character completely. An entire season was dedicated to his vengeance for his family's death, and he would have done anything for Godric. Whoever manages to gain Eric's love gains his eternal loyalty.
What's more, the reviewer claims to have read the novels, yet also claims to be looking forward to the "mischief and chaos" Eric will wreak this season. Anyone who's read the books and watched the trailers for this season will know that they're following roughly the same route, and Eric will not be causing much chaos at all this year.
Honestly, I used to love this site, but recently I'm just getting fed up. It's like the reviewers and bloggers are just phoning it in.
ITA. On the recent front-page feature about TV show locales, they had True Blood set in New Orleans and Cougar Town in Hawaii. WTF is going on with TWoP? This site used to be SO much smarter than that, but seems to have taken a flying leap over the last year or so.
It's really great that pelpoe are sharing this information.
Dude, right on there broethr.
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