True to the End

I remember walking through San Diego Comic Con in 2008 and seeing ads for a drink called Tru Blood in the Sails Pavilion.  They were all over.

When the show premiered, people who were Charlaine Harris fans didn’t know how true (no pun intended) Alan Ball would be to the source materials, namely the books thr characters were based upon.  Indeed, if Ball had stayed to the books, then we would have lost Lafayette very early in season one. 

The show has made stars of the cast, who are greeted each year by thousands of fans at SDCC. Even short term cast members find fame through their association.  Ashley Hinshaw plays Hoyt’s girlfriend Brigette. She has been in the final four episodes and somehow she has gained superstar status worldwide.  The show has that kind of power.

True Blood pushed boundaries, using vampires and supernatural creatures as metaphors for real-life issues facing our nation and the world at large.  In a short amount of time, True Blood went from guilty summer television to a must-watch cultural phenomenon.

And so tonight when we say goodbye to Sookie and Bill and the good people of Bon Temps, we lose a small piece of TV history. But history tells us that True Blood will never fade into the night.  With rumors of a musical, there is always a chance that our favorite show might be resurrected in another form.

True Blood Musings (Spoilers for S5E2)

True Blood’s season 5 promises to be amazing.  I have heard the naysayers talk about the lack of action so far, but I would disagree.  As a recapper for the show, I have been constantly amazed these past two weeks at how much of a foundation is being laid out.  When Alan Ball talked about Michele Bachmann being his inspiration for the political/religious storyline this season, I couldn’t wait to see how he’d develop everything.  I have not been disappointed.  Remember that line from Interview with the Vampire: “God kills indiscriminately, and so shall we, for no creatures under God are as we are, none so like Him as ourselves.”  There has been a pattern recently where vampires think of themselves as either creatures of God (“Jesus loves vampires”) or as being more similar to God than humans.  It will be interesting to see the direction Russell Edgington takes once he emerges from his sick bed…will he lead the Sanguinistas?

Some observations/musings:

Tara: I really hope that Tara embraces life as a vampire.  It would be a shame to see her sulk all season that she has been turned into a creature that she despises.  Embrace your new power, Tara!  Use it to fight the forces of…good..bad…or something.  Anything.  Just make use of it.  (I might regret this later)

Alcide: The last thing Alcide ever wanted was to be the pack master.  But now he doesn’t have much of a choice.  I say again, use this opportunity, Alcide.  Do something with your new role.  Embrace it.

Terry/Arlene/Patrick:  This subplot has been a challenge to follow only because the scenes are like extended snippets.  I’m certain the story will continue to develop, but I have enjoyed it so far.  It’s disturbing to watch gentle Terry become angry and violent.  Something bad must be coming if he’s experiencing such a turnabout.

Pam: I LOVED the 1905 flashback.  I can’t wait to see more of her history with Eric.  Once again, Pam has some of the best zingers on the show.  I love watching her, and it will be interesting to see what happens when Eric returns to find his new grandchild….

So far Sookie and Lafayette have been babysitting Tara.  Hopefully they will get more involved as the season develops.

That’s all for now.  I’m always eager to hear what other people think.  Be sure to check out my True Blood recaps at www.DarkMedia.com.