True Blood

Set in modern times, vampires roam the earth and are humans mortal enemies. However, a substitute has been found for human blood, a substitute that vampires can consume with the same effect as human blood. This is True Blood. Now humans and vampires can coexist in harmony, and even form relationships. But there will always be rogue elements on both sides ready to exploit the uneasy truce.

Superb, for the first few seasons. Original, uncompromising and highly engaging. Great character depth, clever, intriguing plots, interesting relationships and good performances. For 5 seasons this was fantastic.

However, the producers didn't know when to quit. The writing was already starting to feel a bit jaded, with retreads of previous plots and characters and, especially, different life-forms being introduced just to give the illusion of originality. The final two seasons were mediocre, at best.

The final season, Season 7, was particularly bad. No originality and the writers and actors seemed to be just going through the motions. Watching became a chore, something I had to do so I could finish the series rather than watching because I enjoyed it. Season 7 may well be the worst final season in the history of TV, especially when compared with what came before.

I absolutely loved True Blood. If you like vampire and supernatural shows then this is a must watch. It's one of the better supernatural shows that's ever been made. I really can't overstate how good it is. Like any supernatural show that's on for more than a few seasons some of it is corny but still entertaining. The only negative I can say is the ending was awful. It seems like it's hard to end a good show, most end in disappointment and this is no different. Having said that, it still doesn't take away from it being a great show. I'm actually watching it for a second time through now and I'm still as entertained as when I first saw it. It's a must watch for any vampire/supernatural fan.

Another interesting, entertaining, and slightly on the odd side series from HBO that should have more than enough sex and blood for those more discerning fans of our mythical long toothed friends, the vampires.

On the other hand, some may find it little more than an "R" rated soap opera with teeth.

I'm more forgiving. I liked the first episode, thought it had a fairly strong cast, and the story held my interest, even though some of the southern accents sounded a bit strange. Still, having a lead character who is wound a little too tight, there's a reason for that, is a fresh enough idea and Anna Paquin, as Sookie Stackhouse...you heard that right, is well cast.

I'm looking forward to the next episode. Maybe this new show will reach right out and bite you.

I write this review as a "want to be writer". Not someone with any real skill or credibility. However when you want to become a writer as a youth it is usually driven from the art of actually writing. Dialogue, action and character development. This show is very well written, Alan ball clearly is gifted. Not just skill but talent. I think this show was only good for 5 seasons and they should have left it at that. Shows make the mistake of going on, not just because they can. Because the audience ask for it, I remember Vince Gilligan saying he could have had more seasons of breaking bad, but chose not to. I didn't understand at the time but I do now. This show is not meant to go on and on, it's a story. It was meant to end at the right time. This could easily have gotten 10 stars from me if they made this show 5 seaons.

Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is a waitress at Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell)'s bar and grill in Bon Temps, Louisiana. She is secretly a telepath. Two years before the start of the show, vampires reveal themselves to the world after a new blood substitute True Blood had been invented. Sookie falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). Her best friend is Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley). Some of her other friends over the years include the gay cook Lafayette Reynolds (Nelsan Ellis) and fellow waitress Arlene Fowler (Carrie Preston). Her parents are dead and her brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is a womanizing fool. Andy Bellefleur (Chris Bauer) is the town's sheriff. Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) is the Sheriff of Area 5 for the Vampire Authority and the owner of a vampire bar called Fangtasia. His progeny and second-in-command is Pam De Beaufort (Kristin Bauer).

This started as one of the best vampire shows around and there are lots of them these days. It creates a terrific world of vampires and humans. It's sexy and even sexual. It has its campy side. It's gory but not scary. It's a lot of fun. Each season, the show adds in a new supernatural aspect. However, each reveal reaps a diminishing return. There is an overall decline in the show but it never gets too bad. By the last few seasons, it is mostly a matter of staying with the show for the characters. One falls in love with them. Nevertheless, it is still one of the better vampire shows.