TV Review: True Blood

I waited a week beyond the pilot so I could accurately gauge this show. Now, having seen the first two episodes, I have a better idea of what to expect.

True Blood is a new series on HBO created by Alan Ball -- writer of American Beauty, creator of the show Six Feet Under (which I have not seen [though wanted to]). The premise is that vampires do exist (they are not the Dracula cliches we've come to expect), and thanks to bottled blood (True Blood), they live among humans. But the world is not at ease with this. There is a blanket of discrimination against vampires, so much that news anchors won't even debate directly with a vampire -- he requires a third party.

This is not a vampire Sex and the City. The series takes place in backwater country where half the setting is swamp and everyone in town knows one-another. Anna Paquin plays Sookie, a server at a local restaurant. When a vampire shows up to town for the first time, well, ever, Sookie is the only person to not judge him so quickly (there is no hiding of allegory here). Sookie saves Bill the vampire from two rednecks who were trying to drain his blood (vampire blood sells for a lot, and naturally this kills the vampire). This is all an interesting take on the vampire genre.

Another key element is that Sookie is telepathic. Yet she cannot read Bill's mind, which is part of her attraction. The other? Maybe she enjoys being with someone who's different as well. But unfortunately Paquin's accent leaves a bit to be desired.

The pilot packs quite a punch, introducing Sookie's stubborn, protective, unhealthily horny older brother Jason, as well as her grandma that she lives with and a handful of friends and coworkers. None of the characters fit precisely into a mold, but there is definitely a hint of textbook presence. Maybe they need some time to come into their own.

The real bottom line here is that if you're open to new ideas and/or like Gothic vampire macabre, you will enjoy this show. I do. If you don't like that stuff, your time is probably better spent elsewhere.

Rating (so far): 7.5/10