HBO was kind enough to send me the next three episodes of their new vampire series “True Blood” and tonight, Sunday, September 21 is episode 1.03 “Mine” and if things continue down this path I am not sure how much longer I can stick with this series. However, we already know HBO is sticking with the series for at least one more season. The first episode was watched by more than four million viewers and the following episode saw an impressive 24% gain in viewership, impressive to say the least and considering the cliffhanger at the end of episode two I can’t imagine the series losing any viewers.
When we last left Sookie (Anna Paquin) she was paying a late night visit to the 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) only to be met at the door by a trio of vampires that didn’t seem intent on spending the night playing Scattergories. The third episode begins just at that moment and I think the majority of viewers are going to be a little disappointed in the opening outcome, but you are going to get a little further insight into the vampire world in the opening moments as a new strain of Hepatitis is revealed to be harmful to vampires while relatively ineffective on humans. The point of the opening is primarily seen as a way of revealing the good, the bad and the ugly in the blood-sucking world and both Sookie’s fear and attraction continues to grow.
Beyond the opening, the majority of the episode seems to be focused more on Sookie’s brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and his relationship with Dawn (Lynn Collins), a young waitress he knows has slept with a vampire. His previous relationship with what is known as a “fang-banger” didn’t end well, at least not for the girl. A sudden use of “V-juice” (vampire blood as a drug) is also introduced and its effects mildly realized, but there is certainly a promise of more to come.
The other angle is centered on Tara (Rutina Wesley) and her continuing troubles at home and her desire to be loved. We also get a scene of discreet masturbation by Sookie and a front steps self-rubdown as well. I am also beginning to wonder what kind of role Merlotte’s Bar owner, Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), is going to play in the larger story. I have never read Harris’s stories, but I have to assume Sam has some kind of lycan tendencies. I can only imagine any kind of werewolf story they want to explore will come later in the series when HBO feels spending the money on the effects needed to make it convincing will be well spent.
Something I find strange is the lack of attention given to the synthetic blood called Tru Blood. Granted the title of the show is “True Blood” with an “e”, which leads me to believe the synthetic blood isn’t the focus of the storyline, but it’s got to play a larger role in the story rather than absolutely no role. It was used in the opening moments of the series premiere, but only mildly referenced ever since. Am I wrong in assuming it’s an important element to the story? So much attention has been paid to the sexual aspects of the story (and yes, vampires are metaphorically sexual) that they seem to be forgetting to tell an actual story.
Overall, if you liked the first two episodes you will like the third one because it offers much of the same and very little that is new. However, if you are still on the fence I don’t think this one is going to have you leaning any more to liking this series, myself included. “True Blood” is one big soap opera, but it seems to be desperately trying not to get too soapy and you can feel it. The show hasn’t really found a groove yet and still seems to be creating its world and drawing lines in the sand as to which side the folks of Bon Temps, Louisiana will side. Will it be with the vampires or against them?
I won’t call this show good, and I won’t even say I am intrigued. But since I have the next two episodes sitting here I can’t help but continue to give it a shot and I will be back next week with a look at episode 1.04 “Escape from Dragon House”. See you then.
