Anyone watched this new vampire series yet? Reminds me a little of American Gothic. Only seen the first two episodes as of yet but it has horror, interesting characters and some great acting.
I watched the first episode. Interesting concept, although I've heard from those that have read the novels the show is based on that it just doesn't have the same bite (excuse the pun).
But it's interesting. And Anna Paquin is cute.
Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I watched the first episode and it's on probation. Basically, I think the premise is crap. Having vampires be publicly known seems too gimmicky and stupid. I cringed at the initial exchange where Sookie says something like "you're our first...you know...VAMPIRE!". And the whole thing about the Vampire Rights Amendment...ugh.
I also don't like how the blood is packaged and sold like beer. It just seems dumb.
Plus, I'm not liking how she is telepathic for narrative reasons only. Yeah, I know she is always throwing up a shield to try and keep her telepathy under control, but how the hell did she get ambushed? Even if she had a mental wall up, she should've been adept enough to pick up the thoughts of people getting ready to attack her.
And how dumb did Mr. Loner Vampire have to be to go out with the White Trash Brigade? I hope that gets explained, otherwise I'm forced to think that he either was into some kinky sex with the WTB (which seems to cut against how the character is portrayed thus far) or he was really really f*+$ing stupid. I demand a little more intelligence from damsels in distress, particularly those who are supposed to be over a century old and full of super vampire powers.
Damn, I am in a ranty mood this morning...
Some stuff that is probably smart but I'm not sure I agree.
Interesting - everything you wrote I didn't have a problem with. I kind of liked the campy premise, wish they would have gone further with it, given it a kind of Planet Terror style nonsense. My biggest complaint is that it wasn't as exciting as it could have been. That and the accents - the accents, particularly Paquin's, were bad.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Interesting - everything you wrote I didn't have a problem with. I kind of liked the campy premise, wish they would have gone further with it, given it a kind of Planet Terror style nonsense. My biggest complaint is that it wasn't as exciting as it could have been. That and the accents - the accents, particularly Paquin's, were bad.
I think I just wanted a more traditional vampire show, something like Dark Shadows by way of HBO, with the same treatment and reimagining of the source material as Battlestar Galactica. That would've hit my sweet spot, and it's what I really wanted. It's not really fair of me to pick on the telepathy thing, I can see the arguments for how she was ambushed despite having telepathy (distracted, the wall she builds, etc), but it was something that didn't stick right with me. I was still solidly on the fence until that scene, and it annoyed me to no end. And I definitely think you're right - if you're looking for a campier show, this show will suit you. I'm not a fan of camp.
But, at least there's Entourage, and my personal hero and role model, Ari Gold.
Edit: And, I really really really wanted it to be something that it wasn't, which is a large part of my reaction. If True Blood were a network television show, my expectations and interest would've been lower and I might have been more satisfied.
But, at least there's Entourage, and my personal hero and role model, Ari Gold.
Edit: And, I really really really wanted it to be something that it wasn't, which is a large part of my reaction. If True Blood were a network television show, my expectations and interest would've been lower and I might have been more satisfied.
I didn't have any expectations, perhaps that's why I wasn't disappointed. I'm still on the fence about it.
But at least there's 90210. Did I say that? Oh crap, my shame is revealed.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Okay, episode 2 was an improvement. I'm intrigued enough by the apparent attempt to include VtM type clans (e.g., Bill's line that some vampires can shapeshift) to keep watching a little longer. I'm still a bit annoyed that Bill is uber powerful and yet somehow was pinned to the ground in the first episode. Same for Sookie's apparent super powers. But in either case, I'm willing to see if we get some good answers.
Creative Director
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Now that we're two episodes in... I can I think officially say I'm a fan of the series. It's got that delightful HBO quality of hard-R entertainment I came to enjoy with the Sopranos, Deadwood, Carnivale, Rome, The Wire, and Six Feet Under, but that haven't been able to get since those shows all ended.
Now, if they'll just get the George Martin series up and running, we might have something!
I liked the second episode more too. I'm wondering if the bar owner can shapeshift into the dog or has some other strange connection with it. Any theories?
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'm still just lukewarm on it. Anna Paquin is great, but so far she's the only character I have any interest in. (And it *really* doesn't help that her name is "Sookie Stackhouse.")
I sure hope they don't feel that every episode has to have a cliffhanger where her life is threatened...
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I liked the second episode more too. I'm wondering if the bar owner can shapeshift into the dog or has some other strange connection with it. Any theories?
There was the strange painting of the young blonde girl with dog in his office. I don't think that was there coincidentally. I just thought the dog was protective of her due to some kind of psychic bond, but maybe you are onto something. It was weird otherwise that he was just upstairs and never heard anything or came down. He's so paranoid about her and the vamp he surely would have been watching through the window until they left.
The show is intended to be popcorn munching entertainment according to the writer/director, and it is based on a series of novels I haven't read, but I have high hopes considering he did American Beauty and Six Feet Under.
The thing with those rednecks getting the drop on Bill... yeah. That was weird. Once they got the silver on him it seems like he was completely incapacitated, but how the hell did they get it on him. As far as why he went with them... Sebastian makes a good point there. The sex with strangers angle doesn't sit well with his character, but maybe he was going to feed on them since the bar had no blood for him.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I sure hope they don't feel that every episode has to have a cliffhanger where her life is threatened...
My understanding is that each chapter in the books ends with a cliffhanger, so even if each episode does not end with her being in mortal peril, it seems like each episode will end with a cliffhanger of some variety.
I wouldn't mind that so much if each cliffhanger somehow involved her glowing in blue light and saying "oh boy". That would be cool.
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I thought the second episode was an improvement, but the show is still on probation with me.
I'm excited that Alexander Skarsgard is coming on to play a vampire - he was great in Generation Kill this summer. However, I absolutely cannot stand Sookie's best friend. The whole character concept is tired and annoying, and the actress playing the part is TERRIBLE. I know they recast the part after shooting the pilot, but I can't imagine how the first person they used could have been much worse.
I thought the second episode was an improvement, but the show is still on probation with me.
I'm excited that Alexander Skarsgard is coming on to play a vampire - he was great in Generation Kill this summer. However, I absolutely cannot stand Sookie's best friend. The whole character concept is tired and annoying, and the actress playing the part is TERRIBLE. I know they recast the part after shooting the pilot, but I can't imagine how the first person they used could have been much worse.
I'm a sucker for TV vampires, and I've managed to get my mom to watch the first couple episodes as well, but the "angry black chick" does grate on our nerves. (Considering the dismal lack of black people in the show's vision of Louisiana, it's also kind of insulting...) My boyfriend gave up on the show after the seemingly out-of-character surprise attacks on Bill & Sookie of ep. 1.
Personally, I would like to see a bit more character depth, and fewer bland archetypes - town slut with a tender heart, kind-but-firm grandma, angry black chick, streetwise queen, world-weary hot (British) vampire - okay maybe that last is unavoidable in American TV. (Why are our TV immortals British/European? Is it from Dark Shadows or something?)
Oh yeah, and I pegged Matt the barkeep as some kind of supernatural critter right off the bat - who else would keep a barely-controlled telepath as a waitress? Besides, the paranormal romance rulebook clearly states that the heroine has to have both a vampire and a were-something as love interests. *snark*
Edit: Looks like there'll be a second season, so maybe they've got time to build up the characters a good bit.
I'm watching it. It's good enough that I'll continue to do so. I like the dirty setting, and Paquin is well cast as the doe eyed, fresh in the world viewpoint character.
But I'm going to indulge a few gripes about what I don't care for because it's been far too long since I've gotten my rant on.
I think the telepathic/telekinetic waitress is more interesting than the vampires, because she's the show's only real mystery. I prefer mystery to archtype rehashes.
The theme of vampires "coming out" is going to lead to a not so subtle, ongoing lecture about bigotry, which bores me because I've been seeing that script play out for four decades now. As Seb said, it's gimmicky. Vampires no longer do anything for me. They are so completely played out that any little tweek to their legend or make-up and people buy on for more, ever curious and satisfied to see what special qualities apply to this type. Aren't there any other monsters we can pick at for awhile?
As for bigotry... are you serious? These vile critters are predators of mankind and not in a 'natural part of the food chain' sort of way. I don't care if they drink copper flavored pop these days, some of them ate my gramma and I'm gonna shoot 'em between their eyes. We're letting serial killers go now because they've decided to change their ways? And we're supposed to feel like people are being bad by not accepting them? Puhleez.
I don't care if they can act human enough to go on a first date, strolling winsomely through the willows with goggle-eyed Anna. I'm not charmed. Their breath tastes like racoon innards and they think I'm 200 lbs of bipedal Dinty Moore stew for the taking.
Even Anne Rice couldn't make me find these fiends sexy to me. What, I'm supposed to want to do an animated corpse? My first real girlfriend wore off the wonder of that event but quick.
The graphic sex feels tacked on, and I'm bored by it. HBO's been doing that lately, injecting sex where it serves no other purpose than to titilate, perhaps in an attempt to appease cable subscribers. I would have really appreciated that during my teen years, but these days... don't bore us, get to the chorus. High powered vampire bondage sex is one thing, because it's at least loathsome, but showing Paquin's brother tossing women around into different Kama Sutra positions and saying things not too far from, "You like that, huh baby? You like that?" on each show is a story diluting yawner.
They shoulda called it something less generic, like Gore Gumbo.
They dropped the Wire.
They got Trueblood.
That's like trading a bucket of gold for a bucket of dog turds.
They shoulda called it something less generic...Agreed on that. To me, the title's so generic I can never even remember the first word.
Don't know if you and Lisa have checked out Dexter, Vic, but despite my aversion to serial killer themes (except when I was a kid, then I ate 'em up), I highly recommend checking out the show, starting with episode one of the first season and moving on from there.
I'm sure you've seen Deadwood, but if you haven't, get on it.
You guys have any recommendations for new shows?
Oo, one other comment. Fringe episode one. Signs of X-file promise. Fringe, episode two. What the hell happened?
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Chief Technical Officer
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I'm still just lukewarm on it. Anna Paquin is great, but so far she's the only character I have any interest in. (And it *really* doesn't help that her name is "Sookie Stackhouse.")
...and after seeing episode 3, I'm done with this dog. Every scene without Anna Paquin was just plain awful, and half of the scenes she was in were *also* awful.
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Chief Technical Officer
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Don't know if you and Lisa have checked out Dexter, Vic, but despite my aversion to serial killer themes (except when I was a kid, then I ate 'em up), I highly recommend checking out the show, starting with episode one of the first season and moving on from there.
I've been tempted... I like the male lead (having seen him in Six Feet Under) and his wife (Buffy/Angel, but she was way better in Angel)... but... you're sure I can get past the theme?
I'm sure you've seen Deadwood, but if you haven't, get on it.
Lisa loved it, but I only watched one episode. I couldn't understand a word anyone was saying, and I coudn't tell any of the characters apart. (The scruffy guy with the beard came in and swore at the other scruffy guy with the beard, and then a new scruffy guy with a beard came in and said something to the first guy, and they fought.)
You guys have any recommendations for new shows?
*New* new? Not this season, unless Fringe picks up.
But based on things you've said, if you haven't already seen them, I'd suggest you try Carnivàle, Six Feet Under and Dead Like Me, which are all over with and out on DVD.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32
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Don't know if you and Lisa have checked out Dexter, Vic, but despite my aversion to serial killer themes (except when I was a kid, then I ate 'em up), I highly recommend checking out the show, starting with episode one of the first season and moving on from there.I've been tempted... I like the male lead (having seen him in Six Feet Under) and his wife (Buffy/Angel, but she was way better in Angel)... but... you're sure I can get past the theme?
Dexter is awesome. My sister had been trying to get me to watch it for heaps, but I kept fobbing her off. Big mistake. Now I'm hanging for her to hurry up and buy Season 2 so I can mooch that off her. ;)
It's weird. Our Pay TV Channel got Dexter before our Free-to-air. That is a very rare occurrence over here in Australia. And the DVDs for Season 1 were out months before it was shown on F-t-a, another rare occurrence. Season 2 DVDs were out only a couple of weeeks after Season 1 finished screening on F-t-a.
Also, is Fringe any good? I have the first episode taped (just haven't gotten to watching it yet) and the second is on tomorrow night. Is it worth it? I heard it was really good, but the Jury is still out 'til I can actually watch it (Pacey has put me off a bit, but if he's good then I can get over that).
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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Yeah, Episode 3 was a big heaping helping of meh again. The only thing that got me excited in any way was when the other vampires showed up. I really could care less about Sookie's idiot brother, obnoxious friend, and sad sack boss.
Oh, and props to everyone in the thread that figured out the boss was a lycanthrope of some kind. I think we can all see where the barking in his sleep is going. I must say, if he is some sort of lycanthrope, he is the biggest sissy of a monster since the Cowardly Lion. If it turns out that he could go crinos at any time and yet didn't bother to show up to save Sookie in episode 2, well, that will be the final nail of dumb in the coffin of this show.
It's on double secret probation now. I should probably quit watching, but I like some Sunday night TV. I would vastly prefer Generation Kill, but them's the breaks.
Is it just me or does Bella Sebastian seem more user friendly than Normal Sebastian? ;)
At least he's prettier....
...says the baby in the jar.
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I've yet to see this show, but the premise seems to have some similarities to the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laural K Hamilton (who, by the way, is / was a big D&D player ... she has an editorial in that D&D 30th Anniversary book, which is very cool by the way)
Anyway, for those of you familiar with both, would you agree?
I can't help but think the Anita Blake series would have made a better series for HBO (or Showtime, for that matter - they also have some great shows)
I've yet to see this show, but the premise seems to have some similarities to the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laural K Hamilton (who, by the way, is / was a big D&D player ... she has an editorial in that D&D 30th Anniversary book, which is very cool by the way)
Anyway, for those of you familiar with both, would you agree?
I can't help but think the Anita Blake series would have made a better series for HBO (or Showtime, for that matter - they also have some great shows)
I agree. At first I thought this WAS going to be the Anita Blake series, or at least something set in the same world.
I've yet to see this show, but the premise seems to have some similarities to the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series by Laural K Hamilton (who, by the way, is / was a big D&D player ... she has an editorial in that D&D 30th Anniversary book, which is very cool by the way)
Anyway, for those of you familiar with both, would you agree?
I can't help but think the Anita Blake series would have made a better series for HBO (or Showtime, for that matter - they also have some great shows)
Ah, they're only similar in terms of setting up the now-common tropes of paranormal romance - supernatural semi-virgin (girl) meets hot, exotic vampire and gets in over her head, maybe with some were-animals thrown in. "True Blood" seems to be avoiding the torpid vampire politics that basically drives LKH's series, but that might be changing as of ep. 4 (maybe).
The early Anita books (maybe 1-7?, maybe the odd-numbered ones?) would make a damn fine TV series, considering the sexy-action, detective mystery-of-the-week aspect. And despite being in St. Louis, MO, I never got a "dumb yokel" vibe off of any of Hamilton's characters (stupid & reckless, sometimes, but no "dumbf--kery", as my boyfriend describes Sookie & her brother).
But we thought that "The Dresden Files" *did* make a damn fine paranormal detective TV series, that was very similar to the Anita-verse in some ways, and it got brutally canceled. So maybe TV moguls like these shows with more silly-sex and fake blood and less supernatural Sherlock-ing.
Totally sideways - I don't know whether it's the pallid makeup or just his "too nice" demeanor, but Bill-the-vampire just doesn't read "sexy" to me. Sam-the-werewolf-bartender though, just smolders with barely constrained passion, and is becoming my favorite character. Maybe I'm just tired of emo-vamps. At least the 70s-throwback vamps are funny.
I love being in the minority.
I hate hate hate Sookie. She's dumb, uambitious, and naive. And Anna Paquin can't act her way out of a box. Maybe it's the gap in her teeth or the way they keep dressing her in 'virginal' skin tight sundresses, but she is so annoying. Oh no, my grandma's been killed aaaahhhh Bill save me! F++$ that, dude. You can hear thoughts, figure it out yourself.
So I'm still watching the show, mostly for the side characters. Jason and Amy being hopped up and sociopathic, great! Tara's going to the voodoo lady, awesome! Sam is adorable, SWEET! And all the others, varied and complex and real. It's awesomely written.
I do like the blond sherrif vamp though. Yummy.
I love being in the minority.
I hate hate hate Sookie. She's dumb, uambitious, and naive. And Anna Paquin can't act her way out of a box. Maybe it's the gap in her teeth or the way they keep dressing her in 'virginal' skin tight sundresses, but she is so annoying. Oh no, my grandma's been killed aaaahhhh Bill save me! f@~* that, dude. You can hear thoughts, figure it out yourself.
So I'm still watching the show, mostly for the side characters. Jason and Amy being hopped up and sociopathic, great! Tara's going to the voodoo lady, awesome! Sam is adorable, SWEET! And all the others, varied and complex and real. It's awesomely written.
I do like the blond sherrif vamp though. Yummy.
Oh good, I'm not the only one who thinks that Sookie is just too stupid for words.
And does anyone else think its strange that Sam owns a dog that looks exactly like the dog he transforms into himself? Maybe its just a cover, but I wondered last episode if it was another entire character that we haven't met yet.ummm, yeah. now that I've seen the beginning of last episode, my above post is totally shot. Sam said he needs a "model" to change into a certain animal. Does that mean that he can change into an alligator? I seem to remember in one episode that he was mounting a new gator head behind the bar. Does he need to change into the entire animal? or could he simply shapechange into a man with a gator head and snap someone's arm off? That would be crazy.
What if he can turn into all the animals in the bar? Maybe they need to be alive. Maybe he like...eats their spirits or something?
Sam's the most interesting character on the show.
Alos, Sookie is a hyprocritical useless bag.
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Bella Sara Charter Superscriber
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I can't believe that no one has asked who the murderer is yet. Thats the storyline I am most intrigued by. My shot-in-the-dark guess is Hoyt, the seeming nice guy who is always hanging out with Rene'. He doesn't sit right with me.
Yeah, the fact that Sookie went out to find out who the murderer was when it looked like her moron brother might go to jail, but couldn't be bothered to investigate further after, say, her grandma got killed, is just plain stupid. As has pointed out in this thread, she's a freaking telepath - shouldn't she be trying to find out the truth and not just spending all her time mooning over Bill.
The moron brother is the worst part for me. If we're going to be subjected to his character getting the B plot every episode, we should at least have a reason to like or respect him. As it is, he's too dumb and simplistic, and I don't particularly care about him or his psycho killer hippy girlfriend.
