What was once just a weird niche show from the brain of SIX FEET UNDER creator and AMERICAN BEAUTY scribe, Alan Ball, has become the current sexy wunderkind for HBO. In the process it has evolved into a massively ambitious endeavor that comments on all aspects of American life and doesn’t shy away from male nudity. In fact, it’s probably a show about male nudity, which coincidentally touches on other topics. In the season three premier we have one naked woman and four naked men.
Thank you for showing that men can have great asses too.In between those buns of steel (ew), we were thrown back into the world of mythological mayhem and dramatic intrigue. Picking up immediately after season two we were left with these realities: Eric has been selling V for the Queen and this could be a problem, Jason shot Eggs and Andy is covering it up, Bill was kidnapped, Sookie was screaming, Tara was weeping, Jessica was dealing with boy issues, Hoyt was dealing with mama issues, Sam was dealing with family issues, our small town sheriff was up to his ass in dead bodies and NO ONE HAD MOURNED THE LOSS OF CARL YET!!!!!!
So that was a lot to handle, even if you’re a devoted fan of that show, and this speaks to the sprawling narrative the show has become. What used to be focused on the relationship of Bill and Sookie has grown into the most widespread ensemble piece since The Wire. And based on the first episode, I think they’ve found the right equation to balance all the different players. Obviously it makes for intense pacing akin to 30 Rock, but the show still finds time for appealing sets and the occasional breather.
The core appeal of the show, for me at least, appears evident from the start. I’m a huge fan of the wit on the show, which is characterized by a playful nature and sense of ridiculousness. No one executes these finely crafted lines better than Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) and Eric (Alex Skarsgard). Eric in particular is my favorite this about this show, with every appearance a pure delight.
We were reunited with him in the premier during a six hour love fest he was engaging in at his bar with the new dancer. He immediately paused his task to engage Sookie, as he listened patiently to her vent her concerns while he was standing completely nude and presumably fully erect. Like I said, playful and ridiculous.While acknowledging the best of the show, it’s important to point out that Tara (Rutina Wesley) is annoying as ever. Honestly, I am praying she is allowed to kill herself. We’d all be better off if she was dead. I’m hoping for a “It’s A Wonderful Life” moment, which just reinforces the fact that everyone would be better off if she was dead.
Unfortunately, this looks doubtful, but we do have werewolves to look forward to. And it looks like they won’t be lame TWILIGHT werewolves. This show isn’t for tweens, which is why our vampires will be sexy burly older men with scruff and plenty of nudity.
We also have a ton of different hookups, with almost everyone establishing some sort of relationship this season. This could be fun, depending on the casting, but I’m worried about the ever widening scope of the show. While I may not want order on the show, controlled chaos is more what I’m looking for.
Yet, I tune in for the soap opera nature, so maybe I’m lying to myself. I like getting swept away in this off the charts nutty show that may not be as complicated as LOST, but definitely has the same number of WTF moments.
Speaking of LOST, TRUE BLOOD has seen a surprising uptick in viewers since its inception. It is now an HBO heavyweight, pulling in over 4 million viewers for the live episodes. This number would be drastically anemic on network television, yet on pay cable it is outstanding. I kind of wish all my favorite niche shows would be allowed to survive on pay cable. I know there are people like me who are willing to pay for it. I feel like the hardcore LOST fans would have tuned in on pay cable, as we’re rabid insane people who want our answers no matter the cost.
Back to the show, though, which seems promising. I am excited for the vampire politics, which has created an awkward tension between Eric and his Queen (Evan Rachel Wood) and the issues that will arise surrounding the King’s relationship with werewolves. I love diving into this world, especially if it draws parallels to the political culture in America. This development also means I get more Evan Rachel Wood and Zeljko Ivanek (the Magister), who are perfect as vampires. She’s the right paleness and he’s the right dry creepy deadness.
With all that in mind I anxiously await the next episode. In the meantime, tune back in here for my upcoming podcast with Alex Ventre about the show. Any thoughts on what we should talk about???
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