TRUEBLOOD

Getting ready to watch it now!

Ok, I already dig this :D

I thought that it was a bit choppy but first episodes for a new series can be very choppy. It shows promise if the cast gels a bit better. Loved the actress who plays Tara. Goodness...enough nudity and sex :twisted: My mother drooled over vamp Bill but I think he is so-so.

I wasn't going to watch ENTOURAGE but I did. I think I'm hooked again.

I have no use for Entourage.

Oh yes, Bill the vamp was pretty attractive.

Boo, I want to see this show but don't have HBO. :(

I'm thinking of maybe downloading the show since I don't have HBO... but I don't know. I read the first book in this series and absolutely HATED it. There are very few books that I can honestly say I hated, and this was one of them. So I don't know if I should give the show a try or not.

Has anybody read any of the books and seen it? Can you tell me if Sookie isn't as stupid and in the show as she is in the books? 'Cause if she's still stupid, I won't even try.

I want to see it as well. I have to wait for the DVD or do the download thing as well.

Man ...

I need a good vamp series.

VL - Read what I said above. I quit reading the books because of the 'stupid' factor. I'll continue to watch the series hoping that they write Sookie better. If the author has a say in the writing, then........................ :(

Hey all, I've seen the unaired pilot - not sure how much was changed to what you lot have seen. We don't even have a ETA for it yet :? . I found the unaired version like a British/HBO slow paced & you must watch to get rewarded type deal of pacing. I'm being forgiving since pilot & all (plus I enjoyed Six Feet Under).

Anna Paquin I found to be an interesting casting & am hoping it works. So far not impressed by the Bill character - again being very forgiving (cause I'm like that LMAO).

Read all the books. I find the books the equivalent of popcorn books. I try not to get too distracted by Sookie's awareness & I've also had some erm, hurdles isn't right but it's heading into that arena, where I've obviously missed some "Americanisms" type stuff.

Was interesting how little they did in the pilot to the first book per se, so I'm wondering if they are going to 'do a Dexter' in the 1 book = 1 season deal. Unsure. I know Harris has had a look but I don't think she is way too deep in the making of it.

Having said that.....this is taken from Harris' website.

"""I think we've already seen in the first episode that Alan Ball will verge significantly away from the books while trying to retain the "spirit" of the story. In addition, Charlaine is credited with only six of the scripts, so I assume that means that the remaining episodes are primarily of someone else's invention. He is already focusing on certain characters and inventing others--Tara comes immediately to mind, and I can't see him doing away with Lafayette, though we could be surprised. He has said in interviews that what he hopes for is that the "show takes on a life of its own" and that implies to me that he will definitely veer in other directions.

1931 duckpond100 2008-09-11 09:05
I believe there will be 12 or 13 episodes. I met Michelle Forbes at the party, and unless I'm mistaken (and I met a great many people that night) she told me she is playing the maenad and asked for insights in to the character. The first season is sticking with "Dead Until Dark," but I have no inkling of what future seasons will contain . . . I just hope there will be some. Whether he sticks with the books or not, I look forward to some good television.
Charlaine Harris""""

So, um...........what I said re Dexter :shock: :mrgreen:

I've watched the first two eps. I didn't like the first one much, but I thought I wouldn't give up yet. I liked the second one better. Pretty much the only reason I'm still watching are for the Bill/Sookie scenes. Bill doesn't do anything for me, but the actors have good chemistry together. There's a little too much sex and violence for my taste...I like a little less explicit and more left to my imagination.

I keep analyzing the friend and brother, he's a total douche so why would that chick be all in love with him? He's terrible. I like Bill and Sookie and the grandmother.

Apparently my other half has got the 1st two down. So will be watching the reworked pilot & next ep & will keep in mind what you've both said & get back to you on it :)

Nora - I agree with you about the brother, Jason. Generally though, this show seems to be littered with some pretty worthless and despicable people. So far, Sookie and her grandmother seem to be the only ones on the show who haven't yet turned my stomach. I liked Sam until what he did in episode three (trying to be vague for those who haven't yet seen it). I still haven't given up, yet, but my patience is wearing thin.

My problem with the series thus far......are people THAT dumb in Louisiana? That sleazy? If I came from La. I think I'd be pretty upset. Bill does nothing for me. Jason is over-sexed in the books so we just get to see a nice muscular wiry body in action here on the tv. I do think that they over do on the sex scenes though. Talk about liking it rough!

Next week we get introduced to Eric. I liked him best in the books so I am curious as to how he will be written in the series.

Squee.......DEXTER starts Sunday :P

Okay have got to the 1st 2, so darnit can't comment about Sam's TV version. One of my biggest issues is I can't remember what only happens in the 1st book :shock: so I have to watch with "remember not to think where it's meant to be going" type thoughts.

I like Sam a lot in the books. Not sure what happens in ep 3 so will have to wait and see. Myth Erik's arrival....FINALLY! I'm hoping he gives it the spark that is kinda missing. Bill is as I imagined from the books - insipid & dull. Though, Myth may help me out here, I think the series is going back a little before the books started regarding Sookie & Bill. They also fairly well have a Jason down pat too (though being TV it's so much more in your face than the books).

The aired pilot was so very much better than the unaired version IMHO. It's in the vein of Six Feet Under with pacing, which makes me think that is Ball's decision.

Yay .... if Dexter is restarting soon......more to come :mrgreen:

Glori - For the life of me, I can't remember the first book that well but I do think that Sookie and Bill get 'close' pretty fast. I think the actors are over-trying right now....their acting is too pronounced. Hope that makes sense. I would like the actors to tone it down a bit.

I like Sam and Tara the best right now. And yes, I agree Glori...Bill is dull and insipid but maybe the writers will spice him up a bit for the series.

The 4th episode is going to start this Sunday, the one with Erik. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that the actor is good. They picked a Swedish actor :P

For those that haven't read the books - SPOILER ahead....kinda.....Erik to me is like the Cordelia/Spike in Angel type character of the series. Which of course means I'm personally pinning a lot onto poor Erik :twisted: . Myth what do you
think?

Freya - Bill IS a wuss :D :lol: :D

Saw episode 4 last night. I'm intrigued by what you all are saying about Erik, but I was underwhelmed with his introduction. I went from liking Sam to finding him just creepy. Jason got what he deserved. Not really finding much to like about almost anyone on the show at this point. I'm just wondering how much longer I'm going to hang in there, waiting to see if it gets better.

Hey Val, I've not got 4 down yet (my other half is working on it *lol*). But I will say Alan Ball is not known for fast paced story telling (I'm thinking of Six Feet Under). Given they are going to draw a whole season out of one book (personally I'd have been looking at 2 books a season) I'm not sure how much of Erik we will get that shows how he will develop into the series. Will comment more once I've actually watched the eps :)

Myth how was Erik?

**Waves to Glori**

Mistress Freya - I'd shorten that to MF....but that sounds bad :lol: I dearly miss BLOODTIES. If this had been done on HBO or one of the other premium stations, it would have survived. It was obviously on a small budget but I thought it was done well and could have been soooooooo much better if there had been more money and a better and more popular station :cry: Loved Henry...sexy wee thing.

On to TRUEBLOOD. I have better hopes after the 'penis episode'...and that means hoping that the actors are meshing better in their roles. **Keeps fingers crossed** They are following a lot of the plot points in the book, so the discovery at the end of the last episode was very sad. Sam was better in the books....I liked him better. Jason is Jason.....a sexaholic with a pea brain.....but a super body.

Glori - I loved Erik in the books but I don't remember if he really got into the picture until the second book. The actor playing him looks okay but I never make a judgment at to whether I like him or not until I see more acting, so here's hoping. I don't care for Bill....he was a wuss and a disappointment in the books- Just plain dull....like Angel for me. I can only hope Erik is given more time because it may save this series if the actor is good.

I got my mother hooked on TRUEBLOOD and every time she thinks about Jason's enormous problem after overdoing the V Juice, she laughs until tears are running down her face. I have to admit I chuckled when I saw the blister on his finger :lol:

The 6th episode was good. I think there's hope!!

WHERE IS EVERYONE????? STILL WATCHING?????

7th eppy was good. Yep...there is hope. I am not disliking Bill as much. I think Erik will be seen more soon. Here's hoping. The actor playing him is Alexander Skargard....son of fine actor Stellan Skarsgard. I can see the father-son resemblance. Alexander was on the top ten sexiest man list in Sweden for 5 years in a row.

Poor demon filled possum :cry:

Hey Myth,

I've not seen 7 yet (we have to be good on our d/load due to limits being precariously close to being breached). May have to do 7, 8 & possibly 9 in one hit :(

So, with up to ep 6 seen - I'm liking what they are doing (& I used the Wiki option off the TrueBlood website to see the book v series differences - cause Tara has been bugging the hell out of me in the "what is she doing there/what about Arlene" deal). I think being Ball it will be character pieces not plot paced out. I need to see Erik more to get a feel for the more 'comic'/humour/wit side methinks. Sam is driving me nuts - you know why I'm sure but I ain't spoiling here :shock: :? :shock: - that line is frustrating more because I have read the books etc.

How is it rating over there? It's not on here at all - if it does get picked up I don't think it'll be seen until the new year-ish.

Okay, I've watched the first three episodes. It's okay. Sookie will annoy the shit out of me at times, and whoever that guy playing Bill is needs to get a personality stat, but all the other characters are what's keeping me watching.

As with the books, I like Sam better than Bill. Correct me if I'm wrong, but in the book Sookie couldn't hear Sam, could she? I was confused on that. But I may just be remembering it wrong. I really do want to erase that reading experience from my brain.

I have the others on my comp. Don't know when I'll get to them, but I'm not giving up on the show.

I find that I purposely forgot a lot about the Sookie books because by book 3 or 4, I couldn't take Sookie anymore. I have the last book and I haven't read it as yet. I heard from EMums that Sookie gets involved with a 'were something' and I flashed to Anita Blake and how Laurel Hamilton had her going from shy/virginal to sleeping with 'everything'. Major turn off for me.

Anyhoo, I remember that I liked Sam in the books and Sookie COULD NOT hear his thoughts. Sam is very different on TRUE BLOOD. Tara is a new character....at least I don't remember her from the books. Was she a character in the books? I like the actress playing her but geez she is rough and bitter. Jason is pretty much the same in the books. Sookie is a bit better in TRUEBLOOD, at least thus far. I liked Bill in the first book but thought he was dull as dirt by book 2 and by that time I was loving Erik. I am just hoping that when Erik gets more screen that he is gooooooood! There's nothing like a sexy bad ass who manages to do some nice things.

I'm hooked though and I'll continue to watch except DEXTER is on at the same time :o Thank goodness for my DVR.

Anyone here read the Kim Harrison books??????

I only ever read the 1st Sookie book and couldn't stand to even attempt any after that. So you know more than I do series-wise, Myth.

Okay, at least I remembered that Sam thing right. I might be able to watch another episode or two today if I hurry up and get this paper written for one of my English classes. See how well that's going right now? :lol:

I don't know Erik. I don't recall an Erik in the first book and I haven't gotten that far in the TV series yet.

I vaguely remember a Tara-like character from the book, I think, but I could be wrong. Or at least I thought one of Sookie's friends was in high lust with her brother. *shrugs*

I didn't like Bill in the first book, he bored me to death. He didn't seem to have much of a personality, kind of like in the show.

I don't know. I'm not entirely hooked, but I'll keep watching 'cause it's my vampire fix.

And as for Kim Harrison, I've read 2 or 3 of her Rachel Morgan series. I think they're good. Not all about the sex like Anita Blake, except she didn't start out that way either. We'll see where it heads. It's something fun to read, takes my mind off stuff I have to read for school kind of thing.

I've read all of Kim Harrison's books (the Rachel Morgan series anyway just in case she has something else out there in the States). I've enjoyed them - Jinks is my fave character. There was a dip in the middle of what has been written but she is getting back to it imho.

Sam - nope she couldn't get a thing - or if she did it was just like white noise - nothing useful.
Sookie does head down the were path but she is not doing "an Anita" (reading those too-but just only now). There is more dating - she is seeming to be a serial monogamist.....so far.
Tara - she is the owner of a store where Sookie buys a "dressed up" outfit from in book 3 or 4. That Wiki I saw was so useful as Tara was annoying the heck out of me in the sense of "where did she come from".

In the books it is Arlene that stands by Sookie & is able to cope with her abilities & has since she was young. Without spoiling too much (sorry if I do) I've noticed they are making noises about other family members already (who do appear much more in the most recent 1 or 2 books). Where Jason is heading too will be interesting given where he is currently at in the books.

VL I think they have kept Bill the way he is in the books in the series too - which means as boring as :? Personally I really like the Erik character in the books. Will have to see what Ball does with him to see how they are going to play that character out (as he really does develop & creates the repartee side of the books imho).

I was right pissy after finishing the third Rachel Morgan book. I decided to read the 4th one and I was pleased to see that Harrison was stepping back from the Rachel/Ivy thing. Even though I adored Stefan (who was modeled after Spike :P ), I have been a Rachel/Trent shipper from day one. I do know that I would love to have a Jinx of my own.

I am a fan of Simon Green's Nightside series

Glori- Does Sookie have any contact w/ Erik in the last book? EMums said that Erik becomes a dickhead :cry:

I loved the Mary Jane Davidson books....UNDEAD AND UNWED. They always put a smile on my face and kept it there. I sent Nora the first book to read and I bet she hasn't read it as yet. **kicks Nora in her arse**

HBO ran some of the comments from the fan forum for TRUEBLOOD....... :shock: One person's name is 'fangbanger'. 8-)

Myth you & I should be able to sit down & do coffee/book klatch sessions!

I love the Nightside series (wish he'd hurry up & get back to it - pft the Golden Torc - different series of his). Funnily enough my other half writes stuff in the arena that Green does (ie demons/angels etc) - so I just annoy the hell out of him to give me something to read whilst I wait for a new Nightside book :twisted!

I hope I don't give too much away but suffice to say Erik "Remembers" ......everything :shock: :? :shock: so my take would be "becoming" a dickhead becomes moot - I'd say also the issue with Quinn doesn't help matters none - too much testosterone issue going on :twisted: :lol:.

I find Ceri also another fascinating character (why I keep being drawn to the secondary characters in various series is beyond me most days).

MaryJanice - I've read all the Undead series (excepting a few anthology ones - hard to procure here). I'm actually going to a Romance Readers Con in February next year to meet both MaryJanice & Sherrilyn Kenyon (the 2 international GOH).....really curious to meet them both. I think they do great jobs in storytelling imho. Have started Sleeping with the Fishes by MaryJanice last night. Was nervous to do that since I too have mermaids & was nervous of crossing over. Funny thing is we have a couple of points of similarities but a lot of differences too (plus at present my stuff is YA).

See - need to do coffee or be able to "beam" books :lol:

Okay. Watched Ep 4. I remember Erik now. Although so far in the show he kind of just looks like a Kurt Cobain wannabe. :lol:

Steph- That's one of the reason why I can't wait to see what they do with Erik in the series. They so need a strong bad ass male on this series and I hope that AS has the acting chops.

Glori - Okay....we so need a three way...you, me and EMums. EMums keeps me updated on all the books. Every time she calls, she gives me a list that goes in one ear and out the other. Presently I am reading IRON KISSED by Patricia Briggs. Whoa, I can't believe that I still like Mercy Thompson :shock: I do have a problems with these authors hurling one flaw after another on their female characters or making them skanks, overly stubborn or just plain too naive. Argh. Makes me think about Buffy and her emotional constipation. Hell, by the time BTVS finished, I was emotionally constipated :lol: I wish we could meet somewhere in the middle but I have this feeling it would be in the middle of an ocean and I have this silly thing about sharks and being surrounded by water 8-)

I tend to read like a fiend when I go on vacation..... Beach, umbrella, #300 sunscreen, ignored hubby, dolphins and stacks of books. At home, I am constantly interrupted and I find my only reading time is when everyone is asleep which plays havoc with my sleep time.

I *think* I am up to date on the KITTY books and I have the Karen Chance books. I am panting for the next Rachel Morgan which will probably be a long wait. Sigh. I like Ceri too and I thought for sure that she would end up with Trent because it would have been too perfect with the 'pure blood'. Happy that she is with Quen (?) so I can keep shipping R/T :D

Regarding NIGHTSIDE series (I have not touched the last one as yet...it's for Florida), I just love it. I find the world Green creates to be immensely interesting and awesomely gross. Love Dead Boy and the teenage secretary :P

Thanks for correcting the names of the authors and characters for me. I rarely keep them straight....it's part of my charm :lol: 8-) :oops: :oops:

Myth - I like the Mercy Thompson series. I've only read the first 2 but thoroughly enjoyed them. I'd say even more than I liked the beginning of the Anita Blake novels and I ate those right up when I first started them.

The Karen Chance books are okay. I couldn't get completely into them for some reason but they're still good reads.

Finally can get back here :mrgreen: :geek: :mrgreen:

TrueBlood - I think I've caught up to where you guys are at (yay) - there is hope yet for what they will do with Erik (I'm hoping). Though I'm impressed with Pam's portrayal (Erik's sidekick). I'm not loving the whole Tara/her mother line & given it's really not book canon I'm not sure of the why/what/how of it all. Plus Sam - unsure on that front too a little.

Am on the 2nd Mercy Thompson book - not bad at all. I like the take she has on the paranormal in our world set up.

Oh & at the rate I'm going I will be visiting the states at some point - Book Club date will have to be done. Like you I've issues about middle of the pond meetings - book paper getting soaked/e-readers getting fried & hell the workout on your legs!!!! :twisted: I've already decided I'm looking at one day flying in one side, training (probably) through/around the centre (Ramones would have to live in a place that is difficult to get to from Brisbane, Australia :lol: :roll: :lol:) and then fly out the other side. Best friend & sister are coast to coast literally. I just wish I could wave a wand & beam over (like your election reporters LMAO)

*grabs the thread & pulls it back onto topic*

So.....what do we think of it? Also, I heard over here that it was 'doing a Dexter' of a season = 12 episodes :shock: Is that true - does anyone know? (Very BBC of HBO I must say).

How you finding the handling of Sam?


Oh & if you want to talk books - go ahead I'm game 8-)

I prefer Sam over Bill. Always have, always will.

Yeah, Apparently there's only one episode left in the season now. Kinda sucks but I'm slightly okay with it 'cause I already have a lot that I'm trying to keep up with and totally failing. I'm weeks behind in some shows.

I'm not too happy with where they took Tara. I liked her before, now she seems kind of whiny, or maybe it's just me?

Goodness, I have been MIA for weeks :shock: It's been a wild time here.

Mistress - It is good to know that someone is watching TRUEBLOOD who hasn't read the books. It's a 'virgin' viewing :?

Yep....only 12 episodes and only one left. EMums came and stayed with me for a week and we exhausted each other with the shopping, cooking and watching tv and dvd's. She doesn't get HBO, so I sat her down and we had a marathon viewing of all TRUEBLOOD up to date. Since she is from the South, she was totally okay with the characters....they were very Southern typical to her. That relaxed me a bit because I have had a problem thinking that the actors were over acting or the director was bonkers. EMums was decidedly put off with Sookie by the end of the 11th episode.

I really liked Tara but I hope she softens. I do like Sam but he was better in the books. I was a bit bug-eyed with him rolling all over the dead girl's bed. I find that I like the actor playing Bill a bit more but I am banking on Eric. Alexander Skaarsgard was quoted in a magazine as saying that Eric is Bill's chief competition for Sookie's affection so S2 should be gooooooooood. I like Pam and the actress playing her.

Funniest moment for me....seeing Jason's blister from the continuous wanking. Hehe

Sorry to say, I gave up on Trueblood. I just couldn't whip up the energy to care about these characters. I think I gave up four or five episodes ago. I recorded them, but then never watched.

Pretty sure Lafayette is dead....hope he's not, his character is the best.

The computer ate my last answer :x so here I go again...hopefully :?

Mistress & Nora I say nada thing on Lafayette, or any of the men in general...... :? :shock: :?

Val - I'm not surprised given your erm, adoration/addiction that is Twilight :D

Myth - I'm liking Pam's portrayal for sure. Glad emums opinion on the characters. I know Charlaine Harris lives in the south herself - Louisania (I think off the top of my head), so I'd assumed she'd taken people from her own experiences somewhat & then "fictioned" them (aka bigger than life).

I'm glad to hear it has a 2nd season - especially since they're doing the 12 eps = a season :o (so very BBC of them non?)

Dammit I can't remember what else I wrote *grumbles about the computer* but hey least I have my internet (& power) back *more grumbling about storms* Oh .... I know 8-) it was I wish I lived not such a big flight/swim away - would be so very fine to do this in person. I've only met one Hellmouther (when UK came out for a visit she stayed with us - was fantastic :mrgreen: ). It'd be a helluva commute otherwise ........ :? :lol:

*hides her eyes as she possibly pops Mistress' bubble* Er, the beginning of the last ep has Lafayette painting his toenails..... :?

Myth (& through her emums) may or may not be able to help me out here as they have deviated from the books enough to begin running their own show (bad, bad pun). Maryann - the one taking in Tara - Myth surely she is not going to have a twin brother called Claude perchance????? (if you know your books you may get the attempt at oblique referencing). The fact she knows Sam not Sookie - makes it a twist. But then Tara full stop is a twist & the insert of Jason's Amy just seen (not a different Amy we see in the books later on) has twisted enough to make me spin slightly.

I'm still liking the portrayal of Eric & Pam - they're getting them down quite well imho :mrgreen: .

I'm also hoping season 2 goes the full 22 episodes instead of this 12 (which I wondered was due to writer's strike implications as I know they were to a degree caught by it).

I've been a miserable bitch (shut up Nora) for the past week with the cold from hell that I got from my son Jared who now is known as the 'Harbinger of Death'. I either get the head colds with the sneezing and faucet nose or the chest colds where you hack up your lungs. I've been doing both with this fricking cold....WTH???????

Glori -I don't remember the books enough to give you an answer and I don't want to re-read the books!! I do remember that the nude woman on the road with her boar was after Eric and caused his amnesia which led to scrumptious sex between Eric and Sookie. Here's hoping for some of this in S2 :P I also remember that Sookie had conversations with this woman but there was no contact with Sam.

It has to be Lafayette with those painted toe nails. I am hoping that he was attacked by a werewolf or a were-something and has to deal with his 'affliction' in S2. Please NOT dead!! He is my favorite character.

Kudos to the actor who played Renee (?). I thought he did an awesome acting job. I am a bit upset that he will be off the show because I liked the character.....before he became the psycho.

Oh Jason.......you are just the dumbest hick ever. The body of a god and the brain of an amoeba :lol: I can't help but wonder if he got the part by stripping down to nothing to get the part ROTFLMAO!

Off to another thread.

Lafayette dies in the books. But given the tendency to rearrange the lives & impact of the characters - I'll hold out for you all - but not in a breath holding kinda way :o Jason on the other hand - yep definitely the brain of an amoeba which takes him to a 'speshal' place eventually.....if they go that long & follow that path.

Myth - aaaaaaaaaaah that is her....I think I know the plot line being used. Forgot about her :lol: I was going the fairies route. I'm now trying to forget the books as such (else I may send myself back to the hellgoddess of insanity :lol: :roll: :lol: ) and just go with it.

I agree Renee's portrayal was fantastic. Thought he did a terrific job.

Was glad to see the show (& Anna) nominated for the Golden Globes - hopefully not a kiss of death :?

Mistress Freya - Eric should be shirtless & given Jason's nudity - you should get more salty goodness of Viking vamps.........

Now we must wait for S2 *sighs*.....I'd be patient if it didn't take so long :mrgreen: