Godric and Eric, Sires and Makers

Finally watched episodes of 24 and Dollhouse. Season 7 of 24 was mostly unpredictable; the first five episodes were quite boring but the succeeding episodes were really good. Jack Bauer is still a badass, and interestingly, a female FBI agent counterpart, Renee, is introduced (yeah, she tortures an assassin for the greater good). Previously unseen scenarios, like the White House hostage situation and Bauer’s shaky alliance with the FBI, made it feel like old times, which is a good thing. Kim Bauer wasn’t held hostage, at least not for long, this time.

Dollhouse is okay. I wish Eliza Dushku displayed more range, however. The personality shifts aren’t always noticeable; I’d say Jennifer Garner convincingly slipped into more distinct identities in the old Alias show. I loved Dushku in Buffy and Angel, and among my favorite episodes is the one where her vampire-slaying character Faith switched bodies with Buffy Summers. She did that impressively. I hope she’ll really play different roles memorably in the show’s new season. Anyway, I’m glad that Amy Acker, formerly of Angel, is a recurring guest.

Speaking of vampires and TV shows, I enjoyed True Blood season two a lot. I feel that some storylines could have been expanded, and others shortened, but I did like the addition of new characters and the fleshing out of some supporting ones. Ancient vampire Godric (right) is an enigmatic, almost messiah-like figure, and it would be interesting if the character’s contribution to the series’ vampire history were shown, in addition to important parts of his centuries-long connection to Eric Northman.

It’s great that the vampire mythology of True Blood is already rivaling that of Buffy and Angel’s twisted family trees. The bonds of immortality and bloodlust--Godric and Eric; Lorena, Bill and Jessica, etc--somewhat mirror the Whedonverse’s vamp connections (Master sired Darla; Darla sired Angelus; Angelus sired Drusilla; Drusilla sired Spike). The dynamics between the characters are strangely appealing; the younger vamp’s loyalty and kinship (or even sexual attraction) to his or her Sire/Maker, and vice versa, are intriguing relationships.

It’s good that True Blood is taking vampires to places--the district factions and the unstable coexistence with humanity angles--where the Whedon vampires didn’t. I like that the series is also featuring different characters from legend. The man-monster encounters also remind me of Supernatural’s focus on creatures from lore, but the tone and approach are different, obviously. I hope season three introduces more of them, and more undead romances and rivalries.