‘True Blood’ quenches thirst for vampires

(Published Feb. 1, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

“True blood,” inspired by a series of books by Charlaine Harris, imaginatively presents an uneasy coexistence between humans and legendary creatures.

Vampires all over the world reveal themselves after a synthetic replacement for blood has been introduced, which meant that they need not feed on humans any longer. This change radically affects social, religious, and political mores all over the globe, and that huge transformation is reflected in the small Louisiana town of Bon Temps.

Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress, openly starts a romantic relationship with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). This attracts the attention of a serial killer, who targets humans with ties to vampires. Apart from the blood-drinkers, the town secretly has its share of other fantastical creatures, including shape-shifters.

Season 1 of “True Blood” is properly mysterious, expounding only on the core relationships and partially hinting at the bigger, more complex connections surrounding them. Because the vampires are a new group establishing itself, they’re often met with prejudice and suspicion. Some humans think they’re all predatory monsters; for others they’re just cattle-like providers of addictive (and profitable) vampire blood.

Season 2 is still edgy and sexy, but has more camp situations. Sookie’s brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is used for more contrived comic moments. Intrepid Sookie, meanwhile, becomes more of a damsel in distress. Her best friend Tara (Rutina Wesley) becomes a villainess’ puppet, while their boss Sam (Sam Trammell) is targeted as part of a connected supernatural scheme. The second season still has stirring drama; vampire sheriff Eric (Alexander Skarsgard) searches for his missing maker, the messiah-like Godric (Allan Hyde), and starts wooing Sookie in his own bizarre way.

In “True Blood,” the mythical monsters can be human and the humans can be unthinking beasts. It’s escapist, but it also dissects the complexities of the human psyche quite often.

Season 2 of “True Blood” airs daily on HBO Signature.