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All the fangirls/fanboys seem to be loathing the Maryann storyline (the same ones who seem interested only in Eric and the vampire plotlines) and although I agree that the pacing is a little slow I absolutely love it as its all my obsessions - gorging, excess, ritual, madness, destruction, primal instincts, Dionysian beliefs - filtered through a fresh new monster movie archetype - the maenad. Its like nothing we've ever seen in a mainstream horror show before, Maryann seems much more a creation of Ken Russell and Jess Franco than a HBO executive.

The only problem with it is Tara seems a little watered down and bland now but her personality and bite is slowly growing back (the heart eating scene was incredible). Although there was a lot of filler and pacing issues at the start I think this season has potential to be better than the first.

luridedith wrote:I absolutely love it as its all my obsessions - gorging, excess, ritual, madness, destruction, primal instincts, Dionysian beliefs

You must lead a very interesting life

flyonthewall2983 wrote:Last night's show was pretty solid, I must say.

Agreed. Sunday's episode was fantastic! I also love the Maryann storyline, and not only for deliriously outrageous scenes like the hearty hunter soufflé chow-down. It has been rather slow-paced, and I find it a bit irksome that Tara & Eggs haven't put two & two together by now but I can't help being immensely entertained by Maryann and her shenanigans all the same. And you're right, luridedith...her character certainly beings something new and interesting to the realm of horror television.

However, I can't really hide my true allegiance: count me in as one of the minions of Eric. Alexander Skarsgård is absolutely, perfectly wonderful. His glinty, genuine smile on Sunday's episode was one of the more thrilling moments of the entire season for me
Really, I'm at a point where I like all the major characters...except for Bill. I felt the show blew an opportunity in bringing some complexity to his tired, uninteresting character with the flashback sequences; I really was intrigued about Bill's past, and what changed to make him rethink his bloodthirsty ways. But the reveal in the subsequent episode was such a letdown. Oh well.

I can't really say I have a favorite character, but there's no one on the show I find annoying like some people have stated. I find some of the southern caricatures a bit grating, but often times there is a redeeming quality that balances those instances which provides a more dimensional view of that particular character. The scene so far this season that I've found the most powerful is when Lafayette is being comforted by the chef/war vet who is clearly experienced in dealing with people with sever PTSD despite or because he has shown pretty strong signs of it throughout the show.

The Maryann storyline wouldn't be working so well for me without the presence of the ever fascinating and brilliant Michelle Forbes.

The Maryann storyline isn't working so well for me.

I'm essentially still on the fence about it. All I really mean is that it wouldn't be working at all with someone less skilled and interesting in that role.

Maybe it's just me, but I can't see what people find all that great about the performance. It's far too dependent on "look what havoc I'm wreaking!" smirks and overselling ridiculous monologues, like the one at the kitchen table during last night's episode. I can't wait until next season already, so we can [hopefully] get a more down-to-earth storyline going.

mfunk9786 wrote: I can't wait until next season already, so we can [hopefully] get a more down-to-earth storyline going.

Who wants that? Not I

Quite the stirring ending last night.

Season finale tonight. "Corrupt"

A boring ending to what was an often entertaining but overall disappointing season of a great show. Season One ended with one of the greatest finales and cliffhangers I've ever seen, but I guess it'd be asking too much to see that reproduced. I mean,

Spoiler

did anyone really care about the whole Eggs plotline? And is anyone legitimately concerned about Bill's well-being - he's one of the leads and isn't going anywhere.

The only thing I'm waiting to see play out is

Spoiler

Hoyt and Jessica's relationship, and there was even a cop-out cliffhanger in that department too - the writers would be crazy not to get them back together pretty early on next season.

Heather Havrilesky has a good piece on the finale.

I enjoy that it always brings the horror conventions back down to the level of the trashy level of its characters (even the vampires, who are more pop-trashy, like the queen). My problem with this same trick is that it tends to lead to uneven, sometimes schizophrenic pacing. There'll be genuinely chilling shots one moment, redneck humor the next.

Tru-Blood....if you were thirsting for it, you can now live vicariously through the AV Club Taste Testers.

I like this succinct review of the drink:

I will still never watch the show.

To borrow from another thread, "don't you just love offhanded dismissals of things people haven't even seen?"

=D>

Michael wrote:It's not a draggy family drama like The Sopranos and Six Feet Under.

I get your point, but to be perfectly fair, SFU was nowhere as nearly draggy as The Sopranos got.

Extended season 3 trailer.

\:D/ Can't wait--been looking forward to seeing redneck werewolves for some time.

Behind-the-scenes Wall Street Journal article about "True Blood" Werewolf SFX.

Thoughts on last night's premiere anyone?

Pam continues to amuse me.

I'm so glad she's a regular this season, I'm looking forward to much more of her 'lesbian weirdness'. Also, more naked Eric please.

I liked the opener well enough, although as it was with last season's premiere, it's a bit jarring to be thrown back into the jumble of plotlines at breakneck speed. I got quite a few laughs out of the episode though: Sam's boom-chicka wah wah dream involving Bill, Jason informing the two girls that they appeared to have bullet holes in their heads, and of course any scene involving Pam.