The second season of HBO and Alan Ball’s vampire drama True Blood premiered last night, and we were immediately thrust into another murder mystery (It also allowed me to use a ridiculously bad pun as a post title, and how can you turn down that?). Several ongoing storylines were introduced setting up the rest of the second season, as well as a few hold overs from last season. Fans of a particular character have reason to rejoice going forward. I’m excited to see where the season is going, though with one specific exception.
To get the negative out of the way, I don’t understand why the first scene of the second season is spent setting up the same type of story arc that dominated last season. We have seen the town (village? hamlet? stoplight?) of Bon Temps rocked by the same kind of thing last season. I’m not familiar with Charlaine Harris’s original books, but I think I might get bored quick if this carries through the full season.
There was a lot more bad ass than weak sauce in the premiere though. I’m liking what we’re seeing of Sam and Maryann’s backstory. Sam continues to be more than he shows on the outside. I would have never thought him a thief, but I do get young him sneaking out in while Maryann was in the shower. I imagine that was a tad bit intimidating.
I am also interested in the triangle that has become Bill, Sookie, and Jessica. The dynamic between Bill and his charge is nowhere near normal, and I think it will continue to disrupt things for the two lovers. Bon Temps is barely ready for Bill, but I can’t wait until they meet Jessica.
The big reveal this week was that Lafayette lives, though being chained in Eric’s basement may only be a couple of steps up. I’m glad he’s still around, because he adds such a different type of energy to the show, and it would be a lot less entertaining without him. If the spoilers (click at your own risk) I’ve read hold true, that story arc is going to be great.
In a show that drips sex as much as it drips blood, the premiere didn’t lack in that area. Vampire lore has always had a heavy erotic tone to it, and True Blood has never shied away from that history. The Bill and Sookie final scene with the blood was a little freaky, though.
The line of the night, though, didn’t come from any of our main characters, but from the girl who struck out with Jason, and didn’t get a quick enough answer from Hoyt:
“Time’s up. I don’t teach. I absorb.”
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Jun 15, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT
I thought the episode was pretty good. There was a lot of set up for the rest of the season. I also like that LaFayette didn’t get killed off the way he did in the books. I’m looking forward to some great Sunday nights thanks to True Blood.
https://www.joeonthetube.com
I’m glad to learn that LaFayette lived (or, at least, lives for now). In a fit of spoiler-itis, I checked imdb to see how many eps each actor had under his/her belt to see if LaFayette matched up. When he didn’t I assumed we wouldn’t see him again in S2. But, considering I haven’t read the books, I hope he’ll continue to hang around for a few more eps (and, hopefully, a few more seasons :)
Last season there was as a sex scene with Sookie and Bill, and they didn’t show half as much nudity as they showed in this episode. Am I the only one who finds it weird seeing main characters nude, especially for such extended scenes? It doesn’t bother me when it’s a minor/guest character, or even when it’s only slight glimpses. It’s just the whole main character you see every week suddenly being naked (or atleast fully baring their upper half) for several minutes, and it’s not a porno you’re watching, that seems too voyeuristic.
Anyway, awesome that Lafayette is still around! I Eric doesn’t kill him for dealing V.
This was a pretty awesome opener. I was wondering the entire episode when Eric would show and when he finally did..wow…i giggled at the tinfoil and then when he ripped the cape off it was more like “ooooooohhhh” at his arms. i’m hoping that what i’ve read in some spoilers about Eric is true. So very happy True Blood is back…can not wait for Sunday nights.
Ok, I’ve read 7 out of 8 books and I have to say it it more interesting knowing some of the story lines are new and some combined. I’d rather it be that way instead of constantly comparing little trivial things from the series to the books.
That being said,TB the series had not shown the “I don’t care about humans” side of Eric. Ok, strike that, Series 2 opener took GOOD care of that. Have to say it take a special vampire to pull off that level of descruction with highlighting foils in. Gotta laugh on that.
Sookie & Bill, two odd ducks for sure. Even in the books, Bill never grabbed me as the love match for Sookie. It’s sad when in the opener when the big lust scene was going on, all I could think about was….MAN how do you get the blood out of those white linens.
Things I’d like to see from the books…a little fairy and a big bad cougar -)