True Blood: It's not just for vampires
When I was little, I was more afraid of vampires than practically any other type of scary creature. It's interesting that they've become more nuanced, transitioning from evil monster to antihero in recent years. We've seen this in the vampires of Anne Rice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Twilight. When I was visiting jaderabbit and her family, we began watching Ultraviolet, which I understand is another story in this line. I'll have to get the DVD set and finish watching it - we only watched the first episode, so I don't know where it will lead yet, but it was interesting enough to wonder about. :)
Yesterday, the Red-headed Girl mentioned a series on HBO called True Blood, which is also about vampires. I hadn't previously heard of it, but checked and found it was "On Demand" through HBO. (Yes, I subscribe to HBO.) It also seems quite good, though I'm writing this after only having seen the first episode.
It takes place in modern Louisiana 2 years after vampires have begun coming "out of the coffin" to claim their place in modern society. This was made possible by the advent of a synthetic blood product called "Tru Blood." Some people think that vampires should be treated like humans and given all the same rights in society. Bill Maher is shown on a TV interviewing a vampire advocate for vampire rights early on in the episode. Some people think that vampires are not to be trusted. One un-trusting character makes his point by asking the human protagonist, Sookie, whether she would give up all the foods she loves to drink Slim-Fast for the rest of eternity. I admit this isn't very appetizing...
Another problem for the society of the True Blood world is that vampire blood has street value. Apparently, drinking it makes humans feel more alive and it acts like an aphrodisiac. Vampires are captured by the human criminal element and drained of blood which is to be sold like heroin. It's been implied in this first episode that draining a vampire completely will actually kill it, unlike in usual vampire lore. This is what almost happens to Bill, the vampire who plans to make his home in the small Louisiana town where Sookie is a waitress.
Sookie, never having seen a real vampire before, is somewhat fascinated by Bill when he comes into the restaurant where she works. She's something of a mystery herself, though. She "hears" other people's thoughts constantly (just those of humans, so far), which is distracting, but she has some skill in focusing this ability when she makes an effort. Unfortunately, people who don't know her well think she's slow and stupid because she doesn't always respond quickly to the spoken word. She "hears" a couple who are planning to kidnap Bill and drain him of blood and, when she discovers the three of them gone from the restaurant, she goes after them to rescue Bill. She finds him tethered to the ground by light silver chains (like necklace chains, but longer) and is able to drive off the couple who would have harmed him. After this, Bill seems equally fascinated with her and twice asks her what she is, concluding that she is more than human.
Interesting stuff! :-D
ETA: I've just started watching the second episode and saw a tabloid lying on a table with the headline "Angelina Adopts Vampire Baby". *rotfl*
Yesterday, the Red-headed Girl mentioned a series on HBO called True Blood, which is also about vampires. I hadn't previously heard of it, but checked and found it was "On Demand" through HBO. (Yes, I subscribe to HBO.) It also seems quite good, though I'm writing this after only having seen the first episode.
It takes place in modern Louisiana 2 years after vampires have begun coming "out of the coffin" to claim their place in modern society. This was made possible by the advent of a synthetic blood product called "Tru Blood." Some people think that vampires should be treated like humans and given all the same rights in society. Bill Maher is shown on a TV interviewing a vampire advocate for vampire rights early on in the episode. Some people think that vampires are not to be trusted. One un-trusting character makes his point by asking the human protagonist, Sookie, whether she would give up all the foods she loves to drink Slim-Fast for the rest of eternity. I admit this isn't very appetizing...
Another problem for the society of the True Blood world is that vampire blood has street value. Apparently, drinking it makes humans feel more alive and it acts like an aphrodisiac. Vampires are captured by the human criminal element and drained of blood which is to be sold like heroin. It's been implied in this first episode that draining a vampire completely will actually kill it, unlike in usual vampire lore. This is what almost happens to Bill, the vampire who plans to make his home in the small Louisiana town where Sookie is a waitress.
Sookie, never having seen a real vampire before, is somewhat fascinated by Bill when he comes into the restaurant where she works. She's something of a mystery herself, though. She "hears" other people's thoughts constantly (just those of humans, so far), which is distracting, but she has some skill in focusing this ability when she makes an effort. Unfortunately, people who don't know her well think she's slow and stupid because she doesn't always respond quickly to the spoken word. She "hears" a couple who are planning to kidnap Bill and drain him of blood and, when she discovers the three of them gone from the restaurant, she goes after them to rescue Bill. She finds him tethered to the ground by light silver chains (like necklace chains, but longer) and is able to drive off the couple who would have harmed him. After this, Bill seems equally fascinated with her and twice asks her what she is, concluding that she is more than human.
Interesting stuff! :-D
ETA: I've just started watching the second episode and saw a tabloid lying on a table with the headline "Angelina Adopts Vampire Baby". *rotfl*