True Blood

[Caliope]

Me too!! I think my mom might get into it too - I keep gushing over it to her, and she's usually into the same stuff as me.

EDIT: I'm watching all the BloodCopy reports now. They're hilariously cheesy. I'm loving it!

[jordmundt6]

One thing that bugs about Paquin's performance in the clips we've seen so far, it seems that TV!Sookie is a lot more comfortable delivering mind-reading zingers at the beginning of the series than Book!Sookie was at the beginning of the book series.

[Caliope]

(After watching the first episode.)

^She also seems less adept at controlling her facial expressions when she hears something that bothers her, which is something that Book Sookie (what's with the superfluous exclamation points?) prided herself on. However, she does have that nice, tight grin when she's nervous or upset, which I was hoping would still be there. Anyway, all that is more due to the scriptwriters than Paquin and her delivery, which I think was spot-on.

So, in general, very faithful adaptation - I love Bill, all the scenes between him and Sookie are great. And Gran is delightful - she's so sweet! I know Tara and Lafayette (are they really cousins? I don't think they are...) have been given a lot more to do, but I love those two actors to bits so far, so I'm good with it. (Can't wait to meet Eric - *squeee!* But it looks like it might be a while, seeing the way they're breaking the episodes up. Boo!)

My biggest complaint so far: all the raunchy bits are way raunchier and way over the top. Most of this we got in the book through flashbacks and allusions, and here we're getting a full face of it. I'm no prude, I don't think, but this is ridiculous. Makes me wonder if they're going full throttle with it just because it's HBO and they can.

[Moriath]

I loved the new theme. So much better than the old one. It reminded me of Dexter, which is always a plus. The new Tara is awesome. I like her. She isn't all brusqueness, I buy that she truly cares for Sookie. Even Anna Paquin's facial twitches weren't so pronounced and I liked her much more.

I don't have a problem with "raunchy" scenes but I don't know why they made them so disturbing. It's not supposed to be like that or else there wouldn't be any fangbangers.

And how cute is Gran?

[jordmundt6]

There was a lot to like in this episode. Paquin seems up to this role (we have to remember that we only get Sookie's point of view about the blankness of her face, maybe she isn't as adept at it as she thinks). Jason seems blithely, easily cute and prejudiced (even if his taste in fine trucks isn't as flamboyant as it is in the books). Gran is solid. Lafayette is spot-on. I confess I truly enjoy the Tara remix. I thought our first view of Dean was interesting (though that ddin't look like a collie to me).

The bad--we haven't dealt with vamp-glam yet (though maybe they will in the next ep). They've gone out of their way to make Sam's thoughts seem just as transparent as everyone else's which is rather--well, aren't they writing themselves into a hole with that?

The raunchiness is of a piece with everything else and seems to fit with the characters okay, but I didn't like the credit sequence--the tune was fine, the images were disturbing.

J.D. DuRone--or is it JT is just as...naive as in the book, but I guess I pictured a baby-faced Bowflex boy--because I couldn't understand why Sookie would think that he was so blindingly beautiful--maybe that's just me (ahem, it appears that I conflated Mr. DuRone with Mr. Frontenberry who is just about exactly right; I wonder who they cast for Mr. DuRone). I can't believe they're wasting Lynn Collins in the role of Dawn.

The next episode promises to be interesting.

[LoveWeasleys]

Originally Posted by Caliope

However, she does have that nice, tight grin when she's nervous or upset, which I was hoping would still be there.

I loved this as well. It is a huge Sookie trait and she does a really great job.

Originally Posted by Moriath

I don't have a problem with "raunchy" scenes but I don't know why they made them so disturbing. It's not supposed to be like that or else there wouldn't be any fangbangers.

I didn't have a problem with these scenes either. I just hope that they balance the disturbing parts with how/why humans are attracted to being with vampires. The way they made it sound was that fangbangers were in it for money which just isn't so.

Originally Posted by Moriath

And how cute is Gran?

I adored her character in the movie Twister and she doesn't look like she has even changed that much. The actress just has this wholesome with grit feel that I had with book Gran too. I love her.

Overall, I thought it was a wonderful adaption to the book. The theme of the South and its mannerisms rings strong especially in the wicked cool opening sequence. It puts your mind in to a Southern and Vampire story with exploring the cultures of both. I could go on and on gushing about all the good things. The casting and the music are my two favs. The telepathy was done beautifully and I actually like the change they made where all the voices stop when she touches Bill.

The main thing that bothers me are the fangs. They look sort of odd and out of place. They kind of take the romance out of the vampire because it makes them unattractive but not in a good way (like the vamps changing in Buffy). It just seems to me that they are on the wrong teeth, aren't they suppose to be on the canine teeth?

[Caliope]

Originally Posted by LoveWeasleys

The telepathy was done beautifully and I actually like the change they made where all the voices stop when she touches Bill.

That scene was beautiful. We get a much better sense of what a huge relief it is to hear nothing for a change, more so than in the books even.

And honestly, the thing that bothers me most about the raunchiness (I don't think the scene with Maudette needed to be that long - and wasn't it Jason making the tapes, not her?) is that it means I won't be watching this with Mom anymore. She was much more disturbed than I was, to the point where she doesn't want to read the books even, and I find that disappointing to say the least.

I'm also half-hoping that the some of the sex stuff with ebb off a little as we move forward with the series. Sometimes pilots can't be trusted.

[Moriath]

Originally Posted by LoveWeasleys

The main thing that bothers me are the fangs. They look sort of odd and out of place. They kind of take the romance out of the vampire because it makes them unattractive but not in a good way (like the vamps changing in Buffy). It just seems to me that they are on the wrong teeth, aren't they suppose to be on the canine teeth?

Ugh, yes. It looks tolerable on Bill but the unnamed vampire in the store was just ridiculous with these bad, bad fangs.

Originally Posted by LoveWeasleys

The telepathy was done beautifully and I actually like the change they made where all the voices stop when she touches Bill.

I didn't like it. Considering all the missions Sookie undertakes with Bill as her date, it's rather impractical that she can't hear anything as long as she touches him.

[Sookie]

I'm sorry, at the risk of being banned, OH MY GOD YOUR SIG IS SO CUTE!!!1!!!One!!1!

[Caliope]

lol @ Sookie - I'm just glad you said that before I did!

On the telepathy thing: Hm, I didn't think of the logistical problems involved with her touching him, but you're right. That scene just grabbed me so much I didn't mind at all. However, they might figure out a way to work around that - she can easily let go of his hand to 'listen' if she needs to. We'll see, I suppose.

*wonders anxiously how many episodes it'll be until we see Fangtasia*

[Moriath]

This probably means that you'd both welcome a care bear in your sigs, yes?

Caliope, we'll see Fangtasia in episode four. This is when Eric *flails* makes his first appearance.

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by Moriath

This probably means that you'd both welcome a care bear in your sigs, yes?

1. The use of an angel icon should be banned for you.

2. Pfft. My sig and avatar and name have been changed so many times I don't even know who I am anymore.

My favorite things about episode one are casting (loved all of them, even if they're not totally accurate or they're different), the music and opening credits (awesome), the way they're keeping Jason look guilty, the chemistry between all of them. I really enjoyed it and hope they get to do a couple of seasons because I'm kind of dying to see some of these things that happen in the book, happen on the screen.

Does anyone know what the ratings were for episode one?

[Caliope]

*marks calendar*

Y'know, I always thought it was impossible for me to clean up the bakery where I work on Sundays any faster than I already did. Just looks like I needed the proper motivation.

Moriath: That's sweet of you, but no. I prefer to admire their cuteness from a distance.

Sookie: Agreed on everything. And in all fairness, as per the 'raunchiness' I was complaining about earlier, maybe the reason it bugs me is because I work in a restaurant. Yes, people are (almost) that disgusting on a daily basis. I much prefer to leave that behind me when I clock out.

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by Caliope

Sookie: Agreed on everything. And in all fairness, as per the 'raunchiness' I was complaining about earlier, maybe the reason it bugs me is because I work in a restaurant. Yes, people are (almost) that disgusting on a daily basis. I much prefer to leave that behind me when I clock out.

Well, I do tend to be pretty lax in the raunch department. It takes a fair bit to bug me.

[Caliope]

Watching it a second time (thank you, HBO OnDemand) it's not as bad as I first thought it was. Mostly I was cringing on behalf of my mom; it's a thousand times more awkward to watch something like that with parents present.

[LoveWeasleys]

Originally Posted by Moriath

Caliope, we'll see Fangtasia in episode four. This is when Eric *flails* makes his first appearance.

That long? I thought he would be in the next one.

Originally Posted by Caliope

On the telepathy thing: Hm, I didn't think of the logistical problems involved with her touching him, but you're right. That scene just grabbed me so much I didn't mind at all. However, they might figure out a way to work around that - she can easily let go of his hand to 'listen' if she needs to. We'll see, I suppose.

I think so too. For me it really worked this way on screen because you were able to see the ecstasy she felt at making the voices stop. It was a really beautiful moment and it also really clued Bill in that there really was something else going on with her. Which is why he asks her again.

Originally Posted by Caliope

Watching it a second time (thank you, HBO OnDemand) it's not as bad as I first thought it was. Mostly I was cringing on behalf of my mom; it's a thousand times more awkward to watch something like that with parents present.

Yes that can be.

I really liked the part when the Dawn, Arlene, and Sookie were talking with Lafayette and Sookie was so uncomfortable. Not only was the scene hilarious but it was a good character building moment for Sookie.

[Sookie]

Tags for mention of something in Dead as a Doornail.

Spoiler: show

Did you guys notice the panther on Jason's hat? Or that Gran was reading Dead Until Dark? Nice nods to the fans.

[mexicant]

WHY DID YOU PEOPLE WHO CALL YOURSELVES MY FRIENDS NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS THREAD EXISTING?!? [/CAPSLOCK!RAGE]

*ahem*

Loved the first episode.

I think that when Sookie touched Bill, she focused on the lack of thoughts and that's why the rest of the noise around her melted away. If she touches him but isn't concentrating on his brain, I don't think it will happen.

[jordmundt6]

Plus, isn't he supposed to teach her about how to effectively shield her mind so the overflow isn't so disastrous?

The casting for most things is good--Tara, Lafayette, Sookie, Bill, even a bland-haired version of Sam. I'm a little peeved that they're wasting Lynn Collins on Dawn. I must apologize for my DuRone rant since, apparently, that wasn't him, but Hoyt--who, by the way, is spot-on.

About Lafayette, I love his presentation, but does he really work on that road crew AND at the diner?

I think episode 4 is about right for Fangtasia. There's Dawn's death and associated investigation plus the night meeting of the Descendants of the Glorious Dead with Bill as guest speaker. I'd like to hear a discussion of vamp-glam since Bill wasn't sparkling when he walked in that first time.

The only confirmed casting I truly detested was Andy Bellefleur--wrong look, wrong sound, wrong age (by about a decade).

[Sookie]

Originally Posted by mexicant

WHY DID YOU PEOPLE WHO CALL YOURSELVES MY FRIENDS NOT TELL ME ABOUT THIS THREAD EXISTING?!? [/CAPSLOCK!RAGE]

Hey, guess what? There's a True Blood thread on CoS! *hides*