Passing The Time Weekend Questions, Sadly Published On A Wednesday

Are any of you watching True Blood on HBO? 

If you are, have you read the Sookie Stackhouse books on which the series is based?

If you have, what are your thoughts about the adaptations that they've made to the story(lines)?  How about the seeds that they're planting for the next season?

I am loving the series itself.  I think it's shot and acted well.  I see why they've had to add/take out/adjust the things that they have.  I have some minor grumbles. 

Like, I keep wanting Eric to be more handsome, with a more pronounced jaw-line.  His chin, while fine and dandy, is a little--what's the word? Unpronounced.  He doesn't conjure 'Viking' to me, as I envision him in my Mind's Eye.  I want him to be big and hulking and super-hot.  Although the actor who plays him is totally attractive.  So, you know, if you're Googling yourself and you find this post, guy-who-plays-Eric, don't be sad.  You're totally hot. For real.

Anyway.

Also, I keep wondering how it is that Sookie seems immune to the effects of drinking what looks to be GALLONS of vampire blood, when all the junkies are grooving off of drops of it.  Sure, she was critically wounded and could taste the prairie grass in the sausage or whatever the fuck but no collapsing in ecstasy? No withdrawl? No jonesin' for another hit?  And then what about the fire-hose of blood that came from Longshadow?  Same thing.

It also seems that they've way played down Sookie's struggle with her telepathy.  Or is it just me?  The stories are ALL ABOUT THE TELEPATHY and how it effects her every moment, almost. And are really heavy-handed with the Vampires-who-believe-that-humans-are-only-to-serve-them.  In the book, they seem more evenly distributed.  And some of them remember that they actually were human.

I think that there are some great surprises, too.  The actor who plays Lafayette is awesome and his character is so pleasing to me.  The performance is g-r-a-n-d.  I think that the casting is great and I love Anna Paquin.  Even though Pam's role is limited in this story, (it expands in future stories) and although I pictured her much younger, I think she's great in the role.

If you [are a dork, like me] have anything to say about it, I'd love to hear it.  I'll also be adding thoughts in the comments.  If there are any.  For such a slim sub-section of the general population. 

You know what I mean, right?

Right??

Comments

[TB]

I llluuurrrve True Blood even though I've never really been into vampire fiction, never having read the Sookie stories or Twililght or Anne Rice. Totally with you on the imperviousness to vampire blood.
And now that the season is over, I may actually have to read the Sookie stories to get over my True Blood jones until next summer. Damn you HBO and your super long hiatus.

[Lori]

Have you seen the latest episode? I loved the scene where Sam and Sookie were in the car and Sam said he loved to ride in the car. Sookie said, of course you do, and told him he could hang is head out the window if he wanted. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[g_unit]

UGH. I'm addicted - now knowing there are books out there that will give me a clue on what's to come? I'm the worst - I'd like to say I'll read the books but I'll probably just google some spoilers. I try to talk about it on Mondays at work sometimes forgetting that no one watches it- when you start a story with "they stole a guy for V" there is no way to recover with out a stare or two.

[amanda]

I'm neither watching nor reading...just nursing and cooking and wondering silently what the hell the white smear on my shoulder is.

[Kelly]

(Sigh...) I wish I had HBO, because I get off on that vampire shit. Like seriously, get off. Once I had a dream there was a vampire in my room and I, well...lets just say I woke up real happy and tingly.

I've seen some clips, and the guy who plays Bill is quite delicious.

[the new girl]

MGM: I can totally see that, really. In the book, the pace is slower and there's more day-to-day quirkiness about her. I think in the show The Telepathy has been largely missing and so she looks vacant and I think, not as likable as she is in the books.

[Sam]

I've seen about 5 minutes of one episode. Methinks I need to put my foot up TB's ass to have him watch it with me. If I can remember and get my foot up that high. Maybe a small ladder?

[Amy Jo]

I love love love this series. I am considering the books, but I never knew they exsisted before. I embark tomorrow morning on a kid-free vacation, and if the airpost is selling any of the books, I have a feeling I'll be making a purchase!

[Swistle]

Clearly I am going to have to read these books. And I love your message to guy-who-plays-Eric.

[mothergoosemouse]

Kyle is watching, which means I hear and see bits and pieces of it. I probably wouldn't watch it on my own, but it's actually kind of intriguing.

And don't smack me, but I think Sookie's annoying.

[Erica]

The guy who plays Eric just isn't "Eric" to me. I picture him much as you said... more "Viking-y." And yes, that is TOO a word.

I've been a long-time fan of the book series and I really like the show, too. However, they're almost two different things. At first, I was super pissed about Tara being NOTHING like Tara in the book, but it's kind of nice for Sookie to have a friend. She's so lonely and isolated in the books.

I can't wait to see who they cast as Alcide and Quinn. Pam looks like I though she would. She's got that wholesome soccer-mom thing going on.

I'm tired of Jason stealing the show. I wonder if it's going to get worse when he... well, you know... *whispers* "changes?"

[Karly]

I've never read the books (am planning to!), but I love the show! And I love Lafayette! In fact, I kind of want to BE him. Which is...weird. And kind of disturbing.

[Lori]

I totally agree with the stooping comment. I was thinking the actor needs to see a chiropractor and get himself straightened out!

[jen]

I read the books and really enjoyed them. I think the show is great and like the changes for the most part. The show would be boring if it followed the books to the letter. This way, I get to have surprises too.

I'm totally with you on Eric, but I think what really irks me is that he almost "stoops" in the show. Like the actor has been uncomfortable with his height and it carries over to the slightest bowing of shoulders. It is a huge conflict with how cocky Eric acts in the books.

I like the new spin on Tara. I'll be sad if there isn't a queen. I'm hoping you are right and that dude is some traveling judge and jury.

[TNG]

Lori: One more and then I'm going to actual! work! As though I have a life! You're right about the Werewolves.

I think they HAVE to have a Queen. It's so much a part of the story later. I pictured him to be the travelling 'judge' like, appointed by the Queen or whatever.

[Alexa]

I'm with you 100% on Eric. I thought he'd be hotter and more viking-esque. He's really tall, but still looks kind of wimpy. I needed more muscle. Pam is perfect. I love her preppy outfits and the hints of her being a lesbian.

I really hope they bring in the queen of Louisiana and soon. I keep telling my husband about her. The idea of a queen of Louisiana or a king of Alabama just cracks me up.
I don't mind the changes they've made from the series. And I like Tara's importance and storyline as well as Lafayette's.

Jason's vegan girlfriend infuriates me though. I actually yell at the TV when she comes on. I hope somebody eats her soon.

[Lori]

Now that you say junkyard, it's sort of like where the werewolves meet, isn't it? Maybe that's where they got the idea. And who is this Magister? Does that mean there won't be a Queen? I pictured someone tiny, like one of the Olsen twins as the Queen.

[TNG]

Lori: YES. YES. I was envisioning the *older Dolph* in my head but that picture WORKS FOR ME. It has all the necessary qualities. I had been thinking a pro-wrestler type but that's even better.

I also think the killer will be who it is in the book.

Bill's trial scene annoyed me a little, too, all post-modern in a junkyard or whatever. Mad Max meets Interview with a Vampire. lol.

[Lori]

My link to Dolph doesn't work with that . stuck on the end, here is is without http://www.gmrmedia.com/dolph/gallery/folder8/motu01.jpg

[Nicole]

I am watching, but never read the books. I really am enjoying the series and am kind of glad I never read the books because it is all new to me.

[Lori]

I also pictured Eric as much more Viking like. Sort of more like Dolph Lundgren - http://www.gmrmedia.com/dolph/gallery/folder8/motu01.jpg. And the hair should be better. I guess that's a wig Eric is wearing, so why can't it be long and flowing like in the books?

They certainly are putting a different spin on V. And Jason certainly has a bigger role - I was getting a little tired of his sex scenes, though - more Sookie and Bill please, or Sookie and Eric!

I'm glad they are branching away from following the books. It wasn't very suspenseful in the beginning when I always knew what was going to happen next. I'm wondering if the killer is who it was in the books. It would be a big shock to me if it was someone different, since I've assumed along it will be the same as in the books.