Then I read the books....
Oy Vey, HBO! Didnt you even TRY to get it right?? Okay, so the first season is decent and pretty on par with the books. The obvious differences being Tara and Lafayette and the addition of Jessica (who is NOT in the books...EVER!). I actually like the HBO characters in TrueBlood versus the book. However, the depiction of Pam is just amazing. That is the Pam I see when I read the books. She's PERFECT! Okay, so my Pam obession aside here is my run down of Sookie Stackhouse Novels vs HBO's TrueBlood...
HBO's Lafayette, Tara, Terry and Jessica....
1. Tara as a mad black woman and a prominant character is nice. In the books, Tara isnt even mentioned until book 2 and is not a main character at any point, plus she's white and boring. The director of TrueBlood stated that he felt the series would be more appealing with 2 strong female leads. Kudos. I like Tara's character and there is suggestive dialog that her character will grow into her own and be a more mature character likened to the Tara in the books.
2. Jessica is not in the books. However, I like her character and am glad she has been added. I think she's cute and if I was a vamp, I'd want to be like her (only if I couldnt be like Pam!).
3. Lafayette. Bon Temp's out and about gay cook, drug dealer, and porn video making extrodanaire! He's tough, he's beautiful, he's in your face and you love him! His character indeed dies in the book, such a shame and HBO agreed. He was such a big hit with the series, I guess they desided to keep him around. The cooks always die in the books (just like the bartenders at Fangtasia die), but dont seem to have a major role. He has a pretty strong presence in the series and I like that. I like Lafayette. Keep him as long as possible!! He has some great lines and I love him!
4. Terry in the books is a veteran of Vietnam. Terry in TrueBlood is much younger and faught in Desert Storm. Anyone who says "Jihad this mother-fucker!!!" and jumps a vamp is okay in my book! In season 2 his character takes a turn I dont care for, so we'll see what season 3 does.
Now let's get to season 2...
Season 2 of TrueBlood (off the book Living Dead In Dallas) started off okay and then somehow drug us down a path that I cant even begin to relate to the books. It was as if the series took off a story of it's own and began to loosely follow the books. I felt some of the really key stories were left out and completly random story lines added in. (hello getting help from werewolf packs! pretty key to going into the next book/season)..Without further ado, my top 2 annoyances Maryanne and the Proposal...
1. Maryanne. Oh my god. That was just ridiculous. RIDICULOUS! Her character in the book was barely in it. In fact, almost likeable. She was just what she was a maenad, nothing more, nothing less. In TrueBlood she was the bizarre shifting creature who seduced Sam when he was young and caused mass orgies every where she went. The episode with the ostrich egg was just so over the top and weird. Yes it was entertaining, but this had nothing to do with the books. I cant help but wonder what HBO paid Charlaine Harris for the rights to do with the series as they wanted...
2. Bill's Proposal. I have 3 words to describe the reality of the books versus TrueBlood: DOESNT HAPPEN EVER! That's one of Sookie's beefs with Bill. He never proposed or hinted at a committed relationship! NEVER. His proposal was stupid and totally out of place. Let's get one thing straight.... after book 3, Bill's character is present, but only in the background. He's merely mentioned here and there and shows up from time to time. Eric is the main vamp presence (and should be!) from 3 on out.
Season 3 Spoilers!!!!!
The rumors on season 3 disapoint me.
First off, let me give props where they are due. The casting is GREAT. I think each actor will fill the role wonderfully. I cant WAIT to see Alcide! He was someone I really rooted for in the books. I'm glad he comes around from time to time. Joe Manganiello plays Alcide. Look him up! He'll fit the role nicely. Debbie Pelt will enter this season and be the total bad girl! We'll all love to hate her!
Okay the spoilers... The director has CONFIRMED that Bill and Same have an erotic relationship...Ugh. Seriously? I have no problem with gay scenes. In fact, Lafayette has a new love intrest, Jesus (no joke!! LOL) this coming season. However, BILL and SAM???? That's just dumb. DUMB DUMB DUMB. Sam cant stand Bill. He never really likes him. I really feel HBO is doing this strictly for shock value and I think it's poor taste. It's one thing to stray from the book, it's another to completly rip it off and do whatever the hell you want with it! That's what you've done HBO!
Of course I will watch this season. I try to look at TrueBlood as a completly different story all together!!! I just had to get my opinion out there while I wait for it to start! I am currently rewatching season 1 while I wait for season 2 to come out in a few days. This Summer we'll all be hooked on season 3!!!! There is SO MUCH coming up with this series! We have the characters and story lines of Quinn ( I cannot wait!), Amelia, Octavia, Diantha, and Claudine coming up within the next 2 seasons. I hope the series goes on enough to encoperate these story-lines. It's when these characters are introduced that things take off!
So here we go... Book 10 just came out, season 2 of TrueBlood is out on DVD and BluRay in a few days and Season 3 starts this Summer... Whew!!! I am READY!
