True Blood is back, and better than ever! Fans can now be held emotional hostage all summer long, with nary a whimper of complaint. The first episode of the new season teased audiences with the first eight minutes a month or so before the fourth season began. Sookie's in Faery-land, but it's not all it's cracked up to be. Using the old device of time-travel, audiences find Bon Temps 12+months ahead of where we last left them in September 2010. Jason is a real police officer. Bill is King of Louisiana. Lafayette and Jaguar-Jesus are partners. Jessica and Hoyt are playing house. Arlene and Terry are married; and the "critter" Arlene tried to abort last season is alive and kicking. Sam is still running Merlotte's. And Tara is now Toni, living as an Ultimate Fighting lesbian in New Orleans. No surprise that Eric is still Eric...at least, for most of the first two episodes. ;)
The post-Russell Edgington world has left vampires to clean up their image on a heightened tour of humanity with less bite and more civilized smiles and nods.
New on the scene: witches. And lots of 'em. They'll be a fun addition to our little town of supernatural misfits. And naturally, Lafayette is turning out to be one powerful practitioner. Remember, TB fans, Lafayette's character is killed off during an orgy early in Harris's novel series. The HBO-adaptation of his character is totally original. And played well by one of this reviewer's favorite actors, Nelsan Ellis.
Another original novel variation in the first two episodes: the queen of Louisiana meets a very different end than she does in the books. Luckily, TB writers are keeping it real when it comes to Eric and Sookie.
Audiences will see their burgeoning relationship grow this season. Though Eric seems to have forgotten himself, his new innocence will open a window even after Sookie closes a door she swears she will never even leave ajar. Oh, Sookie...haven't you learned yet? Never say never when it comes to tall, handsome, rich, Viking-vamps....
Were-panther, Crystal, and her Hot Shot entourage are finally (!) making good on their threat to help Jason, ah, evolve.
Times they are a'changin' in the fictional HBO world of True Blood. And my, how all the actors look practically gaunt this season. You don't need to actually starve to look hungry, y'all....
First two episodes get a combined 10/10 on the Housel-scale! And if you want to know a bit more, buy the 2011 e-dition of True Blood & Philosophy: We Wanna THINK Bad Things with You:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-blood-and-philosophy-expanded-editior-john-wiley-sons/1030831992?ean=9781118119303&itm=2&usri=true%2bblood%2bphilosophy
Coming soon to Amazon for your Kindle!!!