What a show!
Really, the shortest way to describe it — there’s nothing like TRUE BLOOD.
❦ Have to be noticed though, for the dear wide audience, it isn’t a show for everyone. Given the variety of “tantric” situations and some extra-raunchy language — first of all, this bloody drama is for adults only (18+).
Secondly, you have to be a mind-open adult, the kind of one that accepts all existing and imaginary beings. That is, any vampiphobia as well as homophobia are not welcome here equally.
As for people who do keep the tendency for a TRUE romantic adventure, this story soon became the needed dose of a weekly spicy treat. Because, well, seriously — when you really love someone you absolutely don’t want to let them go.
You want them dress-less, or shirtless, and forever (!)
So, this series is about TRUE passion and TRUE loyalty, and a TRUE bite of sarcasm all the way)) Top it with action, intrigue, Southern reality charm, plenty of steamy scenes (you know it’s hot in Louisiana, right?) — and you got a show like nothing you’ve ever seen on your TV before.
Withal to mention that TRUE BLOOD was nominated for numerous awards during its run, and won Golden Globe (by Anna Paquin) and Emmy (twice – for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series & for Breakthrough Performance).
And now HBO decided to relaunch it once again.
Yes, if you didn’t hear the news: upon December 2020 it came out that Robert Aguirre-Sacasa (Riverdale, Supergirl and Glee) and Jami O’Brien (Fear The Walking Dead) are writing and executive producing the reboot of a NEW TRUE BLOOD series, alongside with the original creator (and genius) Alan Ball.
Very little is known about this yet, but none of the original cast is set to return so far. Also there’s no information regarding when the release is to happen.
The news are surely intriguing, but on the other hand, I’m wondering – how can you replace Eric Northman? And Pam? And Sookie, and “Sookeeeh” by Bill, and Tara, and ..oh my.. Lafayette ??
. . . .
As you can understand, I am a TRUE fan of this series. Thus for years I followed everything that somehow relates to its plot. And while there’s nothing that can really replace TRUE BLOOD, yet here’s a choice of 4 series that have quite a similar sense and should definitely appeal to the TRUE BLOOD’ fans:
(Those are dropped from the one that can compete with True Blood in terms of explicit sex scenes — to such that are suitable for a wide and young audience)
📖 based on the book by Neil Gaiman.
main similarity: the complicated. If for some reason you would mix Sookie with Pam, the result of such a crazy idea would certainly be Laura Moon. And Laura also got friends, she even has a bestie😉. But her attempt to fit the society meets even less success than Sookie’s. Nevertheless — she gains ambitions, is able to stand the hit when Life deals her a bad hand, and her verbal vocabulary could have made Pam proud.
Yet don’t expect it to be a story about Laura. And don’t expect to understand any, even after finishing the first, or the second season. The creators just ain’t there for to explain you whatever. So if you feel quite confused on where it’s all heading to — get patient awaiting the next visually arresting shot and just sip the cheer in. Isn’t that what the original meaning of cinematography was about?
📖 based on the book by John le Carré.
main similarity: the temptation. How far would you go to please your maker..? — Grandiosely unfolded beginning shrinks like a spring over the main character with each episode of the series. Alexander Skarsgård at his best, appears as compellingly mysterious stranger who meets a young actress on a vacation by the Mediterranean Sea.
It’s the only story on this list that has a zero super-creatures involved, as the plot inspired solely by the real life problems. But the production style is so mesmerizing and deliciously colorful, that it carries a sense of a fairy tale; whereas the slowly pace of the show stretches the tension, like a predator playing with it’s prey.
The casting is outstanding, and the series was directed by Park Chan-wook, known by the Korean vampire saga Thirst, the twisted erotic thriller The Handmaiden, and other famous projects like Oldboy movie and Snowpiercer (both, the movie and the series).
📖 inspired by the book by Stephen King.
main similarity: the romance. Kinda like a light version of TRUE BLOOD — the set of main characters is quite parallel and it’s full of mystery to the top, yet no yucky blood splashes scattering all over and in your face, as well as the expression of love and passion is reduced to hugs & kisses. But there’s drama and history background, also some hilariously funny moments (the personality switch was my most enjoyable))). The vampire glamour is replaced with a guy who’s super-cool and another who’s super-kind. That works surprisingly good, thanks to the dedicated acting. The love triangle gains more facets upon the seasons, while the main difference left with the leading female character. Unlike Sookie who is “Just a waitress”, Audrey Parker is very self-aware, knows what she wants and what she doesn’t. In fine, don’t be surprised to find a new favorite, as Eric Balfour (Six Feet Under, 24, Lie with Me) is awesome too😁
main similarity: the power. The analogy of this sci-fi drama isn’t as obvious as in the previous choices. Yet, there’s a precise reason why we fell so much for the TRUE BLOOD characters even before learning about their super-abilities. The ordinary people in their attempts to find peace in the seething society, is that something close to most. For up to teens, we are compared to a relatively narrow circle of our peers, being actually subjected to an approach that covers up many uniquenesses. Then, at some point, when a person is thrown into a huge space of adults, he may think he can become anyone and be different. Nope, — the reality says, you can become only what the society will allow you to be. Thus, you can agree, or go find yourself a sword — as you’ll have to fight for a change.
As promised above, this series can be shared with teens, which doesn’t make it less interesting for the grown-ups. After all, to reveal and to assert your superpower late — isn’t perfect, but definitely better than never !
enjoy, people)
series and movies considered for the article:
• Dracula
• The Walking Dead (2010)
• Westworld
• Game of Thrones (2011)
• The Witcher (2019)
• The Stand (2020)
• For All Mankind (2019)
• Money Heist (2017)
• Fargo
• 12 Monkeys
• The Leftovers
• Yellowstone (2018)
• The 100
• Bellevue (2017)
• Revenge
• Defiance
• Once Upon a Time (2011)
• The Vampire Diaries
• The Originals
• Lucifer (Fox, 2016)
• Bitten
• Midnight, Texas
• Grimm (NBC, 2011)
• Supernatural
• Angel
• The Gifted
• The Magicians (Syfy, 2015)
• The Gates (2010)
• Dracula
(Netflix / BBC One, 2019)
• Chilling Adventures
of Sabrina (Netflix, 2018)
• Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
• Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles (1994)
• Twilight (2008)
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