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It’s that time again! Some of my favorite supernatural beings are back in Bon Temps for another exciting season. Season four picks up where it left off. When we last left Sookie, she learned from Eric that Bill’s intentions for her were not pure, and she wanted to get the heck out of town. She goes to faerie land in the premiere, which is very surreal and very un-True Blood. She meets her granddad and realizes that time is not what it should be in this “magical land.” While she wants to learn more about herself and her family, she realizes that this might not be the place to do it.

Continue reading “ADVANCE REVIEW: Season 4 Premiere of True Blood” »

Are you as excited for tonight’s episode of True Blood as I am? Last week’s episode ended on an absolutely amazing note. In fact, so amazing, that Russel’s super creepy quote has been part of my household. It’s been a great season so far, and it just keeps getting better.

In anticipation for tonight’s big episode, here are a couple of great preview clips. Not too spoiler-y, don’t worry!

Pam questions Eric:

Jessica confronts Arlene:

Be sure to tune in tonight at 9 pm to HBO for “I Smell A Rat”

The day is finally upon us! True Blood season premiere day! The wait has been rather long, and it certainly sucks but it’s over. When last we left our favorite vampires (and humans alike), Bill had been kidnapped after Sookie left him to think about his marriage proposal. We pick up right where we left off in “Bad Blood.” Of course, I can’t tell you who kidnapped him or why…but some of you might have an idea if you read the books. However, it’s quite riveting, I will say that. Sookie thinks Eric kidnapped Bill and is quick to accuse him.

Shortly after, The Queen returns. I didn’t hate her as much as some of my other True Blood loving friends, but regardless, she’s back and as commanding as ever. The Queen is worried about the selling of V and gives very specific orders to Eric. The only other person who knows about Eric and the V is Bill, so of course it is in Eric’s best interest to find Bill.

One of the characters I love the most — Pam — is taking on a bigger role this season, and I am so excited about that. There is an amazing scene between her and Sookie that made me laugh out loud. I just love her subtlety. Kristin Bauer van Straten is such a brilliant actress and I can’t wait to see more shining moments with her.

And in the world of one of my other favorite characters, Jessica is dealing with the aftermath of biting that trucker from the season finale. She also feels Bill’s “call,” something we have never seen or heard about thus far, but that’s all I’m going to say about that. Sookie goes to Jessica to help her look for Bill. She’s a little harsh with her in my opinion, but maybe that’s just me. I suppose if my super good looking Vampire boyfriend had just been kidnapped, I’d probably be the same way. Tara is struggling with Egg’s death, and her mom returns to help her. I’m not going to spoil anymore but Tara continues to be her semi-crazy Tara self. In this episode we are also introduced to wolves! They use real wolves which is pretty unbelievable. I will leave the mystery of in what capacity we are introduced to them, but it’s pretty great.

And what about the others? Sam is looking for his family and probably has one of the best scenes of the whole episode…with someone you would hardly expect him to have a scene with. Arlene is feeling guilty from all the madness that went on last season and tries to make it up to her kids. And Tara isn’t the only one dealing with the death of Eggs, so are Jason and Andy. And not to worry, you will see plenty of Jason. I’m pretty positive it’s in his contract.

Overall, I thought it was a fantastic premiere. Some people you hope get naked do indeed get naked and all our favorite characters are back. One thing I really liked about the premiere is that it resumed right where the season finale left off. Often times with premieres, the show picks up 6 months later or even years later. I love that True Blood treats its audience like they are intelligent (which we are) and fills each episode with subtle nuances that are just brilliant. Alan Ball is a genius, and I love being transported into his world (and Charlaine Harris’) week after week. Despite going a bit off the handle with all the Marianne stuff last season, I still think that it is consistently one of the best shows out there. I can’t wait to see what the rest of season 3 brings, because it’s bound to be crazy and amazing.

Be sure to tune in tonight at 9 pm to HBO for the 3rd season premiere of True Blood.

Waiting sucks. But on Sunday, the wait for season 3 of True Blood is over. I have seen the first three episodes and I can tell you they are fantastic. If you have read the books (or even if you haven’t) you know that Lorena (Bill’s maker, played by the lovely Mariana Kleveno) takes on a bigger role this season. There’s also werewolves and witches and more crazy action (and also some clothes-less Eric). Whatever the season brings, I am extremely excited for it. I recently had the chance to chat with Mariana Klaveno about Lorena’s complexities, how she’s able to relate to a vampire, and what makes Bill (and Stephen Moyer) so special.

What originally drew you to the project?
When I first read for it, it hadn’t started airing yet. So I all I knew was that it was Alan Ball’s new show, which that in and of itself was enough of a draw. I knew it was his new show, and that it was about vampires, and that it was set in the south. And that’s kind of all I knew, but I was such a fan of Six Feet Under, and I just love his creative genius, that I was drawn to it immediately just because I knew he was behind it.

Obviously, Lorena’s not human, but there are human elements. How do you relate to her?
I try to focus on — in any scene with Lorena — I always try to go back to what’s at her core, what motivates her. And sadly, it’s a tragic love for Bill. And that’s behind everything, and that’s what makes it easier for me to participate in a scene where my character’s doing something really evil (laughs) or really morally questionable. That’s really who she is. She’s a tragic, lonely, desperate character who may be a little unstable as well. And it all stems from her need to be loved and to have this connection with this  man that will never be returned.

She’s also an incredibly powerful  female character– not just because she’s a vampire — so what has it been like playing her?
Oh that’s just been a dream. (laughs) It’s fabulous enough to play a vampire, but to play a very powerful vampire, and exactly — to be in these power scenes with men, and go toe to toe with them, and sometimes literally throw them across the room (laughs) is a fantasy of mine. It’s an insane amount of fun to play her. Again, I have to give Alan the respect that he deserves for giving so many on the women of the show such powerful and complex parts. That doesn’t always happen.

Absolutely. And what has it been like working so closely with Stephen Moyer?
Stephen is fantastic to work with. He’s an amazing guy, and a brilliant actor, obviously. He’s an incredibly generous actor. He’s always concerned about how you’re doing, and even if it’s somebody who’s only there for the day, who has a couple lines and is there for the day, he’s always concerned about if they’re being taken care of, if their experience is as good as it should be on the show, and that’s the qualities of a true leader, when you’re looking for someone to lead a cast and I have to say that Anna’s the same way. And they’re just the most wonderful people and a wonderful couple and extremely funny. And it’s just a joy to be around them and work with them.

That’s good to hear. And you touched on it a little bit, but Lorena is a very complex character with many layers. She’s still a bit of a mystery to us. Is there more to her that we don’t know yet that we might find out soon?
Yes! I can’t give too much away, and not too much is revealed, but you do get to see a little bit more in season three and you see some new sides to her, which I’m excited to see how it comes out, and excited to see how the fans receive that. Some new shades of Lorena, and a little bit more information in terms of who she is.

I’ve read the books, so I know that Lorena has a pretty big role in season 3. Did you read the books before you started the show?
I did, yes. Lorena doesn’t really have a strong presence in the books. Luckily for me, Alan and the writers have changed that when it comes to story lines in True Blood. And I enjoyed the books immensely, they’re very fun, but I did read them looking for insights into who my character was and where she comes from, but it doesn’t really give a lot away. She’s even more mysterious in the books. You hear about her a lot, but you barely even see her. So we’ve expanded on that, and taken some liberties. I did read the books, but I kind of had to do a lot on my own of coming up with storyline and background.

Read more…

On Tuesday night, I had the pleasure of attending the HBO True Blood Ultimate Fan Experience in New York City. While I was hesitating if I should start my night at midnight, I am really glad I went. They started by showing lots of clips and tweets from people all around the country. The audience then was treated to the season 2 finale on the big theater screen. There were some minor technical difficulties, but overall it was great to see it. The audience was also treated to an extended preview of season three. After the screening, Alan Ball and the cast appeared via satellite from outside the set (Sookie’s house). The cast there was: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Rutina Wesley, Alex Skarsgard, Sam Trammel, Deborah Ann Woll and Ryan Kwanten. The panel was moderated by Michael Ausiello, who mostly asked fan submitted questions.

When asked about the theme of season three, Alan Ball replied that every character is struggling with their identity. Ball was also asked about why characters from book four are introduced in season three, he talked about how the books are all Sookie. Him and his writing staff always go to the books first and try to stay true to the world and spirit. He did share that we will find out what Sookie is in the 2nd half of season three. (Although those of us who have read the books already know).

Ausiello asked about the Sookie/Eric moment that has been teased in the trailers, Alex Skarsgaard said that Eric is over humans in general but there’s something different about Sookie. Stephen Moyer (Bill) was asked about the pronunciation of “Sookie” or “Sookeh” as he says it and he shared that he’s been asked in dog parks to call that out. When asked if he wants to see Bill lighten up, Moyer replied that Bill has an old fashioned, courtly manner that he’s tried to keep from his humanity.

Ball then talked about Jessica, who he doesn’t take full credit too and is quick to give praise to his five other writers. Ball thinks Deborah really blossomed in the role. Deborah Ann Woll expanded on her feelings about her character and she said that it’s great to see a young vampire talking about mythos and to show the audience a transformation. I really loved what Deborah had to say about Jessica. She is definitely one of my favorite characters and she is charming on and off screen.

An interesting tidbit for you: Alex auditioned for the part of Bill. He was filming Generation Kill in Africa and the writer’s strike actually allowed him to finish it and then cdo True Blood. The question then shifted over to Rutina Wesley who was asked how Tara has the will to live. She said she gets it from her childhood. She’s a survivor and a fighter. Alan Ball wittily commented that the show is like a Greek tragedy sometimes with a lot of humor and sex.

The cast who play vampires then talked about the fangs and how it forces them to lisp. Apparently there are soft and hard fangs (and I resisted my urge to yell out that’s what she said!) Since there are real wolves in season three, the cast was asked about that. Ball joked about not informing the cast of the wolves beforehand just so he could see their reactions. Apparently, they used hybrid wolves and couldn’t get very close to them at all.

The cast was then asked about favorite scene. Ryan Kwanten (Jason) replied that it’s the opening title sequence because he really feels it sets the tone for the show. Stephen Moyer always loves scenes in Merlottes and loves when Jessica went into Merlotte’s for the first time. Deborah loved the scene when Godric made Eric and when Lorena made Bill. Sam Trammel (Sam) loves the flashback to the 1920s scene. Alan Ball added that he think seach episode is like a little movie and they are incredibly ambitious.

The cast was asked about who is most unlike their character, and they generally agreed that Anna is most unlike Sookie. The practical joker on set is definitely Ryan who apparently got in a crazy practical joke war with a camera man that involved parking a smart car in an elevator and raw meat left in a car for a long period of time. One of the last questions was about the best part of being associated with True Blood. Rutina said the cameraderie. Alan Ball said he’s never had a job that was this much fun. The scoop Ball gives out is that one character will get new hair, and we may even see a darker side to Sookie.

Whatever season three brings (I know a little from the books), I am very excited. Look out for more True Blood coverage including interviews and reviews as the new season approaches.