Episode Title: Strange Love
Writer: Alan Ball
Director: Alan Ball
Originally Aired: 09/07/2008
Grade: A
The opening sequence is an interesting choice because we begin the show with characters that we will never see again. It actually works well because it was important to point out that a) vampirism is a worldwide (or at least nationwide) issue and b) anyone can be a vampire, including good ol’ boys. Also, opening credits. They are awesome. Possibly the best theme song on television right now.
Sookie Stackhouse could be easy to hate, but Anna Paquin somehow balances her out just right. She’s sweet without being a pushover, naïve in a way that seems more brave than stupid, and personally, I find that gap between Paquin’s front teeth endearing. She also has fabulous chemistry with Stephen Moyer.
Bill Compton may be in danger of becoming a dull character, but he’s plenty compelling at the moment. The fact that he willingly left Merlotte's with the Rattray’s did not go unnoticed. Sookie seemed to gloss over it, but he was desperate enough for real human blood to leave with those two skanks, so he can’t be that noble.
Tara is obnoxious. She has the potential to be great, though, so I’m not making a final judgment on her yet. She must have some kind of reason for being so volatile, right? Plus the expression on her face when Jason tried to hit on Dawn was absolutely perfect--she managed to look both disgusted and hurt at the same time. Her WTF reaction to Sookie listening in on her thoughts about Jason having “kind eyes” was also priceless.
Sam Merlotte is a nonentity so far—don’t love him, don’t hate him. I’m a sucker for unrequited love stories, though, so maybe he’ll grow on me.
Sookie's brother Jason is… naked? For a character that’s written to be a thoughtless jerk, he’s oddly likable. I haven’t put my finger on why yet, but it’s not just because he has a great ass. The graphic sex was surprisingly tolerable—I often avoid cable dramas because they tend to do this sort of thing just because they can, but I’m going to give Alan Ball the benefit of the doubt and assume it’s there to do more than just up the sex and violence quota.
And Lafayette! He just might be one of those characters that you love even when you don’t like him. I’m curious as to whether he’s bisexual or not, because Dawn and Arlene telling him they don’t want to have sex with him seems odd if he only likes men. That whole conversation was just strange and difficult to untangle. Not that sexuality isn’t fluid, but I still don’t make a habit of pointing out to my gay friends that I don’t want to sleep with them. Or that I do. Either way.
Overall, this was a great premiere. It’s campy, it’s ridiculous, it’s melodramatic, it’s funny, and it’s entertaining, but it’s also got some genuine pathos and intelligent writing. For the record, I have never read the books, and I don’t plan to. I much prefer to just enjoy the show, rather than get attached to the books and risk getting angry when they change something.
Other Thoughts
-I don't know where the show is filmed, but the insect sounds in the outdoor scenes, especially at night, make me homesick for Tennessee. Such a beautiful, comforting sound.
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