The late 2000s saw a phase in movies and TV when vampires were all audiences wanted to see. When Twilight debuted with its big screen adaptation, the phenomenon took over. However, its target audience was too niche to reach a more adult generation that might also be interested in the supernatural. That’s when HBO came along with True Blood in 2008 and, although it wasn’t an immediate success, it managed to gradually win over a lot of people. The production broke ratings records on American TV, precisely because it presented a very different approach to what everyone expected from a vampire story.
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The series surprised by mixing vampirism with drama, romance and, above all, social criticism in a unique setting in American deep south. Over the course of seven seasons, True Blood experimented with many elements and tried to stick to its initial proposal. However, nothing compares to Season 1 which, though it may seem dated to some, can still be very special to watch. The first chapters of True Blood, compared to the others, were the best constructed. With cohesion, focus and boldness, these are the traits that mean that, even after so many years, it’s still remembered and much appreciated.
Created by Alan Ball, and based on the novel series The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, True Blood is set in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, where vampires live openly with humans after the creation of a synthetic drink called “Tru Blood,” which satisfies their dietary needs. Initially, the story follows Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress who falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer). However, it is through this relationship that she comes to know a dangerous world with supernatural creatures and secrets, putting her life and her convictions to the test.
The strength of the first season of True Blood lies especially in the narrative and the presentation of complex characters from the very beginning. Plus, the universe of Bon Temps is introduced with a perfect balance between mystery and social criticism. The unsolved murders create suspense, while the vampires symbolize a fight for social rights and being unjustly accused – a reflection of societal prejudice. This creativity allowed the audience to easily connect with the dilemmas of all the characters (especially at the time), without getting lost in excessive subplots.
Compared to the others seasons of True Blood, which sought to expand the universe even further by bringing in fairies, shapeshifters and werewolves, for example, you can understand that there was a certain exaggeration and the focus of the plot was diluted. For many, it’s almost as if the series eventually lost its way. The episodes often emphasized side plots which, although interesting in some way, didn’t reach the same level of intensity as before. Season 1, on the other hand, kept a consistent pace and centered on very well-defined conflicts such as Sam (Sam Trammell) and his nature, Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and his addiction to V, Tara (Rutina Wesley) and her mother, and Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) and his blood trafficking.
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Another very strong and interesting point is the unmistakable aesthetic. True Blood manages to stand out very well with this, being the game-changer when it comes to “vampire stories,” since people expect to see almost the same atmosphere as always. The southern setting makes it very striking and, combined with stylized photography and a memorable soundtrack – the iconic opening with Jace Everett’s “Bad Things” – gives it a gothic and seductive atmosphere that helped set the tone. Compared to the other seasons, even though the visuals and sound stayed top-notch (which makes sense since it’s a big part of the show’s identity), the focus shifted more toward flashy effects and big action scenes, losing some of the simple, grounded charm that made the first episodes stand out.
However, it’s important to point out that what makes the series perfect is that it goes beyond entertainment and gives depth to all the stories – but this is done masterfully in Season 1. An excellent example of this is the intensity of the moment when Sookie finds her grandmother murdered and, on her knees, cleans up the blood on the floor. The drama of the scene is heart-wrenching, and the audience is given time to feel the character’s pain. This kind of thing gradually disappears over the course of the other seasons of True Blood, when the focus turns to action.
Prejudice, acceptance and marginalization are also dealt with carefully at the beginning of the series, but also with an emphasis that is not exaggerated. The vampires’ struggle for civil rights is a powerful metaphor, and even though True Blood is an old series, for that reason alone, it still manages to be timeless. Clearly, re-watching Season 1 today is knowing that you’re going to be mesmerized by a story that won’t leave you wanting to give up. The great secret to the show still being able to be relevant is the depth within a simplicity that only the first episodes have.
The first season of True Blood is still perfect and the standout season of the series. In a scenario where excess could easily take over, it stays true to its essence at all times without straying, and that’s exactly why it was so effective at attracting its target audience.
True Blood is available to stream on Max.
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Image Credit: Paramount Network Television
