[Gunloc]

A good opener, if a bit predictable.

For people hoping they are going to cut down on storylines/characters, that's probably not going to happen. In fact, it's likely even more are coming.

True Blood is a soap based on a book series with a metric ton of characters. Embrace the soapiness.

[demolitio]

I'm hoping the Bill and Eric friendliness lasts. It made me crack up last season since it's a complete 180 and now they pretty much only have each other. It just makes me laugh for some reason.

The rest of it is uninteresting to me at this point.

[ReturnOfTheRAT]

That episode moved swimmingly. Eric's GoT situation with his sister was odd, since it came out of the blue after 4 seasons and didn't make sense to me with the events at the beginning. That said, I think the best thing change with this season will be the Bill and Eric not completely involved in Sookie's storyline. Those to seems to be off on a separate adventure and that's a good thing.

"Super Snatch!" More Pam please.

[Clayton Bigsby]

Eric's "sister" showing up out of nowhere is not a retcon. Please stop using that word wrong. It is lazy writing, but not a retcon.

[Oldschoolgamer]

The Adventures of Bill & Eric are great. This season seems like it has a ridiculous amount of things going on at once...

Vamp Tara better own it up. No amnesia plz.

[someday]

I really disliked last season but I loved tonight's episode. This season has potential and I hope it just stays campy, sexy and funny. Yeah, no complaints at all.

But, what was up with Jesus' body being gone? Also, I don't think Pam changed Newlin. He lied at first and said that his maker left him immediately, but whoever it was taught him how to glammer (sp?) well enough. No surprise that he's gay but it seems sort of a weak plot if there's nothing more to that.

I'm also glad Tara is still around. They could screw up her arc before long but I'm hoping for something good. Maybe all the haters will be satisfied by the lack of whining.

[Clayton Bigsby]

The Adventures of Bill & Eric are great. This season seems like it has a ridiculous amount of things going on at once... Vamp Tara better own it up. No amnesia plz.

I hope Vamp tara gets staked....to think I actually liked the character in the first season....

[hateradio]

Does Bill wear a wig? His hair looks weird.

[Clevinger]

Does Bill wear a wig? His hair looks weird.

He does.

[Ezio]

Bring back Godric please.

Overall the episode was "ok" totally saw the Tara thing coming though. Bitch won't die.

[bengraven]

There's only one reason I watch this.

[purple cobra]

Does Bill wear a wig? His hair looks weird.

He does.

Really? For the show or because of hair loss? I've seen him in interviews and his hair looked natural/fine.

[Caelestis]

The first episode was not bad. More interesting than last season's.

[Basch]

Personally, I loved the episode. And I hated basically all of Season 4 and most of Season 3. I don't know why it worked. It just did. I found the Eric/sister thing hilarious. I'm pretty sure that isn't his real sister by the way, guys. I think they meant it as in sharing the same maker. Therefore, she is his vampire sister. I like that they brought back zombie-Tara, because now this gives the writers a chance to explore Sookie's guilt over the past couple years. Seems more personal. Loved Pam's quips. Just all around a really good episode, and probably the best season premiere True Blood has ever had. I'll stick around.

[Houston3000]

Is the general consensus that this episode was good?

Wow, this show is just plain stupid now with the amount of characters is has. I was hoping we were getting somewhere with Tara, Jesus, Tommy and Debbie being gone. Not only do they bring back Tara though, they go ahead and bring back Newlin and Russel plus add multiple NEW characters like Eric's "sister", Patrick (Terry's war buddy) and whoever Meloni's playing next episode probably.

Fuck this, I know it's been a problem for a while and I'm dumb for hoping they'd remedy it but it's just a damn soap opera now with high production values. Way too many plot points, none of which they can spend enough time on to make interesting.

[Basch]

Is the general consensus that this episode was good? Wow, this show is just plain stupid now with the amount of characters is has. I was hoping we were getting somewhere with Tara, Jesus, Tommy and Debbie being gone. Not only do they bring back Tara though, they go ahead and bring back Newlin and Russel plus add multiple NEW characters like Eric's "sister", Patrick (Terry's war buddy) and whoever Meloni's playing next episode probably. Fuck this, I know it's been a problem for a while and I'm dumb for hoping they'd remedy it but it's just a damn soap opera now with high production values. Way too many plot points, none of which they can spend enough time on to make interesting.

Tommy, Debbie, Jesus, and Godric are all still dead. We didn't see a single one in this episode even though we could have since Lafayette has been seeing ghosts. I think the writers did a great job showing restraint. Yes, we saw Newlin, but it was brief. And it was for more comedic purposes than anything else. Maybe a little lite-satire. Still, I don't see how you could complain. Most of the issues you brought up were barely touched on. And when they did, they did it in a great way.

There was a huge sense of mystery in the episode. What happened to Jesus' body? Where's Russel and who brought him back? Are the fires really connected or is it all purely coincidence? This isn't exciting to you? I loved how they teased each of the mysteries without bringing in more characters (besides Patrick, who acted as a nice foil for Terry, hence the screen time). You can just sense the supernatural. It actually reminded me of early X-Files. I don't see how anybody could hate the opener this season. I really don't.

[JakkuFurosu]

Uhh I really dont know about this. It went from a few vampires to every supernatural creature ever written about, to boot they changing normal characters to what have yous

[KibblesBits]

Fuck this, I know it's been a problem for a while and I'm dumb for hoping they'd remedy it but it's just a damn soap opera now with high production values. Way too many plot points, none of which they can spend enough time on to make interesting.

That's really all it's ever been and aimed to be. Anyone who thinks or thought otherwise was fooling themselves. The books aren't much better and there's even more characters in those. The only major difference is the POV is Sookie's. I actually expect the cast to balloon up more before it shrinks any.

[Basch]

That's really all it's ever been and aimed to be. Anyone who thinks or thought otherwise was fooling themselves. The books aren't much better and there's even more characters in those. The only major difference is the POV is Sookie's. I actually expect the cast to balloon up more before it shrinks any.

The last book in the series comes out next year. Just saying, she actually always had a plan to end it. So not exactly a soap, but it has the characteristics of one. Besides, the show isn't exactly open-ended. They do have a story that ends each season with some mysteries carrying over, just like any other show. The sheer number of characters is ridiculous at times, but I felt like it was worse in Season 3 & 4 than now.

I think the writers are getting better at containing the plot to just a handful of characters with brief appearances from several minors. It's more campy than anything else. Sometimes I wonder if you guys are taking this show way too seriously. The writers know how ridiculous these scenarios are and often poke fun of them in the narrative. It actually often feels like they are breaking the fourth wall. The whole Eric/sister thing was intended to be comedic. You could tell just by the direction, with the swirling camera and explosions in the background. How could you honestly take stuff like that seriously? It's supposed to be ridiculous.

[KibblesBits]

The last book in the series comes out next year. Just saying, she actually always had a plan to end it. So not exactly a soap, but it has the characteristics of one. Besides, the show isn't exactly open-ended. They do have a story that ends each season with some mysteries carrying over, just like any other show. The sheer number of characters is ridiculous at times, but I felt like it was worse in Season 3 & 4 than now. I think the writers are getting better at containing the plot to just a handful of characters with brief appearances from several minors. It's more campy than anything else. Sometimes I wonder if you guys are taking this show way too seriously. The writers know how ridiculous these scenarios are and often poke fun of them in the narrative. It actually often feels like they are breaking the fourth wall. The whole Eric/sister thing was intended to be comedic. You could tell just by the direction, with the swirling camera and explosions in the background. How could you honestly take stuff like that seriously? It's supposed to be ridiculous.

It's generally the new people or the people who only come to the show for one thing that have the hardest time simply enjoying it for what it is really. Or hysterical book fans for that matter.

I look at it as a soap because it's a filthy romp in the realm of silly and meant to be entertaining in that manner. But yes, most of the typical tropes of a soap are actually not present in the framework of the show or it's original content in the books.

[PhoncipleBone]

The show is just campy, trashy fun. That is all I expect from it, and all it really is. It takes itself just seriously enough, but also recognizes a lot of the silliness of it.

[[KoRp]Jazzman]

This show has fallen so far from season 1. I swore to myself if they brought Tara back to life I was going to stop, but the Jason scene's are just to awesome not to see. We got close to fast forwarding though a bunch of times, and Sooki is looking pretty rough this year.

God its going to be a long wait for Game of Thrones again, here is hoping HBO has a couple of other new shows I can get hooked on.

[ShinAmano]

I can't decide on my favorite one-liner from last night.
Pam - 'What if she comes out all fucktarded?'
-or-
Eric - 'We bicker like siblings, but fuck like champions.'

Also I loved the fading 'I love you' after Jason took back his invite.

[jett]

Meh start, I'm just watching out of habit more than anything at this point. Man I can't find stand Sooki anymore.

[RatskyWatsky]

I thought it was a pretty good season opener. Not as explosive wtf as season 2 or 3's premiere, but still good. Certainly better than 4's. (what with that dreadful fairy glitter grenade battle sequence.)

Random thoughts:

Damn, I forgot how attractive the cast of this show is. And not just the main cast either, but even the extras. I also forgot how often they get naked.

The flashback to when Sookie and Tara were children was fucking a.w.f.u.l. Yikes. The acting was just atrocious.

Lafayette shaved his head! noooo

Tara is a vampire! Whoo! I'm sure she'll be pissed that she was turned, but now she can be a real badass. Fuck yeah. And I love that she's now bound to Pam. That should provide us with some really awesome scenes.

That was a cover a Beatles song right? (when Bill and Eris are in the trunk) I'm pretty sure it was. After that one episode of Mad Men, I'm now on the look out for real Beatles songs on TV shows. lol

They also set up several mysteries this week with:

Jesus's missing body (...)
Who turned Steve
Who freed Russel
The fires that are killing Terry's former squad (maybe the ghost woman didn't set the fires after all?)

Those all seem pretty promising to me.

I realize that, due to this being the premiere and all, they had to check in with everyone but I hope that going forward the show will try to focus on just a few characters per episode. We don't need every character in every episode. (aside from the premiere and the finale)

Having Bill and Eric be rescued by a character we've never met? Bleh. It was a lame excuse to introduce a new character.

I sort of agree. That was a very underwhelming/lame way of introducing her. I would have preferred it if Eric and Bill had been captured as planned, and when they're brought to the Authority, she sees them and tries to help them escape or something.

I likes that Jason actually showed some growth for once and didn't sleep with the college girl.

Yep me too. He's finally growing as a character, realizing that his actions have consequences. Good for him.

Anyway, I'm definitely excited to see where it goes from here. I think they're off to a good start. And I expect a season 6 announcement later this week. ;0

[Hex]

Great episode
Great interactions, great lines, great set up for what is coming.
Season has definite potential

[faceless007]

Good opener. Then again the S4 opener was pretty good too and made it seem like the show would go in a new and interesting direction. Oops.

[Shabadoo69]

There's only one reason I watch this.

I was waiting for this!! Sweet Jesus, she is so hot!!! I am in love with her.

[Kyon]

can we DISCUSS the PENIS eating tho?

[Macattk15]

can we DISCUSS the PENIS eating tho?

Wat? There was no penis eating in the episode I watched.

If you're talking about dead Marcus being eaten by his mother .... she definitely bit into his stomach and was pulling on some intestine.

[Cornballer]

- 'True Blood' debuts solid (but down)

The season five premiere of True Blood lured 6.3 million viewers across its two plays Sunday, which HBO says was mostly in line with last year’s combined premiere number (though down 3%). An average of 5.2 million viewers tuned into the premiere, down 4% in comparison to season four premiere but up 3% in comparison to the season 4 finale. An additional 1.1 million viewers tuned in for the 11 p.m. replay.

[Kyon]

Wat? There was no penis eating in the episode I watched. If you're talking about dead Marcus being eaten by his mother .... she definitely bit into his stomach and was pulling on some intestine.

ooooh LOL i was like what in the world?

[Dan]

Also I loved the fading 'I love you' after Jason took back his invite.

That was hilarious. That's the kind of stuff I watch for. Also for Deborah Ann Woll. Good god.

I've also realized that this show works a lot like some mainstream superhero universes. Really chaotic continuities, characters constantly emerging from the past or just out of nowhere, long arcs that always include teasers for the next big event (aka season), etc.

[purple cobra]

They also set up several mysteries this week with: Jesus's missing body (...) Who turned Steve Who freed Russel The fires that are killing Terry's former squad (maybe the ghost woman didn't set the fires after all?) Those all seem pretty promising to me.

Yeah, those are some of the storylines that interest me a lot, in addition to all the vampire authority drama and what will happen with Alcide and Marcus' wolf pack. Looks like there's going to be a fight for who will take over as alpha for the pack.

Of course, Tara now becoming what she hated the most will open up some interesting ideas hopefully.

[AXavierB]

I likes that Jason actually showed some growth for once and didn't sleep with the college girl.

Ehh. We'll see how long that lasts.

[HP_Wuvcraft]

He's always had plans for her. Those plans could be summed up with a couple of tropes from tv tropes though. All the characters have potential. The question is will the writers be able to recognize where the characters will excel and be able to drive the story or dampen it? Removing a character can help but when the problem is with the writers themselves that won't solve the underlying problems. If they remove Tara from the show obviously the writer who has to have that type of behavior on the show will simply displace it to someone else. Unless said behavior is there for a reason. ...Stay tuned.

Making Tara a vampire is the perfect punch-line to her four season build-up of self-centered racism and speciesm.

[Net_Wrecker]

The show features so many good looking women it is fucking absurd.

This so much.

[Baron Aloha]

First episode was all over the place.

Predictions (for fun) based on the first episode and the preview for the season (not sure how likely some of these are). I'm spoiler marking them just because some of this is based on what I saw in the preview and past episodes while some are completely random.


1. Tara will be put down by Sookie by the end of the season. She looks like a wild animal in the preview (poor Rutina having to play this character) and this episode when Sookie had the flashback felt like some weird foreshadowing to me.
2. Zombie Jesus (hey-zeus). They gave many hints at zombies last season and they always drop hints in prior seasons before they are about to introduce a new element to the show (weres in season 1/2, witches in 3, zombies in 4). Plus his body is gone and you heard what Jesus said in the preview "everything is temporary". Also Laf can no longer contact Jesus (because he's not dead, he's the living dead).
3. Sam = gone by the end of the season. Hasn't been relevant for a long time and has little/no connections with the main cast anymore.
4. Steve Newlin = Russel Edgington's new boyfriend (before season's end).

[RatskyWatsky]

- 'True Blood' debuts solid (but down)

:)

[Gunloc]

- 'True Blood' debuts solid (but down)

That's pretty good. A fairly small drop from last year's premiere, but actually up over the last new episode.

[Death Dealer]

Eric's sister is smoking.

Good episode I guess. I'm most interested in what will happen with the three of them and the Vampire Authority and Russel. And to see what happens with Sam, Luna, and Alcide. Also to see what's up with Terry's past. I don't care about Tara. The fake out at the end with her turning was cringe worthy.

[Log4Girlz]

There's only one reason I watch this.

She's the most beautiful woman in the world.

[Funky Papa]

I finally caught up. I'm not going to say that it's a full return to form, because a couple of bits (mostly related to LaLa's delivery felt a bit... odd), but I absolutely loved it. Probably the most fun I've had with a TV episode in a good couple of years; I actually laughed out loud a number of times, which is extremely rare.

Random musings:

• I'm glad they did a nice and clear plot summary at the first of the episode, because I couldn't remember SHIT straight from the past two seasons. It shows how convoluted this show has become. The premiere already felt a lot nicer, tho, so that's something.
• Pam, I MISSED YOU. Seeing her shriek in horror at the fact that she had to be entombed in a Wallmart sweater was pure :lol
• Sam has been hitting the gym lately. I swear those pecs were not there last season

• That brunette she-wolf that came after him was pretty smoking (she's about as painted up as a door, though; I had no idea werepeople kept their make-up)
• Cunty preacher wanting to suck Jason in more ways than one was a bit telegraphed, but I still laughed my ass off. Jason's watery eyes during his confession... OMG.
• Jessica is the perfect female specimen. Granted I have a crippling weakness for pale redheads, but Jesus Christ on a bike. She takes eye candy to another level.

• Talking about hot chicks, that Nora is also pretty smoking. Nice butt, too.

• I'd gladly trade my evenly coloured hair for some grays if I get to be as hot as Alcide. I can totally see why gay/girl-GAF swoons after him. I'm mad jelly of his raw manliness.
• I am totally uninterested about this Marine thing. Same with Jesus' magic body. Let's hope that becomes either minor or evolves into something juicer than last season's ghost.
• Kids ruin everything, but little Tara gave no fucks. YES.
• LaLa shaved his head. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Then again he's got some of his former swag back, so I won't complain too much.

• What's... what's going on here?

• I noticed that Nora thanked Lilith, whereas the Authority acted in the name of God. Interesting.
• Tara going after Sook was also expected, although I like this sudden change. Unless they turn her into some kind of dumbass zombie Tara is in good position to redeem herself as a character; now that she's a vampire she can't be abused any longer. Bring that sass back, girl.

[KibblesBits]

Tara Musing:

I think that she is very hungry and very feral right now. She might even have more healing to do because, lol, shot in the head. Of course dumb Sookie who smells like sunshine and candy is sitting right there expecting Tara to pop up all lovely and sweet and saying thanks.

Sam's Boobs:

He's always had those, biggest boobs on the show.

The corpse:

This part is interesting. Bodies don't just get up on their own...

[Napoleonthechimp]

What's... what's going on here?

Eating the intestines.

[Funky Papa]

Eating the intestines.

Yes, but... why?

Is that the way they honour their old pack leader? Because if so, they are even a bigger bunch of weirdos than I thought.

[Funky Papa]

io9's review, as entertaining as always

Every time someone says "The Authority," drink!

I intend to do this.

[EdibleExplosives]

I eventually watched the ep, and somehow it's even worse than the worst episodes last season. I mean seriously, what the fuck did I just watch?
Even the worst, most boring episodes in the first half of The Walking Dead last season were better than this.
Everything just felt so off.

[Funky Papa]

I eventually watched the ep, and somehow it's even worse than the worst episodes last season. I mean seriously, what the fuck did I just watch? Even the worst, most boring episodes in the first half of The Walking Dead last season were better than this. Everything just felt so off.

You just need to embrace the cheese. Season 1's mystery and world building are not coming back. This is now a soap opera with tons of hot people, gore and unconfortable moments.

[Gunloc]

Sam has been hitting the gym lately. I swear those pecs were not there last season

Probably, but he's always had beefy pecs. They're his best feature.

*dreams of the Sam/Bill dream sequence*