When we last checked in with Sookie Stackhouse, the mystery surrounding a Bon Temps serial killer had finally been solved,
to the town's infinite relief. Sookie is thrilled that her vampire soulmate, Bill Compton, has escaped with his life (or is
it death?) after coming to her daylight defense. On other fronts, Sookie's pal Tara Thornton sets down new roots with an affluent
benefactor, Maryann Forrester; Sam Merlotte resolves to get in shape-shift shape after a forest foray; roguish brother Jason
finds new purpose with an anti-vampire sect; and detectiveAndy Bellefleur licks his wounds after being proven wrong about
Jason's guilt. But just as things are settling down, some deadly new twists threaten to ratchet up the saga of Sookie Stackhouse
to bloody new heights!
True Blood's second season, with episodes involving a new cast of monsters invading Louisiana swamp town Bon Temps, is
notably gorier and more camp than the first season. While thematically the central focus in these 12 exciting episodes still
revolves around faith and loyalty, these questions are complicated by displays of pagan ritual and obsession. Though the vampire/human
relationship dilemma continues, spearheaded by lovers Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) and vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer),
there is less emphasis on addiction to V, or vampire blood, and more time dedicated to outsiders whose supernatural talents
make some episodes feel like superhero battles. Episode 1, "Nothing but the Blood," sets the gory example with a brutal opening
scene in which the local shaman has been eviscerated. While gruesome murders continue throughout the season, we become familiar
with a new femme fatale, Maryann Forrester (Michelle Forbes), who hosts bacchanalia, such as the one in episode 4 ("Shake
and Fingerpop") that gives Bon Temps a collective hangover. Also developing in this season are relationships between Sookie
and Bill's vampire colleagues Eric (Alexander Skarsgﾽrd), Eric's master Godric, and a vampire queen who plays Yahtzee throughout
episode 11 ("Frenzy"). The ever-increasing vampire interest in Sookie leads to her questioning her own supernatural psychic
identity, especially in the final episode ("Beyond Here Lies Nothin'"), a semi-ridiculous, over-the-top segment that is more
humorous than scary. Also corny but funny are the episodes featuring Fellowship of the Sun zealots Steve and Sarah Newlin
(Michael McMillian and Anna Camp), and Jason Stackhouse's evangelical dedication to them (with Ryan Kwanten as Stackhouse).
Perhaps the best episodes are those dedicated to the endangered plights of Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), Lafayette (Nelsan
Ellis), and Tara (Rutina Wesley). New characters, like Tara's lover, Eggs (Mehcad Brooks), and the young, tempestuous vampire
Jessica Hamby (Deborah Ann Woll), also add greatly to an
already fabulous cast. Though the extras in this DVD set, "The
Vampire Report (Special Edition)" and "Fellowship of the Sun:
Reflections of Light," offer lighthearted, pseudo-documentary
fun, they feel quaint next to the many wonderful episodes of
this horror serial.
