Talamasca: The Secret Order

It is tremendous fun—fun enough to give the Immortal Universe a much-needed boost with the average viewer.

The mysteries are solidly built so the audience doesn’t get ahead of the many surprises. Of the three series, Talamasca: The Secret Order earns second best of the bunch because of its ease of entry, the excellent work of Denton, McGovern and Fichtner, and by fleshing out the concept of the Talamasca with Guy as a beguiling navigator of its secrets.

Tonally and thematically, “Talamasca” is on surer ground than “The Mayfair Witches” was in its first season but still lags behind the astonishing feat pulled off with “Interview With the Vampire.” Yet that still signals a strong step forward for this Immortal Universe. .... As its own thing, too, there is a lot to enjoy.

John Lee Hancock, the creator of “Talamasca,” makes the plots and characters thoroughly accessible to the non-Rice fanatic. .... Guy’s conflicts with the group and his own unhappy history make up much of the story, and the flurry of plot points occasionally feels like bats flying around your face. .... For all the good acting in the face of absurdity, it’s really Mr. Fichtner’s show.

It’s not perfect — and no one should come into this expecting another Interview — but there’s plenty to sink your teeth into while you’re waiting for the next round of vampire drama.

Talamasca appears to fall squarely in between [Interview With The Vampire and Mayfair Witches], neither excellent nor bad, but a pretty good story, great performances, and a promising premise that hints at a stronger cohesion for the Immortal Universe in the future.

Overall, there's plenty here that's worth sinking your teeth into, even if you might be left a little hungry for more by the end.