True Blood

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 7, 2008
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 705 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 593 out of 705
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 705
  3. Negative: 68 out of 705
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  1. babiiash14
    Jul 22, 2014
    5
    i used to be in complete love with this show but as the seasons go on and esp this last season so far it has been unable to keep my attention. its becoming really boring and stupid. glad its gonna be over now on to the next!
  2. SiAScORCH
    Nov 4, 2014
    5
    I would say after season three the show starts to get rather stupid. I enjoyed watching it prior to the show becoming what it has become. I think they should of went a completely different route than what they did, but this is just my opinion. If you're just looking for a show to pass some time then this show will suffice, but I wouldn't put any time in if you're looking for a show toI would say after season three the show starts to get rather stupid. I enjoyed watching it prior to the show becoming what it has become. I think they should of went a completely different route than what they did, but this is just my opinion. If you're just looking for a show to pass some time then this show will suffice, but I wouldn't put any time in if you're looking for a show to actually get into.… Expand
  3. HarryH.
    Oct 4, 2009
    4
    If you
  4. johnd
    Sep 20, 2009
    4
    The show that should've been great, but somehow isn't. The only reason to watch are the side characters: Eric, the vampire "sheriff" steals every scene with just his menacing presence; and the gay cook, Lafayette, is wonderfully played and often hilarious. Unfortunately the lead actors are not only sub par actors with zero chemistry, but also physically unattractive. It's The show that should've been great, but somehow isn't. The only reason to watch are the side characters: Eric, the vampire "sheriff" steals every scene with just his menacing presence; and the gay cook, Lafayette, is wonderfully played and often hilarious. Unfortunately the lead actors are not only sub par actors with zero chemistry, but also physically unattractive. It's really hard to watch ugly people make out.… Expand
  5. Ash
    Dec 1, 2008
    4
    R rated vampire story meant for the Lifetime network. More time spent on the unimportant side dramas than the vampire stories. If you are into watching an "angry daughter-drunk mother" relationship, an entire eisode devoted to a pointless funeral wake, or love triangles, this is a show for you.
  6. LornoH
    Sep 6, 2009
    4
    I was very much looking forward to this show. Unfortunately I snored through most of it and constantly had my finger on the Ff button. The story is convoluted and unfocused; characters are cardboard and predictable; I felt like I've watched it before, only better. Oh well, HBO can't hit a homerun every time I guess.
  7. ChrisC
    Sep 12, 2008
    4
    Terrible. I've heard more believable dialog in a Spongebob cartoon. The characters are all trailer trash stereotypes, and there's a lot of random gratuitous sexuality that has nothing to do with the plot and only seems to be there because it knows it's on HBO. It makes no original take on vampire mythology only to make them into a political special interest group. Very Terrible. I've heard more believable dialog in a Spongebob cartoon. The characters are all trailer trash stereotypes, and there's a lot of random gratuitous sexuality that has nothing to do with the plot and only seems to be there because it knows it's on HBO. It makes no original take on vampire mythology only to make them into a political special interest group. Very disappointing. The only thing even remotely redeeming about the show is the main character.… Expand
  8. TorcanC.
    Sep 28, 2008
    4
    Mix trailer trash and copious amounts of nudity and violence, and you get True Blood. The charecters are shallow, and are therefore very predictable. The dialog is straight out of an internet fan fic (either "I love", or "YOU BITCH", no middle ground). Shure there's a back story, but that seems to have been thrown to the wayside so main "plot" of moon struck virgin wanting scruffy Mix trailer trash and copious amounts of nudity and violence, and you get True Blood. The charecters are shallow, and are therefore very predictable. The dialog is straight out of an internet fan fic (either "I love", or "YOU BITCH", no middle ground). Shure there's a back story, but that seems to have been thrown to the wayside so main "plot" of moon struck virgin wanting scruffy new guy to plow here like a Calgery driveway.… Expand
  9. AnkushD
    Nov 29, 2008
    4
    True Blood is part soap-opera, part thriller, and the way in which it jumps between the two prevents any real atmosphere developing. The vampire aspect of the show doesn't really serve to distinguish it, as the show chooses instead to focus on the emotional swings and relationship issues of the central characters - something which Six Feet Under did infinitely better.
  10. drlowdon
    Feb 7, 2013
    4
    Thanks to the invention of a synthetic blood, called Tru Blood, vampires no longer need to hide in the dark and are now able to live among humans. Of course not all humans are particularly keen to see vampires living among them and so they continue to have to deal with and confront the discrimination and misconceptions that have haunted their existence for centuries. As a premise TrueThanks to the invention of a synthetic blood, called Tru Blood, vampires no longer need to hide in the dark and are now able to live among humans. Of course not all humans are particularly keen to see vampires living among them and so they continue to have to deal with and confront the discrimination and misconceptions that have haunted their existence for centuries. As a premise True Blood certainly has potential, especially coming from someone who has dealt with death so expertly in the past namely American Beauty and Six Feet Under creator Alan Ball. Unfortunately that potential is largely squandered. Whereas Six Feet Under had a certain subtlety to the script and characters, despite its weirdness, True Blood seems determined to be as over the top as possible to the point where it is actually far less interesting. The show also goes out of its way to make sure you know the vampires' plight is a metaphor for real life civil rights movements such as gay marriage. Rather than leaving it too audiences to take from it what they will we are constantly told that vampires have 'come out of the coffin' for example. This in itself wouldn't be a problem but it all too often attempts to cover up a lack of interesting drama with unnecessarily graphic sex and violence, seemingly in the hope that audiences won't notice the story-lines aren't very interesting. There are glimpses throughout these thirteen episodes that True Blood could be something better but they are all too rare and I won't be tuning in for a second season.… Expand
  11. Mariana80997
    Apr 26, 2013
    4
    I've heard a lot about this show and i decided to go watch it And i got to say i was tremendly desapointed the show is very confuse and we can figure out the story in it Its a bit uninteresting and i got bored since the begining.
  12. LaurenS
    Jan 28, 2010
    3
    I saw one episode, and didn't like it at all. But i understand that others do like it, i just couldn't get into it. I'm not blaming the actors, storyline, or the writer, but i just found that it was boring.
  13. FrederickS.
    Sep 10, 2008
    3
    I cannot believe this made it on HBO. Trying to sound cool by using terms like "fang-banger" and phrases like "out of the coffin" are just stupid. (Spoiler below) I understand they are trying to make it seem real, but I can't take a series very seriously if the opening scene is a girl feeling "bored" enough to give her boyfriend some ...assistance in the pleasure department in their I cannot believe this made it on HBO. Trying to sound cool by using terms like "fang-banger" and phrases like "out of the coffin" are just stupid. (Spoiler below) I understand they are trying to make it seem real, but I can't take a series very seriously if the opening scene is a girl feeling "bored" enough to give her boyfriend some ...assistance in the pleasure department in their car. I don't care for sex, but sometimes, HBO makes it decent. I was bored to tears with all the random sex in this show, and there were so many scenes of it. Is this seriously what HBO thinks will beat Dexter and Californication? GEEEEEZ. They are way off. Don't waste your time with this piffle. In the words of Niles Crane, it's "piffle light." Stay away if you want to leave your brain cells intact, and lose them not to vampires but just ignorant TV-making. One final thought: the acting is TERRIBLE. Characters going from pissed off to happy randomly annoys me constantly. I could do a better job!… Expand
  14. AndrewN
    Jun 14, 2009
    3
    This show is painfully weak in character and dialogue, nothing close to the powerhouse that 6 Feet Under was. I watch because I have nothing better to do and it gives me confidence in my own writing abilities that something so poorly crafted as this can actually get produced.
  15. CryseC
    Jul 31, 2009
    3
    I'm so disappointed with this. Being a big fan of a lot of vampire books and movies, I was really looking forward to this and there was so muc hype before the series started. I'm not sure how they could even compare it to the likes of such great shows as Dexter or the Sopranos. The acting is cringe-worthy to watch, the accents are terrible, the characters are generally comical I'm so disappointed with this. Being a big fan of a lot of vampire books and movies, I was really looking forward to this and there was so muc hype before the series started. I'm not sure how they could even compare it to the likes of such great shows as Dexter or the Sopranos. The acting is cringe-worthy to watch, the accents are terrible, the characters are generally comical even though I don't think they should be.I've heard the books are really good, which I can believe; I think this is just a very badly made show. I laugh every time the fangs pop out. They make this weird mechanical sound and the fangs look so fake, I don't know how the vampires can possibly appear scary. I'm hoping it'll get better so am still watching. It can't possibly get any worse.… Expand
  16. Leeway
    Oct 21, 2012
    3
    True Blood is sexy in some parts but in all seriousness, this movie is such a wasteful act. It sexy in a way that it brings you into a world of more darker premises, a lot more darker than twilight. However, this show also lacked something that twilight had, genuine love between a human and an immortal. Twilight had love. True Blood has nudity, sex and lust. Unless If you are interested inTrue Blood is sexy in some parts but in all seriousness, this movie is such a wasteful act. It sexy in a way that it brings you into a world of more darker premises, a lot more darker than twilight. However, this show also lacked something that twilight had, genuine love between a human and an immortal. Twilight had love. True Blood has nudity, sex and lust. Unless If you are interested in watching the contents that I mentioned for about 45 minutes or so which is like porn. Its so degrading and so utterly disgusting that I stopped watching on the 3rd or 4th episode of this season. This show is so sick. Its like lying in a bed after a long night of sex and heading for the shower.… Expand
  17. Magster
    Jul 18, 2011
    3
    Absolutely do not get the appeal of this show. Tried watching season 1 at many friends' insistence and found it to be extremely.....strange is really the only word I can come up with. This show is strange. In an after-viewing feeling of "what the hell just happened to the last hour of my life?" kinda way.
  18. libbycritiques
    Sep 17, 2012
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The writers created too much chaos and too little for the audience to latch onto and care about. I don… Expand
  19. Reidefined
    Aug 6, 2012
    3
    Seriously aimed completely at women. It felt slow and as if ever happened it was just cutting from scene to scene with mediocre acting. Worst bits for me were the constant music telling you how you should be feeling and the story line where they could just make up ridiculous solutions to problems scenarios they had created in the plot. My girlfriend however loved it .
  20. StephanieS
    Jun 9, 2009
    2
    Quite possibly the worst adaptation of book to show I've ever seen. The story line is not even close and major changes are made to the lore Harris created in the book. About the only similarities are the overarching thread of season one to book one (murders of fangbangers and vampire enthusiasts) but other than that the only things that are the same are the characters and the Quite possibly the worst adaptation of book to show I've ever seen. The story line is not even close and major changes are made to the lore Harris created in the book. About the only similarities are the overarching thread of season one to book one (murders of fangbangers and vampire enthusiasts) but other than that the only things that are the same are the characters and the settings. Sookie is nothing as I imagined to her to be (and the acting is terrible) except for blond. The only accurate casting was possible Eric and Pam but acting still leaves something to be desired as does the special effects. C'mon people! Buffy didn't have great quality graphics but yet they were more believable than this show's. I am truly disappointed.… Expand
  21. AntonioM.
    Sep 13, 2008
    2
    Boring, lame. slow paced, terrible acting. PAris Hilton scary House of Wax was a masterpiece compared to this. we were 4 in a room and we all agreed, that it sucks... Very disappointing
  22. JoelL.
    Sep 8, 2008
    2
    Not funny, not thrilling, not sexy, very hokey and very badly acted excepting Paquin.
  23. EmilyS
    May 22, 2009
    2
    This show seemed like it might be good, but it just seems to have gone down hill with each episode. The writers apparently have no idea how to deal with problematic characters other than just killing them. It follows Jason for much of the show simply having hallucinogenic dreams and sex and being far too stupid to live. There was no foreshadowing as to who the murderer might be, even This show seemed like it might be good, but it just seems to have gone down hill with each episode. The writers apparently have no idea how to deal with problematic characters other than just killing them. It follows Jason for much of the show simply having hallucinogenic dreams and sex and being far too stupid to live. There was no foreshadowing as to who the murderer might be, even though the main character can read minds- it seemed like they just picked him as the killer in that episode and made it obvious in the first couple minutes of the episode. Now it seems for the next season Jason has joined an anti-vampire church and so will continue being more stupid than ever and taking up time where we could be doing so many better things, like throwing salt in our eyes.… Expand
  24. TomC.
    Sep 19, 2008
    2
    This show is the most pretentious dribbling sappy excuse for drama on television. The premise is trite with casting that scrapes the bottom of the barrel. I'd give this a zero if I wasn't such a die hard fan of Six feet Under (well at least the first two seasons). I've never read the books and after watching two episodes I don't think I ever will. If I was from the This show is the most pretentious dribbling sappy excuse for drama on television. The premise is trite with casting that scrapes the bottom of the barrel. I'd give this a zero if I wasn't such a die hard fan of Six feet Under (well at least the first two seasons). I've never read the books and after watching two episodes I don't think I ever will. If I was from the South I would be offended by the portrayal of hedonistic, judgemental, one dimensional caricatures portrayed here. Also, absolutely no chemistry with any of the cast members. I really want to know who is blowing the reviewers that are giving this show scores above a 5 (LA Times seems to be the last bastion of sanity.)… Expand
  25. DianeM.
    Sep 29, 2008
    2
    Loved the books, Hate the show! Really disappointing, not anything like the wonderful Southern Vampire Mystery books. This could have been so great, what a bummer!!
  26. AnandG.
    Nov 16, 2008
    2
    I've seen 4 complete episodes only because people keep telling me this show is really interesting. after 4 episode I can honestly say there are about 5 minutes where it didn't suck. terrible dialog, acting, storyline, and uninteresting characters. they need a nuclear bomb to go of in that down and move Bill, the only with some potential, somewhere more interesting. this show is I've seen 4 complete episodes only because people keep telling me this show is really interesting. after 4 episode I can honestly say there are about 5 minutes where it didn't suck. terrible dialog, acting, storyline, and uninteresting characters. they need a nuclear bomb to go of in that down and move Bill, the only with some potential, somewhere more interesting. this show is less interesting than john from cincinnati and that should say it all.… Expand
  27. JoeB.
    Sep 22, 2008
    1
    This show is absolutely terrible. It is beyond corny, the acting is terrible (especially the fake southern accents), the sad thing is is that there is enough funding to keep this show on the air. To see this show get good reviews baffles my mind and I hope people begin to realize how ridiculous of a show this is. I keep laughing when I see fangs! THIS SHOW IS A JOKE
  28. JannyS.
    Sep 9, 2008
    1
    Bleah! Did no one else think that Paquin's performance was bug-eyed bizarre? Overacting, much? As a fan of both Alan Ball and Charlaine Harris, I was appalled. I made myself sit through the first episode in hopes it would get better. I won't be watching any more.
  29. CyndeeB.
    Sep 24, 2008
    1
    I was really looking forward to this show being a huge vampire fan. The first episode was ok and I was looking forward to seeing more. The second episode was ok but slow and left me wondering what was the point of this series. The third episode really took a turn for the worse and makes me wonder what they are trying to do. I think the show has a lot of potential to be good or even great I was really looking forward to this show being a huge vampire fan. The first episode was ok and I was looking forward to seeing more. The second episode was ok but slow and left me wondering what was the point of this series. The third episode really took a turn for the worse and makes me wonder what they are trying to do. I think the show has a lot of potential to be good or even great but right now comes across as pornography with an attempt at a plot thrown it because it is expected. I have not read the books and this series does not make me want to read them. A friend of mine has read the books and stated they are very different from the show and cannot believe the author ok'd what they did to her world.… Expand
  30. tinar1
    Nov 11, 2011
    1
    This series is idiotic I can't believe i watched most of it. It's a waste of time.
    I realized people see it just because the actors are kind of hot but nothing else.
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Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best TV Season of 2008
2
#2 Most Discussed TV Season of 2008
5
#5 Most Shared TV Season of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 18 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    42
    I'd say that the author is more vivid, subtle, and funny in her portrayal of Southern life; I'll be surprised if her fans aren't disappointed by this adaptation. The best thing about Ball's shows is their opening credits.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    50
    Vampire fantasy, murder mystery, star-crossed love story, political satire, True Blood is all and none of the above. Not quite funny, not quite scary, not quite thought-provoking, the show's attempt to question the roots of prejudice is continually undermined by its own stereotyping.
    Read full review
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    60
    The core characters, including Sookie's best friend Tara (Rutina Wesley), Sookie's brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten) and bartender Sam (Sam Trammell), who has a thing for Sookie, all have interesting features and are well-played. The rest of the locals don't come off so well, mostly having few brains and a big shortage of couth.
    Read full review
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