True Blood

:

Season 5
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 7, 2008
Season #: 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 181 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 125 out of 181
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 181
  3. Negative: 29 out of 181
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User Reviews

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  1. Truffles101
    Aug 18, 2012
    2
    I had such high hopes for this series. The books were good, although a little "light" on storyline.
    The first season of Trueblood was pretty good. I could even handle when they made Tara black and working in the bar, Lafayette didn't get killed, and other deviations from the story line---to some extent.
    Then things got a little over the top with the sick goriness of the Maynaad. Then a    I had such high hopes for this series. The books were good, although a little "light" on storyline.
    The first season of Trueblood was pretty good. I could even handle when they made Tara black and working in the bar, Lafayette didn't get killed, and other deviations from the story line---to some extent.
    Then things got a little over the top with the sick goriness of the Maynaad. Then a little more with last seasons witch, really what the heck was that. Now this season----this is disgusting. The writers seem to have no imagination with this Lilith and only want to shock with blood and disgusting behavior.
    This series is sinking FAST.

    If you want to save it, return somewhat to the story line. We want the STORY !!!!!
    Throw a little romance back in. Possibly bring in the were tiger. Bring back some of Sookie's family relational issues. Focus on the things that made the books so popular.

    This is disgusting. I can't believe the author ""sold out" like this.    … Expand
  2. Sincerey
    Sep 4, 2012
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So, in my honest opinion, this season sucked so much! I've seen every single episode of the series and compared to the other seasons, it was just crapola. I found this to be a season of nonstop religion and quite honestly, we get enough of that crammed down our throats through the media and religious bigots coming to our door everyday. Lilith needs to go. Yesterday. When Lilith goes and Bill returns to normal, then I will be happy. It was a bad idea to bring religion into this show... the ratings will show that.… Expand
  3. bsmith
    Dec 20, 2013
    6
    Season five barely works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable. The only reason this fifth season is able to pass the test is that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it only because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love. I'll admitSeason five barely works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable. The only reason this fifth season is able to pass the test is that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it only because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love. I'll admit that the final minute or two of the season finale is worth sticking around for as well.… Expand
  4. hennarinse
    Jun 13, 2012
    0
    An utterly unwatchable episode, filled with cheesy dialogue, recycled plot twists, and tired characters that no amount of gratuitous nudity on the part of the comely cast can overcome.
  5. krtmd
    Jun 13, 2012
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Probably a better season opener than S4, but still too many characters and background characters have too much screen time. The show continues to be plagued by plot and characterization inconsistencies. Dialogue, in particular, was cringe worthy. I expect more from HBO.… Expand
  6. theatreshorror
    Jun 23, 2012
    2
    This Show is based off a really good series of books. Season one was fantastic in sticking to the storyline. Now 4 seasons later in season 5 i use the therm "based" loosely. The Series has strayed from the original storyline and flew off in it's own direction. I'm NOT happy about it and don't wish to continue watching something that has gone so far from the original story. If you have seenThis Show is based off a really good series of books. Season one was fantastic in sticking to the storyline. Now 4 seasons later in season 5 i use the therm "based" loosely. The Series has strayed from the original storyline and flew off in it's own direction. I'm NOT happy about it and don't wish to continue watching something that has gone so far from the original story. If you have seen the show but not read the books, don't read past book one.… Expand
  7. Robot-Dude
    Jul 30, 2012
    1
    As the Vampire fad grows bigger, of course HBO would capitalize on it and make some money. But like all Vampire shows these days that are always centered around sex, albeit a lot more graphic. True Blood is yet just another generic show obviously brought on by the likes of Twilight. It seems the glory days of Vampire scenario storytelling is over, as mislead teenagers watch more and moreAs the Vampire fad grows bigger, of course HBO would capitalize on it and make some money. But like all Vampire shows these days that are always centered around sex, albeit a lot more graphic. True Blood is yet just another generic show obviously brought on by the likes of Twilight. It seems the glory days of Vampire scenario storytelling is over, as mislead teenagers watch more and more of this garbage and don't know any better.… Expand
  8. Igonge
    Jun 13, 2012
    5
    There are still too many characters to care about. This is what season 4 suffered from. I think they need to slow down a little bit and cut the number of storylines because the show has become too fast paced.
  9. misshazzard
    Sep 4, 2012
    0
    Horrible unwatchable garbage. I have been a fan since the first season and it felt like I was watching a totally different show. Poor writing, poor direction. Jumbled story lines. Just flat out bad.
  10. nicoo
    Jun 11, 2012
    10
    Great first episode, opening new story lines and solving past ones, this could be one the best seasons yet love the new characters and I cant wait for the rest of the season
  11. overkill94
    Jul 26, 2012
    3
    Really liked season 1, loved season 2, thought season 3 was okay. Got rid of HBO so I missed season 4. Picking back up in season 5 with the aid of my girlfriend's recap, it seems that I wasn't missing anything. Way too many storylines going on with virtually none of them being compelling. Previous seasons stuck to a handful of plot points and fleshed them out nicely (done especiallyReally liked season 1, loved season 2, thought season 3 was okay. Got rid of HBO so I missed season 4. Picking back up in season 5 with the aid of my girlfriend's recap, it seems that I wasn't missing anything. Way too many storylines going on with virtually none of them being compelling. Previous seasons stuck to a handful of plot points and fleshed them out nicely (done especially well with the Maryann arc). Now there are just plain too many supernatural orders and none of the mystery and nuance that made the first two seasons great.… Expand
  12. pipo280
    Jul 10, 2012
    4
    True blood was funny and entertaining , but now all of this things are gone . It's boring and way too serious . Moreover the acting never be so bad .Oh yeah i almost forget it ,am i the only one who wants to see sookie die in a horrible way ? :)
  13. mgyukeri
    Jul 15, 2012
    8
    The fifth season of True Blood is a mixed bag. While new character Roman is a clearly bad dude, the story focuses more on previous series villain Russel. Without the format the series is known for (seasonal villains and all), it's hard to really compare this season with the rest. Lafayette's brujo magic and the Vampire Authority are probably the weakest stories the series has seen yet,The fifth season of True Blood is a mixed bag. While new character Roman is a clearly bad dude, the story focuses more on previous series villain Russel. Without the format the series is known for (seasonal villains and all), it's hard to really compare this season with the rest. Lafayette's brujo magic and the Vampire Authority are probably the weakest stories the series has seen yet, though. It seems like this season's quality lies with Sam and Luna's story, where shifters are hunted down by Obama mask clad rednecks. The only way Blood can bring back quality is by letting a couple of the supporting characters finally die. Too much time is wasted by letting characters stand around. I still have hope in the future of this show.… Expand
  14. 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
  15. suvoth
    Aug 27, 2012
    5
    This season of Trueblood SUCKED (and not in the good way). Emptiness, that's what I feel right now after watching the season finale. They could have fit those story arcs in maybe half the season but dragged it waaaayyyy out. If the Bill ending of this season would have been in the middle of the season, and carried on from there, THEN it would have been a good season. Utterly disappointed.
  16. wihapiem
    Aug 28, 2012
    3
    After watching this whole season disappointedly, I kind of regret spending my time on it. I enjoy the books and this storyline is getting way away from the books. There are too many irrelevant characters creating too many different stories that don't make much sense at all. Religion and politics? No thanks, lets enjoy the guilty pleasure for what it is - a vampire romance. Haha.
  17. viniciussawate
    Jun 26, 2021
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The season starts with Sookie and Lafayette asking for Pam to turn Tara into a vampire. Bill and Eric are captured by the Vampire Authority for killing Nan Flanagan. The two are almost sentenced to death by the Guardian, Roman, before revealing that Russell Edgington is alive and free after being released by a mysterious vampire. With the help of Sookie, the team discovers his hiding place and brings him in. Russell and his new vampire-companion, Steve Newlin, along with Salome, and Eric's vampire sister, Nora, redefine the values of the Authority and view humans as nothing more than food: just as Lilith of the Vampire bible wanted. Meanwhile, Alcide deals with his troubled rise to pack-master, Terry learns he is death-cursed after committing a terrible crime during the war in Iraq, while Tara learns how to deal with her newly given life as Pam's progeny. Jason and Sookie discover that their parents were murdered by a vampire named Warlow. Hoyt gets involved with a hate group, then decides to leave for Alaska, just as Andy heads towards life as a family man, and Lafayette tries to deal with the powers given to him by Jesus. The season ends with the Authority leadership being wiped out during the True Blood crisis, and Bill drinking the entirety of the sacred vial of Lilith in front of Sookie and Eric. He soon meets the "true death", but shortly after, he "rises from the blood", as an even more powerful vampire reincarnation of Lilith ("Billith").… Expand
  18. wardialer
    Jun 25, 2012
    0
    i watched most of seasons 1-3, then gave up because the show became unwatchable. i recently tuned in for the first 30 minutes of season 5 episode 1 and its just brutal. the writing is non-existent. the cast is HUGE and keeping them interesting through side-plots that eventually converge is impossible, especially for these talentless writers. nothing but naked dudes and the occasionali watched most of seasons 1-3, then gave up because the show became unwatchable. i recently tuned in for the first 30 minutes of season 5 episode 1 and its just brutal. the writing is non-existent. the cast is HUGE and keeping them interesting through side-plots that eventually converge is impossible, especially for these talentless writers. nothing but naked dudes and the occasional naked babe clearly geared toward the female demographic. ultra-left HBO tries to stay racy and "edgy" by ridiculing the christian right, and making almost every character gay or bi, or sticking dubya's severed head on a stake. again, no story, no plot, just a crappy soap opera. HBO is really heading downhill w/ shows like this.

    look to breaking bad, justified, or person of interest for clever writing and quality acting.    … Expand
  19. PaulCharles
    Jul 27, 2012
    3
    Season 5 still has a decent main story line, but everything else is unenjoyable. I find myself playing with my iPAD during every scene not involving Bill, Eric, and Russell. The acting seems to have gotten worse this season and they have tried to make up for it with unnecessary nudity. This show won't last much longer if something doesn't change.
  20. LubnerLawyer
    Aug 19, 2012
    1
    Too much wacky religion stuff this year. We want more character interaction like previous seasons. Looks like a stretch for air time this year. Too much Lilith.
  21. NaMah
    Jun 12, 2012
    10
    best supernatural tv show ive ever seen...!
    so far 3 epi have been aired.... and it feels like ive seen soo much every thing is in perfect order the fight ,the kidnapping, the arrows, the creature, the suspense...
    everything is brilliant...!
  22. The_StrickenOne
    Jun 10, 2012
    8
    A very enjoyable first episode, a lot of story arcs were set up for this season and I can't wait to see them fleshed out. Some story arcs were a bit weaker (Steve Newlin, what the hell?) than others, but I'm sure they will be explained and unfold nicely.
  23. annie_87
    Aug 6, 2012
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am so tired of all those story lines that is never connected in anyway and that dam lock-down is driving my nuts. I love the books and the fact that the characters stays in the same storyline and that it actually follows true to a great ending but this series it has become one of the most annoying one I have ever seen. HBO easily create beautiful thing but this is just pitiful… Expand
  24. ZomG
    Aug 20, 2012
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am also a fan of an original book. Although it knew that it is the talk that TV series differs from an original book, the talk flies here and there too much, and this episode cannot be understood. I would like to see two persons' talk, Sukie and Eric, more.… Expand
  25. JoseS
    Aug 26, 2012
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love this show. The characters remain relatable (despite their supernatural nature) and the main storylines are still very exciting. I would, however, get rid of half of the plots (eg. The whole Iraq story was silly, completely devoid - I couldn't care less about Terry's future). It was poorly developed and solved. So Terry killed a guy that we only knew for 4 eps - so what?

    I'm glad Tara is fun now and not a pain-in-the-ass victim.

    Regarding Bill, at first I was a little skeptical about his religious fanatism. The whole authority thing was weird. It was a bit unexpected, but it turned out to be surprisingly good. I love that the show isn't that predictable.

    All in all, this year's round of eps was close to perfect.    … Expand
  26. LKDubya
    Sep 8, 2012
    9
    True Blood has gotten better and better with each season. While Season 4 was not my favorite, I think Season 5 was great. Not only focused on the vampire aspect but also new plots. This show is not your typical "vampire" show. I am not interested in any of the others, like Twilight, but have loved True Blood from the very start. Season 5 did get a little confusing at times but overall wasTrue Blood has gotten better and better with each season. While Season 4 was not my favorite, I think Season 5 was great. Not only focused on the vampire aspect but also new plots. This show is not your typical "vampire" show. I am not interested in any of the others, like Twilight, but have loved True Blood from the very start. Season 5 did get a little confusing at times but overall was the best so far. Another HBO hit!… Expand
  27. couchpotato
    Sep 10, 2012
    7
    If they killed off some main characters, this show really needs to that not only because some of those storylines that i dont care about, but we need to know if the producers are brave enuff to do that. Loved if they had killed off bill at the end of this season. Overall, the storyline was slow, the finale was good but i expected more for a true blood season finale. will watch season 6 butIf they killed off some main characters, this show really needs to that not only because some of those storylines that i dont care about, but we need to know if the producers are brave enuff to do that. Loved if they had killed off bill at the end of this season. Overall, the storyline was slow, the finale was good but i expected more for a true blood season finale. will watch season 6 but if they dont right it on a good path quickly, i will not watch it.… Expand
  28. maisie
    Oct 10, 2013
    7
    Mediocre and messy. Season five was such a let down for two thirds of the season. It felt like it deviated from the actual story it was trying to tell. Too many characters and too many plot lines. I ALMOST gave up on True Blood but having been a fan of it since 2008 I couldn't. It definitely improves in the last three episodes!
  29. joao1198pedro
    Oct 19, 2013
    4
    this whole season was as bad as the fourth season was, but this season had a good ending that I did not give up yet of true blood despite being bad and annoyng.
  30. Miyuki
    Dec 29, 2014
    5
    Halfway into this season and I finally gave up on "True Blood". Middle-Eastern revenge smoke monsters were my limit. However, more than a year later I decided to hate-watch this show until the very end and I was pleasantly surprised - the second half of this season is actually pretty good. The show actually focuses on something. The show's themes about religion and gays are back too. AndHalfway into this season and I finally gave up on "True Blood". Middle-Eastern revenge smoke monsters were my limit. However, more than a year later I decided to hate-watch this show until the very end and I was pleasantly surprised - the second half of this season is actually pretty good. The show actually focuses on something. The show's themes about religion and gays are back too. And it's also fun. I'd give the first half a 2 and the second half an 8.… Expand
  31. MorbidPig
    Aug 19, 2014
    7
    Season five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thingSeason five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thing when you're talking about a show like True Blood. The final minute or two of the season finale is worth sticking around for as well.… Expand
  32. fbtimes
    Mar 30, 2015
    7
    Season five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thingSeason five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thing when you're talking about a show like True Blood. The final minute or two of the season finale is worth sticking around for as well.… Expand
  33. fbtimesofficial
    Aug 17, 2015
    7
    Season five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thingSeason five works. The story is too far-fetched and even the musical score, that is overplayed throughout, makes the entire thing seem laughable, but this fifth season is able to pass the test in that it's such a guilty pleasure to watch. Everything is flawed here, but it's worth it because we want to see what happens to the characters we know and love, which isn't necessarily a bad thing when you're talking about a show like True Blood. The final minute or two of the season finale is worth sticking around for as well.… Expand
  34. Lucas565
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    Uma das melhores séries que eu já assisti eu recomendo ela é maravilhosa mesmo

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Best TV Season of 2012
24
#24 Most Discussed TV Season of 2012
97
#97 Most Shared TV Season of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 14
  3. Negative: 1 out of 14
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ken Tucker
    Jun 14, 2012
    83
    What starts out lean and mean can grow flabby and sentimental, and flaws can turn into handsome plot twists. Which is one reason to just bite down hard and go with the show.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    Reviewed by: Phillip Maciak
    Jun 11, 2012
    50
    True Blood has never been a show with a conscience, so it's awkward watching it try to get one in a hurry.
    Read full review
  3. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Daniel Fienberg
    Jun 11, 2012
    25
    The first four episodes of Season 5 find True Blood at its most directionless and meandering.
    Read full review
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