VAMPIRE FEVER

About the show...

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Following the creation of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed from legendary monsters to fellow citizens overnight. Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) is a telepath and waitress at Merlotte's in the smallLouisiana town of Bon Temps, owned by Sam Merlotte (Sam Trammell), a shapeshifter—though this secret is kept hidden. One night, Sookie meets Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer), a handsome 173-year-old vampire who has returned to Bon Temps following the death of his last remaining relative. As she cannot hear his thoughts, she finds it easy to be in his company and, over the first season, the two become romantically involved.

Season oneMain article: True Blood (season 1)The main mystery of the first season concerns the murders of women connected to Sookie's brother, Jason (Ryan Kwanten). Maudette Pickens and Dawn Green are both strangled shortly after having been alone with Jason. Though Detective Bellefleur has little doubt that Jason is the killer, the town sheriff does not suspect him. Jason and Sookie's grandmother is murdered shortly afterward. At the end of the season it is revealed that Arlene Fowler's fiancé, Rene Lenier, is actually a man named Drew Marshall who has created a false identity, complete with Cajun accent. He has been killing women he considers "fang-bangers".

The first season also focuses on Sookie's relationship with Bill and Sam's relationship with Sookie's friend Tara. Bill explains the rules of being a vampire to Sookie and, after killing a vampire to defend her, is forced to "turn" a young girl named Jessica into a vampire as punishment. In the last episode of the season, Jessica is left under Bill's care. After Maudette and Dawn's murders, Jason becomes addicted to vampire blood and has a short relationship with another addict, Amy Burley, which ends when she is murdered by Drew. The season ends with the discovery of a body in Detective Andy Bellefleur's car in Merlotte's parking lot.

Season twoMain article: True Blood (season 2)Season two focuses on two main plots – in the first, the disappearance of the 2,000-year old vampire Sheriff of Area 9, Godric, causes Eric to enlist Sookie and Bill's aid in finding the ancient vampire in Dallas. Their paths cross Jason's as he seeks to discover meaning in his life with the Fellowship of the Sun, a church dedicated to anti-vampire activities.

The second plot line concerns a maenad named Maryann who visits Bon Temps after Tara attracts her attention at the end of the first season. Maryann is a figure from Sam's past and knows his true identity as a shapeshifter. Her influence on the town and its residents results in mayhem that grows more destructive as the season progresses. At the end of the season, Bill proposes to Sookie, but is kidnapped by unknown assailants when Sookie retreats to the bathroom to consider his proposal.

It loosely follows the plot of the second novel of The Southern Vampire MysteriesLiving Dead in Dallas. In addition, the character of Sophie-Anne Leclerq, initially introduced in the sixth novel Definitely Dead, was introduced as a major supporting character.

Season threeMain article: True Blood (season 3)On July 30, 2009, HBO confirmed that True Blood would be renewed for a third season, which began shooting on December 3, 2009. It premiered on June 13, 2010, simultaneously on HBO and HBO Canada, and contained 12 episodes.

Season three loosely follows the plot of the third novel of The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Club Dead, and introduces werewolves to the show's mythology. It also introduces the characters of Russell Edgington, the Vampire King of Mississippi, and his private investigator, Franklin Mott. In addition, some characters from the fourth novel Dead to the World are introduced: Crystal Norris as Jason's love interest, her family ofwerepanthers from Hotshot, and Sookie's fairy godmother, Claudine. Sookie's heritage as part fairy is also revealed later in the season, a major plot element from the eighth novel, From Dead to Worse.

Season fourMain article: True Blood (season 4)The fourth season of True Blood will contain 12 episodes and will premiere in summer 2011. It will be loosely based on the fourth novel in The Southern Vampire Mysteries series, Dead to the World. Creator Alan Ball has confirmed that, as in the novel, witches will play a major part in the fourth season.
True Blood is an American television drama series created and produced by Alan Ball, who also created Six Feet UnderTrue Blood is based on The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels by Charlaine Harris, and details the co-existence of vampires and humans in Bon Temps, a fictional small Louisiana town. The series centers on Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a telepathic waitress at a bar, who falls in love with vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer).

The show is broadcast on the premium cable network HBO in the United States. It is produced by HBO in association with Ball's production company, Your Face Goes Here Entertainment.It premiered on September 7, 2008.

The first season received critical acclaim and won several awards, including one Golden Globe and an Emmy. The show's second 12-episode season had its premiere on June 14, 2009, and the third season on June 13, 2010. On June 21 2010, HBO renewed True Blood for a fourth season, set to debut in summer 2011



Eric Northman

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Age: over 1000 years old
Occupation: Sheriff of Area 5, owner of Fangtasia
Home Origin: Scandinavia
Resides in: Shreveport, LA
Species: Vampire
Supernatural charm(s)
  • Can fly!
  • He loves a good fight and is very strong
  • Mysterious and powerful
  • Incredibly sexy and magnetic
  • Incredible kisser and attentive lover
Personality type: Commanding, aloof, powerful, loyal

Eric is a strategist, always looking for those who would interfere or cement his own agenda (like Sookie and her abilities). He forgets nothing. He has seen all of life, and he has chosen to stay true to his own rules. Since Eric has observed human nature over the centuries, he knows humans very well and has learned how to survive by playing off the weaknesses of others. 

He expects to be obeyed when he gives orders. He sees everything as black and white, and he is slow to give his loyalty, but once given, he will stand up to his obligations.

Eric also has a softer side, one that loves deeply when committed, as shown by his centuries old friendship with his maker, Godric. Eric also has a sense of humor.
Endearing trait(s): 
  • his sense of humor (rare in vampires)
  • loyalty
  • protectiveness
  • persistence
Loyalty is something Eric values. Those who pledge their allegiance to him are held bound to his moral code. Loves a good fight and enjoys the spoils. He has a love for life and did not want it to end from a battle wound. His singular curiosity about Sookie is also endearing to fans of the Eric character. His love for and vanity over his hair is another endearing quality. Eric asks Lafayette, "Is there blood in my hair?"

Strength(s): Incredibly strong, a master of business strategy and sense, a manipulator of mere humans, and a savvy reader of the true nature of mortals and supes (supernaturals). He is a seasoned vampire, and a superior Viking warrior; it is part of what makes him such a whirlwind force. He has a driving, persuasive personality.
Vulnerabilities
  • His own love of being in control.
  • Lack of self-control - As Pam would say, "If he controlled himself better, he would make a great king."
  • a cute, blonde, telepathic waitress
  • Eric's signature look: 
  • Jeans & t-shirts or tank tops, but can also be seen in designer suits. He has no problem showing nudity.

    True Blood's portrayal of Viking Eric's clothing is historically inaccurate. Coming strait from battle, Eric would have been wearing an iron helmet and chain mail to protect himself from injury. The chain mail he was wearing should have protected his torso, but it appeared from the clip that he had a wound in that area. He could have sustained a blow to his ribs, which in turn punctured his lung. Mostly his arms, legs, and neck would have been vulnerable to attack. Vikings also wore cloth trousers, though the bare legs portrayal, from the flashback to Eric being turned, added to the hotness factor.

    In his human life, Eric would have worn a "
    long woolen shirt and long cloth trousers which were held up by a sash or a drawstring. On top of this was worn a sleeved jerkin or a three-quarter coat with a belt. On his feet, he would wear socks and soft leather shoes or long leather boots. Viking women made cloth and spun wool for clothes worn by their families. To keep warm in the cold months, Eric would have worn a fur cloak."--http://www.viking.no/e/life/eclothes.htm and other sources.

    Something to consider: Given Eric's love for battle he most likely would have been a Viking 'berserker' and as such would not have been wearing chain mail. Berserkers were known for thinking themselves invincible and protected by their Gods and oftentimes would dive into battle with little more than a sword and shield.

Bill Compton

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VITALS
Age: 174
Occupation: vampire/undercover agent for AVL
Hometown: Bon Temps. LA
Resides in: Bon Temps, LA
Species: Vampire
Supernatural charm(s): glamour, tissue regeneration, super-human strength and speed, healed Sookie with his blood, his voice- dark, cold and smooth, like spring water flowing over cool stones, prettiest thing on the earth, sexiest vampire ever.
Personality type: gentle, mysterious, southern gentleman, serious and possessive
Signature look: long chops, khakis, Henley shirts, or the infamous button up
Endearing trait(s): expressions, mouth quirks, his eyes, his voice, the way he says "Sookie"
Strength(s): Loyal, protective, not afraid of mainstreaming
Vulnerabilitie(s): His love for Sookie, sunlight, garlic, silver, need for blood, and of course Sookie.

Sookie Stackhouse...

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VITALSAge:
*25 (Books 1 and 2 of Sookie Stackhouse Novels, Seasons 1 and 2 of True Blood)
*26 (Books 3-6 of Sookie Stackhouse Novels)
*27 (Books 7-9 of Sookie Stackhouse Novels)
Occupation:
Waitress at Merlotte'sBar and Grill
Hometown:
Bon Temps, Louisiana
Resides in:
Bon Temps, Louisiana
Species:
Human telepath

Supernatural charm(s):
*Can read human minds.
*Can sometimes read broken thoughts of supernatural creatures other than vampires.
*Can cause people to feel discomfort when delving deep i their minds (TV series only).
*Can delve into peoples' minds and repair their memories (TV series only).
*Can release magical energy from her hand (TV series only).
Personality type:
Sweet and naive but occasionally fiery tempered and feisty
Signature look:
*Enjoys wearing casual Summery clothes such as dresses and shorts.*Occasionally likes to dress up fancily.*Often wears Merlotte's uniform of white short sleeved or long sleeved T-shirt, black shorts or slacks and black Nikes.*Wears classic make-up.*Wears hair down or up generally when working.
Physical trait(s):
*Average female height
*Attractive body shape
*Clear, tanned skin
*Long blonde hair
*Blue eyes (books only)
*Brown eyes (TV series only)
Strength(s):
*Attractive
*Sweet
*Hygenic
*Compassionate
*Strong-willed
*Liberal
*Open-minded
*Intriguing
*Intelligent
*Speaks her mind
*Feisty
Weakness(es):
*Naive*Stubborn of supernatural politics*Quick tempered*Does not know how to fully harness her gift of telepathy.

Godric

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VITALSAge: 2000+ in vampire years
Occupation: Sheriff of Area 9, Dallas
Hometown
Resides in
Texas
Species: Vampire
Supernatural charm(s):
Personality type: Peaceful, Benevolent, holds faith for mankind. Once very wicked, is now humble.
Signature look: Medieval/roman tattoos 
Endearing trait(s): Eyes and Caring nature
Strength(s): Extreme physical powers and abilities.
Vulnerabilities:

Jessica Hamby

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VITALSAge: 17 human years
Occupation: Newly made vampire (or "Daughter"), by Bill Compton. 
Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana but now resides in Bon Temps with her maker, Bill.
Resides in: Bill Compton's Residence
Species: Vampire
Supernatural charm(s): Glamouring, Her youthful (not old vampire-looking)appearance.
Personality type: Childish, Whiny, Adventurous, Curious about experienes
Signature look: Babydoll dresses, Flirty patterns, Bright colored clothing, and RED SHOES.
Endearing trait(s): 
Beautiful eyes, and Straight orange hair.
Strength(s): Vampire strength, Speed, Glamouring (though she needs to use it with respect, and not as a joking matter).
Vulnerabilities: Uncontrollable emotions, Acts on impulse and not thinking about the danger of the outcome.

Sam Merlotte

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VITALSAge: late 20's, early 30'sOccupation: Owner of Merlotte's
Hometown: Wright, TX
Resides in: Bon Temps
Species: shape-shifter
Supernatural charm(s): Can turn into any animal he sees before he changes. He can't control shifting during a full moon. However, Sam can shift any other time as long as he wills it. But it's more difficult and takes longer. Being a Shape-shifter he can heal quickly.
Personality type: Easy going, kind, emotive 
Signature look: faded blue jeans, jean jacket, t-shirt or button up shirt with a small town/ good-ole-boy appeal
Endearing trait(s): Loyal and Trustworthy
Strength(s): Can shift into any animal as long as it's present.
Vulnerabilities: his shape-shifter secret, his jealous/possessive streak, his prejudices

Tara Thornton

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VITALS
Age: 26
Occupation: Can't manage to hold a position for long. Currently a bartender at Merlotte's.
Hometown: Bon Temps, LA
Resides in: Bon Temps, LA
Species: Human
Supernatural charm(s):Personality type: Confrontational, head strong. Survivor, but still witty and sharp-tongued.
Signature look: Long braids, sporty 
Endearing trait(s): Fiercely loyal, puppy dog/baby eye look.
Strength(s): Quick with a retort, although this sometimes causes her to lose her temper with "stupid people." Tara constantly "pulls back the curtain", exposes underlying truths, tells everybody what's up.
Vulnerabilities: Jason Stackhouse. Complicated relationship with her mother. "Love-hate" relationship with self,family. Tara wants the best life has to offer, but (due to circumstance) sees herself as undeserving.

Lafayette Reynolds

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Lafayette Reynolds is a short order cook at Merlotte's, a drug dealer, a member of Jason Stackhouse's road crew, and a gay prostitute. He is also Tara's cousin.

In casting, Alan Ball had concerns that the character's sexuality would be a dominating trait, "because you don't want to bring in someone who's going to play that in a phony way".[3] Nelsan Ellis says that it took him a few episodes to find the character.[4] Ellis says that he based many of Lafayette's mannerisms on his mother and his sister,[3] and that the costuming also helps him get into character.


Pam

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VITALS
Age: 200
Occupation: 2nd in charge from Eric, Co-owner of Fangtasia
Hometown:London, England
Resides in: Shreveport, LA
Species: Vampire
Supernatural charm(s): Clever, Speedy, Strong, and Can take charge
Personality type: Deadpan, Ironic, Witty, Sarcastic, Tactless, Guileless and Nonchalant
Signature look: Pastels, a soccer mom-look
Endearing trait(s): Some sense of humor (rare in vampires), and a good leader when she has to be
Strength(s): Smart, strong and fashionable
Vulnerabilities: The normal vamp weaknesses

Maryann Forrester

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Maryann Forrester is a wealthy, mysterious woman who claims to be a "social worker"; she is the main antagonist throughout the second season. Before the events of the series, she has a brief sexual encounter with Sam Merlotte when he was seventeen. He sneaks into her home, naked (due to having shapeshifted from a dog), and while looting the house picks up a statue representing the mother of her deity,Dionysus (referred to as "the god who comes"). Maryann interprets his arrival and interest in the statue as being a sign that he is "the vessel"—a mysterious unknown ingredient to a ritual all maenads seek to perform in order to lure their god to Earth so that they may be ravished and devoured. They have a brief and disturbing sexual encounter in which Maryann takes Sam's virginity. The encounter ends with Sam stealing some of her belongings and $100,000 in cash before she is able to sacrifice him. She's drawn back to Bon Temps by a faux exorcism performed on Tara Thornton (sacrificing the "exorcist", Miss Jeanette, in hopes that she's an actual supernatural being and the vessel), but her attention eventually turns toward Sam. In her first appearance within the series, Maryann stands naked in the middle of the road with Daphne Landry (a shapeshifter in the form of a pig at the time), causing Tara to crash her car. After Tara is arrested for driving while under the influence and ignored by all of her friends and family, Maryann posts her bail, invites her into her "home", and introduces her to "Eggs" Benedict Talley. Maryann holds great appeal for Tara as a friend and mother-figure. She uses parties, marijuana, and Eggs' appeal as a romantic interest to slowly gain control over Tara's life.

During the second season (with Bill and Sookie out of Bon Temps), she uses her powers to take control of the town, holds several bacchanalia and makes repeated attempts to capture Sam so that she can sacrifice him. She initially uses Daphne to bait Sam by seducing him, but this plan proves unsuccessful. Maryann finds another use for Daphne when she hypnotizes Eggs, has him kill Daphne and then dumps her body in the freezer at Merlotte's (implicating Sam as her killer). Sam is arrested for the crime, but he escapes the Bon Temps jail before Maryann is able to collect him for her sacrifice. Enraged, she captures most of Bon Temps under her thrall and forces them to hunt down Sam. Though the residents of Bon Temps are unable to successfully detain Sam for her, Lafayette Reynolds captures Sookie once he's under Maryann's power.

Maryann becomes captivated with Sookie after she's attacked with an unexplained arc of light projected from the waitress' hands (something she likens to being attacked with "nature herself"). Sookie is unable to re-create the experience on command, but Maryann claims that the girl clearly isn't human as she's unable to possess her or draw energy off of her. Regardless, by having Sookie as the "maid of honor" in her ritual, she hopes to draw out Sam, who will in turn draw out Dionysus. Bill eventually arrives with Sam in tow, and agrees to trade him for Sookie. Eggs stabs Sam through the heart; Maryann paints her throat with his blood, and confirms he is in fact the vessel. Sookie interrupts the ritual by destroying a large shrine Maryann has constructed for her god, sending the maenad into a rage. Sookie flees when Maryann transforms her hands into claws, but Maryann pursues. She pauses before attacking Sookie when she catches sight of a white bull. Believing it to be her god, Maryann approaches him, and allows herself to be gored upon one of his horns. The bull transforms into Sam (healed by Bill's blood—the events were all part of a plan to trap Maryann) and he crushes her black heart in his hand. Because Maryann's power were derived from her belief in her god, her confused, doubting utterance of "was there no god?" after she realizes the bull is Sam, seals her loss of power and her death.

Maryann possesses an assortment of strange abilities which include: enhanced strength, superhuman speed, the power to influence or control the behavior of others, forcing shapeshifters into changing shape, immortality, blood that is black and toxic when consumed by vampires, being invulnerable to bullets, able to feed off of the energy of humans and the ability to transform her hands into claws that secrete a powerfulneurotoxin able to neutralize the effects of vampire blood in humans. Maryann uses this final ability to attack Sookie Stackhouse; as a result, Bill Compton takes her to Eric Northman in order to keep her from dying from the poison delivered in the wound. Daphne also says Maryann can do other things to other supernatural creatures, though these are not specified.


Jason Stackhouse

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Jason Stackhouse, also known as "The Stack", is Sookie's not-too-bright, self-involved brother. He supervises a road crew during the day, and is known for bedding the women of Bon Temps at night. During the first season, he is the prime suspect in the murders of four women, all of whom have a connection to him: Maudette Pickens, Dawn Green, his grandmother, and Amy Burley. He meets Amy at Fangtasia while attempting to score V, to which he has become addicted. After Amy is killed, he comes to believe that he is responsible for the murders and turns himself in; while in jail, he is recruited by the Fellowship of the Sun, an anti-vampire church, who approve of what they believe to be his crime of killing fangbangers. During the second season, Jason becomes more involved with the Fellowship, attending a leadership conference with the Rev. Steve Newlin and his wife Sarah, the church leaders. Although he and Sookie spend little time together, Jason is vigilant in defending and protecting her. He bonds with Andy Bellefleur after the events at Sookie's house precipitated by Maryann Forrester. He shoots Eggs in the head in the season finale when he thinks that Eggs is going to hurt Andy. His action is concealed by Andy, who lies and says he killed Eggs in self-defense, as Eggs was the killer of Miss Jeanette and Daphne (it is true that he committed those crimes, though Jason didn't know that).

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