We got a preview of the excellent True Blood’s third season””and things in Bon Temps are getting very, very gay.
With only 10 days remaining until its premiere, Curve had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the first three episodes of the third season of the hit HBO series, True Blood. And while we’ve been on board with this supernatural drama from episode one, after getting a look at what the newest season has in store, we are hopelessly hooked—and lovin’ it.
Spoiler warning: This review contains major spoilers for season two and minor spoilers for season three.
For those not in the know, True Blood is based on the best-selling mystery series by Charlaine Harris, and follows the story of telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse. Played by bisexual Academy Award winner Anna Paquin, Sookie lives in a world where vampires have “come out of the coffin”—in other words, they admit to their existence. Dripping with atmosphere, charm, dark humor and sexual tension, it’s a subversive thriller and allegory for gay rights and tolerance that belongs on every lesbian’s must-watch list.
Season three picks up right where season two (abruptly) ended, with Sookie returning to the restaurant table to accept her vampire beau Bill Compton’s (Stephen Moyer) marriage proposal, only to discover that he’s been vamp-napped by persons—or creatures—unknown. Sookie turns to local vampire poo-bah Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård) for help, but he has own issues of his own, with the vampiric powers that be closing in on an illicit vamp blood dealing ring involving both him and the lesbian vampire queen, Sophie-Anne Leclerq (Evan Rachel Wood).
We also get to see a refreshing amount of Eric’s sidekick, Pam, played by Angelina Jolie look-alike Kristen Bauer. For two seasons now it’s been heavily hinted at that Pam’s leanings are toward the fairer sex and, well, in season three the subtext hit the preverbal bricks. In fact, season three—so far—has been, quite frankly, pretty gay. With wall-to-wall same-sex sexual tension (in some cases from characters who’d never previously evidenced latent proclivities) and now boasting no less than five openly queer characters, True Blood is swiftly becoming one of the gayest shows on TV.
Along with the queerness, season three is really dialing up the gore, which will thrill some and leave others squirming. In fact, the closing shot of the third episode is so grotesquely unique to the series—it will leave you shocked, stunned and either left cold or dying for more.
True Blood, being an ensemble piece, continues its tradition of multiple side plots. In a mere three episodes this includes a grieving Tara (Rutina Wesley), still reeling from the demise of her occasionally possessed boyfriend Eggs, falling into a new and potentially lethal relationship. Jason (Ryan Kwanten) is secretly living with the guilt of his part in the death of Eggs. Sam (Sam Trammell) searches for his roots and finds more than he bargained for. Newborn vampire Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll), with Bill in absentia, is left to deal with the grisly and darkly hilarious repercussions of her impulsive behavior. And much, much more! Season three promises to elevate the already captivating show to new heights and we’ll be waiting with baited breath for the premiere—and so should you.