True Blood - First Take (S1E02)

[jpwoof]

wow.. a million times better than the pilot episode! I'm keeping my season pass for good!!!

[nirisahn]

I still haven't made up my mind on this one. The overacted redneck stuff is getting on my nerves, but the storyline is getting interesting. I'll have to watch another episode or two before I make up my mind.

[pjenkins]

loved it, i think i'm hooked ;)

[7thton]

Liked it.

Question: what was with the dog at the beginning, barking at the redneck couple that had beaten Sookie up?

[crowfan]

Liked it.

Question: what was with the dog at the beginning, barking at the redneck couple that had beaten Sookie up?I haven't watched this ep yet, but I did read the books.

I debated even putting this in spoiler tags, because it really isn't a spoiler, but I didn't want to get yelled at. :)

The dog will come back into play later.

[LlamaLarry]

I am pretty sure I know the deal with the dog.

Also, I am not sure how to take Tara and her poor man's Wanda Sykes act.

I am not really a vampire fan, but how does a human turn in this universe or any vampire universe? I kind of thought it was ingestion of vampire blood, but V Juice junkies seem to blow that out of the water unless it is volume/time based, but then Sookie would ruin that this episode. Help a human out.

[drew2k]

Interesting question about the dog ... did anyone notice the camera panning from Sam to the picture of two dogs in Sam's office? A connection perhaps? This was when Sam invited Sookie to read his mind.

As to the Redneck stuff, I accept it because I'm from the Nort where we gots all kind a accents ... and I have no clue what these folks should sound like, so to me it's like mood lighting: It sets the tone. The only accent that really bothers me is Tara's ... it's a little more accentuated than others. I have no idea where this actress is from, but as I was looking for the name of the singer of the opening credits song, I noted in the end-credits that there is a dialog coach. I guess that's where fingers should be pointing ...

[drew2k]

I am not really a vampire fan, but how does a human turn in this universe or any vampire universe? I kind of thought it was ingestion of vampire blood, but V Juice junkies seem to blow that out of the water unless it is volume/time based, but then Sookie would ruin that this episode. Help a human out.I thought it was the other way around: When a Vampire drinks human blood, the human becomes a vampire, but that wasn't the case for Maudette (?) in the pilot (or was it?) or for Dawn in this episode... both have the fang marks, but both seem to be normal. I question Maudette, though, because she was apparently dead and then ... was not. (By the way ... still have to figure out who killed her ...)

Speaking of killing ... will the coroner determine that the Ratrays blood was drained? If so, points a strong finger at the new vampire down the block.

[barbeedoll]

I am pretty sure I know the deal with the dog.

Also, I am not sure how to take Tara and her poor man's Wanda Sykes act.

I am not really a vampire fan, but how does a human turn in this universe or any vampire universe? I kind of thought it was ingestion of vampire blood, but V Juice junkies seem to blow that out of the water unless it is volume/time based, but then Sookie would ruin that this episode. Help a human out.
Glad you heard Wanda Sykes, too. I was listening and the voice and delivery are dead on. Fortunately, I think Wanda Sykes is funny....but it would be nice to see the actress give her own timing and delivery a try.

Barbeedoll

[Craigbob]

I'm still on the fence about this myself. I also think I figured out the dog (back in the pilot ep). I have not read the books, but have debated doing so.

I'm not sure but I think the title song is done by Chris Issak. Sure sounds like him to me.

[JohnB1000]

I enjoyed the episode. I think Tara is the weakest character (and actress) and I definitely hear/see Wanda.

[Dawghows]

... did anyone notice the camera panning from Sam to the picture of two dogs in Sam's office? A connection perhaps?

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was a picture of a young blonde girl and a dog. Even more reason to think there's a connection, if that's the case.


About how one becomes a vamp:
Any given author can pick and choose their own set of vampire rules and regulations, of course, and I'm not sure what the conceit for this show is going to be. But traditionally there have been a few different takes on this. Often in old vampire movies, a human had to be bitten on three different occasions in order to be "turned." (A variation on this was that a person had to be bitten on three consecutive nights.) More recently the standard operating procedure has been that a vampire drinks your blood and then you drink from them.

[dba62]

Could the dog be another vampire in a different shape? Begs the question; how come the dog didn't do more to help Sookie when she was being beaten to death.

[LlamaLarry]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was a picture of a young blonde girl and a dog. Even more reason to think there's a connection, if that's the case.I'll keep an eye on it when I watch the episode again with my wife tonight.Often in old vampire movies, a human had to be bitten on three different occasions in order to be "turned." (A variation on this was that a person had to be bitten on three consecutive nights.) More recently the standard operating procedure has been that a vampire drinks your blood and then you drink from them.I agree with what you said and I am guessing that Sookie did not turn because she took the vampire blood in for medical effects only, like the V Juice junkies, and *not* because she was in need of blood replacement caused either by substantial loss or drainage.Could the dog be another vampire in a different shape? Begs the question; how come the dog didn't do more to help Sookie when she was being beaten to death.I think you're close, but my speculation also wonders why the dog manages to be there but never manages to be helpful.

[Malcontent]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think it was a picture of a young blonde girl and a dog. Even more reason to think there's a connection, if that's the case.



It looked like a dog watching over a sleeping blond girl in a field. Looks like the dog was protecting her while she slept.

[nirisahn]

I still haven't made up my mind on this one. The overacted redneck stuff is getting on my nerves, but the storyline is getting interesting. I'll have to watch another episode or two before I make up my mind.

... As to the Redneck stuff, I accept it because I'm from the Nort where we gots all kind a accents ... and I have no clue what these folks should sound like, so to me it's like mood lighting: It sets the tone. The only accent that really bothers me is Tara's ... it's a little more accentuated than others. I have no idea where this actress is from, but as I was looking for the name of the singer of the opening credits song, I noted in the end-credits that there is a dialog coach. I guess that's where fingers should be pointing ...It's not just the accents. It's the attitudes and the way they live and dress and the stuff they do. It's like the writers have taken every stupid stereotype about rednecks and have overblown them. The characters seen more like characatures. I'm going to give it few more watches to see if they get over the characatures and start developing some depth to the characters.

[IDSmoker]

It's not just the accents. It's the attitudes and the way they live and dress and the stuff they do. It's like the writers have taken every stupid stereotype about rednecks and have overblown them. The characters seen more like characatures. I'm going to give it few more watches to see if they get over the characatures and start developing some depth to the characters.
There is reason to hope, since the novels have a more authentic southern flavor.

But if this "translation" issue continues then the worst is yet to come. Without giving anything away, I think I'm safe in mentioning that one of the later books in the series (can't remember which one) involves an even smaller community near Bon Temps that is very inbred (which actually makes sense given the context of the story).

Of course, at the rate they are moving the story along, it may be the second or third season before they get to that book!

[5thcrewman]

'Angelina Adopts Vampire Baby!' was the funniest throwaway!

My wife thinks the bartender is a vampire aka the dog.
Sookie doesn't read his mind out of politeness, but she can't if she wanted to.
I think Sookie is a 'Buffy' and that will come in handy with the bunch hanging out at the Old Compton place.

[Peter000]

'Angelina Adopts Vampire Baby!' was the funniest throwaway!

My wife thinks the bartender is a vampire aka the dog.
Sookie doesn't read his mind out of politeness, but she can't if she wanted to.
I think Sookie is a 'Buffy' and that will come in handy with the bunch hanging out at the Old Compton place.
In the first episode Sookie read the guys mind... in one of the scenes where she was being bombarded with thoughts his came through (it was obvious it was his; they showed a shot of him over the thought).

It's obvious to me she knows how he feels but is uncomfortable with it 'cause she doesn't feel the same way at all.

[firerose818]

I'm not sure but I think the title song is done by Chris Issak. Sure sounds like him to me.

The artist's name is Jace Everett. Check out the club mix version of the theme song also. :)

[DaddyBC]

I like it a heck of a lot more than Fringe.
Fringe just seems to be another way to do the x-files thing. :)

[Graymalkin]

The bar owner isn't a vampire, because Sookie definitely has picked up his thoughts before.

[drew2k]

The bar owner isn't a vampire, because Sookie definitely has picked up his thoughts before.But we don't know if all vampires can hide their thoughts, we just know that Vampire Bill can hid his thoughts from Sookie. He didn't even know Sookie couldn't read his thoughts - he had to ask her. Perhaps one of Bill's special abilities is to hide his thoughts, just like he described there are other vampires who have abilities he doesn't have...

[madscientist]

I guessed what the deal with the dog is when I saw the picture. I haven't read the books but my wife has, and although she didn't confirm it she gave me a look that lets me think I'm on the right track. I can post it as a spoiler if people want. Of course you can probably just go look at the book summaries (I'd give you a link but I don't know the titles or author!)

[Ben_Jamin75]

Question: what was with the dog at the beginning, barking at the redneck couple that had beaten Sookie up?

Interesting question about the dog ... did anyone notice the camera panning from Sam to the picture of two dogs in Sam's office? A connection perhaps? This was when Sam invited Sookie to read his mind.


My wife thinks the bartender is a vampire aka the dog.
Sookie doesn't read his mind out of politeness, but she can't if she wanted to.

In the first episode Sookie read the guys mind... in one of the scenes where she was being bombarded with thoughts his came through (it was obvious it was his; they showed a shot of him over the thought). It's obvious to me she knows how he feels but is uncomfortable with it 'cause she doesn't feel the same way at all.

But we don't know if all vampires can hide their thoughts, we just know that Vampire Bill can hid his thoughts from Sookie. He didn't even know Sookie couldn't read his thoughts - he had to ask her. Perhaps one of Bill's special abilities is to hide his thoughts, just like he described there are other vampires who have abilities he doesn't have...

My theory is the bartender is a vampire that can change shapes into a dog. He is very much in love with Sookie and thinks of himself as her protector, and has been watching over her since she was a child. (like Mick St.John in Moonlight)

She can read his mind, but doesn’t… He wants her to read his mind, because now that he sees she is accepting of vampires, he wants to come out to her. He can’t come out publically, because the VRA hasn’t passed and he could lose his bar.

He didn’t change shapes back into a person because he didn’t want to scare Sookie, but he would have if Bill hadn't jumped in.... Or did he help?

[aforkosh]

The artist's name is Jace Everett. Check out the club mix version of the theme song also. :)

The song is 'Bad Things'. I believe that it was an iTunes freebie of the week back at the beginning of 2006. I have it in my iTunes library as a purchased item, and I am sure I never paid real money for it.

[gthassell]

My guess is that the dog is actually the bar owner, but he is a werewolf (or some variation) rather than a vampire. Especially given the "werewolf" reference earlier in the episode.

[mikieminnow]

As to the Redneck stuff, I accept it because I'm from the Nort where we gots all kind a accents ... and I have no clue what these folks should sound like, so to me it's like mood lighting: It sets the tone. The only accent that really bothers me is Tara's ... it's a little more accentuated than others. I have no idea where this actress is from, but as I was looking for the name of the singer of the opening credits song, I noted in the end-credits that there is a dialog coach. I guess that's where fingers should be pointing ...

I'm born and bred in Georgia and know a lot of folks from all over LA. I think the show does a decent job in staying honest with accents, especially varying the depth and twang from character to character. Bill has more of an old style, small town but (at least semi-) educated accent, the Cajun in the bar who stuck up for Sookie when the college kid grabbed her a$$ was milder than some I've heard. I really don't think the accent thing is overdone badly at all. The rednecks are typical of the rednecks we see all over the South! :)

[TAsunder]

My guess is that the dog is actually the bar owner, but he is a werewolf (or some variation) rather than a vampire. Especially given the "werewolf" reference earlier in the episode.

I didn't catch the werewolf reference, but bill said that some vampires have the ability to shapeshift so that's why I think it's a vampire.

[Craigbob]

My guess is that the dog is actually the bar owner, but he is a werewolf (or some variation) rather than a vampire. Especially given the "werewolf" reference earlier in the episode.

That's my take on the dog as well. I think the Bartender is a Weredog or something.

[dbranco]

Can't remember if we've seen the bartender outside during the day. If so, then he's definitely not a vampire.

On the other hand, Sookie made a remark in this episode, showing surprise that he was up so late. If he's never out during the day and is up late at night, that could be a clue.

Deb

[Dawghows]

I really don't think the accent thing is overdone badly at all. The rednecks are typical of the rednecks we see all over the South! :)
I'm originally from North Carolina, and I was thinking exactly the same thing.

[drew2k]

Can't remember if we've seen the bartender outside during the day. If so, then he's definitely not a vampire.

On the other hand, Sookie made a remark in this episode, showing surprise that he was up so late. If he's never out during the day and is up late at night, that could be a clue.

DebGiven that he owns a restaurant and lives in a trailer next to the restaurant, I would guess he indeed has been in the daylight: he has to walk from the trailer to the restaurant probably before the lunch crowd arrives.

[7thton]

I'm having a hard time remembering from the ep, so forgive me, but after Sookie got beat up, it was Bill who took her away and let her drink his blood. However, didn't the ep make it seem as though it was the dog that killed the rednecks? If so, then that means that Bill took their bodies back to their trailer and trashed it, trying to make it look like a tornado, apparently. So, Bill is in cahoots with the dog?

[Amnesia]

IHowever, didn't the ep make it seem as though it was the dog that killed the rednecks? Not to me. I thought it was clear that Bill was the killer, moving very, very fast.

[7thton]

Not to me. I thought it was clear that Bill was the killer, moving very, very fast.

I thought that the camera panned from the dog to the "killing", indicating that the dog was the one doing the killing.

[Amnesia]

I took it to mean that the bad guy was getting distracted and moved away from Sookie and...WHAM! Bill got him.

[TiVo Bum]

I don't understand the issue with vampires not being able to be out in the daylight. This would be a non-issue if any of you had seen the definite vampire work - Moonlight. In that show it was finally revealed to us humans that vampires could go out in the sun for short periods of time - they just had to shade their eyes as best they could. ;)

[Weezoh]

I don't understand the issue with vampires not being able to be out in the daylight. This would be a non-issue if any of you had seen the definite vampire work - Moonlight. In that show it was finally revealed to us humans that vampires could go out in the sun for short periods of time - they just had to shade their eyes as best they could. ;)

It just depends on which tropes you choose to base your story on.

[Fl_Gulfer]

Has anyone figured out what Sookie is? It looks like she is a strong as a Vampire.

[TAsunder]

Has anyone figured out what Sookie is? It looks like she is a strong as a Vampire.

How so?

[Malcontent]

Has anyone figured out what Sookie is? It looks like she is a strong as a Vampire.

It looks like she might have telekinesis. She choked that redneck with the chain without holding the chain. She threw the chain at him (her normal physical strength) and it wrapped around his neck and continued to tighten while she was several feet away.

She later grabbed the same redneck by the leg and tossed him several feet into a tree. While this looked like physical (muscle) act, it could also just be telekinesis. Using it to "boost" her strength. We know she's telepathic, so having telekinesis isn't that much of a reach.

The chain incident sure looks like telekinesis. But I admit the flying redneck could be super strength. But I'm thinking telekinesis.

[Amnesia]

She later grabbed the same redneck by the leg and tossed him several feet into a tree. When was this?

[Malcontent]

Originally Posted by Malcontent View Post
She later grabbed the same redneck by the leg and tossed him several feet into a tree.

When was this?


Second episode. The redneck was kicking the crap out of her. The dog started barking at the redneck and he was going to shoot the dog to shut it up. That's when Sookie grabbed his leg while she was on laying on the ground. She made a lifting/throwing motion with her arms and the redneck went flying several feet away and into a tree.

[Amnesia]

Second episode. The redneck was kicking the crap out of her. The dog started barking at the redneck and he was going to shoot the dog to shut it up. That's when Sookie grabbed his leg while she was on laying on the ground. She made a lifting/throwing motion with her arms and the redneck went flying several feet away and into a tree.I just undeleted it to watch the scene again. I can see why you were confused, but it was Bill, not Sookie who did the throwing.

Yes, Sookie grabbed his leg. She wanted to prevent him from shooting the dog. Then the guy got thrown into the tree and he didn't understand what happened.

If you stopped watching there, then I could certainly see why you thought Sookie had super-strength. They guy certainly did. But then we see and hear this blur coming at the guy and it snaps his neck. The woman is looking around and we see Sookie still bleeding on the ground. Then the blur throws the woman around as we see Sookie watching.

Since she's still lying on the ground, it's clear that she wasn't the blur that killed the couple. So there's another source of super-strength around. Once you accept that, it's clear that it was Bill and not Sookie that initially threw the guy into the tree.

[5thcrewman]

... I think the Bartender is a Weredog or something.

I think Sookie's brother is a Horndog or something.

[mrmike]

I think Sookie's brother is a Horndog or something.

Think?

[mwhip]

My guess is that the dog is actually the bar owner, but he is a werewolf (or some variation) rather than a vampire. Especially given the "werewolf" reference earlier in the episode.

I agree. I think there will be other type creatures that come out of the woodwork as well.

[izmack]

I thought that the camera panned from the dog to the "killing", indicating that the dog was the one doing the killing.

Recall that later in the ep, when Bill and Sookie were out strolling, he warily backed away from the dog.

Geri

[Anubys]

I also thought that sookie has super strength...maybe the scene with the rednecks wasn't clear, but the scene with the chain certainly was (in the first ep)...

yes, Angelina adopting a vampire baby was awesome...the kid looked exactly like Eddie Munster :up: :D

[Rob Helmerichs]

I also thought that sookie has super strength...maybe the scene with the rednecks wasn't clear, but the scene with the chain certainly was (in the first ep)...
Well, no, she threw the chain and it wrapped itself around his neck. Which isn't super-strength, it's just luck (chains behave that way if they hit right) or, conceivably, telekinesis. But if it were telekinesis, I suspect they would be giving us more hints.

[bengalfreak]

This love story between Sookie and the Vampire is boring me to tears. Someone who has read the books, please tell me that this show isn't going to be just one big love story.

[Amnesia]

I also thought that sookie has super strength...maybe the scene with the rednecks wasn't clear, but the scene with the chain certainly was (in the first ep)...The scene with the rednecks was very clear---that she wasn't the one with the super strength. Watch it again (like I did) and you'll see.

Unfortunately, my TiVo has already cleared the first ep from my Deleted Programs folder, so I can't go back and watch. IIRC, it's not that she had super strength, she just managed to wrap it around his neck. Lucky, not strong.

[Anubys]

Well, no, she threw the chain and it wrapped itself around his neck. Which isn't super-strength, it's just luck (chains behave that way if they hit right) or, conceivably, telekinesis. But if it were telekinesis, I suspect they would be giving us more hints.

well, I simply consider the chain hint number 1 :)

I thought hint 2 was the fight with the rednecks...but will watch again...

[BobB]

Speaking of killing ... will the coroner determine that the Ratrays blood was drained? If so, points a strong finger at the new vampire down the block.

There was mention made of the fact that they were completely crushed when the "tornado" hit the house, so it would not be surprising to the coroner that they had little or no blood left in them. The coroner-cum-undertaker did not strike me as the brightest bulb in the circuit either.

[Anubys]

There was mention made of the fact that they were completely crushed when the "tornado" hit the house, so it would not be surprising to the coroner that they had little or no blood left in them. The coroner-cum-undertaker did not strike me as the brightest bulb in the circuit either.

well...there would be blood "around" them still...

[BobB]

well...there would be blood "around" them still...

Maybe - soaked into the ground - or maybe not where they ended up, if things kept moving after the initial impact, as it well might have in a real tornado. I really think this is a red herring, not worth pursuing further. Especially with that bubba coroner on the job.

[TAsunder]

If there were blood on the ground, maybe vampires happened by to lick it up. I wonder if that would be a crime...