Director Alan Ball’s take on The Southern Vampire Mysteries, also known as the Sookie Stackhouse novels in the form of the HBO hit, True Blood does not appear to be losing steam anytime soon. And while the television series won’t be winning Academy Awards anytime soon, the supernatural combinations, playfully campy moments, indulgent gore, witty dialogue, and the steamy scenes are all elements that give the show its well-known flair. One could even go as far as to label the franchise endearing.
Because ancient vampire villain Russell Edgington ripping an anchor’s spine on national television is worlds of endearing.
In tune with Russell’s speech given within the previous clip, this is where I would like to talk a bit about the happenings of season five. Because what I have always found personally riveting about True Blood are the aspects of real world politics that worm their way into the show in between nude scenes. In the opening credits alone, the sign “God Hates Fangs” is allusion to the derogatory term “fags.” It is also a head nod towards religiously fueled hate prevalent in the sphere of LGBT arguments. But instead of the LGBT community, vampires are the targets of bigotry in the world of True Blood (though the former is not far behind in the fictional, southern town of Bon Temps, Louisiana).
In a world where vampires have recently “come out of the coffin” as in, exposed their existence to the human race, Bon Temps (ironically translated as “good times”) has been a playing field of homosexuality, race, religion—and now the Vampire Authority duking it out with the Vampire Sanguinistas. The opposing agendas of both factions may very well lead to an all-out Vampire/Human Civil War. To quote this current season’s Authority traitor proved Sanguinista, Nora: “Yes I believe Vampires were made in God’s image, I believe that mainstreaming is an abomination, and I believe that Lilith will rise from the blood and rip your blasphemes fucking heads off, and dance in your muck.”
The Sanguinista Movement consists of individuals who are fundamentalists (think right-winged extremists, political chaos) who believe in the literal interpretation of the “Vampire Bible” (older than the Holy Bible)—that humans are nothing but food and to view them as anything higher is sacrilegious. On the other end, there is the Authority, which consists of a group of vampires deeply committed to “mainstreaming.” That is, to share equal rights and coexist with human beings (think the liberals, political order). They interpret the Vampire Bible in a different light.
What both groups have in common is their reverence/worship of the mythological first vampire made in God’s image, before there was an Adam and Eve, Lilith—who has been rumored to be making an appearance this season. However, the Sanguinista Movement has recently been inspired to rise dangerously by the numbers—all thanks to their proclaimed idol and madman that is Russell Edgington.
Sound familiar yet?
Not only are vampires and humans interlaced with troubles, but other supernatural beings such as shifters, faeries, werewolves, and demons all take center stage for what for what certainly will make an intriguing season climax, asTrue Blood has already been green-lit for a sixth season. There is a sense belonging by the more tenderhearted these various groups that are failing to be fulfilled.
At the same rate, there is a rising amount of fear, mistrust, and intolerance stemming from the human side of the playing field. The supernatural folk are armed and are all assumed to be guilty until proven innocent—or dead. As certain groups of humans feel the need to fight back before they are made dead—case in point, the rowdy group of people currently traveling around Bon Temps in Barack Obama masks shooting down every supernatural they see with wooden and silver bullets.
On television, the build up and wait for the final solution towards the myriad of conflicting dilemma is what keeps usTrue Blood fans on their edges of their seats Sunday nights. At the same token, it is the very same conflicts veiled thinly by the facets of fiction that world leaders and the common people struggle with on a daily basis. Which goes to show in the average view’s quest for escapism via entertainment may hit even closer to home than expected with a case of cognitive dissonance or moral lesson in store yet.
Image Source Flickr
Zainab is a full-time college student born and raised in New York City currently studying mass communications and journalism at the University of Delaware. Her interests include politics, fashion, writing, travel, and unhealthy doses of pop culture.
View all posts by Zainab Akande ->
{ 0 comments… add one now }