Okay, I'll say it: does season three of True Blood suck?
August 4, 2011 5:06 PM Subscribe
Season three of True Blood. Lay it on me.
I hated season two of True Blood. Loathed it. But for some reason I'm willing to give season three a chance, mostly because I've heard it's pretty decent. Should I check it out?
I hated season two of True Blood. Loathed it. But for some reason I'm willing to give season three a chance, mostly because I've heard it's pretty decent. Should I check it out?
I just watched the first two episodes last night. Less violent and bloody than usual, but I assume that will change. But episodes 1 and 2 made me keep the next disc in my queue. It could change, though. Another thing I noticed was a bit of self-referential parody, which in my mind is a good thing.
posted by Danf at 5:14 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by Danf at 5:14 PM on August 4, 2011
They're all pretty awesome in light of season 4... *faceclaw*
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 5:16 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by Kandarp Von Bontee at 5:16 PM on August 4, 2011
Man, it aint changin. If you hated it, you're gonna keep hating it.
posted by saul wright at 5:16 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by saul wright at 5:16 PM on August 4, 2011
Can you say what in particular turned you off in Season 2?
Because if it was the whole thing, there's probably no reason to try season 3.
For me, the thing about season 3 was I really enjoyed the main story line but they gave WAY too much time to side characters that I don't give a shit about.
Also, I'm not even going to lie, as long as Eric and Pam are around I'm going to keep watching. So my opinion may be suspect, YMMV, etc...
posted by grapesaresour at 5:18 PM on August 4, 2011
Because if it was the whole thing, there's probably no reason to try season 3.
For me, the thing about season 3 was I really enjoyed the main story line but they gave WAY too much time to side characters that I don't give a shit about.
Also, I'm not even going to lie, as long as Eric and Pam are around I'm going to keep watching. So my opinion may be suspect, YMMV, etc...
posted by grapesaresour at 5:18 PM on August 4, 2011
It depends what you like. I don't think it's better than Season 2, but it's a bit different. It has high points, especially at the end (with Eric's maker, Godric), and low points with witch-takes-over-town storyline that just won't quit. You learn new things about the characters, Sookie is still awesome, Bill gets darker and dickier, Lafayette is still adorable, Sam's brother is kind of bratty and badass and Sam gets darker too, Jessica has cool moments. Depends how much you like the characters, what you want to have happen to them, etc. I like the side characters, so I enjoyed all the stuff that annoyed people, like maybe Sam's brother or Jessica or Godric; in fact they're more interesting in S3 than Bill (oh Bill), though Eric keeps being... well, Eric. You can count on Eric himself, but maybe not as much screen-time as he could have. The main storylines are actually kind of stupid, but with True Blood, you also kind of expect stupid.
posted by reenka at 5:21 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by reenka at 5:21 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
I also hated season two and almost didn't give season three a chance. It's better but never great (not that season one was). There are fewer terrible storylines and only a few that I just didn't care about (Jason's, Sam's) but didn't hate. Some steamy stuff as usual and a bit more of how their world works politically and metaphysically that's fairly interesting.
posted by davextreme at 5:24 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by davextreme at 5:24 PM on August 4, 2011
Russell Edgington made such a great villain that it made the season leaps and bounds better than the less interesting and less scenery-chewing Maryann from S2.
posted by inturnaround at 5:49 PM on August 4, 2011 [10 favorites]
posted by inturnaround at 5:49 PM on August 4, 2011 [10 favorites]
We've got three episodes left in season 3. I feel like it's actually a little bit better this season, but my husband is really not liking it at all. There are a lot of new characters so there's more to focus on, which is a good thing if anyone in particular was annoying you last season. Other than that, I'd say you're not missing out on much if you gave it the miss.
posted by smalls at 5:58 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by smalls at 5:58 PM on August 4, 2011
I found Season 3 of True Blood to be quite boring compared to the other ones. Couldn't care less about the Russel Edgington storyline. But IMO it was worth it to get to Season 4, loving the character changes that came along with it.
posted by biochemist at 6:14 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by biochemist at 6:14 PM on August 4, 2011
hmmm I LOOOOVED season 2 (thought season 1 was snorefest) and I'm enjoying season 3 as a continuation there of....if you don't like season 2 I'm not sure why you are watching it? there's lotsa other good tv out there!
posted by supermedusa at 6:49 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by supermedusa at 6:49 PM on August 4, 2011
I liked season 3 more than 2. You get exposed to the larger workings of the vampire community, werewolves, Sam's brother. I thought Russell was a great villain, delightfully twisted. Tara kinda got the shaft last season tho.
But it's True Blood. It's a silly softcore soap opera, and it's all pretty much the same.
posted by gnutron at 7:26 PM on August 4, 2011
But it's True Blood. It's a silly softcore soap opera, and it's all pretty much the same.
posted by gnutron at 7:26 PM on August 4, 2011
Alexander Skarsgard is really, really hot.
posted by mckenney at 7:35 PM on August 4, 2011 [19 favorites]
posted by mckenney at 7:35 PM on August 4, 2011 [19 favorites]
You might want to glance over the recaps at Television Without Pity, where the recapper loves the show and pulls out thematic threads that I didn't notice previously, and the A.V. Club, where the recapper leans more toward (barely) tolerating the show's messiness in recognition of its (often wasted) potential.
Personally, I found Season 2 kind of delightful--largely due to Maryann being over-the-top in a way that requires a deep appreciation of campiness--but meandered too much toward the end. Season 3 really ratcheted up a lot of the things I like about the show: more intersecting plots, an expansion of the universe (it involves other states, character history and motivations, and more explanation of the vampire society's hierarchy), some good new characters, the elimination of a character who'd been something of an albatross, and a liberal sprinkling of truly WTF moments. It's not perfect, but it's the first time I started seeing a parallel with Alan Ball's vision in Six Feet Under.
It's campy, it doesn't always fit together, but I think it really does keep getting better as it goes along. (Season 4 so far has been the most enjoyable so far, and that's even with a major character getting stuck in a subplot about natural gas rights.) Also: mancandy.
posted by psoas at 7:42 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Personally, I found Season 2 kind of delightful--largely due to Maryann being over-the-top in a way that requires a deep appreciation of campiness--but meandered too much toward the end. Season 3 really ratcheted up a lot of the things I like about the show: more intersecting plots, an expansion of the universe (it involves other states, character history and motivations, and more explanation of the vampire society's hierarchy), some good new characters, the elimination of a character who'd been something of an albatross, and a liberal sprinkling of truly WTF moments. It's not perfect, but it's the first time I started seeing a parallel with Alan Ball's vision in Six Feet Under.
It's campy, it doesn't always fit together, but I think it really does keep getting better as it goes along. (Season 4 so far has been the most enjoyable so far, and that's even with a major character getting stuck in a subplot about natural gas rights.) Also: mancandy.
posted by psoas at 7:42 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Personally, I found Season 3 incredibly uneven. I really liked the business with Russell Edgington, as it got back to the original premise of the show (vampires coming "out of the coffin" and their place in society) but I HATED a lot of the secondary character plots, which seemed to be 100% a setup for the fourth season, without any payoff of their own.
But yeah, it's essentially vampire porn with a feel-good social message.
posted by Bromius at 7:48 PM on August 4, 2011
But yeah, it's essentially vampire porn with a feel-good social message.
posted by Bromius at 7:48 PM on August 4, 2011
Oh man, I loved Season 3 of True Blood, except for the season finale.
Why? I love True Blood when it is at its most unapologetically campy and over-the-top. Russell Edgington (and Franklin Mott) (and... others) vs The Queen: the Battle of Camp. God I loved it. I mean, hell, the scene in which Russell went on TV (to Nan's obvious, uh, dismay) is quite possibly my favourite scene in the season, if not the entire series. It built the world a lot, introduces a lot of character backstory and motivations, and was just good dirty fun.
On the other hand, I liked Season 2 to begin with, but felt it kept on hitting the same notes week after week (Maryann is BAD and enjoys ORGIES and also BAD!) but Season 3 always felt fresh.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:54 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Why? I love True Blood when it is at its most unapologetically campy and over-the-top. Russell Edgington (and Franklin Mott) (and... others) vs The Queen: the Battle of Camp. God I loved it. I mean, hell, the scene in which Russell went on TV (to Nan's obvious, uh, dismay) is quite possibly my favourite scene in the season, if not the entire series. It built the world a lot, introduces a lot of character backstory and motivations, and was just good dirty fun.
On the other hand, I liked Season 2 to begin with, but felt it kept on hitting the same notes week after week (Maryann is BAD and enjoys ORGIES and also BAD!) but Season 3 always felt fresh.
posted by flibbertigibbet at 7:54 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed Season 3 far more than Season 2. The Maryann storyline was far too long and involved for me, without any real development. As mentioned above, Franklin Mott was far and away my favorite character of that season, I would smile every time he showed up in a scene because I knew it would be so very messed up. I'd give it a shot for the slight development and variety of characters that were missing in 2.
posted by shinynewnick at 8:08 PM on August 4, 2011
posted by shinynewnick at 8:08 PM on August 4, 2011
Russell Edgington and Alexander Skarsgard ('s abs) are justification for the entire series.
posted by Space Kitty at 8:33 PM on August 4, 2011 [7 favorites]
posted by Space Kitty at 8:33 PM on August 4, 2011 [7 favorites]
I never thought I'd ever fast-forward through a bunch of orgies, but that was season two for me.
I liked season three better -- still campy and uneven, but at least it wasn't repetitive.
posted by changeling at 8:50 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
I liked season three better -- still campy and uneven, but at least it wasn't repetitive.
posted by changeling at 8:50 PM on August 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
By any reasonable measure season three is far far far worse than two. It's completely incoherent, many characters' actions cease to make any sense at all, and there's a laughably bad 9/11 Vampires/muslims metaphor. Deborah Ann Woll as Jessica is the only redeeming feature.
I guess it doesn't seem so bad now in light of the utter trainwreck that is season four, but it's bad.
posted by drjimmy11 at 9:34 PM on August 4, 2011
I guess it doesn't seem so bad now in light of the utter trainwreck that is season four, but it's bad.
posted by drjimmy11 at 9:34 PM on August 4, 2011
Season 1 = Exploration of racism and addiction - Focused and well crafted. Sookie is a nice foil that carries it through. Can't miss an episode.
Season 2 = Exploration of religion, sin and being judgmental - Goes a bit askew and loses track of its purpose like someone who went to the kitchen but forgot what they got up to get. Sookie is a bit self righteous but we forgive her. Fast forward through some of the repetitive bits.
Season 3 = Um, white trash, power trips and, um, a little bit of terrorism for no reason - "The fans like the vampire bits, the parts with no shirts and scenery chewing craziness. Add more gay sex. Also S&M fodder. But put Tara in the same nightgown Bugs Bunny wore when he dressed up like a girl!" Also, Sookie as infallible is getting old. Skip a few episodes because, seriously, what?
posted by Gucky at 10:50 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Season 2 = Exploration of religion, sin and being judgmental - Goes a bit askew and loses track of its purpose like someone who went to the kitchen but forgot what they got up to get. Sookie is a bit self righteous but we forgive her. Fast forward through some of the repetitive bits.
Season 3 = Um, white trash, power trips and, um, a little bit of terrorism for no reason - "The fans like the vampire bits, the parts with no shirts and scenery chewing craziness. Add more gay sex. Also S&M fodder. But put Tara in the same nightgown Bugs Bunny wore when he dressed up like a girl!" Also, Sookie as infallible is getting old. Skip a few episodes because, seriously, what?
posted by Gucky at 10:50 PM on August 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
I keep hoping that Anna Paquin's acting improves, but that just hasn't happened yet. Luckily pretty much everyone else does a smashing job.
posted by tmt at 12:29 AM on August 5, 2011
posted by tmt at 12:29 AM on August 5, 2011
Huh,
pretty divided opinion. Well, me and a friend enjoyed season 3 waaay more. It just kind of, picked up the pace, got a bit camper (my gay friends enjoyed it more), a bit - 'I can't believe they did that/no one else would do that', and I want something different in a show.
I'm trying to provide a point of difference so you can figure out whether you'd be with the people who thought season 2 was better, and vice versa, but I'm really not sure what it was. Season 2 was more meh for us, and we got more caught up in season 3 and the exhilarating thrill of the outrageousness of it, at times.
Yeah it's a trashy show - but it's a trashy show written by really, really smart people.
So I get all the fun of watching popcorn without wanting to claw my brain out because of underlying dumbness and painful subtexts (see michael bay movies, twilight etc).
posted by Elysum at 1:00 AM on August 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
pretty divided opinion. Well, me and a friend enjoyed season 3 waaay more. It just kind of, picked up the pace, got a bit camper (my gay friends enjoyed it more), a bit - 'I can't believe they did that/no one else would do that', and I want something different in a show.
I'm trying to provide a point of difference so you can figure out whether you'd be with the people who thought season 2 was better, and vice versa, but I'm really not sure what it was. Season 2 was more meh for us, and we got more caught up in season 3 and the exhilarating thrill of the outrageousness of it, at times.
Yeah it's a trashy show - but it's a trashy show written by really, really smart people.
So I get all the fun of watching popcorn without wanting to claw my brain out because of underlying dumbness and painful subtexts (see michael bay movies, twilight etc).
posted by Elysum at 1:00 AM on August 5, 2011 [2 favorites]
Season 3 had a lot more laugh-out-loud moments for me than Season 2 did, and I love the Russel Edgington storyline. His appearance on TV... oh my god, I thought I'd die from horrified laughter.
But yeah, honestly, True Blood is really all about Eric. If you're an Eric fan, it's worth finishing Season 3 just so you can get to Season 4. Oh Eric.
posted by olinerd at 3:56 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
But yeah, honestly, True Blood is really all about Eric. If you're an Eric fan, it's worth finishing Season 3 just so you can get to Season 4. Oh Eric.
posted by olinerd at 3:56 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I loathed S2, the Maryann storyline was just so BORING. I liked S3 much better (although Eric's baby blue sweater made me cry and it takes FOREVER for him to get rid of it). So I'd say, stick with out, Russell Edgington is awesome, as is Franklin Mott.
I mean, every season is silly fun smut, it's just some seasons are more fun (and more smutty), like S1 and S3 (and S4 so far) and some are just more silly (like S2).
and I still maintain that a show with just Lafayette and Pam being bitchy and Hoyt'n'Jessica would be spectacular
posted by biscotti at 6:22 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I mean, every season is silly fun smut, it's just some seasons are more fun (and more smutty), like S1 and S3 (and S4 so far) and some are just more silly (like S2).
and I still maintain that a show with just Lafayette and Pam being bitchy and Hoyt'n'Jessica would be spectacular
posted by biscotti at 6:22 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I am one of the (apparently rare) few who is not an Eric fan and I have watched all three seasons (plus, of course, the current one).
I would prefer fewer D plotlines to focus on (Devil Baby, Hotshot, Andy's V addiction) and take Jesus away from Lafayette. He's taken all the coolness out of him!
For what the show is, I'm enjoying it. (I like Bill's dark side.)
posted by Mysticalchick at 6:33 AM on August 5, 2011
I would prefer fewer D plotlines to focus on (Devil Baby, Hotshot, Andy's V addiction) and take Jesus away from Lafayette. He's taken all the coolness out of him!
For what the show is, I'm enjoying it. (I like Bill's dark side.)
posted by Mysticalchick at 6:33 AM on August 5, 2011
Season 3 was my favourite. Denis O'Hare as Russell Edgington totally carried the show, making me laugh at the over-the-top campiness of the genre while also being genuinely intriqued and scared for what he's do. (I was equally delighted by O'Hare's portrayal of Judge Abernathy on The Good Wife, which was a totally different kind of show, and a totally different kind of character. Now I just want to seek out O'Hare's work: he's my new favourite character actor.) I also found Talbot (Theo Alexander) totally charming and funny, for his gay male and vampire version of Martha Stewart lines about blood food prep and home decor.
I also felt the storylines melded together best in Season 3. So far, I'm find Season 4 kind of choppy, but I'm willing to see it through to the end of the season to see if the story arcs come together someway. I was on the fence about Season 2 as well.
posted by Kurichina at 8:32 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I also felt the storylines melded together best in Season 3. So far, I'm find Season 4 kind of choppy, but I'm willing to see it through to the end of the season to see if the story arcs come together someway. I was on the fence about Season 2 as well.
posted by Kurichina at 8:32 AM on August 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm only a few episodes in to season 3 but I'm liking it so far. Eric is awesome, the Russell Edginton stuff was interesting (and I loved his boyfriend), and I was extremely pleased with the way things turned out for Bill's maker (can't think of her name.) In fact most of the storylines have been enjoyable in one way or another.
The only things I'm not crazy about are Sam's storyline... it's been kind of boring so far, and I'm not liking his dark side at all.
I am really, really tired of Tara's misery and anger. I get that she's gone through some stuff but I wish the writers would give it a break already. I kind of perked up on her when I thought she was about to get turned into a vampire (and maybe have some interesting stuff happen to her for a change) but no such luck. She was taillights in the last episode I saw and I can't say I was sorry to see her go. Dunno how that is going to play out but I'd be happy not to see much of her for awhile.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:40 PM on August 5, 2011
The only things I'm not crazy about are Sam's storyline... it's been kind of boring so far, and I'm not liking his dark side at all.
I am really, really tired of Tara's misery and anger. I get that she's gone through some stuff but I wish the writers would give it a break already. I kind of perked up on her when I thought she was about to get turned into a vampire (and maybe have some interesting stuff happen to her for a change) but no such luck. She was taillights in the last episode I saw and I can't say I was sorry to see her go. Dunno how that is going to play out but I'd be happy not to see much of her for awhile.
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:40 PM on August 5, 2011
Response by poster: Update: Season three of True Blood is pretty terrible.
My thanks to those you who tried to warn me.
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:44 AM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
My thanks to those you who tried to warn me.
posted by Fister Roboto at 8:44 AM on August 24, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by TheBones at 5:09 PM on August 4, 2011 [3 favorites]