The New Gay » True Blood

True Blood

4 December 2008, 2:00 pm 9 Comments

I’m obsessed with True Blood, the new HBO series about the relationship between vampires and humans in a small rural Louisiana town. It was created by Alan Ball, the gay writer responsible for the show Six Feet Under and the film American Beauty. My television viewing is usually limited to news shows and educational programming, but I came across this show when searching ON DEMAND (the Comcast Cable service that allows you to watch a select number of shows at your convenience), and each episode I watch leaves me anxious to sink my teeth into the next one.

The plot revolves around the civil-rights struggle of vampires who are trying to assimilate into a society that at best maintains a position of separate but equal and at worst considers them minions of satan. While Ball mirrors the vampire struggle to the African-American experience, references to the homosexual experience are more overt. The sign “God Hates Fangs” appears in the opening credits, and phrases like “coming out of the coffin” (closet) and conversations among the cast that could easily be substitued for homophobia provide knowing winks from True Blood’s creator to his community. While watching Bill (Stephen Moyer), the male lead (vampire) struggle to “mainstream” amid a world that distrusts him and a community of vampires that has complicated and varied beliefs, it’s easy to relate his story to that of our own oppressed minority.

Ball does a great job capturing small town Southern life. While he counts on his audience not knowing much about Louisiana, he nails enough of it to be commended for his deft touch. Considering the current culture war taking place between urban and rural America, the town of “Bon Temps” (Good Times) is a perfect setting to dramatize the social and cultural transitions taking place.

There is only one main character in the compelling cast who is gay, but this show is gay as hell. While the gay content has been limited to themes, vampires have often been thought synonymous with sex, particularly deviant sex, so I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before we see some man on man vampire action. The most notable (in my opinion) gay gift is the presence of Jason (Ryan Kwanten), the nymphomaniac brother of the show’s heroine, Sookie (Anna Paquin), who through the charity of Alan Ball is naked in each of the first four episodes of the show (photo below). Without a doubt he is now my favorite character on television.

True Blood airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO

9 Comments »

adam isn't here said:

he stays naked through the rest of the season, don’t worry about that. i really liked the show, (the last episode of the season was last sunday) but it did come off as a bit heavy handed with the gay stuff. i don’t want to spoil anything for you, but this season ended like they were happy it was over and they couldn’t wait for the next to begin. a lot of set up for next summer.

4 December 2008 at 2:18 pm

adam isn't here said:

4 December 2008 at 2:18 pm

Sam said:

“anxious to sink my teeth into the next one”

*groan*

4 December 2008 at 3:47 pm

A-squared said:

I agree,the actor who plays Jason Stackhouse has a beautiful body. He is definitely 50% of the reason why i enjoy the show so much.

4 December 2008 at 3:50 pm

clearlyhere said:

I’ve been wondering if I need to add this to my cable package.
……..When do the DVDs come out?

4 December 2008 at 4:14 pm

ben jones said:

True Blood is awesome! Although the Jason character is indeed great eye candy, my favorite character by far is Tara, Sookie’s best friend. She just fascinates me. There are times when I’ve burst out laughing at some of her quips, and others where my heart breaks for her. I, for one, can’t wait until next season!

4 December 2008 at 6:09 pm

ben jones said:

4 December 2008 at 6:09 pm

Kirk said:

This show is amazing. Its the more mature version of Twilight.

I love how Ball continues Rice’s use of vampires as metaphor for gays.

On a side note, its very refreshing to see a televsion show set in someplace other than New York or LA.

I hope someone throws a premeire party for Season 2!

4 December 2008 at 10:31 pm

Heaven on Earth said:

Oh my God Ryan Kwanten( Jason Stackhouse) is amazing. I had no idea what was missing in my life until I saw him. The show is amazing and totally keeps you on edge the whole time. It leaves you wanting more and you just can’t get enough. I’m loving the second season and it keeps getting juicier and juicier!

I love it, and ohhhh I love him :)

3 July 2009 at 6:43 pm