Who needs Chicken Soup for the Soul, when you have True Blood? Since we are human, things tend to happen in one’s life may it be a tragedy, the economy, or it could be simply the stress of buying regular food or organic. Everyone has their ticks. This is why we want, need – an escape from reality; and True Blood gives us just that and more.

It’s not only the allure of vampires and shifters. The show’s ability to wrap its storyline around well developed characters that we are now vested in is uncanny. And we can’t deny that the characters in some way, match something in our own inner self that makes us cling to the show. True Blood gives us something we need beyond just entertainment – it has a healing quality.

We have all had those days where we just want to dive into a bowl of ice cream, watch a movie that makes us cry or laugh – something, anything to wipe out whatever hell we are going through in our mind.  We need some type of vice that keeps us from shoving a pen through the guy’s head in the next cubicle because he cracks peanuts all day or snapping at the drive-thru cashier because once again, they forgot the cheese. There are times we need an escape from reality.

There are so many interesting characters that we can relate to in True Blood, sometimes it’s hard to choose a favorite. Sookie, the protagonist: who can deny in some way or another that she has provoked emotions from us? Whether you cried with her as she devoured Gran’s pie or you screamed at her for slamming the door in Bill’s face, Sookie Stackhouse has the ability to poke us where we need it. We can thank the talented Anna Paquin for making Sookie such a heartfelt character. Sookie’s character along with Tara’s played by Rutina Wesley have the most affect because they are grounded in the human world, for now.

Now we jump the reality train and look at the soul healing properties of the vampires. When the show did a slight shift in protagonist, William Compton took the spotlight and the incredible Stephen Moyer demanded our emotions with his skilled talent. For me, this is the character that allows me to escape the most. Because this character shows us all, life can be much worse. I think I have cried more with Mr. Compton than with any other character.

The understanding of Eric’s character is a lot harder; his character is more of an enigma. He embraces his evil ways and he took the path of the vampire so he could continue to kill. I respect Eric’s character because above anything, he is what he is. But I can sympathize with his character in the regards that he chose his eternal path and now he is being forced to play nice by other vampires like Bill Compton.

True Blood has taken the concept of vampires and made them into modern day superheroes. And, the allure of immortality, never aging and no need for the long wait in a doctor’s office is something we can’t resist.  Eric can leap tall buildings in a single bound. Bill can run faster than a speeding bullet and they are all stronger than a locomotive. Although, it’s not kryptonite that will bring them down – it’s sliver. It’s not just the vamps that allow us to feed that superhero itch; I have to give credit to other supes as well. I would give anything to shift into a large snake to clear out a boardroom.

So our escape begins when we turn on the show and it doesn’t stop there. True Blood communities have popped up everywhere and these are places you can go when you need your True Blood fix. If you haven’t been bitten by the show yet, the next time you go for that bowl of ice cream – try True Blood instead. In the words of the comic book guy, “best show ever!”

Posted in Commentary, True Blood