Ball did hint, though, that the vampires might continue to fight over Sookie, but they will unite to fight for their survival as the season reaches its dramatic conclusion. The year’s big baddie, Marnie, played by Fiona Shaw, isn’t exactly the threat Ball mentioned, though: “They’re going to stick together because they are fighting against a common enemy,” he said. “And that enemy is Michele Bachmann.”At least one reader took umbrage; someone identifying himself only as Edward commented:
It would be nice if Ball would keep his politics to himself rather than taint the show with his liberal leftist views. I was actually enjoying the comic-con panel until he decided to inject politics. I thought that was very inappropriate. Not impressed by Mr. Ball.Now, I know that the way you see something is determined largely by the lens you use to view it through; but seriously, what is True Blood without its politics?
It's wildly entertaining to be sure. Sexy. Fun. We know lots of fans see it that way - and judging from the Comicon coverage thick with references to the panel attendee who stood up and announced to Mr. Ball and the cast that the show has "improved his marital relations" and was met with raucous cries of agreement - this view isn't fading anytime soon. And it's justified. And I love it for those reasons. But it's more than that, too; it's more than the sum of its parts.
I, for one, appreciate a healthy dose of sociocultural and political content with my excellently acted, smartly written, so-called-escapist entertainment, thank you very much.
In my opinion, the show is neither didactic nor preachy. Yes, it has its fair share of "partisan" lefty rhetoric, i.e. when Jessica glamoured out of the guy she ran into at Merlottes who remembered her from her time spent at Bible camp as a human that he had been out, "picketing the baby killer factory in Birmingham" (S3E4 9 Crimes). But I think that True Blood actually posits far more questions than answers, and that's what makes for good civic discourse via pop culture.
The show reflects and comments on real issues in our real world; for me, therein lies its ultimate value. If the show had no greater relevance than do bodice-ripping romance novels or the usual throwaway popcorn TV fare the networks usually try to ram down our throats each summer (and year round for that matter), I'd have tuned out a loooong time ago.
Any thoughts? Please share below.
~ Rachel
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