The second season of True Blood is finally upon us after almost a half a year without a fresh episode. Through this sixth month struggle we have relied heavily on past episodes, and a very small amount of promos and new marketing. Now, to make it a little less agonizing the season one DVDs are on sale. Although you may find that instead of ending your torment, you’re just getting it started. This 5 disc set not only includes every episode but a few bonus features that may entertain you and some pretty decent (yes, decent) audio commentary.
The final disc of the True Blood set hosts episodes 11 and 12 as well as the bonus material. Strangely, you can only select audio commentary for “To Love is To Bury” (Episode 11), in which episode director (and writer) Nancy Oliver narrates. Most of the bonus material features videos in which you should learn a lot about how others feel about vampires being amoungst them in modern day America. From things like Pro (and Anti) Vampire ads, to a full on 15 minute mockumentary about Vampires in America.
The pro and anti vamp ads are more like viral marketing for the show than anything, something I thought notable was the anti-vampire ad being sponsored by none other than the “Fellowship of the Sun”, which is who Jason is approached by while in his jail cell. The mockumentary also does a great job at giving a little insight behind both of the parties’ motives. As the “Fellowship” is run by a man named Rev. Theodore Newlin… what more is there to say? On the reverse you will also learn a little more about Nan Flanagan, who represents the pro-vampire movement. She is actually seen in the first episode talking with Bill Maher.
There are also some funny Tru Blood (drink) advertisements, one of which is an “American” ad and the other is “French”. Hilariously enough, they did a spectacular job with both. There are even commercials for a Vampire dating website, Lovebitten.net. Styx River Hotel where they “ain’t got no windows” and a pull down a coffin for your sleeping needs. Even Delbert and Delbert, where they will fight to make sure every Vampire gets a “painless transition into society”. (Credit Cards! Passports! and even Home Equity Loans!)
The most entertaining things you will probably come across are the episodes’ audio commentaries. My personal favorite feature of the entire set is Alan Ball’s audio commentary on Episode One. Ball gives us his comparision of Six Feet Under and True Blood and what a world of difference filming of True Blood has been. To my surprise as well, the beloved intro to True Blood was done by the same company (Digital Kitchen) who put together the Six Feet Under intro. Ball tackles a million things; needless to say, Alan Ball should enlighten you for a good 58 minutes.
Besides the fact that this box-set doesn’t really offer a whole lot; you do get every episode, and a few (six) good audio commentaries from Anna Paquin, Alan Ball, Stephen Moyer and others, along side some entertaining back/side story elements, but that is all. Where is the enhanced first episode? Where are the season two promos? Basically, if you’re a tru (GET IT??!) fan and are concerned with having it, you’ll probably be a little aggravated because of the lack of material (and how much it costs). However, the first season of the show is reason enough to own this piece.
