Thanks to the Japanese with their creation of synthetic blood, Vampires and humans now co-exist.
The Locals:
Sookie Stackhouse is the telepathic waitress working at Merlotte’s, a small bar in the town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Merlotte’s is owned by Sam Merlotte, who is in love with Sookie, and was abandoned as a child, OH he’s also a Shapeshifter! Tara Thorton, Sookie’s best friend and bartender at Merlotte’s, seems to be a very angry girl, but her angst sure does make me laugh hard. Her family consists of a drunken mother (aka possessed by a demon), and a very flamboyant cousin Lafayette Reynolds. Lafayette is one of my favs, no doubt. He works at Merlotte’s as a cook, but is also a drug-dealer, and prostitute. He seems to be all about that cash money, but what does he need all this money for.. (we find out where some of his cash goes in a later season…). Arlene Fowler, is also a waitress at Merlotte’s, she is a very red-headed, way country, divorcee (4 times), and a mother of 2. She’s not very fond of the vampire movement, and is not afraid to let that be known. She’s currently dating Rene Lenier, who works along side Jason Stackhouse and Hoyt Fortenberry. Hoyt is such a sweet guy! I can’t get over this kind-hearted, country mama’s boy. He’s so adorable, and not slutty like Jason, but he does let his mother boss him around this season.
Bill Compton, a vampire who recently moved back to Bon Temps, enters Merlotte’s one night. Sookie is unable to hear his thoughts, and seems to be uncontrollably drawn to him. It appears to be love at first sight. Sookie ends up saving Bill from two hicks, who try to drain him of his blood. Vampire blood “V”, is a highly addictive narcotic in this universe. After being saved, the rednecks return for their revenge against Sookie, and she is saved by Bill. How sweet that they saved one another from the hillbillies! We watch there oh so romantic relationship blossom, as he introduces Sookie to the world of the Supernatural.
We learn that Bill fought during the Civil War, and after seeking comfort in a woman’s home he stumbled upon, is made vampire. LORENA is my favorite character, Bill’s maker, and PAST lover. Bill hates Lorena completely, and tried for decades to be released by her. Bill eventually is released (technically), but that doesn’t stop sexy Lorena from coming back into his life multiple times, and causing trouble for him (which I didn’t mind because I love seeing her).
Murders in Bon Temps:
Jason Stackhouse, Sookie’s dense, simple-minded brother, is paying the price for being a man-whore. There’s a stream of murders happening around him in Bon Temps during Season 1, and it seems as if all of Jason’s ‘conquests’ are the ones dropping like flies, (excluding his grandma).
He doesn’t believe he could be responsible until we meet Amy, who was my favorite love interest of Jason.
She was a hippy, life-loving, “V” addict, who meets Jason at Fangtasia one night. Jason went through the struggles of being addicted to “V” as well. Amy and him end up kidnapping a vamp named Eddie, so they can drain/drink his blood. The two of them share some very sensual, enlightening “V” trips together. Amy ends up staking Eddie, which leaves Jason questioning their relationship. They share one final drop of “V” together, and are off in V-World frolicking. Jason wakes to find Amy strangled to death next to him on the bed. This was one of the saddest moments to me in True Blood history, although she was a sort of crazy, total “V” addict, I loved her character, and her love for Jason.
Sookie uses her ability to try and clear her brothers name. She asks Bill to escort her to Fangtasia (vampire bar), one night to ask some questions about the recent murders. There we meet super vamp Eric Northman, owner sexy of Fangtasia, and Sheriff of Area 5. We also meet his vamp child, Pam who is Eric’s loyal lesbian assistant and works at Fangtasia.
After Sookie mistakenly reveals her ability to them, Eric is forever intrigued by her. Eric requests Sookie’s assistant in discovering who has been stealing money from the bar. Just as she finds out who it is, and goes to say the name out loud, Longshadow (a vamp bartender) fly’s over the bar towards Sookie. Before reaching her, Bill stakes Longshadow leading to his bloody death all over Sookie. Sookie is safe now, but is Bill? He must face his punishment for killing one of his own to save a human..
Jason is still the prime suspect for the murders, and started to believe it himself! Sitting in jail Rene comes to visit him. We learn that Rene is a hardcore vamp hater, and that he is the one responsible for decreasing the fangbanging population of Bon Temps!!
