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Was it what you imagined while you were reading? Do the characters just line up in your mind? Whats your opinion?
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Later Days
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Posts:
180
Registered:
7/19/08
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(29 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 11, 2008 2:46 AM
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I can live with most of the changes Alan Ball made, but I really wish he hadn't changed the tone of the humor. Harris used Sookie's introspection to throw in a sly, snarky humor which I really enjoyed. AB hits us over the head with Jason, which I don't enjoy, or laugh at.
I have seen many comments in these threads about how funny Jason is & I really don't get that. Of course, I also don't like the Three Stooges, so consider the source. To me, Jason is as dumb as a box of hair & I don't think dumb is funny.
It seems to me, Harris employed a scalpel, AB uses a hatchet. I prefer the scalpel.
Connie
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Posts:
9
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10/11/08
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(28 of 29)
Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 11, 2008 2:39 AM
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the first book left some things to the imagination, and the show DEFINITELY doesn't do that!  I prefer things be left 'unsaid,' or, in case of the show, 'unshown.'
However, subsequent books don't leave much to the imagination (hello, amnesiac Eric, and va va va voom Quinn!!!). I read an interview with Alan Ball, and he said that the first season he'll stick closely with the book, but subsequent seasons will venture from them. Hmmmm....
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Posts:
48
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9/24/08
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(27 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 11, 2008 2:10 AM
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The first episode was truer to the book and I was excited about the upcoming epis. They are developing the other characters in the book alot more than I expected, which is fine. I could do without the Jason sex scenes - yes they may be funny but enough already. Hopefully after episode 6 the focus will be more on Sookie & Bill's relationship. We need to remember that AB always stated Bill is the "tragic hero" so I'm sure there will be suffering along the way with those two. To me, the series is not like the books especially if they will make Bill responsible for LongShadow's death. And the sex scenes will not be as raunchy btwn Bill / Sookie as per interviews already given by Moyer.
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"Yikes. Yahoo. Yum" {Sookie - Book 4 - the shower scene}
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Posts:
2
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10/10/08
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(26 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 10, 2008 11:50 PM
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For the most part it is pretty good. I think Bill's character is right on and Sookie is almost as good. Jason has been made into such a joke that I don't see why any woman would want to go to bed with him (and the V thing was ludicrous). I don't know why Tara's mother was made into a drunk or why Tara is supposed to be crazy about Jason (neither was true in the books). I kind of liked it that Tara's mom had the dress shop where Sookie got her clothes. Making Tara a waitress was okay but not her and Sam hooking up. I thought Sam should have been cast with an actor that was a bit older and the guy cast as Eric was a real disappointment to me. I pictured a blonde Conan the Barbarian type -- he is too scrawny.
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1,323
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9/29/08
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(25 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 10, 2008 10:45 AM
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Janna - I agree with you about Bill in the book vs. Stephen on screen. I like Stephen much better. I never really like the Bill description/character in the books. I am thrilled with Alex being cast as Eric. I really think he fits the part very well. In all honestly Vikings were probably built slimmer than we think. Yes they were strong, but they didn't have the nutritional options we have now. It's not like a viking was going to be built like Conan. And I think Anna does a wonderful job as Sookie. Can't say that I care for Sam on the show. I think that his character has changed DRAMATICALLY from the books. He was never that hostile in the books.
Now for the show itself. I knew they would make changes, it is inevitable, so it was expected. I have not always thought that what was changed was necessary, but nothing that would turn me off the show. I will say that the Jason sex scenes were a bit over done i think. Granted the guy playing Jason is hot and i don't mind looking at the bod, but, still not necessary. I also wish that they were moving a bit faster. It seems like it is dragging at times.
'nough said.
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20
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9/28/08
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(24 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 10, 2008 10:32 AM
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None of the cast is exactly what I pictured. Stephen Moyer is actually a lot better than my mental image of Bill. I agree that Alex could be a bitter more "Viking" chested. But he is 6'4" and we know he can act. He did what he could with his big 3 minutes of screen time. Hopefully he will be a bigger part of season 2.
As far as storyline changes, I don't mind the ones that have been made so far. I could do without the vulgar sex scenes of the first couple of shows, but I am looking forward to Bill and Sookie this week!
I am a bit disappointed in Fangtasia. I had it pictured as a bit higher end. Since vamps have just come out of the closet and the Fangbanger trend is fairly new, the bar shouldn't be very old. I expected it to be a bit more trendy.
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1,584
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9/27/08
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(23 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 10, 2008 6:30 AM
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I think AB has done a really good job of adapting the books. He's taken the stories that sucked us in on paper and made it into a wonderful show. I know some have said they don't like it because "that didn't happen" or "this wasn't in the books", but hey, I love it!
I'm still reading the latter books and all I'm picturing are the TV characters as I'm reading...makes it all the more interesting.
All in all, I'm happy with the way the show's turned out...so far. I love the way AB is making Bill so much more "human". GEESH I LOVE THAT MAN!
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TEAM BILL FOREVER
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91
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10/7/08
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(22 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 10, 2008 4:00 AM
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I think HBO has done a pretty good job. Granted, the show isn't exactly like the books (look at the crappy movies that have been made from Steven King stories) but I've enjoyed the things that have been added. For instance the character of Tara. I don't even know that she was mentioned in the first book & I don't recall a big crush on Jason. But I love Tara's character on the show. And Jason. What a hoot! He's such a self-absorbed ass but I've enjoyed every scene he's been in. Episode 4 was hilarious! I was soooo happy to read that True BLood has already been signed for a second season so they must be doing something right. I can't wait!!!
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179
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9/7/08
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(21 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 9, 2008 10:06 PM
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A lot of it is just what I pictured but I did know who the characters were being played by so that may have helped me play it in my mind. Except for Sookie, everyone is just how I thought they would be. I am not so sure I pictured Sookie the same way AP is playing her.
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*Team Bill*
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20
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10/3/08
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(20 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 9, 2008 10:02 PM
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Its better than what i thought in the books, but i would like to see more stuff added ^.^
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Bill + Sookie = Hawt Vamp sex + Great Romance
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14
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7/14/08
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(19 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 7, 2008 6:31 PM
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It's been good and bad. Sometimes I think it would have been better if I hadn't read all the novels. The story started so true to the book that I have been disappointed with it straying.
There hasn't been enough focus on Sookie and Bill, the early novels are really about their relationship. Even so I WILL keep watching.....
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9,074
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10/31/01
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(18 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 7, 2008 6:25 PM
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What I imagined while reading, NO. What I expected from TV, yes. It is actually a bit better in some ways from what I expected though I EXPECTED them to destroy the books and in some ways I feel they are.
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I'll have a caffe mocha vodka valium latte to go, please.
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Posts:
26
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9/17/08
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(17 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 7, 2008 6:00 PM
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> Windjammer. I forgot to say I too miss those steamy
> scenes from the book and can't wait for Sookie and
> Bill to finally consummate their relationship. I do
> think their love life adds another dimension to both
> the characters that is currently missing on the show.
> Someone said this upcoming episode is the one where
> e they finally do the deed. But I guess Alan Ball
> knows a lot about foreplay as he has me anticipating
> their climax each episode!!!LOL
I am waiting with great anticipation for the steamy scene with sookie and bill. I hope it is worth the wait. Maybe better than the book.
![]:)](http://boards.hbo.com/images/emoticons/devil.gif)
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Posts:
26
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9/17/08
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(16 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the Books
Oct 7, 2008 5:54 PM
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> I was dissapointed
> > in book 4 & 8 only because there was no sex.
>
> You have your books mixed up! #4 with amnesia Eric
> was the BEST EVER!
ooops, You are right, I did get my books mixed up, maybe it was 3, can't remember. 4 Was HOT
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4
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10/6/08
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(15 of 29)
Re: Was HBO's adaptation of True Blood what you imagined from reading the B
Oct 7, 2008 3:38 PM
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I think the adaptation is perfect. It will be interesting to see where Tara goes in the series considering her character in the book. I love Lafayette in the series because he is so much more of the story than in the books... I hope he character doesn't follow the book path because I think he is the most entertaining. I love Sam in the books and in the series.
What I find interesting is waiting to see how they introduce some of the other characters in the later books! Alcide and Quinn especially!
Considering the poetic license you have to take to make a movie/series out of a book, I understand there are going to have to be changes. However, I think the changes are very minimal and that the storylines of the book goes hand in hand with the series (almost)!
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