True Blood - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2009, 5-Disc Set)

I bought this HBO series because it's based on a series of books I truly enjoyed -- the Southern Vampire/Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. At first, I didn't think much of their choice of Stephen Moyer to play vampire Bill Compton, but by Episode 3 I'd changed my mind. The character's a little rougher, less smooth-looking than I'd had pictured in my head, but it actually works quite well. He has great "vampire" eyes and a very sexy smile, on the rare occasions that you see it. The choice of Anna Paquin to portray Sookie was pure genius!! She's absolutely perfect!! Perky & chipper, but psychologically tormented by her telepathic gift; an innocent "good girl" who's also sexy and enticing; peaceful by choice, but strong & physically aggressive if & when needed; & supported by a strong moral standard that she actually pays attention to, unlike most people. The plot so far has adhered to the books quite well. Some things differ, but not in a way that seems "wrong". Casting William Sanderson as the Sheriff was a very nice touch. He's such a superb actor, yet has that slightly "off", somewhat creepy look and feel about him that fits right into a story about vampires and other supernatural beings. There are tons of sex scenes with Sookie's brother, Jason (total slut), but no full frontal male nudity. Honestly, I expected to be disappointed in the tv show, in comparison to the novels, but I was very pleasantly surprised!!