Since debuting on HBO in 2008, the vampire series True Blood has garnered much attention and a steadfast following of fans. Now, after starting its sophomore season in June 2009, True Blood brings up an important question for fans of the original series of books (Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, True Blood is based on the first book, Dead Until Dark): Which is better – the books or the television series and what are the differences between the two?
As an avid vampire lore enthusiast, I was enthralled by the concept proposed in the first episode of True Blood: Japanese scientists had perfected synthetic blood, thus allowing vampires to reveal their presence to the world (because they could now survive by ingesting the synthetic blood instead of drinking straight from the cow, so to speak).
HBO did some smart marketing by releasing the first episode of True Blood on DVD around the time of the series debut. I didn’t subscribe to HBO at the time and would never have become familiar with the series otherwise. After watching that one episode, I was intrigued enough to do some research into the series.
I was delighted to discover that True Blood was based upon the series of books by author Harris. I bought my own copy of the first book Dead Until Dark and read it quickly. I continued to seek out the subsequent books until I had read all of them (see reviews on the first eight books here and a review of Harris’s most recent installment, Dead and Gone here).
In the meantime, I paid attention to True Blood episodes (thanks to the Internet) and was astounded to see so many minor – yet puzzling – changes occurring during the translation from book to television. Here is a breakdown of differences between True Blood season one and Dead Until Dark.
Sure, there are always going to be minor changes when books are made into movies or television shows, but some changes are serious enough to be worth noting.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Excessive Sex
Aside from the fact that the only sex that occurs in Dead Until Dark and the other Southern Vampire Mysteries is between Sookie and her love interests, there are other noticeable changes in True Blood that change the tone of the story and open up possibilities for future story lines.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Jessica
In the first season of True Blood, Bill kills a vampire (Fangtasia vampire Longshadow) who attacks Sookie and is forced to pay a high price in punishment (he is forced to turn teenager Jessica into a vampire). In Dead Until Dark, Eric the Viking vampire is actually the one who kills Longshadow. While Eric is punished for this, the punishment is light as the vampires see Longshadow’s betrayal of Eric as deserving of death.
It is obvious later the reason this scenario is changed for the television series is to introduce the character of Jessica – Bill’s “child.” She does not appear in any of the Southern Vampire Mysteries and was created for True Blood. In season two, Jessica’s role expands.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Jason and V Addiction
Throughout season one, Sookie’s brother Jason dabbles with addiction to V – vampire blood. This never happens in Dead Until Dark – or any of the other books in the series.
While addiction to vampire blood is mentioned briefly a few times throughout the book series, it plays a very small role. V plays a major part in the story line of True Blood season one and in the life of Jason Stackhouse.
In True Blood, Jason’s lady love (one of many, actually – Jason is accurately portrayed in True Blood, as in the books, as a womanizer), Amy, convinces him to help her kidnap a gay vampire named Eddie for the purpose of extracting V straight from the source. They delight in getting high together until Amy stakes Eddie in a fit of anger. Amy is later murdered by serial killer Rene.
None of this occurs in Dead Until Dark.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Tara
In season one of True Blood, Sookie’s friend Tara takes a prominent role in the series, while in the books she is a minor character. She develops a relationship with bartender Sam (doesn’t happen in the book) and participates in exorcisms of both her mother and herself (also doesn’t occur in the book). Throughout the first season, Tara nurses a secret love for Sookie’s brother Jason and gets him out of a couple of tough spots (again, this is not an aspect explored in the book).
In addition, Tara in the book is not African-American. Obviously, that’s not a big deal. The actress who plays Tara (Rutina Wesley) in True Blood brings her brilliantly to life in my opinion and injects personality that isn’t seen in the books. That’s works in my opinion.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Season Finale
In the True Blood’s first season finale, Bill is horribly burned when he erupts from his sleeping place – into the sunlight – to save Sookie from serial killer Rene. (The book series portrays vampires as being literally dead when they are sleeping during the day – making it next to impossible to rouse them in daylight hours – another departure from the original story line.) Rene is killed by Bill and Sookie is forever grateful for Bill’s near-sacrifice of himself in his effort to save her..
In Dead Until Dark, Bill plays no part in saving Sookie from Rene. Sookie saves herself and ends up hospitalized from the violent altercation. Rene also survives the match with Sookie – just barely – and is imprisoned.
True Blood vs. Dead Until Dark: Final Thoughts on Dead Things
While I much prefer the story lines taken in the books, I have decided to hold True Blood apart – as a separate story and series. It has my favorite elements from the books mixed in with it – but it stands on its own. In truth, if I had never read the books I would probably love the direction the series takes. Having read the books, though, I prefer them.
Either way, I’m a fan of True Blood and will continue to watch. The interesting perspective I am getting is that I don’t already know what is going to happen – because the series continues to depart from the books. In a way I like that.
