True Colors

I do not own a TV (not because I feel it is inherently assur; but because it is not a priority in my life and I have much better things to spend a couple hundred dollars on); but one of the shows I do try to watch (at other people's homes obviously) is True Blood. While I feel that much of what goes on in the show is campy (kind of like watching the circus at the Swap Shop), I do like how every episode seems to surprise you. I mean it is still a glorified HBO soap opera...but the twist and turns along the way are great.

I have always had a thing for vampire stories, books and shows. I give even the corny ones a chance (like Eddie Murphy's Vampire in Brooklyn). I was probably the only person that watched Forever Knight back in 2000 (I think). I was in the hospital when Moonlight went off the air, and wasn't too thrilled about that. A few months later I received the Twilight set as a gift and got a bit of my fix again (although Twilight seemed more focused on love, obsession, loyalties, and youthful emotional conflicts more so than vampirism). But then there was a lull. That is until I discovered True Blood.

So what is the draw of the vampire scenario? Why doesn't it get old like zombie stories or those possessed by demons or even the anti-christ (there hasn't been any recent revisitation to The Omen series; I think the latest was when Damian's daughter surfaced in a prime-tme made for TV thriller)? Why are people (including myself) so comfortable with something as perverted and evil as a vampire?

Well I can only speak for myself in regards to the aforementioned musings. I am the type of person that likes when things are presented as what they really are. This is why I have a degree of respect for outspoken racists; because at least they are not closet racists. This is why I left Reform Judaism; because unlike Orthodox Judaism, they are floundering in regards to what Judaism really is. Therefore watching vampires operate in a variety of fantastical scenarios is interesting; because vampires are inherently evil. The interest will always lie in how they choose to deal with their status. However I think that modern writers work too hard to apply the psychological struggles of being a vampire to appease the masses. This is why Eric Northman, and not William Compton is my favorite character to watch on True Blood. Eric is a classic vampire. He is evil, he is selfish and he is alluring. He fits nicely into his pre-determined role and provides good entertainment. Bill on the other hand, you tend to forget he is a vampire. Instead he walks on the fence, being an evil creature doing good things (usually). This appeals to the modern-day tendency to be tolerant of all sorts of personality and life outlooks I suppose. But it pulls you away from the fantasy...and puts forth a more "real life" scenario. And if I wanted "real life" then I wouldn't need to turn on HBO (that is for sure).

I suppose that most "lead vampires" nowadays do a similar thing. I would not aspect huge mass appeal for a classic vampire a-la Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula (a role I absolutely loved him in). Not when you have vampires like Edward Cullen who are so blinding with charm, intelligence, beauty, and everything else...you forget that the whole purpose of his existence is to drink your blood and drain you until you die. I guess this tells mountains about human nature and our ability to accept gross preversions of nature and morals. Not that I did not throughly enjoy Twilight or any other similar [modern] vampire tale. But I do admit I probably process these tales differently than most people. I see them not as geniune vampires, but as handicapped, modified humans. What you are presented with is the awesome ability we have to overcome our backgrounds...our "default nature" and do not only the right thing...but wonderful things. On a cynical note, I also feel that these women that test these vampires (Bella, Sookie, Mena, etc.) time after time would not be hurt by some therapy sessions to address their self-esteem issues. (Myself as well...but that's not related to this post).

This is a case where I wish fantasy could mirror real-life more. Here these vampires are tolerated and loved by humans; even when the humans know good and well the incredible harm they have the potential to bring to the relationship. Yet in real life we are much less tolerant of even other human beings and can only be made to love them if we have a very good reason to.