True Blood Season 5 Opens with Fast-Paced Storytelling

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Last night the long-anticipated True Blood Season 5 started with some fantastic and fast storytelling. Alan Ball, who is still at the helm of the campy vampire show, pushed every single story forward from the conclusion of Season 4. I don't think the season opener missed a single beat. From the pick-up where Sookie shoots Debbie and Eric and Bill go on the lamb from the Vampire Authority, it moved from scene to scene and from continuation to continuation. I have to say I think it was the best season opener I've seen so far. The only story line not ringing true is the Eric-Bill sudden alliance and friendship. Eric's sudden loyalty to Bill ... huh? Eric hates Bill. He's normally very cool toward him and the "not without Bill" statement just fell on the side of ... huh? The animosity disappeared when exactly? Additionally, Eric's blithe reaction to Sookie's fear and his statement that "she dumped both of us" and his ignoring her peril ... not ringing true at all. Eric was deeply in love with Sookie. No way would he do that! I was also very turned off with his sudden and passionate encounter with his vampire "sister" Nora where pants were down and sex was on within minutes. Again, if we take this from the end of Season 4 where he declares his love for Sookie in terms of storytelling that was mere days ago; now he's banging his "sister" in the metal storage container without a single thought ... hmm ... not ringing true Mr. Ball. All right, the rest of the stories were great ... Tara rising suddenly from the dead -- awesome! Pam's usual campy remark about the "Wal-Mart sweat suit" -- perfect. And from the looks of things, we're going to have a lot of fun with Steve Newlin, the proud "gay vampire American" -- double awesome! I'm going to like this season!

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