The Cuban Witch: True Blood

Showing posts with label True Blood. Show all posts

Friday, October 31, 2014

Pamela Swynford de Beaufort

"I don't know what it is about me that makes people think I want to hear their problems. Maybe I smile too much. Maybe I wear too much pink. But please remember I can rip your throat out if I need to. And also know that I am not a hooker. That was a long, long time ago." ~ Pam

Pamela Swynford de Beaufort, more commonly known as Pam, is a major character on the HBO original series True Blood. The vampire co-owner of Fangtasia, a vampire nightclub in Shreveport, Louisiana, Pam is played by starring cast member Kristin Bauer van Straten and debuts in the episode "Escape from Dragon House" on the series' first season. A recurring character through the series' first and second seasons, Pam becomes a prominent character on the series' third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh seasons.

Pamela Swynford de Beaufort (portrayed by Kristen Bauer van Straten)

As a human, Pam ran the Comstock Brothel in San Francisco. In 1905, she met Eric Northman and begged him to turn her into a vampire out of desperation. After a century together, Pam is fiercely loyal to her maker, and despite her relative youth as a vampire acts as his second in command in his duties as vampire sheriff of LA: Area 5. Along with Longshadow, and later Chow, she is one of Northman's business partners at Fangtasia. As of 2008, she is the beneficiary of Northman's will, should he ever meet the true death. In 2009, Pam became the maker of Tara Thornton, ensuring the continuation of Godric's vampire bloodline. Shortly afterwards, Eric released Pam from his dominion over her as her maker, in an effort to protect her from the Vampire Authority.

Pam is extremely loyal toward Eric, and acts as his second in command. She is often blunt when explaining things or dealing with most people, regardless of their species. She has a very morbid sense of humor, with a sweet yet highly lethal charm. She can also be very cold and uncaring when dealing with people and seems apathetic to the concerns of others.

Eric has described her as lazy and disobedient, though she is efficient enough to finish all of her required work. Pam strongly dislikes children and appears to be much more sexually interested in women than men (with Eric being the exception), although she doesn't easily make friends with either sex. Pam believes that vampires are superior to their human counterparts.

Pam is also known for being very much a "smart-ass", and is often sarcastic and witty. She is exceptionally cunning, a trait she was shown to have even as a human madam. Pam cares a good deal for fashion, and makes sure her clothing is always the latest style. She never much cared for being a maker, and once she becomes one, she finds raising the new vampire difficult. Pam shows great loyalty to those within her vampire family, particularly to her maker Eric and progeny Tara Thornton.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long

with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Eric Northman

Eric Northman is a major character in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh seasons of True Blood. Eric is 6'5" tall, has blond hair and blue eyes, and is played by starring cast member Alexander Skarsgård and debuts in "Escape from Dragon House". Eric was born in Sweden during the Anglo-Saxon period, 900AD. He was turned 930AD, making him over 1,000 years old. Eric is the vampire sheriff of Louisiana Area 5 which encompasses Bon Temps. He owns the vampire bar, Fangtasia, in Shreveport.

Eric is shown to be calculating yet loyal and generally willing to absolve humans that aggravate him, unless they have grievously crossed him. His loyalty as Progeny to his Maker Godric was so strong, that he fell to his knees in tears when Godric decided to end his life by meeting the sun ("I Will Rise Up"). Eric demanded to burn beside him and claimed that he could not live without Godric. The only thing that kept Eric from meeting the sun was Godric's last command as Eric's maker, telling Eric not to stay on the roof with him.

Eric Northman (portrayed by Alexander Skarsgård)

Eric has a great capacity for loyalty and affection, considering vampire nature. He demonstrated this with his progeny Pam ("Fresh Blood") and his growing love and affection for Sookie Stackhouse. When he is reunited with his Vampire sister Nora Gainesborough, they show great affection for one another. Eric claims he would do anything for Nora.

Being a calm and methodical individual, Eric is mostly in control of his emotions. He rarely loses his temper, but has shown a great capacity for violence when pushed. Eric is unconcerned about being viewed as "the bad guy" merely seeing his actions as a means to an end. He is often secretive and can be somewhat of a trickster, but is usually honest and direct.

Eric is confident enough to not think he needs to prove himself. He has a joy of living and a sense of humor uncommon for vampires.

After his memory was erased by Marnie Stonebrook, Eric's personality changes entirely. Losing his memory showed the Eric behind the mask. He is gentle and sweet towards Sookie and is even disturbed by the horrible things he has done when he finds out about them. Upon gaining his memory back he claims he isn't just the old or new Eric, but rather he is both.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long

with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Jessica Hamby

Jessica Hamby is a major character in the series True Blood. Played by starring cast member Deborah Ann Woll, Jessica first appeared in the series' first season and remained a prominent character through the series' second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh seasons. Born in 1991, and turned in 2008, Jessica is a young vampire and the progeny of Bill Compton. She was turned as decreed by the vampire Magister, in reparation for Bill's murder of Longshadow, a fellow vampire.

Jessica was raised in a strict and devout Christian family in Shreveport, Louisiana. Jessica and her younger sister Eden were home schooled by their parents. They where not allowed to go out and only went to Bible study and clarinet lessons. Jessica's father would often beat Jessica with his belt to punish her for any faults in her chores or behavior. Jessica's mother was oblivious to this abuse, which Jessica attributed to her mother's "stupidness". Jessica resented the restrictions of her life dearly and secretly developed a rebellious attitude to her father's dominance.

When she became a vampire, she began to explore different feelings and became more open to the world around her. She proves to be deeply insightful at times while showing her naivety at others. Though she's a teenager physically, she is able to mature and grow. She has dealt with traumas like losing her first love (Hoyt) and her family, as well as the violence specific to her circumstances as a newly turned young vampire.

Jessica Hamby (portrayed by Deborah Ann Woll)

Jessica's religious upbringing still resonates within her. She does not live according to her human parent's standards but when Bill appeared to have become more powerful and shared his dystopian vision regarding many vampire's fate, Jessica among them, she began to pray. Jessica has openly admitted on many occasions that she likes feeding on humans and generally detests True Blood, but she is a supporter of the Mainstreaming cause. Her first uncontrolled attempt to feed on a human resulted in his death, but she takes greater care not to injure the humans she feeds on now. The only other times she has killed while feeding were either in combat (such as one of Russell Edgington's werewolves) or when she lost control around Andy Bellefleur's half-fae daughters due to the scent of their hybrid blood.

Jessica feels remorse for the death of Andy's halfling daughters she caused. Even though she is a young vampire prone to blood lust and drawn to fairy blood, she is not ruthless. Like her maker, she tries hard to hold on to her humanity.

Jessica Hamby as an in-character blog at: www.babyvamp-jessica.com.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long

with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Steve Newlin

Steven Newlin, generally referred to in short as Steve Newlin, was a recurring character on True Blood. Played by actor Michael McMillian, Steve was a recently turned vampire, and spokesman of the American Vampire League. The son of anti-vampire advocate Theodore Newlin, he initially continued his father's work after the murder of his entire family, causing him to serve as the secondary antagonist of the series' second season. He was a fanatic and a firm believer that vampires were 'ungodly creatures' who knew no 'humanity'. However, after becoming a vampire himself, he seemed to relish his new undead status.

Newlin was first presented as somewhat of a well-spoken man with a friendly disposition that, while a little odd at times, is altogether cheerful. However, as the series progresses, we see that most of this is a front for his hatred for what happened to him and his family. He is shown to be unstable and unhinged beneath his amiable facade. As a vampire, this tendency seems even more pronounced.

Steven Newlin (portrayed by Michael McMillian)

Like virtually all members of the Fellowship of the Sun, Newlin was a Christian zealot who openly demonized vampires. This is difficult to evaluate, as most of the vampires in the show really are fairly evil, while even the "nice" ones like Jessica are guilty of crimes that would earn any human the death sentence. But as most humans don't seem to realize that vampires have no real regard for human law, have their own government, and condone killing, its possible that his opinion is just prejudice. His inflammatory speeches earned him much criticism. After being changed into a vampire himself, his viewpoint changed dramatically. He now relishes in being a vampire and has stated that his faith as a Christian has been strengthened due to his new status. Newlin is also gay and is attracted to Jason Stackhouse and later to Russell Edgington, whose death devastated him. It is obvious, however, that he will sell out anyone when it comes to saving his own skin as he reveals all the vampires secrets from the knowledge he acquired while working for the authority to the vampire death camp run by Truman Burrell and his ex wife Sarah Newlin.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long

with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Monday, October 27, 2014

Salome Agrippa

Salome Agrippa was a vampire that was nearly 2,000 years of age and The Guardian of the Authority. She was a world class seductress and fiercely intelligent, commonly known for her "Dance of the Seven Veils". She was the main antagonist for Season 5 of HBO's True Blood.

Though Salome laments being painted as seductress and femme fatale she does nothing but confirm this view of her. Given her age, Salome is one of the world's oldest and strongest vampires, yet still resorts to using sexual wiles to obtain what she wants. She became lovers with Roman Zimojic and soon after was named his second in command in The Authority. When it became clear that Roman would never meet the Sanguinistas halfway, Salome plotted to get rid of him. Rather than simply kill the vampire 1,500 years her junior, Salome used Russell Edgington to do the deed. Even after 2,000 years Salome still resents her mother for using her to obtain more power. She doesn't hesitate however in manipulating others like Bill Compton in her own quest for greatness. Salome is also somewhat megalomaniacal - never doubting for an instant that she was Lilith's chosen prophetess, which ultimately sealed her fate. She was also hopelessly naive in believing that freeing Russell would make him her 'lapdog' and not question her Guardianship, even though he was 1,000 years her senior. Having had millennia to better herself, Salome showed herself as bloodthirsty as any newborn vampire; viewing humans as little more than sustenance. Salome was also a fervent fanatic: vampires were of the night by extension, the fae were abominations since their blood allows vampires to daywalk.

Salome Agrippa (portrayed by Valentina Cervi)
and Roman Zimojic (portrayed by Christopher Meloni)

Since Salome was ancient at the time she was introduced in the show, it is impossible to tell whether her character had a more friendly attitude towards humans and vampires alike. She was undeniably corrupted to some degree by the consumption of Lillith's blood.

Salome Agrippa was a Judean princess and contemporary of Jesus Christ. Her mother Herodias divorced Salome's father Herod II in order to wed his brother Herod Antipas. When John the Baptist denounced the royal couple as incestuous Herodias orchestrated his death. She was well aware that her new husband had a fondness for teenage virgins and thus used her own young daughter to bend Herod Antipas to her will. Salome was delivered to her uncle wrapped in scarfs and what they did in the bedchamber could be interpreted as a dance. This act give rise to the legend of the Dance of the Seven Veils. Salome quickly found her self vilified by her own people. Even though she was a victim of her mother's lust for power and nothing but a political pawn her reputation was forever ruined. Salome would be remembered throughout the histories as the original femme fatale 'a symbol of dangerous female sexuality'.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long
with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Russell Edgington

Russell Edgington is a major character on the HBO original series True Blood. Brilliantly played by recurring American actor Denis O'Hare, Russell makes his debut on the episode "Beautifully Broken" in the series' third season. The former Vampire King of Mississippi, an almost 3,000 year old, ancient vampire who was formerly a Chancellor of the newly reformed Vampire Authority, Russell was the main antagonist through the series' third season, and a recurring character through the series' third and fifth seasons. Considered by many to be the oldest, and most powerful vampire in existence, as well as the craziest, Russell met the true death in the Season 5 episode "Save Yourself".

Russell appears to be charming and polite, but that facade can be easily broken, revealing him to be manipulative and almost Machiavellian. He occasionally speaks in an ancient Celt language, denoting his origins. He also cursed to Sookie in German. He believes humans have squandered the Earth and believes in protecting the environment of vampires.

After the death of his consort and progeny, Talbot, Russell's sanity ebbs. He speaks to an urn containing Talbot's remains. His actions seem much more erratic than before, and he goes as far as interrupting a newscast, after brutally killing the newscaster. He is entirely focused upon revenge on the Authority, the American Vampire League, and more importantly, those who have taken Talbot away from him.

Russell Edgington (portrayed by Denis O'Hare)

The human man who would eventually be known as Russell Edgington was born approximately 850 years before the birth of Christ in the Carpathian Mountains into a Celtic community of Pagan Druids, who bestowed upon him the name Korun meaning "Raven" in ancient Celtic. As difficult as it is to learn concrete facts about Korun's human life, information on how he became a vampire is even more scarce. Suffice to say he was eventually "made" vampire at some point during the later years of his middle-age life, although both the circumstances surrounding this event, and the identity of his Maker are a completely unknown.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long
with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Franklin Mott

Franklin Mott was a recurring character who served as a secondary antagonist in Season 3 of True Blood. He comes to Bon Temps working undercover, becomes fascinated with Tara Thornton and kidnaps her.

Franklin Mott (portrayed by James Frain)

Originating from London, England, Franklin is the vampire that is reliable to have a job done. His price is high, but his skills are more than worth it. Officially a 'private eye', he also specializes in kidnapping. He has no qualms about killing other species, be it vampire, werewolf, or fairy. However, whoever hires Franklin might mean they may end up paying a little more than they bargained for: Franklin has a terrible weakness for women and an even worse track record with them. Franklin often leaves behind a mess and it's more often than not an awfully big mess. Franklin doesn't hold much regard for the vampire hierarchy. He's loyal only to his employer, and even that only extends so far. He has no fear for Kings, Queens, or the American Vampire League. Besides, no one dares to report Franklin's misdeeds. His psychosis is unstable at the best of times, particularly when it comes to women. He can get insanely jealous. Although a mercenary for hire, Franklin is disliked by so many that he works almost exclusively for Russell Edgington, the vampire king of Mississippi.

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long

with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

YouTube Treasures: True Blood Season 4: An Important Message from The Cast

Let the bloodbath begin! Celebrate Halloween all October long
with a new vampire post every day! Who's your favorite?

Sunday, August 24, 2014

YouTube Treasures: True Blood Season 7: After the Finale

...and so it ends. After seven fang-filled years of blood, sex and magic, True Blood has finally come to close. Although, most of the shows' storylines were tied up in some way or another (no spoilers), I hate to say I felt underwhelmed as the last set of credits scrolled up the screen. As an writer myself, I felt a little betrayed that the show's ending had strayed so far from the books, but it had become its own animal—True Blood had a life all its own, beyond what Charlaine Harris may have initially envisioned. That was its magic. I will truly miss my Sunday night vampire fix. No more Lafayette. No more Pam. No more Jessica. No more Bon Temps...

Sunday, August 17, 2014

YouTube Treasures: Drops of Blood... The Minisodes

On April 24th, 2010, HBO began airing six mini-episodes teasers to lead up to
its season three premiere of True Blood.