On Sunday, HBO will re-air the first three episodes of the second season of "True Blood." So if you're behind or just caught up from Netflix, or you simply love vampires, this is the night to wind down the Fourth of July festivities with some depraved and disturbed television.
Of course, I can't say that I'm enjoying season two, but it's been interesting to see the show's take on Christianity--which is decidedly less than flattering. It's like watching a train wreck.
"True Blood" (starring Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse) has engaged an evangelical-like story line via Jason Stackhouse, Sookie's sex-loving-turned- reformed brother. He becomes the conversion object of a vampire-hating church who want to recruit him as a leader. The show's writers are playing up just about every negative stereotype floating around in America about evangelicals.
Shiny, happy church members smile so wide their faces look like they might crack--but, all the while, they spout hate. Pastors who know how to candy coat every idea they preach also woo members with Jesus-loving songs sung by beautiful, sweet, virgin girls dressed in school girl outfits better suited for a porn-flick. Then, there's the blonde, blue-eyed, young pastor's wife who might be willing to hop into bed with Jason, in exchange for his salvation.
This sickly-sweet-on-the-surface-but-evil underneath portrayal of Christianity is so one-dimensional, it's hard to believe that the controversial, but well-written series "Big Love" is screened on the same channel. I'm still hoping the writers for "True Blood" might find a way to balance out such a negative portrayal of the Christian faith. Though, given the show's other, largely disturbing trashy storylines this season, I won't hold my breath.
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There's an equally negative portrayal of a pagan cult that's running concurrently to this storyline, as one of the many themes this season is the power (and danger) of cults--all cults, not just Christianity in particular. Both cults feature characters in crisis who are drawn to an organization that purports to be about love but has some ulterior motives going on.
Certainly, not all Christian churches are Westboro Baptist Church (GotHatesFags.com, GodHatesAmerica.com), but it would be remiss for this show to not address their like ("God hates fangs"). The main character and her grandmother were portrayed as Christians (the tolerant type) last season - and Jason Stackhouse isn't played as ridiculous so much as lost; it's the idea that people in crisis can be more easily led and should probably be more personally responsible for where they place their faith.
Protestants have accused Catholics of being vampires for centuries. What else is new?
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