Thanks to Billsbabe “lisafemmeacadienne” for this wonderful article about the 28th Regiment.

The 28th Louisiana Regiment is not mentioned in the history texts, but it had a very important role in the Civil War in Louisiana, thanks to Colonel Henry Gray of Bienville Parish, and Lieutenant General Richard Taylor (son of President Zachary Taylor).

In the True Blood storyline, the character William T. Compton served in this particular regiment, so I put together some information for the fans. The history of these volunteers has been reconstructed through journal entries and the few military documents that survived the chaos of the final days of the war.

The 28th consisted of ten independent companies from different parishes, which were organized and trained in Monroe by Colonel Gray.

These volunteers joined with a deeply ingrained sense of southern honor, which dictated that they protect their homes and families from the encroaching Union armies. Some of the volunteers were former slaves, eager to defend their freedom. Both of these reasons kept these soldiers from leaving the regiments, even when conditions became unbearable. Early in the war, the 28th Regiment faced terrible sickness; at one point, 2/3 of the men were sick with malaria, yellow fever, and cholera due to living in the swamps along the railroad where they were stationed, yet they refused to abandon their regiment.

After a year of service, the men finally saw action at Camp Bisland (pronounced biz-lend) / Bayou Teche (pronounced bye-yoo-tesh) when the Yankee gunboat, the Diana, ventured too far into the Atchafalaya, (pronounced ah-chaff-ah-lie-yah) which is a network of rivers that branch off of the Mississippi River. A division of the 28th, on reconnaissance, spotted the gunboat and alerted Gray. As the boat pushed further up the channel, a Confederate ambush was lying in wait for them. This began the 28th’s involvement in repelling the Union’s Red River Campaign.

The Union army had three goals at the start of the Red River Campaign in Louisiana: to destroy the Confederate Army commanded by Taylor, thus controlling Shreveport, Louisiana; to control the Red River to the north and occupy east Texas; and to confiscate as much as a hundred thousand bales of cotton from the plantations along the Red River.

“The Confederates sprang the ambush on the ship and for three hours poured volley after volley of rifle and cannon fire into it. To the men penned up in the Diana it was a nightmarish hell. The decks were slippery with blood, and the groans of the wounded drifted through the darkened, smoke-filled ship. The roar of the Rebel guns, the splat of minie balls against the sides of the ship, and the crash of artillery shells splintering the decks helped create an unforgettable scene.

The Diana’s commander, after seeing one crewman after another fall to the deck from the Rebels accurate fire, finally raised the white flag. The Confederates then removed the 150 sailors, 30 of whom were dead or seriously wounded, and took over the vessel. The Winn Parish men of Company K moved the ship up the Teche to help cover Camp Bisland.”

To break the stronghold at Camp Bisland, the Union forces tried to send 12,000 Union troops by boat to land north of the area, and another 4,000 to land to the south, trapping the Confederate forces in the middle. When the 28th discovered this plan, the Rebel soldiers were split into two groups; one to prevent the northern landing, one to prevent the southern. On a third front, the Winn Parish soldiers of Company K stayed on the Diana to fight the Union directly on Bayou Teche.

The Union army boats beat the Confederates to the landing sites, and bombarded the Rebel forces and the Diana for two days. The Diana was severely damaged, and had to retreat for repairs. However, each time the Union forces tried to land on the banks of the Bayou, they were successfully repelled by the 28th on the southern end. On the northern end, Union forces made landfall and began their march south. The 28th had no choice but to engage the forces at Irish Bend, where they surprised the Union army with their ferocity and determination. With only a 1,000 men, they charged.

“The screaming Rebels came bursting out of a strip of woods they had been hiding in and ran across a muddy cane field towards the startled Yankees. The forward enemy regiments, taking cover in shallow ditches, tried to make a stand, but were soon outflanked and caught in a terrible crossfire. The Federals later recalled that the Louisiana men used “buck and ball,” a type of musket round that included one rifle ball and three buckshot. This was a deadly load at close range, proven by the fact that the 159th New York Regiment, that faced the 28th, lost 115 men our of a total of 375 in the fight!”

Several battles ensued over many days, and eventually the 28th retreated northward as the Union army pursued them. Colonel Arthur W. Hyatt, a member of the 28th’s Brigade, described the forced march in his journal:

“A regular race from the enemy. Feet sore, dust intolerable . . . . When we halt ‘ we squat ourselves down, no matter where–in the sand, in the mud, anywhere–and our only hope is that the halt will last fifteen minutes. At night you fall down too tired to be careful of selections, and go to sleep . . . without taking off clothes, shoes or cap…”

The 28th made it to the Rebel stronghold in Alexandria, and the Union forces ceased pursuit. After a few months, they were able to return to Bayou Teche/ Camp Bisland. They were called upon as reinforcements for various skirmishes in southeast and south central Louisiana. They also helped to successfully capture 400 Union soldiers at Bayou Fordoche near Morganza.

Finally, the men were called back to the Monroe area to help protect a shipment of arms. On the way there, they crossed the Red River at Pineville (near Alexandria) in December, and were immediately hit by foul weather, as described by Felix Poche (pronounced po-shay), a member of Gray’s staff:

“The thunder roared, lightening struck all around us and immense pines … fell by the hundreds… I learned several persons had been hurt.
Soon the ground was covered with water . . . The wagons . . . were unable to pass. . .Thus those poor soldiers were drenched to the skin, shivering with cold, starving and dog tired after a march of fifteen miles, having nothing with which to cover themselves, and spent a miserable night near to the fire, as best they could.

Conditions did not improve at dawn. The supply wagons could not pass over the flooded roads, so the 28th had to endure growling stomachs until the train pulled into camp 24 hours later.

As the army marched through Winn Parish, occasional shrieks of joy could be heard as a bystanding woman recognized a son or husband in the muddy, shuffling crowd of soldiers that were strung out five miles on’ the Winnfield to Vernon road. In some instances, tearful pleading would get one of the 28th’s soldiers an overnight pass to spend some time with the family he had not seen for nearly two years. These scenes were repeated as the regiment continued the march to Monroe.

Christmas Day was spent marching on to the Ouachita River (pronounced wah-chi-tah), which was crossed on the 27th under a cold, winter sky. It is not difficult to understand why more men died from sickness during the Civil War than from battle, when they had to live under such harsh conditions as the 28th did in the winter of 1863-64. Poche entered in his journal on Dec. 31 the following: “The weather was extreme, in the morning it rained and later it snowed,’ and the ground froze. One can well understand the misery and suffering of our poor soldiers without tents, and practically no fire…”

Hyatt’s New Year’s Day entry adds to the description. “The ponds frozen and the boys sliding on ice . . . The ground too cold to lie down. Pitiable at night to see them nodding around campfires with only one blanket. This is soldiering, this is.”

The regiment did not get to the arms shipment in time; all the marching had been in vain. They retreated to the Rebel stronghold in Pineville.

When the Yankees started their three-pronged Red River Campaign, Fort de Russey, just below Alexandria, fell to the Union army. The 28th began retreating north, and made their last stand in a field southeast of Mansfield called Pleasant Hill, along with the 18th and the Consolidated Crescents Regiments. There were 9,000 Confederates to stop 30,000 Union soldiers.

It was a slaughter. They were literally fighting an uphill battle on a steep slope, exposed every time they made a forward advance. The Union army would cut them down every time they stood up to shoot or run. One Major, W.F. Blackman, tried to lead the charge by grabbing the Confederate flag and riding up the hill. His soldiers bravely followed, many taken down by the accurate fire of the Union soldiers. They were able to scatter the Union soldiers with their advance and take the hill, but at the terrible price of 800 Confederate soldiers losing their lives.

This began a series of battles and retreats, with the Union on the defensive. They would try to rest, and the 28th would attack, again and again. The final battle for the 28th was at Yellow Bayou, when both sides ran out of ammo, and began hand-to-hand combat. This time, Union numbers prevailed, and the 28th had to retreat as far north as Arkansas.

Military organization started to fall apart, and soldiers began slipping away in the night to return home as they realized the war was lost. When surrender terms were accepted on May 26, 1865, many went to Shreveport or Monroe to be pardoned for their role in the war and pick up what was left of their lives and homes.

Bibliography

• Moneyhon, Carl and Roberts, Bobby; Portraits of Conflict – A Photographic History of Louisiana in the Civil War, Univ. of Arkansas Press, 1990, pgs. 157-158, 184, 267-271.
• Bergeron Jr., Arthur W., Guide to Louisiana Confederate Military Units 1861-1865, Louisiana State University Press, 1989, pgs. 138-139.
• Spedale, W.A., Battle of Baton Rouge 1862, Land and Land Publishing, Baton Rouge, LA ,1985, drawing pg. 19.
• http://www.penandsaber.com/grays28th/Jones28th.html (quotes from this site in bold type)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Campaign
• Photo of William T. Compton, “True Blood”, HBO

What will the Bellefleur home look like in Season 3? Will it be Greek or Gothic Revival style, Victorian, or French Creole? Here is a sampling of each.  Please note that French Creole architecture is mostly found in southeast Louisiana. The fictional town of Bon Temps is located in north central Louisiana.

The Plantations of St. Francisville

“English Plantation Land” / “Spanish West Florida”

West Feliciana Parish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parishes_in_Louisiana

THE COTTAGE

It was built by Civil War Captain, Congressman and Judge Thomas Butler in 1824. Visitors to the house included such notables as Jefferson Davis, Henry Clay, Zachary Taylor, and the Marquis de Lafayette. Andrew Jackson slept here after the Battle of New Orleans on his way to Natchez.

Life, after the beginning of the Civil War, changed forever. The Union Army took over the Cottage and removed everything that could be found of value, from horses to furniture to jewelry to even the clothing of the children. The troops occupied the plantation and held the family prisoner.

After the troops left, the family abandoned the house and it was taken over and used as a hospital for Union soldiers with yellow fever. In the years that followed, this is probably what saved it from being destroyed by vandals. Many had died from the disease in the house and were buried on the grounds…. the fear that the sickness lingered kept many people away. Rumors of ghosts kept the house empty for many years to come, until it was restored in the 1920’s.

Cottage Plantation house, built with Doric columns
Courtesy of Lagniappe Tours, Foundation for Historical Louisiana

Sources: http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/louisiana/cot.htm
http://www.cottageplantation.com/
http://www.prairieghosts.com/cottplan.html

ROSEDOWN

Daniel Turnbull (1799–1861) and his wife Martha (1809–1896) began construction on the main house at Rosedown, supposedly named for a play they saw on their honeymoon to the East Coast and Europe. The 1835 Federal-Greek revival style great house, complete with Grecian style wings, is at the head of a 660-foot long oak alley. Eighteen acres of ornamental pleasure gardens illustrate a combination of the Baroque style and the winding paths of the picturesque tradition.

Most of the flowering plants are the original ones transplanted in 1835, lovingly tended to for 175 years. The fragrance of the flowers, when in bloom, is said to travel for a mile or more.

View of Rosedown Plantation gardens
Photo from National Historic Landmarks collection
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/louisiana/ros.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosedown_Plantation

GREENWOOD

It’s an enormous Greek Revival temple set deep in the Feliciana Woods. It was originally constructed in 1834 by Daniel and Martha Turnbull.

Greenwood is not one of the more exciting plantation homes, but it does possess a surreal, majestic beauty. It is the stereotypical plantation home, complete with original antiques. It is believed to be haunted, and is listed on many paranormal websites.  The movies “North and South, Book 1 & 2″ and “Louisiana” were filmed here.

Photo Credit: Kunio Owaki                                                                      “North and South, Book 1″

http://www.greenwoodplantation.com/history.html
http://www.paranormalknowledge.com/articles/rosedown-plilsantation.html

AUDUBON-OAKLEY

Built in 1813, it was the forest home and employment of naturalist John James Audubon and his pupil Eliza Pirrie. Audubon’s stay at Oakley lasted only four months, but he painted 32 of his famous bird pictures here and developed a love for the beautiful West Feliciana Parish. Audubon returned at a later date to join his wife, then teaching there, and his son. He wrote, “Numerous pupils desired lessons in music, French and drawing…the dancing speculation fetched two thousand dollars; and with this capital and my wife’s savings I was now able to foresee a successful issue to my great ornithological work.” This work was later to become Audubon’s famous Birds of America.

This is a lovely, shaded area to spend a day; some of Audubon’s original artwork is on display, and the entire area is a bird paradise with a multitude of birdhouses. The nature trails on the property are clear, shaded pathways, and there are picnic tables under the large magnolia trees for a scenic lunch.

http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/louisiana/OKL.HTM

http://audubon1821.com/
http://stfrancisvillefestivals.com/monthly_articles/mar2009/images/woodpecker_oakley.jpg

CATALPA

Catalpa Plantation is one of numerous late Victorian cottages found across Louisiana, significant for the beautiful gardens that surround it. The oak trees lining the grounds were planted in 1814, and Catalpa’s oak alley is thought to be the only one in Louisiana which has an elliptical shape. Primarily a cotton plantation in the antebellum period, Catalpa’s grounds were devastated during the Civil War, and the plantation house burned. Mr. Fort, the owner, died during the Civil War. In 1885, his son, William J. Fort, rebuilt Catalpa and it is this house that still stands.

Catalpa Plantation House, surrounded by large oak trees
Courtesy of Lagniappe Tours, Foundation for Historical Louisiana
http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/louisiana/cat.htm

Butler-Greenwood

Begun in the 1790’s by members of the same family that still occupies it today, Butler Greenwood Plantation exemplifies the early cultural influences of this unique corner of Louisiana. The earliest settlers in the Feliciana parishes, like the family at Butler Greenwood, were Anglo-Saxons and came down from the East Coast soon after the American Revolution.  From the wilderness they carved great plantations on grants of land offered by the Spanish crown, for this area was not part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France, instead remaining with Spanish West Florida until 1810. The area continues to exhibit strong evidence of English traditions and culture.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/
http://www.butlergreenwood.com/history.html

THE MYRTLES, a.k.a “The Dark Lady”

Called “America’s Most Haunted House”, it was built in 1794 by General David Bradford, and was called Laurel Grove at the time. General Bradford lived there alone for several years, until being pardoned for his role in the Whiskey Rebellion in 1799.

When I visited several years ago, I took the haunted tour. My favorite story was of the ladies of the house taking in an injured Confederate soldier during the Civil War, (“It’s one of OUR boys!”) nursing him back to health, and then hanging him when they found out he had run away from the regiment. His ghost supposedly haunts the main house.

There are many such stories that you can hear on the tour of this home, including the Creole mistress Chloe who poisoned the family in revenge, a grand piano that plays itself, a bizarre portrait, and a spooky mirror. I personally can certify it as the creepiest place I have ever visited! (See the hauntedamericatours.com site below for photos of various phenomenon.)

Courtesy of Lagniappe Tours, Foundation for Historical Louisiana Is this Chloe?
Sources: http://www.myrtlesplantation.com/
http://www.nps.gov/history/nR/travel/louisiana/myr.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtles_Plantation
http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/ghosts/MyrtlesPlantation.php

French-Creole Plantation Country

Oak Alley

Sometime in the early 1700’s, a settler claimed land from an original royal grant for his dwelling and defined its entrance with an alley of live oaks in two rows leading to the river. Native to the area, they thrived and by 1722, when the early Capuchin Fathers arrived at St. Jacques de Cabahanoce to establish the settlement of St. James Parish, the young trees had already attained a stature which hinted at the magnificence that was to be theirs.

Interview with a Vampire
The film featured Oak Alley as Louis’ home place. Some graveyard scenes and the loading dock scenes were filmed here as well in October 1993.

Other filming here includes: Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu” Music Video and “B’Day” CD – June 2006, “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte” with Bette Davis, “Days of Our Lives” – August 1984, “Ghost Hunters” – August 2008, “Primary Colors” with John Travolta -1998, “The Long Hot Summer” – August 1985, and “Midnight Bayou” (based on the Nora Roberts bestseller) – October 2008.

http://oakalleyplantation.com/

St. Charles Parish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_parishes_in_Louisiana

Destrehan Plantation

Jean Noël Destrehan descended from a long line of noble French families and purchased the property that became Destrehan Plantation from his father-in-law’s estate in 1787. During Jean Noël’s lifetime, he was a cornerstone of Louisiana History. Jean Noël helped shape the economic situation of the South when he and his brother-in-law, Etienne de Bore, perfected the granulation of sugar. Jean Noël was active in the political arena all his life and was well respected for his fairness and intelligence. He and his wife Céleste had 14 children.

Within the walls of Destrehan Plantation, there is a climate controlled room displaying an original document signed by Thomas Jefferson. The document dated 1804, assigns four men, one of whom is Jean Noël Destrehan, to the Orleans Territorial Council. This document is considered one of the most important in Louisiana history and is known as the “Jefferson Document.”

One precedent established from this Council that continues today is the sub-dividing of Louisiana into parishes as opposed to counties, as in the rest of the nation.

Destrehan Plantation is an excellent example of the French Creole architectural style
Photograph from the National Historic Landmarks collection
http://destrehanplantation.org/

I hope that I have given you a small glimpse into the many beautiful, historic homes of Louisiana. So, what type of home do you think the Bellefleurs will have? My guess would be late Victorian style, similar to Catalpa or Butler-Greenwood, which is prevalent around the area of “Bon Temps.”

Thanks for reading!

-Lisafemmeacadienne

Billsbabe, Lisafemmeacadienne has written an account of what it was like in Bill Compton’s time in Louisiana.  Since we may be having some flashbacks from the post-Civil War period in Season 3, she thought some background would be helpful in order to better understand this time in Louisiana’s history. Thanks for this look into Louisiana’s past, Lisa!

Lavish ball gowns adorning doe-eyed maidens, fanning themselves on a sweltering Louisiana night, waiting for a dance with a suitor as minstrels play a lively waltz. Couples strolling arm in arm along a meandering bayou as the wind gently blows the Spanish moss draped from the ancient oaks…

The Antebellum period: a romanticized view of Louisiana before the Civil War. Everything changed when Louisiana seceded from the Union in 1861, and brought the War of Northern Aggression to Louisiana’s rivers and bayous.

After the Civil War came Reconstruction. It was a time of division, poverty, disease, starvation, and death. The phrase “brother against brother” held true during this time, as families divided over allegiances to the Union (The US Government) or “The Cause” (State’s Rights).

After the men were released from the Louisiana Regiments, they made their way home. Some did not make it due to lack of transportation, (horses were rare after the war, having been stolen, eaten, or confiscated,) disease, or injury. Oftentimes, these men were desperate for food, comfort, and shelter, and simply took what they needed to survive. Widows would try to coax the men to stay as they passed through; the amount of young, able-bodied men in Louisiana had significantly decreased, and a woman without the protection of a man was extremely vulnerable to the whims of passers-by.

Reconstruction was a very violent time, more so than during the war itself. Families divided over loyalties to the Union or to the Confederacy, and it was common to see public hatred and prejudice from both sides that would erupt suddenly, often with deadly results. Riots would occur with very little warning; for example, many by-standers were killed at the Cabildo Riots in New Orleans. The military and local police did what they could, but it was a very volatile, chaotic time in Louisiana’s history.

As part of Louisiana’s lot for successfully repelling the Union army during the war, food stores and crops were confiscated after the war for troop use, making food scarce and diets monotonous. Hot sauce was created in Louisiana due to the bland diets the survivors faced from lack of crops and livestock that were decimated in the war. The South was the breadbasket of the United States at that time, and with that depletion, the entire country was suffering from shortages, so no post-war aid was available. After slavery was abolished, there were simply not enough workers to maintain the giant plantations, and no money to pay workers.

The lack of proper diet also brought a resurgence of disease in the area from the suppressed immune systems of Louisianans, almost doubling the current mortality rate. Epidemics, such as the dreaded Yellow Fever, became more prevalent in the state, closing down entire towns and stranding barges of supplies on the Mississippi River, the main transportation route in Louisiana. Shreveport was all but abandoned from August to December, 1873 as people fled to adjoining areas to escape the scourge. Trains that finally arrived, loaded with relief supplies, were unable to come into Shreveport due to the quarantine, and many people died from lack of medicine.

Reconstruction was a dark time in Louisiana’s history, but even facing war time conditions, the people persevered, making the state a unique center of culture and commerce for the United States. Mardi Gras made a comeback during this period, as well as theatre, music and dance halls, giving a distraction from the bleak conditions.

The Treme area of New Orleans gave birth to some of the most iconic music, such as the stereotypical marching brass band playing “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In”.

These distractions evolved into modern-day jazz, American theatre, and the Mardi Gras celebrations that we continue to enjoy today.

If you have any other Louisiana topics that pertain to “True Blood” that you would like to read about, please post in the comments section, and I will do my best to put something together for you.
Thanks!

Lisafemmeacadienne

Bibliography

Our Louisiana Legacy, Dethloff, Henry C., Steck-Vaughn Company, Austin, TX, copyright 1980, pp. 48-52.
Source

Source

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Yesterday, October 24, Nelsan Ellis attended the MCM Expo (London Movie Comic Media Expo 16) in London. He signed autographs at the True Blood booth, took pics with fans and answered their questions during the True Blood panel.

Tinchy, the owner of the True Blood Facebook page UK Truebies, traveled to London to check out the event. This is her story.

This morning I woke up and got ready for the Excel London convention…since I had early entry tickets it was important to get there before the regular entry ticket holders arrived. As I travelled down to Excel (near Canary Wharf: www.londonexpo.com) I knew I was in the right place, as I got closer to the Excel center more & more people were dressed in their cosplay outfits (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosplay) It was amazing seeing all of the time work and dedication that was put into the cosplay outfits… One thing I can say about going to the Expo that never changes I went last year as well) is the fact that for at least part of the journey you will get stepped on, accidentally hit by a costume, or be uncomfortably close to someone-I recommend good walking shoes and if you will dress up make sure it’s something you are able to walk around in. Young or old the fanboys and fangirls were out there in force. Leaving the train was like walking into a fantasy land…as you walk up to the main entrance as far as the eye could see was people in costume from the simple to the elaborate. To better blend in I decided to wear my Merlottes t-shirt, so I ducked into a bathroom to quickly change. Walking down the large halls of the Excel center all you could see what groups of people either in line, sitting or talking over bento noodles and the like. Throughout the crowd were people with sign saying “Free Hugs” (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_Hugs) I even received hugs from people who knew where my shirt came from.

As I walked around the Expo to locate Nelsan Ellis I released I walked right by his booth. Nelsan is such a nice and humble man and seemed shocked at the fact that there were people who waited in line for his autograph. As I came closer to the table I took out my True Blood (HBO) calendar, my picture of Lafayette and my True Blood T-shirt. He looks up at me and says “Wow! You have the T-shirt and everything….” I thought it was cute how he seemed unaware of this status and of the TB Calendar. After taking pictures with me and the other fans he then walked away but was nice enough to let me record a sound bite of him saying hello. Since I had a few hours before he spoke (He was the one man TB panel) I decided to walk around; people were buying masks, toys, fake weapons and trading cards. I saw so many interesting costumes there were Ghostbusters, vampires, Where’s Waldo and all sorts… The vendors selling costumes were also a sight to see and some of them even dressed up. I spent an hour walking around taking pictures of the costumes and sights.

As Nelsan came on the stage we all started to clap and then we were allowed to ask questions: I was able to ask the first question which was how do you like playing a role that is so different from how you are as a person his reply was that Lafayette does the things he wish he could do sometimes (almost like an alter ego-I think) but cannot. He also cursed a little during this but apologized…
When asked who he would like to work with again he replied Runtina because he has developed a close relationship with her.
Another fan also asked him if True Blood is really that controversial in the states and he replied that in certain parts of Shreveport the TB cast are not allowed due to the nature of TB.

The funny part of the Q & A session was when a fan asked him to say his catch phrase “Fo sizzle my nizzle” and Nelsan said that ‘s not my catch phrase “mine iz Hooka, Hooka” in Lafayette’s voice.
It was amazing to see him pull on the “mask” of Lafayette and to see the personalization he put into the character by researching the character by going to bars and thinking of the right way to dress (the scarf idea comes from a relative). He also collaborates with the dressing team on TB.
When asked about a possible romantic relationship between Lafayette and Eric he said that he would not mind it but stated who knows what AB has in store.
He has read a few of the Sookie Stackhouse novels but stated that he is glad that he was allowed to continue in Season 2 (Originally he signed up for Season 1 with the knowledge that he would die at the end).
He was very open and honest about playing a role such as the one he plays and had answers for all of our questions with a smile. Overall I am glad I went to the convention and hope that he and more TB cast members return next year.

Nelsan was so kind to give a shout out to the Truebies.

Written for the Vault by Kellmeister

‘Who shot J.R.?’

‘Were Ross and Rachel really on a break?’

‘Who will BE the next American Idol?’

Not since questions like these has there been such a hotbed of discussion and debate around the water cooler, or now, in online boards and chat rooms, about our favorite cult TV show. Now we find ourselves asking another, more pressing question- are you on Team Bill or Team Eric?

Please don’t ask me that question, because as Shad, our delightful Web mistress, put it so kindly to me prior to me writing this, I find myself in a ‘repressed minority.’ I have been completely and utterly glamoured by BOTH phantasmagorically (is this even a word?) hot, un-dead male vamps in True Blood. (I am a self-professed Billsbabe, but we’ll let that slide under the radar for now, won’t we?) They have completely different looks, and completely different personalities, and, as is apparent on the show, completely different backgrounds, despite both having to hide from the sun during the day. Ultimately, though, they also share some of the more, shall we say, unbecoming, characteristics of the vampire- the need to feed on human blood, a smidge of possessiveness, and the bloodlust that comes from the three F’s: fighting, feeding, and, well, you know, fornicating (using the ‘pur-ee-tan-ee-cal’ form of the word, of course).

I have been on several boards and fan fiction sites, watch the show religiously, and am reading the books, and I grow weary of all the bickering back and forth regarding Bill and Eric. It seems to me that everyone, myself included, loves to voice their opinion about one vamp versus the other, and finds it difficult to just agree to disagree. First I hear, ‘Eric is a total jerk, he’s selfish, arrogant, manipulative, boring, he does nothing for me, and is just toying with Bill to get to Sookie, yadda, yadda, yadda.’ Then I hear, ‘Bill is such a jerk, he’s selfish, boring, he does nothing for me, you know what he did in the books- he just deceived Sookie and took advantage of her, you know the Queen’s going to show up this season, yadda, yadda, yadda.’ And that’s putting it mildly. Sometimes I feel like it’s become one of those taboo subjects you don’t talk about in everyday conversation, like politics or religion.

If I’m being painfully honest, I’m trying to write this purely from the television point of view- if you bring the books into this, you’re dealing with a completely different set of circumstances, and you’ve got to get yourself out of that mindset right now if you’re reading my drivel. I’ve heard in various interviews with the cast, that True Blood shouldn’t tell the story the same exact way as the books, and I agree. As Chet Atkins once said, ‘Once you become predictable, no one’s interested anymore.’ Change it up for me, Alan Ball; I’m in for the long haul.

Stephen Moyer is depicting his character of Bill to a tee, as the more humanistic, less auspicious, mainstreaming vamp. We’ve seen glimpses of Bill’s inner monster, both in the past and the present, ever since he was turned just before reuniting with his human family. He has declared his love for Sookie, and tries to remain patient with her, while trying to teach her that the vampire world can’t be fitted to the same moral compass as the human world embraces. We have seen his tortured soul come into play many times, and time will tell if Bill has any ulterior motives behind any of his actions. So far, his intentions seem sincere, and he’s been able to control his animalistic impulses, aside from staking Longshadow, and killing Uncle Bartlett, which were both essentially in defense of Sookie. Bill is protective, tries to play by the so-called rules, and is able to feel remorse. He’s ever the Southern Gent, with a touch of ‘I’m here to kick ass, and take names.’

In the same respect, Alexander Skarsgård must be doing a spectacular job of portraying Eric, because so many of you find him detestable, despicable, and downright pretentious- the consummate bad boy. He is that, but that’s all we’ve been allowed to see of him so far. We are also being led to believe that he cares deeply for his maker, and yes, he can shed a tear or two, which has endeared him to the True Blood groupies on the opposite end of the spectrum from Bill lovers. He doesn’t appear to carry any remnants of human emotion around with him; he embraces vampirism. He’s seen all, done all, and goes after what he wants, even if it’s in an underhanded way, or even if it involves chaining victims up in a dungeon for weeks at a time. (I have to say I didn’t enjoy the torture of our pre-PTSD Lafayette, but can you say you really miss the redneck, garlic-toting Royce?) To me, Eric plays a bit of tortured soul, in addition to being a powerful badass. He’s confident, cocky, and a ‘lovable rogue,’ as someone wrote on The Vault a few days ago.

So here we have these two characters, which, for me, are the embodiment of the angel and the devil sitting on my shoulders, both vying for my attention, one trying to lead me away from a moral path and to give in to my ‘id’ at every turn, the other one trying to lead me down the path of the more righteous (albeit slightly tainted by fangs), or the way of my ‘ego.’ Personally, I couldn’t argue with either one of these two whispering in my ear. If we do end up with the so-called ‘love triangle’ that so many are either dreading, or waiting for with bated breath, God help you Sookie. All the territory marking not withstanding (mine, mine, mine), you’ve got yourself one hell of a decision to make, in my opinion.

It has been said that one’s perception is one’s reality. Therefore, in my reality, I find both characters handsome, both having certain flaws (hello, potential exsanguination?), and both having character traits that undeniably make them the very unique vampires they are. I understand, and I get it, that some of you don’t find one or the other attractive, honest, too boring, too uptight, whatever. I’ll just continue to try to politely agree to disagree on certain points, knowing you have your opinion, and I have mine. Please try not to make your arguments too personal against the actors, either, because ultimately, these two are simply playing CHARACTERS, created in a talented woman’s imagination, given voices in a book, and now brought to life in a televised version of the story, thanks to Mr. Alan Ball.

As Jason would say, “It is what it is,” and I wish we could all remain so easily enlightened, and simply enjoy the show for entertainment purposes, without a lot of hyped-up overanalyzation.

Just leave my vamps alone. At least they don’t sparkle….

The t-shirt Compton vs Northman it’s neck and neck is available in the Billsbabe’s Shoppe.

© The Vault – TrueBlood-Online.com
Reproduction is not allowed without a source link back to www.trueblood-online.com

True Blood fan Stephanie attended Comic-Con on July 25 in San Diego. This is her story.

This was my very first Comic-Con and I was extremely excited to attend.  So much so I made plans in December, 2008 in hopes that the cast of True Blood would be in attendance.  My main purpose was to meet the cast specifically Rutina Wesley as I adore her and her portrayal of Tara.

I didn’t know what to expect of the “Con”.  I had heard of what goes on but you never know what you will get until you get there.  To give a brief synopsis of all things True Blood related:  Thursday, I attended the screening of Anna Paquin’s, “Trick r’ Treat”.  There was a panel, minus Anna, where the Director, Michael Dougherty, gave some insight on the film.   Before the film began he called Anna so the audience could sing, “Happy Birthday” to her.  While we were waiting for her voice mail to pick up, people were calling out, “Sookie”…it was cute.
Friday, I attended one of the True Blood after parties and I stood in a long line, for over an hour, and received a t-shirt that stated, “Fangbanger” on the front and the True Blood bottle logo on the back as well as a poster, a napkin and a coaster, all with True Blood slogans and logos.  There was food and free beer and lovers of True Blood so it was a great time.  I stayed about forty minutes because the club was so small and I had to get home to prepare for the big day…Saturday, the day I would meet the cast of my favorite television show.

I stood around the WB booth about three hours in a crowd of people waiting to hear someone call for the line for the True Blood autograph signing.  My experience of the previous days I knew I had to basically stalk the area in order to get the in the line.  After the group being led around like cattle, I waited patiently for the cast to come out.  I wondered what I would say to any of them, specifically Rutina.  I thought I had this one chance to speak to the entire cast, including Charlaine Harris and the one and only Alan Ball I should make it good and make it count.  I hoped to get a picture with Rutina but I notice from the jumbo tron there were no pictures.  I was finally two people away from Alan Ball when the security guy told me I had to put away my camera.  I was devastated.  Then I thought, who cares, I am about to realize a dream.  I will have to remember it fondly and so here it goes my memories of the WB booth moment.

We were given a poster for the cast to sign and when it was my turn I gave it to Alan Ball and here is our exchange.

Stephanie: Hello Mr. Ball, I think the show is great and so are you.

Alan Ball: Thank you very much. I’m glad you like it.

Stephanie: I want you to know that I am a huge TAMshipper.

Alan Ball: (leaning in to me looking perplexed) a what?

Stephanie: A TAMshipper; a Tara and Sam worshipper. There are several of us out there that love Sam and Tara together and we want them back together. We were pretty ticked that you apologized for their relationship on the DVD commentary.

At this time, Alan Ball looks at me with stretched eyes and his mouth open and his arms stretched out as if he was shocked to hear my remarks.

Alan Ball: You don’t like Eggs?

Stephanie: Don’t get me wrong, I like the naked butt shots but in the end it there is something about the dysfunction of Sam and Tara that works.

Alan Ball: (Looking as if I blew his mind and told him there was no such thing as Santa) I will think about it, no, really I will think about it. Thanks.

Stephanie: Thank you.

I was dazed and confused at this point but I had to move on because next up was Charlaine Harris.  All I said to her was Hello and I thought she was great then I was there in front of Anna Paquin.  I was star-struck to say the least.   I said Hi and then I gushed and told her I could not believe I was standing in front of her.  I was there and I couldn’t say anything else.  She was looking me in the eyes and I could not say a word.  I could barely look at her.  Next up was Stephen.  He said, “Hello Love, how are you?”  I told him he was pretty.  He batted his eyes and smiled.  He signed my poster and thanked me for being a fan and watching the show and being at Comic-Con.  (He said more stuff but I am blank)  All I wanted was to hear him talk, that accent was beautiful.  He was beautiful, far more beautiful than Bill could ever be.  My God, Anna Paquin is a lucky woman.

Then there she was, the beautiful Rutina Wesley,  I told her that I loved her and her work and what she does with Tara and how in many ways her coming on the scene as an actress has changed my life (I was an acting major in college).  She smiled and thanked me and then it happened.  I felt it coming and I couldn’t stop it, I started tearing up and it the tears came like someone told me I had ten minutes to live and I was on minute nine.  I cried while I was talking to her about our favorite color purple (which we were both wearing) and telling her I came there from Louisville, KY, she held my hand and cried with me.  All I can say is that was an amazing experience.  I was with her for seemed like an eternity and no one made me move, no security, no one they just left me there to cry in front of Rutina.  After I had successfully freaked her out enough with my crying, I thanked her and moved on to Michelle Forbes.

Michelle Forbes took my hand and asked if Rutina had made me cry and I shook my head and said yes.  At that time Alex, Nelsan, Sam and Deborah all laughed.
Michelle told me to breathe and Alex demonstrated the breathing technique and Nelsan and Michelle told me I would be o.k.  A photographer stepped in and requested a photo with Michelle and me and then I thanked her and talked a little more and moved on to Alex where I could not speak, I just looked at him, he looked so different.  He was so tall and his hair was so dark I felt as scared of him as Lafayette.  Later I just yelled back to him that he was great when I was with Sam and Deborah.  Beside Alex was Nelsan and I got myself together enough to tell him that he was fabulous and he cocked his head to the side and arched is back (a little like Lafayette) and responded with “Thank you”.  Then I asked if I could touch him and he looked at me and I asked again and he said yes so I did.  I asked Sam and he laughed at me so I touched him and I asked Deborah and touched her, the great thing is she touched me back.   I walked away with tears streaming down my face having just experienced something that would be with me for the rest of my life.  I was so overwhelmed I went to the ladies room and had a break down.

Later I stood in line for the Q&A session.  During the session the moderator asked one question to the panel and the audience was then allowed to ask questions.  The best thing about it was the news about the True Blood drink being released and the trailer.  We were given little tickets to claim a gift at the end of the Q & A; I had to come back on Sunday to claim of gift of a True Blood nylon backpack that included: a notebook, t-shirt, the Dead in Dallas book and a coupon for the drink.

Somehow my autograph poster got wrinkled but that doesn’t matter.  I am taking it to get framed this week.  I only wished I had remembered to bring along my season one DVD to get it autographed.  Meeting the cast was truly the most exciting part of my visit to Comic-Con.  I just hope that Alan Ball and Rutina Wesley, if they remember me at all, don’t think I’m a psycho but a true lover of True Blood.

Comic Con 2009 – Saturday, July 25th, 2009

True Blood fan Deanna was at Comic Con last Saturday, this is her story.

WB Booth “Line” Experience

The sole intention of Saturday’s trip to SDCC was True Blood. Try to get autographs, photos, and/or into the panel; preferable in that order – but I would have been happy with any one of the three. As it turned out I got all three and more. So what a day it was! Though it sure didn’t start out that way.
I arrived in the hall at the Expo Hall at 10:30 am and went directly to the WB Booth to scope out the situation. The True Blood cast signing wasn’t scheduled until 2:30pm, but having already spent two days at the conference and knowing how many True Blood fans were going to be there – I knew the line to get an autograph was going to be crazy – but I had no idea how crazy things were going to get.
When I got to the WB Booth, there was already an “unofficial” True Blood line of about 20 people mixed in and around the Chuck autograph line. As the Chuck line moved forward, that’s when things began to go wrong – not wanting to get sucked into that signing the goal was to hang back, be near the line entrance, not where security would run you out for “doubling up an existing line” or standing in a thorough-fare. Oh and did I mention there were also still two other signings – Eastwick and Vampire Diaries before True Blood as well.

So began the 3 plus hour wait for the True Blood signing. During those three hours, the WB Staff lost complete control of the crowd and their “line” system. Because of this, it was very hard to know what to do or how to strategize what move was going to get you in. There were some folks that created the “unofficial” True Blood line that by all accounts should have guaranteed them a spot in. But that didn’t account for the secondary line forming on the opposite side that somehow was “allowed” to start or the mass group right in the middle that was allowed to stay. Anyway, this is when the craziness began, and I do mean BEGAN and only BEGAN.
Comic Con security closed the aisle at both ends which should have stopped the bad situation from getting worse, but really didn’t., they barely slowed it down Even I who was not positioned in the best location was able to use the lax security to maneuver myself into a better position. Now I will not apologize for this – since I was indeed there in line from 10:30 am on, I asked SEVERAL different WB Booth staff what to do and how to do it (getting a different answer from each of them), so in the end I had to work for what I perceived to be my best strategic position.
By launch time minus 1 hour (and launch is pretty accurate description) I was in a fairly good position. I knew it was going to be close. All I could do was hope that things worked out. During that hour, there continued to be more jockeying and shifting and I actually got pushed a little further back, but right next to the booth. Since most of the folks that got in were not necessarily next to the booth – I’m not so sure that worked in my favor.

Then they starting taking folks into the signing queue and the craziness really began. The pushing and shoving was pretty insane. At one point in time my arm actually got wrapped around a post and wrenched backwards. All I can say is good thing I don’t play softball anymore or need my right shoulder to write or type with – can you say torn rotator cuff!
As I neared the entrance, I could tell they were selecting the last couple of individuals. I heard one of the WB Staff members say, is there anyone we know that has been here waiting. Now what I had learned from the previous day at the Fox Booth is it can’t hurt to be nice, patient, and helpful with the booth staff. That lesson served me well again on Saturday, as a nice Booth worker who I had spoken and laughed with over the course of the conference remembered me and so remembered that I had been waiting for hours and made sure I was let in. I was the second to last person let in!
All I can say about the whole booth autograph line situation is that the Fox Booth used a ticket system which lead to Organized Chaos and the WB Booth system lead to Disorganized Chaos. But in the end, both systems lead to Chaos.

Autograph Experience

When it was time to get your autograph, you were given a poster for the cast to sign or you could have an item that you brought yourself. I took the poster.
On the first side Alan Ball, Charlaine Harris, Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Rutina Wesley. Then on the next side sat Michelle Forbes, Nelsan Ellis, Sam Trammell, Deborah Ann Woll, and Alexandar Skarsgard. They told you that you were not allowed to take any photos or you would be taken out or your camera would be taken away, or something bad was going to happen. Either way, I took a photo right before I started through the line and that was it.

Obviously you couldn’t stop and talk to everyone, so just because I didn’t talk to someone it wasn’t because they wouldn’t talk to me – it’s just how the flow of the line worked out, and I didn’t really stop long in front of them. I tried not to take more of their time then had already been taken.
Alan asked how we were doing and thanked us for standing in line. He noticed my earrings and said he really liked them. It took me by surprised that he would notice something like my earrings. We asked him how they were hanging in there and he laughed. I told him that I was glad we made it through because this was going to be my sister’s birthday present and Charlaine and Anna both laughed and said “wow what a nice sister”.

Next was Stephen. He greeted me first and was very charming. He seems to smile constantly. Which is nice, considering I was at the end of the line, so they had been signing for an hour by this time. I asked if he would sign it Happy Birthday for my sister and he asked what here name was, I wasn’t going to ask him to personalize it – so that was very thoughtful of him to offer. He made a special point to get the spelling correct as well.
Next was Rutina. I’ve noticed this season that she looks quite a bit thinner and in person she is very thin. I told her she looked great and she was very appreciative. We told her we liked the feistiness she brought to Tara, she said she liked the feisty Tara, but this Season we were seeing the more emotional side of Tara.
Next was Michelle. She greeted me first and asked how I was doing and thanked me for coming out.

I thanked Nelsan for the autograph and told him that I was glad his character didn’t get killed off. He laughed and said “me too”. I knew I wanted to speak with Sam about his guest appearance on LOCI. So as I got to him I asked him about being on Law and Order and working with Vincent D’Onofrio. He said he enjoyed doing the show and Vincent was absolutely great to work with, just a wonderful person to be around. I told him he did a really great job on the show and he thanked me for that. I was still talking to Sam as Deborah signed, so didn’t really speak with her. Alexander is really tall and very good looking. He said that he is really glad that we are getting to see Eric as more than a villain. But he said don’t expect him to go too soft and laughed.

True Blood Panel

The True Blood panel started with Alan announcing that “Tru Blood is real!” He also told the same joke as last year about part Viagra, Valium, etc. then said it’s really a blood orange soda.
After that announcement it was followed by a Video clip of highlights from the rest of the Season. Lots of good stuff.

Charlaine announce that she has signed a contract for three more Sookie Stackhouse novels that will take her into 2012.
I don’t think there were any real big surprises, super questions, or anything great that stands out from the panel. Most of the questions were actually directed at Alan and Charlaine.
Michelle had the best answer to a question when she was asked why she decided to take the role, her response was, “When someone offers you an entrance where you’re standing in the road naked with a pig, you don’t say no.”

All in all it was a very successful day. I’m sure my shoulder would hurt more today if I hadn’t gotten in. I’m sure I would be second guessing a lot of things and the whole booth escapade would feel more depressing if I would have just missed getting in. So until next year ….

Written by Dorothea (LISMlvr) for The Vault

The Vault poses the question, what is a maenad? For those of us who are not mythologists, some clarification might be helpful as it relates to the character Maryann in True Blood.

In Greek mythology, maenads were said to be nymphs who nursed the infant god, Dionysus. Dionysus is the god of fertility, associated with vine and wine. He is identified with the bull and Minotaur of Greek mythology. These nymphs became the first maenads, driven by Dionysus to madness. During their drunken orgies they would revel, dancing wildly, and engage in unbridled sexual behavior … sounds a little like Spring Break, doesn’t it? During this revelling, the participant’s souls are in a state of limbo, and in his limbo, they join with Dionysus. But the similarities to Spring Break end there, I hope, because they would also wander the forests, hunting animals and human, alike, tearing their prey to shreds. Wet T-shirts seem kind of tame, now don’t they?

Maenads could also be women who tried to resist worshiping Dionysus. He drove them to madness and forced them to behave in wanton behavior. The hunting and devouring of raw flesh, specifically the flesh of a bull, allowed the consumers to take on the characteristics of Dionysus. Greek mythology also mentions Pan’s (the god of shepherds and flocks) penchant for maenads.

Their costume was minimal, wreaths on their heads, carrying a staff adorned with vines, and wearing animal skins. Maenads are long lived but not immortal.

So, I’m sure fellow True Blood fans, you can see the similarities between these mythical women and Maryann.

• Drunken orgies
• Woman who cares for, or nurses others (Tara and Eggs)
• Maryann’s inclination to dress Greek goddessy
• The appearance of the “bull man” coinciding with Maryann’s arrival
• Mural of Pan and his human lover next to Maryann’s pool
• Maryann’s thoughts, as heard by Sookie, which were Greek to me, though I’m pretty sure I heard “Baccus” who is the Roman god of wine

Not only has True Blood become an obsession, forcing me to watch episodes again and again (while researching Maryann’s link to the maenad, I HAD TO rewatch the Bill and Sookie scenes several more times), but now True Blood is forcing me to think. Greek mythology is not part of my housewifey day. I think I need some wine …followed by a drunken orgy. I think I’ll skip the shredded raw bull meat, though.

Written by Dorothea McMahon for The Vault

I was robbed. Spoilers are to blame. I’ve spent seven months reading and posting about True Blood, everything I could possibly gobble up. Every cast call, every new episode update, interview, photo and pod cast. Reading what was provided here on The Vault and going to other sites when there was word that some new and exciting information was given, fed my obsession. There were months when there was not much to fill the void left by the end of the first season, so we’d rehash Season 1’s episodes and analyze them frame by frame (I know how nutty this sounds, by the way) trying to predict and understand character’s motivations and future actions.

So with the approach of Season 2, there was a ramping up of information. Our web gurus found True Blood everywhere. True Blood had become a phenomenon, and interest in the new season’s shows translated to Stephen Moyer guesting on talk shows. Of course, accompanying his appearances were clips of the new season. The View was his first stop and it was there that I saw the “I love you” scene for the first time. Of course, my initial reaction, being the romantic softy that I am, was delight and great sympathy for my beloved Bill. For those of us who have read the Sookie Stackhouse series, we wondered how and when True Blood Bill would tell Sookie this for the first time. Well now we knew. And then there was replay after replay, to study Bill’s every facial expression and Sookie’s reaction. And like an addict, I couldn’t stop myself, even though I knew I’d regret the numbing affect watching this clip was having on me. How could I not watch? It’s what I’d been waiting for since the last episode of Season 1 aired.

Conversations about what we would see in Season 2 increased. Conjecture increased. Conjecture was replaced by spoilers that seemingly appeared everywhere. Because I’m so ravenous for information, no thread was safe from my eager eyes. I read the spoiler thread because it was merely conjecture, but then at some point, it changed from poster’s guesses and discussion to actual leaks of information. I continued reading because I am an addict. We may have to start a twelve step program for the True Blood addicted. First meeting…my house.

There were clips of the sex scene, the much anticipated sex scene. As a lover of all things Bill, it was impossible for me not to watch, or to imagine what happened before and after this thumbnail look at Bill and Sookie. Bill looked predatory. Where are they? Every possible scenario was thought of and discussed.

Lafayette was dead, or was he? For months the lot of us have lamented what we thought was the demise of this favorite character. The book killed him. Was True Blood going to follow Charlaine Harris’ plot? How would they be able to keep him in the show if they diverged from the book? Why was he attending or not attending various Season 2 gatherings? What would be his fate? Well, unfortunately, I found out. I’d stopped reading the spoiler threads a while ago, realizing that there were things being divulged that were going to ruin it all for me. Unfortunately, spoilers were appearing in the darndest places. And even if spoilers were removed, replies would appear to spoiler posts that were revealing. I stopped reading anything having to do with Lafayette.

I guess people just want everyone to know that they know. They want to be in the loop. Makes ‘em feel important. Makes ‘em feel like an insider.

June 14 finally comes. Even though I’ve had a foretaste I was wondering what will be revealed. The kids weren’t home, we tuned into HBO early to see anything, everything leading up to he first episode. As I watch, I realize that I’m feeling a terrible disappointment. I’m watching the “I love you” scene with a surprising feeling of detachment. The sex scene seems to be much too short and without the verbal foreplay I’d imagined since seeing the spoiler clip and is left til nearly the end. Would I have been less disappointed if I hadn’t built it up so in my mind after having it played and replayed? And Lafayette…Lafayette. There he is, alive. I’m surprised and confused by the situation that he finds himself in, but not the least surprised that he’s there, alive. I feel robbed. I’ve been deprived of the surprise, deprived of that Christmas morning feeling.

Yes, it’s partially my fault. As I said, I’m incapable of looking away. But after watching this first episode with such detachment, I wish I had seen and read less, much less. I’ve been told that there would be information about the first four episodes floating around, enticing us to have a look. I will try not to look. I want the remainder of the season to be as much of a surprise and delight as the first season was. Wish me luck.

I’ve been to many fan events over the years, but something about True Blood is different. A lot of the fans I’ve talked to are new to the whole fandom experience and it’s exciting to see it through their eyes. Fandom is an amazing thing. It brings people together from all walks of life from all over the globe to experience similar interests together. Things that would get you strange looks in the real world are not only understood by other fans, but shared as well. Friendships are made that can last a lifetime.

When I found out I could go to the Paley True Blood panel in Los Angeles, I was excited. Imagine my surprise when I found out that another fan that was going and I had talked to online, lived only 20 minutes from me. We were able to travel together which made the experience even better.

We arrived Saturday and spent it and Sunday exploring parts of the Los Angeles area.

Monday morning we got ready to go to the ArcLight Cinema and the Paley event. When we got there, fairly early, there were about 6 people in line. We settled in to wait until it opened. It was a nice experience with several friendly discussions between book fans, Bill Fans and Eric fans. Our “Billsbabe” shirts were getting a lot of attention. It was also interesting seeing the number of male fans in the audience. Most fan events in my experience are populated mainly with woman with one or 2 men there. This time the mix, while admittedly largely female, had a lot of males as well.

Finally it came time to go in. We got seats in the third row and settled down to wait for it to start. The first thing up was a clip from Dark Shadows.  After that clip was shown, they played about 10 minutes worth of clips from the first season, which had all the fans singing along with the theme song and reciting the lines with the characters.  They finished up the clips with about 3 minutes of scenes from season 2 which looks like it will be very interesting.  Then the host of the event said a few words. Finally, came the cast introductions. First up was Alex Skarsgard, entering to screams of delight from the Eric fans. Next was Carrie Preston, looking lovely in black, then Nelsan Ellis, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammel, Ryan Kwanten, Stephen Moyer, the man most of us “Billsbabes” had come to see,  Anna Paquin, who is even prettier in real life, and finally Alan Ball.

It was surreal seeing them sitting there, and they seemed as passionate about the show as the fans are. They described the casting process each had gone through, as well as their favorite (or least favorite for Sam Trammel) scenes. Alan talked about finding the “Southern Vampire” series of books and how he personally bought the rights, and then brought HBO in on it. He said that he plans on sticking to the spirit of the books, but it would be impossible to stick to it exactly due to the fact that it’s a first person narrative by Sookie.

The fan questions varied, but the subject of the dirt in the graveyard came up, and Anna seemed surprised that fans were worrying about where it ended up. Stephen said they built a little shed under the ground for him to sit in, then he had to sort of “give birth, alienlike”.

One of the Billsbabes asked a question and brought the entire houses’ attention upon us. They made the entire row of Billsbabes stand up.

Most of the rest is a blur. I mean it’s hard to pay attention to what they are saying when all you want to do is stare. Too quickly it was over and they were allowing people to approach the stage. Boy what a mess. There was little organization so there was a lot of pushing and shoving going on. Stephen even tried to get people to back up so my friend Lynn, who was trapped by the stage, could get out. Stephen graciously signed my program. When asked by another autograph seeker for an autograph, Stephen responded by saying that he had to go see “his Billsbabe.” He then proceeded over to one of my friends to get their picture taken together. He seems like such a nice man who really appreciates his fans.

We mingled a little bit longer before heading back to the hotel. Some of our group were heading over to the Sendler premiere, but alas I was not one of them

Over all it was a great time. The cast seemed to enjoy it as much as the fans. They were very personable and generous to their fans and it was very exciting to meet them.

Written by Camelot