The storyline, directing (Alan Ball) and acting is just great. Within half an hour, the main character – Sookie Stackhouse, brilliantly played by Anna Paquin – and the general come-out-of-the-coffin of vampires is introduced. The treatment of Sookie’s telepathy is very effective. The other main character – Bill Compton, played by Stephen Moyer – has also been introduced: Stookie has to save him from vampire blood traders.

By the end of the episode, Sookie’s world has been built up – its underlying currents hinted at, and the supporting characters introduced. Sookie has also been beaten half to death – a classic ‘come back next week’.

Paquin of course won a Golden Globe for her portrayl of Sookie – and it is well deserved. Paquin, who is a brunette New Zealander, brings the blond southern Sookie to life. Sookie appears to be a person with principles and prepared to stand up for them. There is a hint that Sookie would like to get out of Bon Temps, Louisiana, but can’t at the moment.

I was surprised by the amount and explicitness of sexual content.

0.3