Alan Ball revealed to TV Guide

"Somebody is going to bite the dust and it's going to be really good to see them get what they deserve," Ball says. The only clue the Blood boss would reveal is that "it's a person we'll be happy to see go."

So who should it be, now that my blood lust has been quenched with the death of Eggs I have to admit, one good turn deserves another, can we kill him again? If not can his death be at the beginning of all the "last week on True Blood" recaps? It would be better than vampire dirt sex.

But moving on, completely disregarding any book spoilers, let's wager who "gets it" next year....

The panel began with a trailer for the rest of season two. The tone of the remaining episodes was set very clearly by the preview's opening pronouncement: "The war has begun!" We saw the Fellowship of the Sun stepping up its aggression and not taking kindly to Jason Stackhouse's attempt to leave, the maenad Maryann on the hunt for Sam Merlotte, discussions of a "national vampire emergency", Evan Rachel Wood as vampire queen Sophie-Anne, and a suspiciously blond-looking man behind Sookie in bed. To combine two classic descriptors from Hot Fuzz and The Simpsons, shit just got real...with sexy results. But why take my word for it when you can watch it yourself?

Show creator Alan Ball spoke optimistically about the show's future, saying he hopes it has a long life and runs for several seasons. Though the third season hasn't been officially confirmed yet, he treated it very much as a done deal. He hopes to vastly expand the show's mythology next season, to include more material from the books, bringing in werewolves, Russell Eddington and the Mississippi vampires, and Debbie Pelt.

One element Ball said he doesn't think will be included is Bubba, a vampire who also happens to be Elvis Presley. Ball said this works on the page due to suspension of disbelief, but Bubba would only ever look like an Elvis impersonator on the screen, making the whole thing look unforgivably cheesy. The audience very vocally disagreed with this assessment. (Perhaps they could get Bruce Campbell to bring some of his Bubba Ho-Tep gravitas to the role.)

The show should indeed have plenty more source material for the many seasons Ball hopes to do, as author Charlaine Harris announced she'd just signed on to write three more books, taking the series all the way through to 2014. About the only thing Ball can confirm will remain a constant in the series is character change, as he wants characters to react realistically to the crazy circumstances in which they find themselves, and often that will mean altering how they look at the world. He also made it very, very clear that there will never be any half-vampire babies on the show, sounding almost disgusted when one fan asked him about this possibility.

But the panel wasn't just there to talk about the series proper. Alan Ball also unveiled the new True Blood drink, the design of which is styled after the bottles seen on the show. Though he initially claimed the drink is a highly illegal brew of blood, vicodin, viagra, cocaine, and ecstasy, he then admitted it was just a refreshing orange soda with a blood orange color to it. Sounds like the perfect beverage for your True Blood watching parties.

So Sookie and Bill have had two weeks of blissful vampire sex and relaxation, after killing off the completely misunderstood Rene in last year's season finale.

You can tell that from her black eye that Sookie is still dealing with the reality of what she had to do: murder poor Rene. Of course her actually having a black eye makes perfect sense, because it's not like she's dating a vampire with regenerative properties in his blood. But we digress — it has been so long since we've been back in Bon Temps, and not too terribly much has changed. People are still dropping like flies with their hearts ripped out, enjoying elaborate and camera-friendly sexual acts, and Sam's still miserable. The best moment, by far, last night was Viking Vampire Eric's big highlight. He showed up, on camera, with hair foils in. It's like he reads my diary of things we dream of one day doing with giant Fey vampires. Thank you for that, Alan Ball, and without much more ado [because not much happened besides Jason going to vampire-killing camp], let's move on to the Pro/Con list.

Pro: Lafayette is not dead, so everyone can go on living.

Pro: Looks like Andy is getting a little more character cred this season. He deserves it — have you seen this man in The Wire? Unbelievable. I hope they go a bit further with him other than drunk, drunk and more drunk. He's a good actor. It would be such a waste not to use him properly.

Pro: Hooray for Bill talk; it's been too long, you old pale stick-in-the-mud. Of course you recycle and say whilst your life is a joyless hell hole of which you cannot escape, now with teenagers. You are so good at making vampires lame, it's a gift. We missed you, and your pronunciation of Sookie.

Pro: The "Crazy ass, motherfucking, Paul Bunyon pig" quote back at Tara, at the police station reminded me of one of my favorite Tara moments: when she was drinking a BOTTLE of vodka while driving. Subtlety, thy name is True Blood.

Pro: WTF is this basement place? Who the is ... holy hell, that's Lafayette with a beard. Seriously how long did it take you to recognize him? That bucket scenario is brutal. Well done so far — let's just hope this torture has in interesting twist and is being used as a means to an end, not just for sexy, gross torture porn's sake. Seems a little too Saw-like for me as well.

Pro: Bill holding Sookie like he has a stick up his ass. Oh Bill, we know you're not cool. No worries.

Pro: "Is she always like this?" Yes, Jessica, yes. Sookie is the whiney morality police and soul-sucking good-times killer in Bon Temps. Just wait - she's about to lecture your maker about your existence. God, Bill and Sookie really do deserve each other; where's Eric?

Pro: The Fellowship Of The Sun debate. I'm signing on for vampire politics and religion this year. I wouldn't mind seeing more of the vampire world-building showing up this season. Plus Steve Newlin is getting credit as the only actor who can pull off a fake accent — still fake, though. Is anyone from this show actually from the South?

Pro: Jason has to think about thinking. I adore this actor, Ryan Kwanten, he totally sells stupid. Oh yeah and Jason's going to boff Steve's wife, I have no doubt about this.

Pro: I'm still OK with Grandma being dead, but the packing-things-up scene was sad, and especially realistic for this show.

Pro: So, is it wrong to say I'd be willing to live in the house of impending doom with unlimited amounts of tropical fruit and pot, a butler, a pool and hot roommates? I'm not really seeing the downside here. Maryann's house is a-okay in my book; so she feeds on pleasure, how is that a bad thing if she's paying the utilities, rent and food bill?

Pro: About two full minutes of full frontal True Blood sex with fang penetration. I think the last TV show I watched with this much sex in it was the last season of True Blood.

Con: Lizzy's rain scene, with a bra on and no Jason ass? Fail.

Con: Tara's mom to Tara: "There's something evil out there and it wanted her soul, if you're not careful it's going to come for yours too." Enter Maryann. Wow, foreshadowing much?

This is just like last year's soundtrack. Who could forget playing Lynyrd Skynyrd's "That Smell" when Sam was smelling the sheets or Ray LaMontagne's "Trouble" while Sookie was in TROUBLE. It's like a well orchestrated plot laid out by grade schoolers [it also needs to be said that that song did not go with the mood of the moment at all]. But thus far, the music has been great, especially the intro. (I missed that little tune.)

But big PRO to Michelle Forbes returning as Maryann. I love that this actress was cast for this role, it's a perfect match, and thanks for finally yelling at Tara's Mom. I didn't feel sorry for her for even a second.

Con: Two weeks, Sookie. You're complaining about the two weeks Bill kept Jessica secret from you? What about the two days it took you to jump into Sam's arms while he was out atoning for saving your life? I know Jessica is a shock, and I'm here with you on that, but glass houses, lady.

Con: Karl falls the the floor after spinning about like a pixie? Fall slapping is such a lie.

Con: Baby Sam having sex with old lady Maryann; blach, too much for this mind. But they definitely nailed baby Sam casting.

Con: The "Gimme something sweet" line during the bar make-out scene. Terrible; don't make me hate you, you slightly attractive person whose name I don't quite remember because you're not yet important enough to the plot.

Con: Another lecture from Sookie about right and wrong. Sigh. Of COURSE he killed your skeevy Uncle, and stop acting like you care. You know you'll cast your morals aside for vamp sex.

Oh and if you wanna see the naked bits, which is cool and all, but not as cool as Eric's hair check it out over at our beloved Fleshbot, ruler of True Blood nudity.

A casting call for an episode in season two calls for Jason to become a soldier (most likely for the cult he's rumored to join the Fellowship Of The Sun). But still, Jason in uniform (maybe) — nice. Also Bill, Sookie and annoying baby vamp Jessica go on a road trip to Texas where they find another mind-reader and pick up some hookers.

Check out the casting details from Spoiler TV:

[DRIVER]
30 to 45, this suspiciously pushy driver, whose thoughts are violent and dark, is sent by Fellowship of the Sun to abduct Sookie when she arrives at the airport. Instead, he is glamored (hypnotized) by Bill and Jessica, and experiences a wide spectrum of emotions and outbursts, from fear, to relief, to embarrassment as his will is usurped and his behavior is dictated. He is ultimately released to return to his superiors and tell them that Sookie "never showed up" (which is what he now believes)...GUEST STAR (33)

[BELLBOY / BARRY]
This uniformed, 19-year-old bellboy at a Texas hotel brings Sookie and Jessica room service (a handsome guy to feed off of). To Sookie's surprise, Barry can read her mind, and he grows increasingly freaked out as they communicate silently sptv050769...CO-STAR / RECUR(?) (54)

[YOUNG MAN / TRAVIS]
21 years old and very handsome in his hotel bathrobe, he is Jessica's polite, barely legal "room service" (B negative blood)...CO-STAR (54)

So does this mean Jessica and Sookie become friends? Because I can't see anyone tolerating her incessant whining, but then again they both like to be painted the martyr. I can't wait for the hot hooker room service blood-letting!

Sookie breaks things off with Bill, and quickie picks up with Sam as an escort to Bill's speaking engagement at the church. But besides all the mushy lovin' so-and-so, this was one of the first times we got to see a small society assimilate with their new vampire, which I really enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed the Iraq vet practically hugging poor Bill. As far as Bill's back story, I was mildly entertained, I just they would have lightened up on the gimmicks a little (the music and the flashback filters).

And Now The Pros And Cons Of True Blood

Pro: The way Bill says Sookie. It sounds like he's getting punched.

Pro: Jason never saw that Tara was in love with him, I love this kid, he's an idiot. And then of course in order to fix his drug problem he does more drugs, stronger drugs. Which actually makes perfect sense for his character.

Pro: The Civil War flash backs were pretty fun. I didn't expect actual period dress so I'll sign up.

Pro: Vampires cry tears of blood, of course.

Pro: Jason having sex with the tramp lady in the back of the bar. Really graphic, but I laughed out loud. If this is the way True Blood is going to deal with sex from now on, I totally welcome it.

Pro: More hot were-collie spying action (hey at least he's not sniffing dead peoples sheets)

Pro: Grandma is dead, yay — no more annoying lady.

Pro: Sam finally got a personality, he was soooo pissed when Sookie rejected him. Hooray for for bringing something to the table besides the whole were-collie shtick, though frankly I didn't really buy his frat boy anger. Her should have tried to make her feel even worse for being such a fang-banger wannabe.

Con: The fuzzy corners around the flashbacks and the voice over. They should have just done a cut scene.

Con: Tara as a water nymph in Jason's fantasy, I don't see it.

Con: Sookie looked less than attractive in this episode.

Con: This pick up line:

Was anyone else sad when they killed off my favorite couple, the Rattrays? I will miss their idiotic banter and white-trashy ways. After the Rattrays lay into Sookie's body with their feet, vampire Bill shows up and murders the two of them. But not before saving Sookie's life by making him drink his V-juice. She then gets very keen senses and can smell stuff better (lame). But more importantly this episode marks the return of the sec-tape vampire who is still bald and doing that eye-roll thing. Sookie runs into him in the very last minute of the show. This episode was more of a go-between than a fulfilling bite, I'm still not sure where I stand on this show and last night's screening didn't help. Bring on the dog-men and vampire vikings please, then I'll be able to judge more appropriately. But right now, I'm just not sure.

Pro: Sookie is covered in blood, head-to-toe. There is blood everywhere in this episode. It's fantastic. Thank you for weighing out the breast/sex stuff with some good old fashioned coughing up of blood.

Pro: Methinks there is something to this poochie always appearing when Sookie is in trouble. Then I spied a dog painting on Sam's wall that looked just like the dog that had been "hanging out" around the bar. Is Sam the dog? I haven't read the books, so I'm just glad I was sober enough to notice these things.

Pro: Jason getting questioned by the cops completely confirms the "he's an idiot" stereotype, but he makes it work. I enjoy watching Jason sweat and try and lie himself out of a murder (even though he didn't do it). If he could only lighten up on the vampire hate a little. Still his loud-mouth moment at Bill when he comes over to meet the family suits his MO.

Con: They killed off the Rattrays. Booo Hissss. I loved the Rattrays, they were the only ones who could pull off the Southern accent, and they totally reminded me of the bad second cousins that you were scared of. These guys were great baddies, I'm sad that Bill had to kill them and then throw their house on top of them. Look at them making out while beating the living hell out of Sookie, I heart them and I'm sad to see them go.

Con: The scary vampires that pop up at the very end of the episode at Bill's house are supposed to be intimidating. When in reality they just look like the manager of a Hot Topic and his lame shop-keep.

Con: Bill moves like The Flash. In a very odd moment where Bill came to save Sookie he zooms just like a superhero, I think that maybe we could have spent a little more time on that effect.

Con: We still haven't got to see the Vampire fantasy sex den yet. I'm worried that I've spent most of my time while watching True Blood, just waiting and wishing for the vamp sex club and the vampire Viking.

Con: Sooke and Jason's grandmother is the most annoying person in the history of the world. That is all.

So will I continue to watch True Blood, yes. But only because I was promised more. Is this the episode that will sell the audience, heck no, but it had the glimmer of what's to come. It's like all second dates, you're both just waiting until you can do all the nasty stuff to each other. Was I bored while it was on, not at all. But if it doesn't pick it up soon and get deeper into the other characters besides virginal Sookie and old-vamp Bill I will be.

How will True Blood the HBO series be different from the books?

The good thing about Charlaine's books is that the stories work — however the book really centers on [main character] Sookie's story. So unless the other characters are in the same scene as her they don't appear in the book that much. So I feel that we have the best of both worlds. We have an elaborate story that works, and we have a lot of other characters and we can devise stories for them that remain true to Charlaine's world. So there will be something in there for the people who were fans of the books and there will be surprise scenes as well.

What are you trying to say by having vampires in your story?

If it's just a story device with fangs then I'm just not that interested. I'm not interested in special effects. We're really trying to focus on who Bill is, what's his history. What's the curse of being immortal, how is that a bad thing? What's it like to be immortal and still appear to be human? Those are the things that are important to me.

It's always interesting to read the vampires as a metaphor for this or that — that adds texture but it's not what this is about. When someone at HBO first asked me what this was about I said it's about the terrors of intimacy, and at the time I thought, "Who knows what that means but it sounds good." But over time I've really started to believe that this is the deeper meaning of the show. Six Feet Under had always been about subduing one's emotions and being afraid of primal feelings we all have — they're the byproduct of being creatures with souls — and dealing with knowing we're going to die. It felt sort of liberating just to go a little crazy. And I wanted to do something different obviously.

Why did you decide to cast Anna Paquin as the main character Sookie?

Anna pursued the role. In the beginning I thought "Well why would Anna want to do TV? She's got a movie career." I'm used to American actors who have a movie career thinking television acting is beneath them. I thought about it and I thought of course she'd like to do this, it's a fantastic role, a great role. Nobody is going to cast her like this in a movie yet. I was a little worried that she wouldn't want to dye her hair blond, but actually she was very willing. I felt a responsibility to be as true as I could to the book. You have to be close enough so they don't think, "Whoa it doesn't make any sense." But ultimately physical resemblance isn't as important as whether this person can bring this character to life in a way that's compelling and makes me care about what happens to them.

Tell us more about the vampire Eric played by Alex Skarsgard. Will he be in a lot of episodes?

Eric is a 1,000-year-old vampire who came to America from Scandinavia. He was a Viking who became a vampire either on the voyage over or once he landed. He's a huge character in the series. He was the character who fans were most obsessed with how he would be cast, and he's a series regular.

How much are you going to adhere to the books?

We stuck really, really close to the first book as the basis for the first season. But by episodes 11 or 12 we start to veer into book 2 to just set things up for the next season — if there is one, because it's not official. We're going to stick to the Sookie and Bill story very closely. The other character we're going to experiment with but we'll remain pretty true to Charlaine's story.

What's appealing to you about making a show with so much sex and violence?

I think sexuality is a window into someone's soul. [But] it's fun. It's like popcorn TV — it's like a ride. Six Feet Under was all about repression, and this [series] seemed to me to be about abandon. I find the show really entertaining to produce and to be a part of making. It's escapist — it's totally escapist.

How much of the humor in the book running through the series?

Part of what I enjoyed about the books was in addition to the romance and the intrigue and sex and the violence was that these characters were funny. They were funny without trying. We've assembled a cast of people who are really good at playing the humor straight. For example Ryan, who plays Jason, that's a really tough role to play because usually when an actor is playing a character who is not the sharpest knife in the drawer the actor needs needs to let the audience know that he's not this dumb, and then it becomes not funny. Whereas Ryan is a really smart guy and he loves that his character is dimwitted.

It seems like vampires are in vogue again. Although there are great differences, there are a lot of similarities between what you do and what Stephenie Myers does in Twilight. Can you expand on that?

I have not read Twilight so I don't know what those similarities are. I think vampires are a timeless powerful archetype that can tap into people's psyches. They've been around forever, even before the reinvention of vampires in the 1990s with [Francis Ford Coppola's film] Bram Stoker's Dracula. A lot of world mythology all over the globe has creatures like the succubus, the one that feeds on the essence of people. I don't really know why this is all happening at this time. I'm just glad it's happening.

Did you ever watch Dark Shadows?

When Dark Shadows came on I was in elementary school. My next door neighbor and I, it would come on right after we got home from school and we would rush into out houses. We would sit there when the theme music came on and we would hold our throats like we couldn't breathe. I have no idea where this came from but we would pretend like we were choking until the title sequence. We didn't really watch it. To an 8-year-old I think Dark Shadows was really slow. Certainly it was something about vampires — the excitement that made us do this weird little psychodrama, while that organ music played and those waves crashed against the rocks.

Do you think kids will have that reaction to True Blood?

I hope kids don't watch this show. I hope parents know better than to let their kids watch this show.