This post is about vampires. Before you begin to a) freak out with barely disguised heart palpitations, b) roll your eyes and sneer derisively at the screen, or c) expect my usual Twilight smack down, I want to pause and remind you and the rest of the web world that vampires are cool. Vampires rock. They are the sweetest depiction of demons ever because they are human, but all of the base, horrifying, evil bits of everyday humanity. They are symbols that reminds us that we have to balance and fight our own evil natures. Plus, they just make good stories. Blood sucking fiends? Who wouldn't enjoy that?
But before I go on, I do want to clear something up just in case you had any doubts: Twilight sucks. I'm not changing my opinion of that at all. Boo Twilight, but yay vampires.
Moving on. At the urging of a few of my close friends, I watched a couple of episodes of The Vampire Diaries. Yeah, yeah, judge me with those judgey eyes, but listen to what I have to say. I'm not converted to it. I don't think it's super awesome, but I have to be honest. It's not bad. It's certainly not Twilight even though the rest of the show is a true teen drama (sometimes you just need fluff). It's a lot more like Buffy and Angel (two shows that I do adore with my whole heart). And the best part? Vampire are vicious, nasty ugly killers! They tear people apart, and manipulate and use them to satiate their appetites, be them hunger or more physical. The vampires on the show are evil.
And they don't freakin' sparkle in the sunlight.
Along the vampire theme, I also read the book The Historian, which was also not what I expected. It's like an in-depth historical analysis of Dracula myths, thinly veiled as a novel. It's a little dry and tough to read, but the stories are really good. It's a hefty book, though, so be careful because one wrong blow and it could easily take out a roommate.
Seriously, vampires are cool, but I wish they could be used as more awesome than just teen heartthrobs. What I wouldn't do for a vampire show about a vampire who feeds on criminals and tackles the issues of capital punishment and moral grey areas.
A girl can dream.
Amen! I couldn't have said it better myself. However, I remain skeptical about Vampire Diaries. You understand.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Historian, and I hate Twilight and now that you approve of the Vampire Diaries I probably should give it a try. You are awesome!
ReplyDeleteTake out a roommate? Why would you even SAY that?! Anyways, back to the point: you're right. Vampires are incredible. They're clever, seductive, twisted, and delightfully amoral even when they aren't actively latched onto someone's aorta. They deserve better than to be stuck talking to teenagers for the rest of their life.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to second Mary's opinion. Vampires are clever, seductive, twisted, Kate Beckinsale, delightfully amoral, leather, incredible, and machine gun toting.
ReplyDeleteGotsta love dem vampires!
No thanks.
ReplyDeleteThey are the glorification of base animality. Sexual deviants that are laced with romantic insanity. Can't we classify pediphiles and rapers in the same category? Or is it because vampires are supposed to be refined, cultured, and smart... maybe even sparkly....
Why not just remove the mythology and stare coldly into the mirror. Stripped of god, morality, restraint, and humility don't we find it's just human nature that isn't coddled with bloodsucking and romanticism? Hell we even sparkle when we are sweaty.
Give me the tortured soul of a jedi, a lightening scarred wizard, an abby full of anthropomorphic rodents, a midget with a ring, a dark elf, a warrior with a weak heel, an orphan who wants seconds, a genius with a violin and coke addiction, three french amigos, green egs and ham, and a preteen who's a bugger killer...... before you give me a vampire that has any affiliation to a diary, sparkliness, or a whitehaird chainsmokin hardass.
Just sayin.
Please Cat, be skeptical. I'm not suggesting you watch it. I am simply trying to encourage this mild resurgence of the vampires as soulless murdering demons schema. The Vampire Diaries is good, solid, summer watching (if you're in need of a good summer show, Becca).
ReplyDeleteAnd Mary, you and I are on the same page. I believe we've had many a discussion about this. Joe, I love your addition of gun-toting.
Jason: Come on. Vampires are the best of the worst. They are the demonic personification of humans, and we are so narcissistic we have to love all images of ourselves. I know you want to love them . . .