With the advent of television, it was inevitable that the vampire myth would find its way into our homes, along with a whole new cast of characters to worm their way into our hearts. Some we would grow to love, some we would grow to love to hate. Either way, here are some of the more memorable. Put on your fuzzy slippers, get comfy on the sofa grab your tv watching food and let's go!
Created by Dan Curtis, Dark Shadows was a soap opera plotting the trials and tribulations of the Collins family ran from 1966-1971. Though the character of Barnabas (played by Jonathan Frid) was not introduced until the 2nd season, the vampire is arguably the most beloved and memorable character of this cult classic, which also featured ghosts, zombies, werewolves, witches, warlocks, time travel, and even a parallel universe. Barnabas tended to blame his moments of cruelty on his vampiric condition, which was a never ending source of conflict for the character. His powers mirrored those of the classic vampire, Dracula, and included immortality, superhuman strength, superhuman speed, hypnotism, and the abilities to transform into a bat and to disappear and reappear at will. He also was not above using sorcery if the situation warranted.
The brainchild of Barney Cohen and James D. Parriott, Forever Knight, a Canadian supernatural police procedural ran from 1992-1996. Geraint Wyn Davies played the title role of Detective Nick Knight, an 800 year old vampire working as a police detective in modern day Toronto. After centuries of killing others as a means of survival, Knight could no longer handle the guilt, and his work in the police force was meant as a form of redemption in his ongoing struggle to become human once again. Set to foil his attempts were fellow vampires Janette and LaCroix, the ones responsible for turning Nick in the first place. The series end left many viewers frustrated, as it is never quite clear exactly what fate truly befalls Knight, LaCroix's frustrated "Nicholas", a stake, and viewer imagination filling in the gaps.
Created by John Leekley and Mark Rein-Hagen, Kindred: The Embraced, which was loosely based on the card game of the same name premiered in 1996, and sadly, due to the untimely death of Mark Frankel, the main star, it lasted only 8 episodes. It had been hailed as 'having promise' and was referred to by some members of the media as 'a cross between Melrose Place and the Godfather", due to the strong mobster theme. The plot revolved around San Francisco Police Detective Frank Kohanek who was sent to investigate Julian Luna (played by Frankel), one of the mobsters in question. In actuality, Julian is a vampire, Prince of the City and protector of the "Masquerade"-at all costs.
Featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar in the title role, Buffy the Vampire Slayer enjoyed a lengthy run from 1997-2003. Created by Joss Whedon, the show's main storyline follows the adventures of Buffy Summers, the latest in a long line of women known as "Vampire Slayers". These "Slayers" are chosen by fate to join the fight against vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness, with the aid of a Watcher whose job it is to guide, protect, and teach the Slayer while they follow their fated path. What set Buffy apart from her predecessors was her decision to surround herself with a group of loyal friends, affectionately known as the "Scooby Gang". The show received a cult classic following, and spawned a spin-off featuring one of its main characters, Angel.
Speaking of that spin-off, Joss Whedon created Angel, which ran from 1999-2004, starring David Boreanaz in the title role. The show revolves around Angel, a vampire whose human soul had been restored to him by gypsies as punishment for murdering one of their own, forcing him to confront the true horror of what he had become and living with it for all eternity. Tormented with guilt and remorse, he spends the first four seasons of the show working as a private detective, where he and his allies work to 'help the helpless'. This, of course, involves doing battle with evil demons or demonically allied humans, especially those related to Wolfram & Hart, a demonic law firm. Oh yeah, and to make matters worse, poor Angel has another battle to content with-turns out he has a demonic side, too. Poor guy can't win for losing! On the up side, he's David Boreanaz so that has to count for something!
Based on the Marvel comics character and movie series, Blade: The Series premiered in 2006 and despite its popularity ran for only one season. Created by David S. Goyor and starring Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones in the title role, the plot revolves around Blade's tenuous partnership with Krista Starr in her quest to avenge the death of her brother by bringing down the House of Chthon, targeting specifically Marcus Van Sciver, a powerful vampire and high-ranking member of that house who plans to create a virus called the Aurora Project that will specifically target "purebloods," the ruling vampire class, and leave the turnbloods (normal vampires like himself who were once human) unharmed.
Created by Ron Koslow and Trevor Munson, Moonlight starred Alex O'Loughlin as vampire turned Private Investigator, Mick St. John. Though it had only a brief run from 2007-2008, the show developed a loyal cult following, and outcry over its cancellation reached a fever pitch via internet protests. The plot revolves around the character of Mick St. John, an 85 year old vampire who was turned on his wedding night by his bride. Unlike many vampires, Mick has certain moral standards; he will not hunt women, children, or innocents. A good portion of the series revolves around his relationship with Beth Turner, who he originally saved from his wife's wrath as a child and then later saves as an adult, and the two fall in love. Wife, of course, is not-so-dead and wants revenge. Needless to say-it's complicated.
Based on the Blood Books by Tanya Huff and created by Peter Mohan, Blood Ties enjoyed a run from 2007-2008. Starring Christina Cox in the main role as Victoria "Vicki" Nelson, a former member of the Toronto Police who left their service due to failing eyesight. Through sheer fate, she ends up teaming with an 470 year old vampire, Henry Fitzroy who just happens to be the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII. Add complications in the form of Mike Celluci, Vicki's former lover and partner, and it makes for a most interesting and complicated matter of affairs.
Created by Alan Ball in 2008, True Blood is a highly popular HBO series that is now in its 6th season. Based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, the series (which stars Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Alexander Skarsgård) revolves around the co-existence of vampires and humans in the fictional town of Bon Temp, Louisiana. The main plot of the story is centered on the trials of Sookie Stackhouse (portrayed by Paquin), a telepathic human-fairy hybrid waitress whose life is turned upside down when she encounters a handsome 173 year old vampire in the form of Bill Compton who has returned to the town after the death of his last living relative. Other 'main players' include the Sheriff of Area 5, Eric Northman, who just happens to be a 1, 000 year old vampire, and Lafayette Reynolds, a short order cook, drug dealer, road crew member, and medium. What sets this show apart (other than its 'cool' factor) is its unabashed exploration of contemporary issues, such as the struggle for equal rights, discrimination and violence against minorities and homosexuals, the problems of drug addiction, the power of faith and religion, the control/influence of the media, the quest for identity, and the importance of family.
The Vampire Diaries is a highly success vampire series that premiered in 2009, the brainchild of Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec. Now in its 5th season, it has also spawned a spin-off, The Originals, which is set to premiere in the 2013-2014 television season. Based on a series of books by the same name written by L. J. Smith, the series stars Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Paul Wesley. Set in the fictional town of Mystic Falls Virginia, the series follows the life of Elena Gilbert (played by Dobrev) as she falls in love with vampire Stefan Salvatore (played by Wesley), and is draw deeper and deeper into the town's supernatural world as a result. Of course, that would be too easy, now wouldn't it?! Enter Damon (played by Somerhalder), Stefan's older brother, who Elena cannot help but be attracted to as well. Can you say 'love triangle', folks? Add to the fray, one evil Elena-Doppelgänger in the form of Katerina Petrova and the family of Original Vampires (the world's first vampires and very bad news), and you have one interesting diary entry!!
Please proceed to Assignment 9 for your homework.