I like the rhythm of the images increasing speed and repeating scenes untill it ends in a fresh ritual plunge into the lake to return from the water as a true blood freak. I wonder if it was done with the intension to show that the biggest freakshows and local-made cultures are dividing people by letting them think they are true bloods, because of their race or religion.

Holy hell, what a disturbing but fantastic sequence! I love how HBO shows have such a great production value that they put so much effort in at every level. There’s plenty of shows where you can skip the titles but not with true blood!

Who sings the song on the featurette? It’s a truly amazing piece of cinematic excersize.

Nine Inch Nails – Broken, pretty sure the fox decay sequence was used in that…

“Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus” was the first thing that came to my mind when i saw the True Blood titles. I’m glad that somebody else also made that connection. The Deep South Experience is well captured in both.

I absolutely love these titles. Alan Ball is a genius, and as a showrunner, he certainly knows how to make sure that every tiny aspect of his work functions to serve the whole, both visually and tonally. HBO could have just slapped some simple titles in, but they chose to create one of the most arresting and evocative opening sequences ever to hit the small screen. My only issue is that the titles are too good. It’s not that I don’t like the show, I do. I think that it’s unusual and probably brilliant, but it’s just not as good as it’s titles. The titles freak me out, they make me uncomfortable in the way that I feel the show should, except it doesn’t. It just doesn’t deliver what the “packaging” is selling…

I’m reminded of Alan Parker’s “Angel Heart” (1987) when watching this. That lazy environment populated with sweaty skinned, heavy aired, high passion subdued, religion of fire and water, death and rebirth that makes the south so terribly haunting/appealing. I’ve never seen the show, but that sequence is enough for me to check it out.

This a very enjoyable post, thanks! I actually don’t like the opening of true blood because I find the imagery dark and disturbing. I love the show on the other hand, since it is good fantasy fiction (not dark and disturbing!).

Is the girl receiving the baptism and the club girl (the one dancing) the same girl?I

Anyone know what the red stuff is those kids are eating and smearing on their faces? Co-worker and I have been trying to decide if it’s blood or food

What song is in the Featurette?

Who is the hottie brunette dancing in the seedy bar?  She’s the one who ends up grinding on the floor at one point.  Any info is appreciated.

Parts of these sequence are not just comparable to “Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus” they have been directly taken from. I am sure this is with permission, but a lot of footage from this film was used in this titles sequence, just so you know.

I’ve foud it out. It’s Ambystoma mexicanum or some similar species. It’s adult – gills are reduced.
Web: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axolotl
Pics: http://bit.ly/15gxbW
But I don’t know whether this creature lives in the USA.