A show that continues to get better and better, True Blood recovered quickly from a divisive first episode or two to evolve into one of the best television series currently running in the US. Season two? It’s gone and made it even better.

The series as a whole is based on the Southern Vampire Mysteries novels by Charlaine Harris, but they’ve been weaved into television gold by Alan Ball. Ball, previously responsible for Six Feet Under, sets True Blood in a world where vampires are gradually becoming more and more accepted. Living side by side with humans, it’s inevitably not the easiest of worlds, but the scenario offers enough threads for some riveting viewing.

Season two of True Blood in particular is superb. It blends together the blood, sex and mystery that made the show so popular in the first place, but also moves the collection of characters into even more dangerous and edgy situations. Plus, there’s the small matter of an underlying narrative that builds to a terrific finish.

To say much more would be to spoil things, and True Blood is one show that absolutely shouldn’t be spoiled. Instead, it should be savoured, and with that in mind, this terrific second season boxset is a genuine must. --Jon Foster