----------------------SPOILER ALERT--------------
As I understand it, from my wife who's read every book, we've really diverged from the book.
That bothers me less, though I would have expected them to follow the same theme as the book per season.
Thus, season 1 mostly followed the book.
Season 2 deviated by emphasizing the maynad problem. I think that was mainly to give the other actors some work and to break up the sookie & the Texas Vampires thing.
Season 3's big threat was totally diferent, though the explanation I got for book 3 sounded pretty stupid (seriously, Bill makes a database that everybody wants?!)
Season 4 and book had witches and eric lost his memory. Lafayette really doesn't matter as he didn't survive book 1. Tara was a minor NPC, and it ain't that hard for Speedy GonVampire to show up. Oddly enough, the fairy godmother eating was more drastic on future books. I suspect Andy's new fairy GFF will have to substitute.
I think the key to remember in all of this, is that the books are just about sookie. So to make an ensemble show, they are going to have to fluff out material for all the other actors. which takes the show in different directions.
I also suspect they like NOT following the book closely. They chose not to make Jason a were-panther (so if u knew the book, u were just waiting...)
lafayette was the maynad's first victim (which is why they had eric grab him, and the cliff-hanger was a somebody who looked similar)
Jessica doesn't exist, so she adds a different dimension
Pam and Sookie are apparently friends
Who knows what season 5 will bring. Guesses:
- Russel Edgington is back and will be a threat, as will the whole american vampire league (vampire civil war?)
- Alceed will become the pack leader
- Tara will get saved, prolly by Eric/Bill since they have Sookie on speed dial
- Lafayette will host jesus at some point during the season
- Andy's fairy friend will require some service of him
- Terry's past will mess up his marriage, and his red headed wife may yet go crazy like the books.
