Incredibly, it seems HBO have done it again. This could have been just a silly vampire series if it weren't for the following attributes:

a) It's funnier than all git out.
b) It's also grim as fuck.
c) It features regulation HBO totty in the form of Anna Paquin, who starts off sweet, innocent and virginal and... well...
d) There's something for the ladies as well in the form of cute-but-stupid Jason Stackhouse, big gay badass Lafayette and the vampires, who appear to be a hilarious pastiche of any music 'scene' you could care to mention.
e) Tara: Best angry black woman ever. Every line she has is a nugget of gold.
f) Comfortingly familiar faces - EB Farnham, Sgt Iceman and Frank Sebotka all have juicy roles.

I would very much recommend this.