The Bite Is Back on "True Blood"

By the end of Season 3 of the HBO vampire series "True Blood", patience had been wearing thin with fans because even for a show that often goes off into the weird, crazy and unthinkable, the show just started to feel like too much work and not enough fun. Sookie's a fairy? Lafayette and Jesus start dating but then go on a psychedelic adventure? Things just weren't working well anymore and even with the addition of new hotties like Joe Manganiello (Alcide) and Kevin Alejandro (Jesus), "True Blood" was in serious danger of jumping the shark. Creator Alan Ball even made what looked like a PSA for the season finale urging fans to hang in there as if even he was aware he was losing fans.

So as Season 4 kicks off this Sunday, has the show found its mojo again or is it going to turn into one of those shows remembered only for its amazing early years?

To the relief of the true die-hards, it's definitely the former.

No blatant spoilers about what is to come but suffice it to say that the time away has helped the writers regain focus, maintain the wacky fun but also give us the "True Blood" we've always loved.

Of course, Sookie (Anna Paquin) is at the center of so much from the get-go and her dealing with her fairy-dom is what kicks off these new episodes. Both Bill (Stephen Moyer) and Eric (Alexander Skarsg�rd) are still vying for her hand but things are definitely in a different place now and the coming episodes see even more change in terms of not only their dynamic but also their individual storylines. In fact, call me crazy but this is the first group of episodes I've actually found Bill interesting and sexy. Normally, he's just the brooding vampire trying to do the right thing for Sookie but he is now in a very different place (for reasons we find out in flashback featuring the awesome Evan Rachel Wood as the Queen) and it's workin' for me.

Jason (the hunky Ryan Kwanten) is now a full-fledged police officer dealing with the V-addiction of his partner Andy (Chris Bauer), Tara (Rutina Wesley) who was last seen leaving Bon Temps forever is seen spending her time in an unexpected place and in the arms of someone just as surprising. Sam (Sam Trammell) has washed his hands of his trashy family though his brother Tommy (Marshall Allman) is still lurking around looking for his next get-rich-quick scheme. One couple having growing pains is vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) and human Hoyt (Jim Parrack), who can try for normalcy but the fact that keeps coming up over and over is that Jessica needs to feed her thirst...and Hoyt's neck only comes in handy so many times.

Then there are the gays. Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) and Jesus (Alejandro) are still together with Jesus slowly bringing the Merlotte's cook into his brujo (male witch) coven and, of course, trouble is not far behind. And you'll be surprised to see who else in the "True Blood" word is sexing it up with someone of the same gender!

Overall, the waywardness of last season is gone and the fourth season is off to a great start. My only complaint is that Alcide doesn't show up until episode 3 to come to the aid of (who else?) Sookie but his shirt stays on the entire time. What gives, Alan Ball??

"True Blood" airs at 9pm et/pt on HBO every Sunday.