Taking a bite out of the second season of 'True Blood'

We've definitely had our disagreements.

What would a TV column be if we all agreed on everything? It would be like watching a TV show where everyone got along and things always worked out. The Walker siblings would sweetly talk about the weather during family dinners on "Brothers & Sisters." Jack Bauer would fix the world with alarming alacrity and the show would be renamed "1." The team on "CSI" would sit around playing cards and exchanging recipes because there were no crimes in Vegas or New York or Miami.

So I like it when we can begin our great TV debates. I don't like the direction "Weeds" has gone in, many of you do. I thought "Nurse Jackie" was pretty great, a lot of you did not. And when "True Blood" premiered last September I wrote that "True Blood is disturbingly graphic and violent" and that the characters hang out "in a world I kind of want no part of." I watched a few episodes and I just couldn't get into the show.  But so many of you loooooved it (that's right loved it with 5 "O's").

So when I sat down to watch the first two episodes of this season (premiering Sunday at 9 p.m. on HBO), I went it with an open mind. On the surface, this is the kind of show I would like and I was determined to give the series a chance.

The season kicks off where it left off resolving the cliffhanger of Lafayette (which I so won't ruin here) and quickly advancing several plot points including Jason's (Ryan Kwanten) newly found religious devotion and Sookie (Anna Paquin) learning about what Bill (Stephen Moyer) did to Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll).

Paquin remains fantastic in the role. Sookie does some really stupid things (especially in episode two) but Sookie, as Paquin plays her, is so compassionate that it's easy to forgive her foibles and understand what Bill and everyone else sees in her. It doesn't hurt that Moyer and Paquin are dating in real life -- their chemistry is palpable. I'm loving Michelle Forbes (one of my favorite actresses since her days on "Homicide") as Maryann. You'll learn a lot more about her and about Sam (Sam Trammell) early in the season.

Personally I still find the show too graphic and gory. To me, it's disturbing and often takes me out of the moment. But ultimately, however, I decided I just have to give myself over the show and enjoy it as the sometimes campy, often funny (I love that Bill recycles), over-the-top, in your face hour of entertainment it is. I'm going to keep up with this show this season. And I would say that if you, like me, didn't keep up with the show I found it pretty easy to jump into the second season and figure out what is going on. The mythology of the show is fairly accessible.

Are you excited for the return of "True Blood?" Are you a fan of the show? Are you ever disturbed by the gore? Talk about it below.

Where Have I Seen Them Before?

Megalyn Echikunwoke was the juror on Marcus's trial on "Raising the Bar." She was Isabelle on "The 4400" and most recently Dr. Tara Price on "CSI: Miami." You'll be seeing a lot more of her on "Bar." Derek Webster was Jerry's client, the barbershop owner who wouldn't turn his back on his nephew. Webster is currently playing Carl on "Mental." By the way, did you think the show had improved since last season?

David and Jeff recognized Tamara Feldman, who played Poppy Lifton on "Gossip Girl," as the woman Hank saves at the party on "Royal Pains." She was also Natalie Kimpton on "Dirty Sexy Money."

Sandy recognized Jeff Kober as Falcone the bodyguard on the season premiere of "Burn Notice." He was Rack on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

Mad Men

Since I've received so many questions about season three of "Mad Men," I wanted to make sure that you knew that today AMC announced the show will return for a third season August 16 at 10 p.m. If you're late to the "Mad Men" party, there are a couple of ways to catch up. On August 10 beginning at 7 a.m., AMC will air a marathon of the entire second season. Season one of the show is currently available on On Demand and season two will be available on On Demand beginning July 20. Plus you can watch the pilot by going to www.amctv.com.

Ask TV Gal

Tell me it isn't so... Is this the last season of Monk. Someone told me this over the weekend and I can't believe it. OMG! I'm hearbroken if this is true. Please let me know! Prudence.

Yes this is the last season of "Monk." The show returns for its eighth and final season on August 7 on USA. Keep an eye out for Bitty Schram, who will return in an episode this season to reprise her role of Sharona and the Sharona/Natalie debate can begin again.

Did The Unusuals get cancelled? If it is cancelled do you think I should check out Southland episodes (online)? It is quirky like The Unusuals? Devon

Alas, more bad news. "The Unusuals" was not picked up for a second season and the series finale is scheduled for June 17 on ABC. I'm definitely disappointed the show won't be back next season because I think it improved with each passing episode. I definitely would recommend "Southland." It's not like "The Unusuals" but it's very compelling and the finale featured a positively terrifying sequence that really showed how scary TV can be when there's no music soundtrack. Watch and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Remember you can now follow me on Twitter.

hat's all for today. I'm back on Friday with your 2009 Amy Awards nominations and the voting will begin (whoo-hoo!). Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.