One of the bloody best

There’s just no way to escape vampires. They’re everywhere — TV, films and books are all saturated with the immortal bloodsuckers. By now they have become boring and bland, but there is a standout: “True Blood,” which just released its second season on DVD, is just as fun and even more exciting than ever.

The show often feels like a dirty pleasure, thanks to its gratuitous sex and elements of melodrama. But just to make sure things don’t get too silly, there are also references to the major civil rights issues of today, with vampires standing in for nearly every outsider group imaginable.

The second season sometimes veers in strange directions, and the storyline about a Dionysian god goes on too long, but there is an overall increase in quality. Minor characters from Season 1 are given a chance to shine, and new additions like Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) end up having some of the most interesting scenes.

“True Blood” can be a bit campy at times, but it’s one of the most enjoyable shows currently on television.