First Transfusion - Some Thoughts on True Blood Season 3

So, we've seen a third of the season already, and True Blood is starting to warm up. I've been recapping the episodes in great detail, but I haven't put in any of my own opinions and thoughts as to what is happening thus far. I figured this was as good a time as any to offer up my thoughts on the first quarter of the season. So, to fill the lack of emptiness this week, sink your fangs in this...

First off, let me preface this with one comment; I have not read the books. I know they exist, and I do plan on reading them, but they exist separately from the show, and this is about the show.

What's the deal with V?
V is some sort of magical elixir. It is vampire blood, and it seems to have many qualities. If you are injured, V can help you recover from your wounds. If you consume V directly from a vampire, you can establish a blood bond with that vampire. If you take too much of it, it can cause priapism, as we saw in Jason during Season 1. It can be used like a narcotic, with varying effects. Jason put it on aspirin, crushed it up and snorted it, and he had an experience not unlike ecstasy. The werewolves consumed it and seemed ravenous, more similar to a cocaine, crack or meth reaction. V can also be used to make a vampire, if you consume it right from the source after the vampire has had some of your blood.
Is there no consistent form of V? As a narcotic, how would you know if you got good stuff or bad stuff if there is no base line and the effects are myriad and ever-changing? Could you be a self-made vampire if you were to get enough V and have a transfusion? Do vampires have different blood types like humans do, and if so, does this contribute to the differences in the effects of the V? Does it react differently with different species?

Your Majesty
The political system that the vampires use is interesting, and I'm beginning to understand the hierarchy. I always found that part of the story interesting, so I'm glad we are getting to see some of the politics come out this season. I understand the King/Queen structure, but I wonder if they answer to someone above them? Is the Magister merely a law enforcing entity? What's Talbot's rank? I assume he's old, but is he a Sheriff, or just Russel's lover?

Who Do You Work For?
Who does Franklin Mott work for? Why was he digging through Bill's stuff? What were the papers he found about Sookie and the Stackhouse family all about? Who was the mysterious Cecil Stackhouse name that was also circled?

We are Family...
Sam has managed to track down his parents, and along the way he found he had a half-brother. There is something more going on with The Mickers, but I'm not sure what exactly. Tommy is all covered in bruises that he claims he got in fights, right before he changes into a pit bull. Was this to imply that his family was entering him into dog fights? We also say Tommy and Joe Lee sitting together on the couch, Joe Lee resting his hand on his son's knee, wearing nothing but underwear, and he adjusts his groin when he stands up. What is up with this family?!

Baby Daddy?
Who is Arlene's baby daddy? Is it the murderous Rene? Was there some extra cavorting under Maryann's spell?

They're all animals!
What's the deal with the werewolves? Do they have normal life spans? Long lives like the vampires? Are they controlled by the moon? Are they just shifters that can only become one animal?

What else is going on?
How far will the V selling go, and what repercussions will Lafayette feel as the trade falls under Magister scrutiny?
What landed Lafayette's mother in the hospital?
Will Jason become a cop?
Will Jessica and Hoyt get back together?
What sort of mess will Tara get herself into this season?
What will happen to Sheriff Bud now that he has quit the force? Will Andy take over for him?
Will Pam and Eric fight over Yvette?
Will Eric and Sookie get together?

What do you think?