User reviews

After seeing someone else's comments who was quite happy to insult the roleplaying game in which this show was based on, I felt I had to cast a rebuttal as a fan of the roleplaying game.

As mentioned, Kindred the Embraced is based on the 'World of Darkness (tm)' that the gaming company White-Wolf created called Vampire the Masquerade. A world/game rich in vampire culture, politics, history and diversity. A game which spawned numerous other games for White-Wolf, card games, and a computer game, as well help to create a new roleplaying market, the live-action roleplaying game. As well revitalized the roleplaying gaming industry almost single-handedly, by bringing in new players and capturing the imagination of 'old-guard' gamers alike; also attracting the attention of players who would have never been interested in roleplaying, or those who had played before and didn't like it.

These aren't suppose to be Dracula-like vampires, or Buffy-Like vampires. These are the movers and the shakers of the world who hide in shadows controlling the media, the press, the government, the police, and anything else that holds their interest. Not mindless blood-suckers who are hell-bent on destruction and evil. Don't get me wrong, being alive for a few hundred years can make some vampires very evil and twisted creatures, but enough of that...

The series was rather poorly done simply because they didn't even try to delve into culture that the game created. The structure of the kindred politics is a league called the Camarilla, who consists of seven clans who work together under a set of laws known as the Traditions to uphold something they refer to as the Masquerade.

These clans are: The Ventrue (regal blue-bloods who are snobby but think they should control the camarilla); The Brujah (anarchists and rebels who shouldn't have been suit wearing mofia-types, who strive for change and think the camarilla is outdated and corrupt); The Gangrel (wild, animalistic loners who can control, communicate and change into animals like bats and wolves); The Toreador (artists, artistic poseurs, gossip-mongers and hangers-on who care more for style and art than substance); and the Nosferatu (hideous, ugly, monsters, yet also reserved and sneaky, who dwell in sewers and abandoned places, but are the intelligence community/network of the kindred, knowing everything that is going on, and selling it for a price). As well as two others I'll mention below.

I found the show was more about the human cop, and reporter who the Prince takes a personal interest in, as well as the relationships of the 'Primogens' (the heads of each of the clans) than it was about what I think would have made the show more interesting and marketable, the culture, history and politics, and the abilities of the kindred themselves. As well as the multitude of arch-types of characters that each clan creates by their own attitudes and ideals.

Another fault of the show was, the fact that it seemed that all the vampires had the same powers and abilities. The Primogen of the Toreador, Lily, was able to turn herself into a wolf, an ability which is usually only reserved for the older and more powerful members of the Gangrel. Or the prince, Julian, was able to 'Earth-Meld', again, an ability only the Gangrel subscribe to.

They should have had a stronger division between the clans, explained that each clan has their own philosophies and ideals, as well as abilities and powers. Not to mention, two of the most interesting clans weren't even included in the show. The Malkavians, a clan of insane vampires who also have moments of sheer genius, insight and enlightenment. Or the Tremere, a tight-knit conspiratorial clan who are able to cast magic spells through the use of vampiric blood.

The show should have been about a group of newly embraced (the term used for being turned into a vampire) vampire childer, the relationships they developed with their sires, each other, and their exploration into the world of the kindred. As the newly embraced kindred learn about their respective clans and abilities, and politics, so do the audience.

Who are these Primogen? Why do they control the clans? Who is the Prince of the city? Why does he call himself the prince? What is the Camarilla? What/who are the Sabbat? Why do they want to destroy the Camarilla? Questions that would have kept the audience wondering, as well as the character guessing about. It would have made the show more interesting in my opinion.

As well, there is a rich culture and history behind each of the clans that make up the Camarilla. This information was poorly utilitized in the show, and they displayed some of this information rather matter-a-factly. Such as an introduction of an Assamite Kindred Assassin. They barely touched on what 'The Masquerade' was, why the kindred had it, and why clans such as the Brujah and the Gangrel who clearly distrusted and hated one another would work together in the Camarilla under a Ventrue prince such as Julian. Nor did they adequately explain who 'Archon' was, and what his purpose was.

I feel it would have been much more interesting and fascinating to the audience at large to concentrate on the difference add the character-types of each of the vampire clans than to have made it a soap-opera bombastic gothic-horror version of Melrose Place, or 90210. A lot of fans of the roleplaying game felt that Aaron Spelling was not interested at all in the diversity and information that the roleplaying game supplied and in fact ignored almost all of it.

As a fan of the Roleplaying game, I was sorely disappointed, as were a lot of other Vampire the Masquerade fans.

If you are a fan of Vampire: the Masquerade you will be disappointed and annoyed. The clans of the Camarilla are there, but the notable things that distinguish them are mostly missing, every kindred can shape shift in this universe and all of the "really" cool clans are gone. No Malkavians, no Sabbat, no Independents, no Tremere, and Nosferatu are just bald with funny shaped ears. People who aren't fans will find a decent soap opera-type show with iffy acting and cool vampire intrigue stuff, but overall this series is a disappointment and I just want to know who to blame. The music is very good, and the opening is fantastic. I would love to see something done with a closer eye to the correct continuity, but that will never happen.

This series could actually have been a big hit, although based on the Roleplaying game 'Vampire - The Masquerade' it has potential both for fans of the game and for Joe public.

However it manages to fall somewhere between the two groups never managing to ensnare fans from either.

The acting is all fairly good, no outstanding performances but generally believable and the actors all manage to take the established game jargon in their stride.

Quite watchable, but if you're not a Vampire -TM fan, then it will probably leave you cold, then again if you are a Vampire TM fan...it will leave you very frustrated at what it could have been.

I have to agree with the first comment posted; that the pilot was weak and the rest of the shows were excellent. Nobody gives a damn how close it was to the game...and quite frankly, I find it offensive that someone will get all self righteous about it...but that's not why I'm posting. Great show. The story was very consuming and kept your attention. Much is to be said for that these days as a lot of shows don't keep your attention any longer than a few airings. I have to say that (unfortunately), the best shows are usually the ones that get cancelled: Kindred, Earth2, S:AAB, to name a few. The general public isn't ready to devote regular hours to a little continuity. They are more apt to tune in for the occasional 30 minutes of overused situational B.S. Anyway, great show, I sure wish there was a way to see more.

I am watching this series and being a HUGE fan of White Wolf's Vampire the Masquerade:Bloodlines and their World of Darkness books I was really enjoying how the writing and each episode was getting better and better.

The Producer and Writers slowly ease you into the life of the Vampires and as the series progresses you get more and more familiar with the horror and tragedy of the life of the Kindred.

Wish they had been able to continue the series but due to the tragic death of Mark Frankel who portrayed Ventrue Prince Julian, the story was not able to continue for the next season...sad but that is the life of the Kindred and the curse they lived under...sad

I thought this show had a lot of potential. Look at how popular True Blood, Twilight, Vampire Diaries, and all of the other vampire-themed projects have become. I think this could have lasted a few seasons, at least.

But FOX, in all their 'wisdom', were going for a more mainstream audience, with 90210, etc. This show was canceled 9 episodes in (very much like 'Firefly'; I guess FOX doesn't know a good show when it bites them on the... ahem). Showtime was in talks to pick up the show and make new episodes, but the actor playing Julian Luna (Mark Frankel) died in a motorcycle accident, which put an end to the negotiations. Very sad.

Some people who played the game upon which this show was based (Vampire: The Masquerade) didn't like the changes that the show made in the vampire clans and powers; but you always have to change some things when you translate a game or book into a Movie or TV show. There is no way the show's budget could've afforded the special effects needed to be absolutely faithful to the game. People need to realize the real world limitations involved, and be happy with what they can get.

I watched this show, being a fan of the roleplaying game. I found that of course like most shows or movies based on various earlier forms, it lacked the structure of it's original outline. This could be overlooked if it only had excellent actors, interesting plots lines, and prehaps some realism (real to the situation). One main problem with this show was thinking of these undead beings, having lived hundreds of years, and falling in love with every woman they crossed paths with. They are dead, thus with the except of their brain, their organs don't function. I don't care if you know the game or not, that is just the way it is. I know this series was created by those who brought us Charmed, and that love aspect worked pretty well with that show though at times it was entirely too much. I feel that it was inapproiate for this show. Also, RPG aside, the prince should come across as a high political figure... yet he seems to do all the dirty work himself. Both in the game, and in my opinion he would use a sheriff or some kind of right hand man to carry out his orders. Sunlight is another thing... it really takes away from the beauty and mystery that is the vampire when they can manipulate their only true, universal weakness they have. Just like with Blade, it makes me cringe at the thought of a vampire walking into broad daylight with no concern what so ever. They also took all the stereotypes of each of the few clans they included in this series and blew them way out of propotion, not to mention completely screw with the Assamites. A few good parts of the show, namely why I didn't give it a 1, was some plots had a chance to come to fruition... only to fail at climax of the episode. They did also keep a few things true to the game: the names of clans, certain aspects of those clans, blood tears, beastal nature, and some parts of their political structure. Of the entire cast, only the prince played by Mark Frankel, was the only decent enough actor to mention. Sadly he died in a motorcycle accident shortly after making the series. Though if you have never played the game, don't care about vampires much, only require minimal acting talent, and love drama especially dealing with love (perhaps a huge Charmed fan) then this show may peek your interest. Don't get too excited though, there was only 8 episodes ever made.

This set has it all...Danger, intrigue, Love, Loathing, Desire and Death. The darkness is irresistible. Without a doubt one of the better series that came out in the 90's but was deemed "too sexy for T.V." by the critics. If they'd have just waited for Buffy to come out it would have been a hit, possibly even more popular than Buffy. The characters are unforgettable. Julian is without a doubt the Prince of the City. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Cash and Sasha. Daedales gave the true meaning to the word vampire. And the clan war?! Without a doubt...a must see. Without a doubt, the bad guys are bad, the good guys naughty, and the characters will stay with you long after the credits roll!!!

This was a wonderful series, full of interesting and charismatic actors. I've followed Patrick Bauchau, for example, ever since, especially as Sydney in The Pretender. The really sad thing is that the star, Mark Frankel,who played Julian Luna, was killed in a motorcycle accident the summer after the series wrapped, leaving a wife and two small children. Don't know if the show had any chance of continuing, but obviously that was the end of that -- and a promising career and life. Too bad there aren't real vampires, so he could have survived beyond the tragedy!

As I understand it, some of those who had played the game on which it was based were unhappy with the show -- they felt it didn't really do justice to its complexity or follow its rules. Never having played the game, I had no such reservations. I thought the show was well-written and excitingly paced, and would recommend the set to anyone interested in this genre.

Kindred: The Embraced was truly one of the best shows that aired on television. The late Mark Frankel was fabulous with Kelly Rutherford and C. Thomas Howell and the rest of the cast had a good chemistry.Kindred had you almost believing that Vampires exist among us. The show was truly entertaining, so much so I bought the DVD set. I regret that the show was short lived. The biggest tragedy was the fatal accident that took the life of Mark Frankel he played the part so well I was captivated with his portrayal of Julian Luna, he was and ever shall be missed. The only show recently that aired was Moonlight.Regrettably CBS made the unwise decision to ax that show.

I loved the show and never missed one. We even played the role playing game longer than the show lasted. I wish it ran longer or I wish someone would bring it back. It was very interesting with all the different characters, the clans and how they interacted in the city and with all the normal non-vampires in the city too. They were in their own little world and they were also in the normal world, that made it interesting to me. It made you wonder if they are really some out there, the way some people act. The story was great and they could have did more with it if it had lasted longer. I recommend watching it, if it is out there somewhere. I grew up watching Dark Shadows so I have always loved vampires. I also wish there was a cast list for the show on this site. I have seen some of the actors since but don't know their names.

I didn't have high hopes for this series. It was based off of a roleplaying game called "Vampire: the Masquerade," which spawned similar horror RPGs in which you play one of the "monsters." The entire series of RPGs is known as "The World of Darkness." Hogwash. It's a game that is largely played by people obsessed with death and need more cash to have their anti-depressant subscription refilled.

However, this series really impressed me. The main characters are all vampires who live in the city of San Francisco. Each of them belong to various divisions called "clans," and each clan has it's own desires and ideas. The Bruja are criminals, the Ventrue are the thinkers, the Gangrel are the wild ones, the Toreador are the artists, and the Nosferatu are the beasts (though they can act more humane than many humans). The series is largely about the interactions between these clans. Also thrown into the mix is a cop, who found out his girlfriend was one of the kindred (what vampires refer to themselves as). Just before she died, she begged the Prince (the leader of all kindred within the city) to protect him, even though kindred law states that a mortal who discovers their existence must either be embraced (i.e. turned into kindred) or killed. The Prince agrees, even though the cop wants to expose kindred to the world (as long as he can trust his partner...). Then there are the numerous sub plots. The Prince (Julian) has fallen for a human woman and is trying to hide his nature from her, while his former lover (a Toreador) plots to destroy her. A Gangrel (a biker) and a Bruja (the daughter of the Prince, turned by the Bruja against her will) are in love with one another, even though their clans are constantly at war with one another. The leader of the Bruja wishes to take over control of San Francisco and constantly plots to do so. And on and on it goes....

The series only lasted some eight episodes, but it showed lots of promise. It really portrayed vampires not as immortal creatures (ala Anne Rice and Nancy Collins), but as a sub-species of humans who are merely trying to get by in spite of their internal politics that can get quite deadly at times. If you ever get a chance to see it, I strongly recommend it. The only drawback to the series is the end (it ends on a major cliffhanger, but the series was never renewed so you never get to find out what happened). Of all the modern vampire stories, this one is the best. Lestat, Sonja Blue... take a hike! If there are vampires, then they are kindred.

I remember this short lived show. I don't know why or if this show was taken off the air. I know the actor playing Julian, Mark Frankel was killed in a tragic accident. I recently saw it on the Sci-fi channel and realized Adrienne Paul could have taken over the role of Julian. If you don't remember who Adrienne Paul is, he's the actor that played the lead role in the Highlander TV series. The Sci-fi channel showed a couple of episodes in early December 2007. Adrienne Paul is a dead ringer for Mark Frankel. That series could have continued to run. Does anyone know what happened or why it was canceled? I loved that show and until the Sci-fi channel showed it recently I had forgotten all about it.

I must admit, I love vampire movies, vampire television shows, vampire books. This was no exception. This production, based on a game, was much better than I expected. Though it produced some of the most overblown television dialogue to date, it also produced intense, shocking images. It was certainly one of the most powerful television episodes I've ever seen.

If you can catch reruns of it on the tube some night, lucky you.

I was so sad when this show ended. I LOVED it! The name of the lead actor was Mark Frankel, the young dark-haired guy. He was killed in a motorcycle accident in England. Another actor I remember from this show is Patrick Bauchau. He also starred on "The Pretender"...another great show. Stacy Haiduk was also on it, she used to be on Seaquest DSV. Kelly Rutherford who I believe played a reporter, most recently from E-Ring. And let's not forget C. Thomas Howell aka Ponyboy from The Outsiders! Since I've given up hope that the show will ever come back, they should at least put it on DVD for posterity sake. I would buy it in a heartbeat!

This was the best series ever of vampires, no shinny crappy vampires who fall pregnant etc. The best universe to show the intricacy of the vampires clans, plots, vengeance etc.

Would be nice to have another of this with the Trilogy of the Red Death, that would be so cool and so much content to play with, it would be awesome to watch on the screen, make it happen please

OK, maybe C. Thomas Howell is a little melodramatic, but this series was a good and (generally) well-acted modern vampire tale. I wasn't watching television, I guess, when it originally aired. But I rented it a couple of years ago and enjoyed it so much that I bought it on DVD a short time ago. The set has two DVDs and is in 5.1--pretty stripped down in terms of extras (i.e., there aren't any). Still, it's worth a look. Mark Frankel and Patrick Bauchau are excellent in their roles.