One critic I have of the show, from the start is that it centers on issues that are very human and mundane to vampires.
Issues that the book characters would not think twice about.
Race was never an issue in the books. It would not have made sense in the first books because of the setting. And along the way there were characters of different looks and origins. The vampires were never prejudiced. They were all beautiful to them.
Same with genders. The book characters weren't thinking about those themes. Very easily vampires and mortals alike could speak of their attractions to others. Same sex or not. It was not an issue.
I love that about the books. That was what made them brilliant because a vampire wouldn't think like this.
It s a very narrow human concern, too restricted.
A vampire just loves, they fall in love with mortals, with beings. And they find beauty anywhere, everywhere.
They can even kiss their own mother, now turned fledgling.
Their ways are not human ways.

So that s a pb for me in the show. Like you said so aptly, the show deals with issues that are concerns in today's society, in some countries, but they miss the mark. They focus on their contemporary issues, trying to send messages through this timeless story, this beautiful piece. I am not happy about that as a VC lover who adores the books. It feels very wrong.

Your review is wonderful. So detailed. It was a pleasure to read it.