I've been thinking about this for a while now, especially since Eric started showing an interest (sexual or romantic, or both? It's not exactly clear yet) in Sookie. The Bill/Sookie/Eric triangle is not unlike the one involving Angel/Buffy/Spike.
On the one hand we have Bill Compton, a brooding vampire with a conscience. On the other we have Angel, the vampire with a soul -- working to redeem himself for his past wrongdoings. In True Blood Eric is the same kind of "bad boy with a secret sensitive center" kind of vamp that Spike was. Like Spike, he is deeply (if not romantically) connected to his maker, and develops an obsession with the "good girl."
At the center of the True Blood Triangle is Sookie, the blonde waitress with supernatural powers. She is a very Buffy-esque archetype; though she does not slay vampires and demons she has proven that despite her small stature and girly-girl sensibilities, she is one tough cookie.
Furthermore, the relationship between Bill and his maker, Lorena, seems very similar to that of Angel and Darla. He even states in one recent episode (during a flashback - where have we seen those before!?) that he only killed others to appease her, out of a sense of duty. It's Bill's conscience that drives him away from Lorena, just as Angel's soul was what made him leave Darla. Darla and Lorena are similarly ruthless, taking pleasure in "playing with their food."
Just some food for thought.
I should add, by the way, that while I like True Blood, I am infinitely more fond of Buffy and Angel, and therefore believe that nothing could ever take their place.
