True Blood
True Blood: Season 1
Season 2

Air Date

September 7, 2008

Episodes

12 episodes

True Blood

Season 1

Overview

The first season of the American television drama series True Blood premiered on September 7, 2008 and concluded on November 23, 2008. It consists of 12 episodes, each running approximately 55 minutes in length and was, for the most part, based on the novel Dead Until Dark, the first entry in The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris. The story takes place in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, two years after vampires have made their presence known to mankind, and follows telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse as she attempts to solve a series of murders that seem to be motivated by a hatred of vampires. HBO broadcast the first season on Sunday nights at 9:00 pm in the United States, with a repeat showing at 11:00 pm. The complete first season was released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 19, 2009.

Episodes

Strange Love

1. Strange Love

7.4
September 7, 2008
58 min

Across the country, vampires have “come out of the coffin” following the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood. In Louisiana, Sookie Stack house, a waitress with telepathic abilities, falls under the spell of sexy, 173-year-old vampire Bill Compton whose thoughts she can’t read. After saving Bill from the Rat trays, a pair of ruthless “vampire drainers”, Sookie tests the limits of Bill’ s gratitude when the two are left alone in the dark. Meanwhile, Sookie’ s best friend Tara goes to work for Sam merlette at his bar and grill, while Sookie’ s roguish brother Jason finds himself in hot water when a “fang-banger” with whom he’s been intimate meets a tragic end.

The First Taste

2. The First Taste

7.9
September 14, 2008
54 min

After Sookie gets saved by Bill she suffers a lot of injuries and Bill tries to save her "the Vampire way". The next day her brother is released from police custody and the bodies of Sookie's attackers are found. Later that day Bill goes to visit Sookie's family and gets a not so friendly welcome.

Mine

3. Mine

7.4
September 21, 2008
52 min

Tara visits LaFayette seeking comfort from her woes, Sookie meets some of Bill's rowdy friends and saves them from harm from a human among them, and, Sookie and Hugo visit the Church of the Fellowship of the Sun.

Escape from Dragon House

4. Escape from Dragon House

7.4
September 28, 2008
50 min

One of the barmaids from Merlotte's is murdered and all signs point to Jason as her killer. Also evident is the fact that she had been around vampires, and Sookie knows just where to go to find out who the girl had been with. Bill introduces Sookie to Fangtasia, the biggest vampire bar in Shreveport, and Eric, the oldest vampire in Shreveport. Her search could lead her into territory she never thought she'd cover.

Sparks Fly Out

5. Sparks Fly Out

7.8
October 5, 2008
55 min

Bill wins over Adele's church group with his vivid recollections from the Civil War; Sam reveals his feelings to Sookie; Jason gives vampire blood another shot with the help of Lafayette, and hurts Tara in the process.

Cold Ground

6. Cold Ground

7.6
October 12, 2008
52 min

Sookie seeks refuge from her friends' and neighbors' inner voices; Jason wrestles with withdrawal symptoms; Tara's mother needs her help; Sam and Tara make a connection.

Burning House of Love

7. Burning House of Love

8.0
October 19, 2008
53 min

Sookie's painful childhood revelation spurs Bill into action; Tara agrees to pay for an exorcism for Lettie Mae; Jason travels to Fangtasia in search of V juice.

The Fourth Man in the Fire

8. The Fourth Man in the Fire

7.7
October 26, 2008
56 min

Sookie tries to hold herself together in the wake of another possible tragedy; Tara lashes out at Sookie and Sam; Amy charms the crowd at Merlotte's.

Plaisir D'Amour

9. Plaisir D'Amour

7.3
November 2, 2008
53 min

Bill must pay a steep price for protecting Sookie; Jason and Amy break a taboo; Tara consults with Miss Jeanette about exorcising her inner demon; Bill enlists an unlikely bodyguard.

I Don't Wanna Know

10. I Don't Wanna Know

7.9
November 9, 2008
50 min

Sam shares a secret with Sookie; Lettie Mae and Tara celebrate; Jason and Amy debate what to do with Eddie; Bill faces a harsh penalty.

To Love Is to Bury

11. To Love Is to Bury

8.1
November 16, 2008
53 min

Sookie and Sam investigate her most recent vision; Jason helps clean up Amy's mess; Tara becomes angry with Lettie Mae; Lafayette visits a senator.

You'll Be the Death of Me

12. You'll Be the Death of Me

8.3
November 23, 2008
53 min

Sookie finds a link to the string of killings in Bon Temps; Tara wants to make the most of her second chance; Jason finds a new calling; Bill tempts fate; Sam is upset by an encounter with an old acquaintance.