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The Best Episodes of True Blood

Every episode of True Blood ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of True Blood!

Binge this in 2d 23h•Peaking at 8.8/10

Thanks to a Japanese scientist's invention of synthetic blood, vampires have progressed overnight from legendary monsters to fellow citizens. And while humans have been safely removed from the menu, many remain apprehensive about these creatures

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    True Blood Season 2 Episode 8 - Timebomb
    8.8/10(2181 votes)

    S2:E8

    Sookie's captivity takes an unexpected turn; Sam makes a gruesome discovery at Merlotte's; Tara and Eggs eat a mysterious meal prepared by Maryann; Jason pays off his debt to Eric.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  2. True Blood Season 2 Episode 9 - I Will Rise Up
    8.7/10(2260 votes)

    S2:E9

    A wounded Eric plays Sookie for a sucker, to Bill’s dismay, and ends up getting inside her head. Later, Sookie and Jason bond over their recent adventures. Blaming Eggs for Tara’s bruises and bizarre behavior, Lafayette and Lettie Mae try to figure out a way to pry their kin from Maryann’s clutches. Hoyt defends his relationship with Jessica to Maxine, to no avail. Jailed by Bud along with a group of Bon Temps revelers, Sam looks for a way to escape and avoid capture by an increasingly obsessed Maryann. In Dallas, Eric and the vampires defend their recent actions to Nan Flanagan and are shocked when Godric decides to take the fall for their PR disaster.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  3. True Blood Season 3 Episode 9 - Everything Is Broken
    8.6/10(1765 votes)

    S3:E9

    The Vampire Rights Amendment is close to being ratified so Nan confronts Eric at Fangtasia about the whereabouts of the Magister. Russell vows revenge against all his vampire and human adversaries. Bill discovers the truth about Sookie's true identity. Unexpected help arrives as Jason goes up against Felton and Calvin. Arlene is overcome by a sense of futility about her future while Tara meets up with a new ally and with someone who caused her pain in the past. Sookie meets a new family member. Hoyt addresses his real feelings head on.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  4. True Blood Season 1 Episode 12 - You'll Be the Death of Me
    8.5/10(2302 votes)

    S1:E12

    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.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Raelle Tucker

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  5. True Blood Season 2 Episode 10 - New World in My View
    8.5/10(1903 votes)

    S2:E10

    Sookie, Bill and Jason return to a Bon Temps turned upside down by Maryann. Lured to Merlotte’s by Arlene, Sam and Andy find cold comfort in their refuge from a group of bloodthirsty revelers. Bill discovers that traditional vampire techniques don’t work on Maryann; Hoyt and Jessica try to keep a lid on Maxine’s madness; and Sookie tries to push through the darkness consuming Tara. With all hell breaking loose, Jason takes the bull by the horns to rescue Sam, at least for the moment.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writers:Kate Barnow, Elisabeth R. Finch

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  6. True Blood Season 2 Episode 7 - Release Me
    8.4/10(1902 votes)

    S2:E7

    Drunken Andy helps Sam escape from Maryann's clasp. Sookie uncovers the traitor. Sam confront Daphne to discover Maryann is a Maenad. Jason gets caught fleeing the L.O.D. church by Sarah. Eric overhears Barry's message to Bill and goes to Sookie's aid.

    Director:Michael Ruscio
    Writer:Raelle Tucker

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of True Blood

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  7. True Blood Season 4 Episode 12 - And When I Die
    8.4/10(1772 votes)

    S4:E12

    The souls of the dead rise up in Bon Temps. Sookie makes some important associations. Jesus and Lafayette's connection is imperiled. Sam and Luna imagine a happy and perfect future. Sookie and Tara are confronted by Debbie.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Raelle Tucker

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  8. True Blood Season 5 Episode 12 - Save Yourself
    8.4/10(1783 votes)

    S5:E12

    Eric tries to save Bill from losing his humanity.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  9. True Blood Season 1 Episode 10 - I Don't Wanna Know
    8.3/10(2161 votes)

    S1:E10

    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.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Chris Offutt

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  10. True Blood Season 4 Episode 7 - Cold Grey Light of Dawn
    8.3/10(1563 votes)

    S4:E7

    With Marnie empowered by spirits of the dead, Bill issues an unpopular order to save vampires from the light. Eric embraces his amnesia; Luna discovers Sam’s not the man she thought he was; Lafayette expands his consciousness; Pam gets a body peel; Andy’s date with Holly doesn’t go as planned; Jessica has doubts about her future with Hoyt; Alcide and Debbie join a new pack.

    Director:Michael Ruscio
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  11. True Blood Season 1 Episode 5 - Sparks Fly Out
    8.2/10(2406 votes)

    S1:E5

    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.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  12. True Blood Season 2 Episode 3 - Scratches
    8.2/10(1948 votes)

    S2:E3

    Bill and Eric team up to save Sookie from a mysterious creature. Jason has second thoughts about the Light of Day retreat anti-vampire agenda, but Sarah and Steve counter his doubts with flattery and promises. Sam leaves town after alienating everyone. Jessica heads over to Merlotte's, where a smitten Hoyt falls for her. Tara is attracted to Eggs but is rudely interrupted by a fog.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Raelle Tucker

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  13. True Blood Season 2 Episode 4 - Shake and Fingerpop
    8.2/10(1897 votes)

    S2:E4

    Bill and Sookie travel to Dallas to carry out Eric's mission; Jason falls victim to a practical joke; Maryann throws a birthday party for Tara.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  14. True Blood Season 2 Episode 6 - Hard-Hearted Hannah
    8.2/10(1871 votes)

    S2:E6

    Sookie embarks on a dangerous mission to locate Godric. Bill is shocked when a vampire from his past resurfaces in Dallas and keeps him hostage. Jason makes some difficult decisions. Andy interrogates Lafayette about his disappearance, Terry intervenes.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  15. True Blood Season 3 Episode 8 - Night on the Sun
    8.2/10(1693 votes)

    S3:E8

    While Sookie must rethink her relationship with Bill, he reconciles with Jessica. As Russell decides what he's going to do next, Sophie-Anne relocates her residence. Jason offers a challenge to save Crystal while Ruby Jean pays Lafayette a surprise visit. A new waitress starts at Merlotte. Eric's allegiance to Russell is proven. Alcide's family emergency puts Sookie in a vulnerable position.

    Director:Lesli Linka Glatter
    Writer:Raelle Tucker

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  16. True Blood Season 4 Episode 2 - You Smell Like Dinner
    8.2/10(1688 votes)

    S4:E2

    Sookie adjusts to Bon Temps' new realities; Bill reveals pieces of his past; Eric crashes a witches' meeting; Jason gets his wounds licked; Andy struggles with his addiction; Sam learns of Luna's special talents; Jessica satisfies her blood cravings; and Arlene witnesses strange behavior from her family.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  17. True Blood Season 4 Episode 11 - Soul of Fire
    8.2/10(1538 votes)

    S4:E11

    It's up to Sookie and her powers to keep Bill, Eric and Pam from harm. While Jesus casts a spell, Lafayette is totally absorbed by the past. Sams gets even with Marcus and Alcide deals with Debbie head on. Andy's foray into the forest is filled with deep, overwhelming emotion.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Mark Hudis

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  18. True Blood Season 1 Episode 9 - Plaisir D'Amour
    8.1/10(2171 votes)

    S1:E9

    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.

    Director:Anthony Hemingway
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  19. True Blood Season 1 Episode 11 - To Love Is to Bury
    8.1/10(2086 votes)

    S1:E11

    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.

    Director:Nancy Oliver
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  20. True Blood Season 2 Episode 1 - Nothing But the Blood
    8.1/10(2192 votes)

    S2:E1

    A shocking murder outside Merlotte's has Bon Temps reeling. Meanwhile, Sookie's relationship with Bill is tested when she learns about Jessica, and of his involvement in her uncle's death. Sam recalls a shape-shifting encounter he had with Maryann as a 17-year-old. Jason gets a sudden windfall that allows him to pay for a leadership retreat with the Fellowship of the Sun. Two adversaries find themselves sharing a mysterious dungeon and, possibly, the same fate.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  21. True Blood Season 2 Episode 2 - Keep This Party Going
    8.1/10(1970 votes)

    S2:E2

    Sookie is forced to babysit Jessica and the romantic inconveniences the teen vampire's presence creates. At the Light of Day leadership conference, Jason makes an impression on its ambitious leaders, Steve and Sarah Newlin. While one of his fellow campers, Amanda Jane with her band, the God Rockets, livens the spirits at camp with their hit single, Jesus Asked Me Out Today. Maryann casts her spell on Merlotte's patrons.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  22. True Blood Season 2 Episode 12 - Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
    8.1/10(1973 votes)

    S2:E12

    Bon Temps reaches a fever pitch as Maryann prepares for her ultimate bestial sacrifice, conscripting Sookie to be Maid of Honor at the bloody nuptials. Meanwhile, Sophie-Anne warns Eric to keep the lid on Bill's inquisitiveness; Jason leads Andy into the heroic abyss; and Hoyt struggles with Maxine's endless stream of insults. Deliberating on what may be his final move to save Sookie and the town, Sam places his trust, and his life, in a most unlikely ally

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Alexander Woo

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  23. True Blood Season 3 Episode 1 - Bad Blood
    8.1/10(2031 votes)

    S3:E1

    Sookie turns to Eric for help finding Bill; Andy urges Jason to stay the course; Sam reconnects with his past; Tara seeks refuge from her grief.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Brian Buckner

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  24. True Blood Season 3 Episode 5 - Trouble
    8.1/10(1688 votes)

    S3:E5

    Alcide and Sookie turn to an alpha-wolf "packmaster" for advice on how to deal with Russell's minions. Tara considers a proposal from Franklin, who's completed his mission for Russell; Joe Lee breaks his promise to Sam and Tommy; Lafayette learns the meaning of patience from Jesus, his mother's orderly; Jason meets his match in a mysterious girl named Crystal. An heirloom reminds Eric of his past and his ongoing thirst for vengeance.

    Director:Scott Winant
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  25. True Blood Season 3 Episode 6 - I Got a Right to Sing the Blues
    8.1/10(1671 votes)

    S3:E6

    Spurned by Eric, Sookie fears the worst for Bill, whose fate now lies in Lorena's hands. Fueled by a night of bloody passion, Tara executes a desperate plan to stave off Franklin's advances. In Bon Temps, Tommy finds it difficult to leave the family nest; Jessica gets her fix from a Merlotte's customer; and Jason's romance with Crystal hits a snag, as does Lafayette's with Jesus. After revealing his master plan to Eric, Russell pays a visit to Louisiana in order to start executing it.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Alan Ball

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Best Episodes Summary

"Timebomb" is the best rated episode of "True Blood". It scored 8.8/10 based on 2181 votes. Directed by John Dahl and written by Alexander Woo, it aired on 8/9/2009. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "I Will Rise Up".