The Best Episodes Written By Alan Ball

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.7/10(33 votes)

   #1 - Everyone's Waiting

   S5:E128/21/2005

   David finally embraces a demon; Keith gives tough love; Nathaniel talks to his younger son; Brenda delivers and fights Nate's negativity; Claire gets an exciting call; Ted inspires sexy photos; Margaret is impressed to see Olivier's nurturing side; George's limitations eclipse his intentions; and Claire drives into her future.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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2. 

   8.4/10(17 votes)

   #2 - Evil Is Going On

   S3:E129/12/2010

   Eric plots his revenge against Russell; Sookie considers a new life without Bill; Tara discovers some surprising news about Sam; Jason finds a new calling; Lafayette turns to Jesus for help; Hoyt hopes for a future with Jessica.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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3. 

   8.1/10(13 votes)

   #3 - Knock, Knock

   S1:E138/19/2001

   The Fisher family experiences the control-freak side of Tracy Montrose Blaire; Brenda visits a remorseful Billy; David faces problems at his church; Gabe reverts to some bad habits; and Rico finds reason to celebrate.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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4. 

   8.0/10(21 votes)

   #4 - Frenzy

   S2:E118/30/2009

   With the crisis in Bon Temps careening out of control, Bill seeks out the advice of Sophie-Anne, the Vampire Queen of Louisiana, but must exercise patience before she gives him critical information. Meanwhile, Sookie and Lafayette find that protecting Tara from herself is more difficult than they anticipated; a desperate Sam turns to an unlikely source for assistance; and Jessica tests Hoyt’s allegiance to Maxine.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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5. 

   7.9/10(25 votes)

   #5 - Pilot

   S1:E16/3/2001

   Nate Fisher returns home for the holidays to the shattering news of his father's death.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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6. 

   7.8/10(18 votes)

   #6 - Save Yourself

   S5:E128/26/2012

   Eric tries to save Bill from losing his humanity.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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7. 

   7.7/10(36 votes)

   #7 - The First Taste

   S1:E29/14/2008

   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.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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8. 

   7.6/10(14 votes)

   #8 - Nobody Sleeps

   S3:E43/23/2003

   While the partner of a recently deceased gay man is orchestrating an operatic tribute at Fisher & Diaz, Lisa plans an unwanted birthday party for Ruth. Meanwhile, Claire has a night to remember with Russell and two outlaw art teachers.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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9. 

   7.5/10(12 votes)

   #9 - Perfect Circles

   S3:E13/2/2003

   Fisher & Sons has become Fisher & Diaz, and Rico is doing all he can to make sure he's not a 'gofer' anymore. Meanwhile, David and Keith decide to give couple's therapy a try, Claire skips art class to get to know a crematory worker named Phil; and Ruth goes overboard in her obsession with her granddaughter Maya.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Alan Ball

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   Writer:Alan Ball
10. 

    7.4/10(12 votes)

    #10 - Someone Else's Eyes

    S2:E94/28/2002

    Ruth continues to help an injured Nikolai recover, but her patience is tested when she discovers just how he broke his legs. Brenda's escapades help her to write, but her feelings about being engaged grow more muddled--especially after Billy's release from the hospital.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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11. 

    7.3/10(24 votes)

    #11 - Shake and Fingerpop

    S2:E47/12/2009

    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:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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12. 

    7.3/10(38 votes)

    #12 - Strange Love

    S1:E19/7/2008

    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.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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13. 

    7.2/10(31 votes)

    #13 - Mine

    S1:E39/21/2008

    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.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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14. 

    7.2/10(19 votes)

    #14 - Spellbound

    S4:E88/14/2011

    Bill and Marnie get ready for an open confrontation. The King secures the loyalty of Sookie and Eric. Jason is conflicted emotionally. A spirit manipulates Lafayette for its own purposes. Sam must deal with Marcus who just happens to be Luna's ex.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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15. 

    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #15 - Turn! Turn! Turn!

    S5:E16/10/2012

    Sookie and Lafayette clean up the mess. Bill and Eric have a visit from the Vampire authority. Sam and Alcide come to terms with an angry pack.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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16. 

    7.2/10(15 votes)

    #16 - We'll Meet Again

    S5:E47/1/2012

    Eric and Bill fear for their lives; Lafayette puts Sookie’s life in danger; Roman and Salome root out a Council traitor.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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17. 

    7.1/10(21 votes)

    #17 - I Got a Right to Sing the Blues

    S3:E67/25/2010

    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:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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18. 

    7.0/10(20 votes)

    #18 - If You Love Me, Why am I Dyin'?

    S4:E37/10/2011

    Sookie makes a deal with Eric and reconnects with Alcide; Bill punishes an errant vampire and counsels a guilt-ridden Jessica; Jason is cast as a reluctant savior; Tommy eyes a scam and alienates Sam; Marnie flexes her newfound powers; Pam delivers an ultimatum to Lafayette, Tara and Jesus; Eric spoils Sookie's faerie reunion.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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19. 

    6.9/10(19 votes)

    #19 - I Wish I Was the Moon

    S4:E67/31/2011

    Sookie searches for Jason under a full moon; Marnie connects with spirits of the past; Arlene and Terry cope with a suspicious inferno; Debbie urges Alcide to join a new werewolf community; Tommy trades places with Sam; Lafayette feels the spirit in Mexico; Eric surrenders to his King's will.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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20. 

    6.9/10(18 votes)

    #20 - Hopeless

    S5:E67/15/2012

    Bill and Eric must now face Russell again after Roman is killed by him; Sookie and Jason go to a faery club where their family's dark history and greatest secrets are revealed to them. Meanwhile, Sam volunteers to assist Andy with a case.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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21. 

    6.9/10(14 votes)

    #21 - In the Game

    S2:E13/3/2002

    A young actress's death prompts her castmates from a slasher film to pitch in for a cheap funeral at Fisher & Sons. Meanwhile, Ruth arranges a dinner for Nate, David and Claire--and their significant others--after reading a book for parents of gay and lesbian children.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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22. 

    6.9/10(16 votes)

    #22 - An Open Book

    S1:E57/1/2001

    Ruth is stunned by the visitors at a porn star's wake; Nate has a strange first meeting with Brenda's brother Billy; and Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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23. 

    6.8/10(16 votes)

    #23 - Can I Come Up Now?

    S4:E47/11/2004

    David's ex-fiancee re-enters his life in search of answers to the question, 'Why me?' Meanwhile, Nate has a psychic rendezvous, Keith's new job sends him into the closet, Federico identifies with David's past, Claire decides not to let life pass her by, George dumps some surprise baggage on Ruth, and Margaret weighs in on daughter Brenda's new relationship.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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24. 

    6.3/10(7 votes)

    #24 - Eleven Eleven

    S1:E12/11/2018

    As Audrey Bayer puts the finishing touches on her husband Greg’s 60th birthday party – a milestone Greg is loath to celebrate – cracks begin to emerge in their progressive, multiracial family. Ramon, the couple’s Colombian-born son, who’s just starting a relationship with Henry, a barista, is having unexplained, recurring encounters with the numbers “11:11.” Duc, adopted from Vietnam, enjoys the fruits of a lucrative career as a “motivational architect,” but his celibacy troubles Audrey. Liberian-born Ashley, a successful fashion-industry exec, is finding more and more reason to shake up her marriage with her husband, Malcolm. And 17-year-old Kristen, the couple’s youngest child, chafes at her banal life, especially compared to her more exotic siblings. After a troubling incident at the birthday party, Audrey and Greg take Ramon to a therapist, Dr. Farid Shokrani, who has an unlikely and unexplainable connection to the young man.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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25. 

    5.8/10(4 votes)

    #25 - It's Here

    S1:E104/15/2018

    Ramon goes missing after a disturbing family incident. Audrey clashes with Steve during and after a morning talk show. Ashley and Malcolm weigh the pros and cons of a corporate future. Farid’s guilt drives him to extremes, damaging his family ties. Greg gets enlightenment during a visit with Audrey’s brother Ike. A cataclysmic event shakes the family to its core.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Alan Ball

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