The essential episodes of True Blood

Watch these 15 in order and you've got True Blood — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · September 7, 2008 · 1h

   Strange Love7.9

   Across the country, vampires have come "out of the coffin" after the invention of mass-produced synthetic blood. In Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress with telepathic abilities, falls under the spell of a sexy, 173-year-old vampire named Bill Compton - whose thoughts she can't read. After saving Bill from the Rattrays, 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 quits one job to work for Sam Merlotte at his bar and grill, and Sookie's roguish brother Jason finds himself in hot water when a "fangbanger," whom he's been intimate with meets a tragic end.

2. 02

   S01E05 · Top rated · October 5, 2008 · 1h

   Sparks Fly Out8.1

   Spurned by an exasperated Sookie, Bill ends up winning over Adele's church audience with his vivid recollections from the Civil War, though Andy and Bud remain suspicious. Sam tries to make the most of his opportunity with Sookie, though she's clearly not ready to commit. Ignoring Tara's rebuff, Lafayette convinces Jason to give vampire blood, a.k.a. "V juice," another shot. Alone at home, Bill remembers the painful wartime incident that changed his fate forever.

3. 03

   S01E12 · Season 1 peak · November 23, 2008 · 1h

   You'll Be the Death of Me8.3

   In the season finale, Sookie finds a link to the string of killings in Bon Temps - and ends up in the murderer's vicious crosshairs. Tara decides to make the most of her second chance with Maryann; Jason finds a new calling after an anti-vampire zealot named Orry visits him in jail; Bill tempts fate during his latest attempt to save Sookie; Sam is perturbed by an encounter with an old acquaintance; Lafayette finds himself at the wrong place at the right time.

4. 04

   S02E02 · Top rated · June 21, 2009 · 1h

   Keep This Party Going8.1

   Sookie is forced to cope with Bill's obligations to Jessica, as well as the romantic inconveniences the teen vampire's presence creates. At the Light of Day leadership conference, Jason makes a favorable impression on its ambitious leaders, Steve and Sarah Newlin, though not on his jealous roommate Luke. Maryann casts her spell on the Merlotte's patrons, and Sam proves helpless to stop the revelry.

5. 05

   S02E03 · Top rated · June 28, 2009 · 1h

   Scratches8.2

   When Sookie is attacked by a mysterious creature, Bill must enlist Eric's help to save her. At the Light of Day retreat, Jason has second thoughts about the sect's anti-vampire agenda, but Sarah and Steve counter with flattery and promises. After snapping at Tara and new employee Daphne, Sam decides to cut and run. In order to liberate Lafayette, Sookie strikes a deal with Eric. A bored Jessica heads over to Merlotte's, where a smitten Hoyt falls under her spell. At another Maryann-hosted party, Tara finds her attraction to Eggs mitigated by a persistent, aphrodisiac fog.

6. 06

   S02E07 · Top rated · August 2, 2009 · 1h

   Release Me8.2

   Betrayed by Daphne, Sam finds himself in an unenviable predicament at the hands of Maryann and her zombie minions. Imprisoned with Hugo at the Light of Day camp, Sookie uses her telepathic powers to reach out to Bill, who's being detained at the hotel by a stubbornly obsessive Lorena. After crossing a church line, a fearful Jason tries to sever his ties with the Fellowship of the Sun, but gets plenty of resistance from Steve and his lackey, Gabe.

7. 07

   S02E08 · Season 2 peak · August 9, 2009 · 1h

   Timebomb8.5

   Sookie's captivity takes an unexpected turn when Eric arrives to do his master's bidding, facing an F.O.T.S in full lockdown mode. In Bon Temps, Sam finds himself in hot water after making a gruesome discovery at Merlotte's, but Andy proves no help in coming to his defense. Sent home by Bill, Jessica and Hoyt learn that when it comes to sex, every time is the first time. Tara and Eggs get physical after partaking in a "Hunter soufflé" prepared by Maryann. After Jason pays off his debt to the vampires, Godric looks to enlighten his more single-minded followers.

8. 08

   S02E09 · Top rated · August 16, 2009 · 1h

   I Will Rise Up8.5

   A wounded Eric plays Sookie for a sucker, to Bill's dismay, and ends up getting inside her head. Later, Sookie and Jason reflect on their recent adventure, and end up bonding at the feuding Newlins' expense. 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 over lunch, to no avail. Jailed by Bud along with a group of Bon Temps revelers, Sam finds a novel way to escape his cell - 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.

9. 09

   S03E08 · Top rated · August 8, 2010 · 1h

   Night on the Sun8.2

   Shaken and disillusioned, Sookie rethinks her relationship with Bill. SophieAnne takes up a new residence as Russell plots his next move. Jessica and Bill reconcile; Jason throws down the gauntlet in hopes of saving Crystal; Lafayette gets a surprise visit from his mom, Ruby Jean; Sam tries to keep Tommy in check; Merlotte's gets a new waitress; Eric proves the depth of his allegiance to Russell. Sookie finds herself in a vulnerable position when Alcide needs to deal with a family emergency.

10. 10

    S03E09 · Season 3 peak · August 15, 2010 · 1h

    Everything is Broken8.4

    With the ratification of the Vampire Rights Amendment at hand, Nan Flanagan detours to Fangtasia to confront Eric about the Magister's disappearance. A grief-stricken Russell vows revenge against his foes, vampire and human. Awakening from a slumber, Bill uncovers the truth about Sookie's true identity. Jason gets unexpected help as he goes up against Felton and Calvin. Sam is distressed by Tommy's attitude; Tara encounters a new ally and an old tormenter; Hadley introduces Sookie to a new family member; Arlene despairs about her future; Hoyt confronts his true feelings.

11. 11

    S04E07 · Season 4 peak · August 7, 2011 · 1h

    Cold Grey Light of Dawn8.2

    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.

12. 12

    S05E12 · Season 5 peak · August 26, 2012 · 1h

    Save Yourself8.1

    Season 5 finale. Eric embarks on a final, desperate mission to overthrow the Authority - and save Bill from losing his humanity. Andy faces the consequences of a Light Pact he made; Alcide readies for a second showdown with J.D.; Sam and Luna test their limits in trying to escape the Authority.

13. 13

    S06E04 · Season 6 peak · July 7, 2013 · 1h

    At Last7.9

    Sookie confronts her growing attraction to the mysterious Ben. Eric counters Burrell's brutal anti-vampire initiatives by hitting his nemesis where it hurts the most. Growing up all too quickly, Andy's faerie daughters end up keeping dangerous company. Sam and Nicole make a connection. Bill tasks Takahashi to synthesize a new kind of blood.

14. 14

    S07E04 · Season 7 peak · July 13, 2014 · 1h

    Death is Not the End7.5

    The origins of Fangtasia are revealed through a negotiation between Eric and the Authority. Many of the residents of Bon Temps descend upon Fangtasia. Jessica struggles with a feeding problem.

15. 15

    S07E10 · Series finale · August 24, 2014 · 1h 5m

    Thank You6.1

    Eric and Pam take harsh action against the yakuza. Bill prepares for his death as he consults many of the cast and asks of Sookie an extreme task to help kill him. Hoyt and Jessica get together very quickly as Jason sees a chance with Bridget.