One random night while Sookie is working the night shift at her local bar, a mysterious man walks in. Immediately she knows something is different about him, because she cannot get any sort of mental reading off him. But when he orders blood, Sookie realizes that she has finally met her first vampire.

Sookie believes that Bill is the one murdering the people who almost took her life. Meanwhile, Tara must cope with family issues; and a new church threatens the vampire world.

Tara heads to LaFayette in order to relax. Dawn returns home to see if Jason is still tied up. Meanwhile, Sookie meets some of Bill's friends.

When a barmaid at Merlotte's is found murdered, Jason becomes the lead suspect. Later, Bill introduces Sookie to Fangoria, the biggest vampire bar in Shreveport, and to Eric, the oldest vampire.

Bill is welcomed to speak about his previous life as a Confederate soldier while at the Descendants of the Glorious Dead meeting. One member shows Bill a tintype picture of the Compton family, causing more questions. Meanwhile, Sam, Sookie, Tara and Jason are all at the meeting too. Sookie deals with losing someone who she was close to, and Tara is noticed by Jason while high on vampire blood.

Numbed by tragedy, Sookie looks for refuge from the cacophony of her friendsa ' and neighborsa ' inner voices. After lashing out at his sister and decking Andy, Jason wrestles with withdrawal symptoms from his V juice habit. Tara resists the overtures of her mother Lettie Mae (Adina Porter), whoa 's trying to rid herself of a demon and needs her daughtera 's help. Sam and Tara make a connection in their mutual search for a something real.a

After hearing a distressing recollection Sookie gave about her uncle, Bill takes action. Tara takes drastic measures in helping her mother. To satisfy his craving, Jason takes a road trip to Fangtasia. A group of vigilantes head to Merlotte to hunt for vampires who have made the scene there.

Oh, Sookie... After the fire destroyed the house, Sookie believes Bill to be dead. Jason and Amy seem perfect for each other after their night of passion sans penetration. Bill survived somehow by burrowing beneath the earth only to surprise Sookie after a most touching moment. Police question Sam about his nude runs, and decide to do a follow up on his story only to lead to more questions. Bill is ordered by Eric to bring Sookie into Fangtasia to question humans about missing money...only to find out that a vampire hired them.

Bill's continuous concern for Sookie causes him to go against the vampire's code. Jason and Amy go to extremes to score V, Tara goes back to the exorcist, and Sam is put in charge to look after Sookie while Bill faces a hearing.

Bill faces the vampire tribunal, and is ordered to do something that goes against his beliefs. Tara finds out the exorcists' true intentions. Amy makes a rash decision which changes Jason's and Amy's lives. Sam reveals a secret to Sookie.

Bill goes through with his punishment; a good Samaritan comes to the aid of Tara when she cries for help; Lafayette has a surprise for a two-faced state senator on the campaign trail; Jason finds himself once again in trouble with the law; and Sookie struggles for an explanation of what her latest vision means.

Sookie finds a connection to the murders in Bon Temps. Jason finds a new goal in life. Bill tempts fate, continuing to find a way to rescue Sookie from harm. Sam is troubled by a familiar face from his past.