Russell Edgington, the Vampire King of Mississippi, concocts a plan to consolidate his power. Eric remembers his past; Sam tests the strength of his family bonds; Tara finds an ally in a shady vampire named Franklin Mott.

In search of Bill, Sookie heads to Mississippi in the company of Alcide, a werewolf bodyguard. Haunted by visions from his past, Bill makes a surprising pledge of allegiance.

Sookie joins Alcide at a raucous engagement party for his former fiancee. Bill "procures" dinner for Russell and Lorena. Sam brokers a deal with Tommy and his parents. Andy gets a promotion and draws Jason's attention. Arlene is irked by Jessica's arrival at Merlotte's. Eric is given a deadline to locate Bill. Franklin takes Tara on a road trip.

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.

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.

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.

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.