True Blood

Very similar to the aired pilot called Strange Love, except the actor who plays Tara Thornton in this version is Brook Kerr instead of Rutina Wesley. This version was released online around the middle of June 2008.

A special featurette about the all-new HBO drama series True Blood.

A special featurette about the all-new HBO drama series True Blood.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 journeys away from Bon Temps; Eric and Bill try to win back the human public; Jason learns that no good deed goes unpunished; Tara finds refuge in close quarters; Sam bonds with his own; Hoyt and Jessica debate the dinner menu; Jesus urges Lafayette to join a coven; and Terry tries to alleviate Arlene’s fears about the baby.

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.

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.

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.

Tara resurfaces in Bom Temps. Pam recalls her human life when she met Eric.

Bill and Eric barter for their lives with Roman, the head of the Authority; Jason reunites with his old high school teacher; Sookie searches for Tara.

A group flees the Authority compound in the wake of Bill's reincarnation; Sam, Luna and Emma evade guards; Alcide learns about the packmaster job; Andy parents newborn human-faerie hybrids; Governor Truman Burrell vows open season on vampires.

Jason and Sookie meet a long-lost relative; Tara is victimized by a new government weapon; Eric attempts to thwart the governor's anti-vampire initiatives; Sookie is drawn to a stranger; Alcide and Martha confront Sam about Emma's future.

Eric is irate about Burrell's aggression towards vampires; Bill enlists an innovator to synthesize a new type of blood; Sookie begins to learn why Warlow is after her; Sam receives unexpected help from Nicole; Steve Newlin struggles with his past.

A band of rogue H-vamps crashes the vampire-human mixer at Bellefleur’s, with shocking results. As Sookie seeks refuge from accusations that she’s somehow to blame for the chaos in Bon Temps, the “one vampire for every human” plan moves forward. In the face of a vigilante insurrection led by redneck Vince, Bill receives aid from an unexpected source.

A trio of hostages taken in the Bellefleur’s attack looks to a familiar face as a possible liberator from the H-vamps. Sookie and Jason visit the neighboring town of Saint Alice, where a young woman’s diary offers clues to the potential fate of Bon Temps. Spurned by Lafayette, a desperate Lettie Mae turns to Willa to channel her family past. Vince whips his fellow vigilantes into a dangerous frenzy. Pam’s search for her maker leads her to a very familiar place.

Sookie hatches a dangerous plan to take down the H-Vamps, even as Vince and his armed vigilantes pose an equally serious threat. Lafayette gets high with James; Jason eyes a family future with Violet; Willa is forced to find a new place to stay; Sarah Newlin sheds her past. Pam offers Eric a compelling reason to return to Louisiana – and be the vampire he used to be.