If you had any doubt that "True Blood" is just around the corner — and I'm not sure why you would, given the deluge of preview photos and footage circulating over the last several weeks — then doubt no more: the first three episodes have been revealed!
Well, not exactly. See, HBO has released the descriptions for the first three episodes. It's not quite the real thing, but based on what we've already seen and heard about the third season of "True Blood," we can gather quite a bit of information from these synopses.
After the jump, take a look at our predictions based on the descriptions!
Episode #25 — "Pack of Wolves"
HBO Says: Sookie (Anna Paquin) turns to Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) for help in finding Bill (Stephen Moyer); Andy (Chris Bauer) urges Jason (Ryan Kwanten) to stay the course; Sam (Sam Trammell) reconnects with his past; Tara (Rutina Wesley) seeks refuge from her grief.
We Say: We've already seen that Sookie's pleas for Eric's help leads to the Swedish vampire getting shot, possibly by Sookie herself — guess that won't go so well! It also sounds like Jason hasn't gotten over killing Eggs during the Season Two finale, and Andy of all people has to keep him grounded. Sam reconnecting with his past means that he'll reunite with his brother Tommy Mickens and the rest of his shape-shifting family, as we've seen in previously released material. As for who Tara turns to in her time of grief? Well, read on...
Episode #26 — "Beautifully Broken"
HBO Says: Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare), 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 shady vampire Franklin Mott (James Frain).
We Say: Keep in mind where Russell hails from — Mississippi. Eric "remembering his past" hints at his quest to avenge his father, Ulfrich, as Alexander Skarsgård previous revealed to us. It sounds as if Sam's family reunion isn't going so well. And the identity of Tara's grief counselor is revealed as Franklin Mott, effectively ending any doubt that he's the man in this video.
Episode #27 — "It Hurts Me Too"
HBO Says: In search of Bill, Sookie heads to Jackson, Miss. in the company of Alcide (Joe Manganiello), a werewolf bodyguard assigned by Eric to protect her. Jason is distracted from his police exams; Bud (William Sanderson) reaches the end of his rope; Arlene (Carrie Preston) copes with unexpected news; Franklin charms Tara, and gets Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) out of a jam; Eric bequeaths a gift to Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis). Haunted by visions from his past, Bill (Stephen Moyer) makes a surprising pledge of allegiance.
We Say: Sookie is heading to Mississippi, the same location as King Russell — looks like we know where Bill is! On top of that, she's accompanied by Alcide, the werewolf hunk played by Joe Manganiello. As for Jason's police training, could Andy be steering him on the right side of the law while Bud loses his taste for police work? Arlene's "unexpected news" has us worried that Terry Bellefleur could be in trouble, but the team-up of Franklin, Tara and Jessica is quite exciting. Likewise, Eric's rendezvous with Lafayette has us squirming with anticipation. This episode's description is the most enigmatic to us, but Bill's "visions from his past" leave little doubt that the vampire is reuniting with Lorena very shortly.
Tell us your predictions in the comments and on Twitter!
** Hollywood Crush Twitter