Ep 7. Hitting the Ground

Sookie and Alcide arrive at a werewolf bar called Josephine's in Jackson, Mississippi. They enter to find Alcide's ex-fiancée, Debbie Pelt, who is a recovering addict. Debbie joyfully greets Alcide, but her hopes are dashed when he tells her that his relationship with Sookie is not just business. Alcide and Sookie continue their investigation, but they are soon surrounded by werewolves. Alcide tells Sookie to run, but she stays and they are both beaten up. Alcide later asks Sookie how she knew about the werewolves. She tells him that they "smelled different."

Meanwhile, Bill's investigation of Sophie-Anne's finances leads him to a Bellefleur relative. Andy Bellefleur is able to help Bill break into the man's house, but Bill discovers that the "relative" is actually Sophie-Anne's lawyer. The lawyer tells Bill that Sophie-Anne is on the brink of bankruptcy and that the sale of the V-addicted vampires is her only way out. Bill leaves, but orders the lawyer to keep him informed.

After breaking up with Hoyt, Jessica goes to Fangtasia and tells Pam that Eric has put her in charge of watching over the V-addicted vampires. Pam warns her that Eric will likely use the situation to his advantage, and then takes her to see Eric. Eric tells Jessica that he wants her to use her powers to control the V-addicted vampires, but Jessica tells him that she doesn't want to be a vampire policeman. Eric tells her that he remembers what it was like to be a young vampire and tells her to take her time thinking it over.

Sam goes to his estranged birth family's house after seeing them on the news. His welcome is not a warm one, as his parents disapprove of his lifestyle and his fiancée, Luna. Sam confronts his father, who eventually apologizes, but his mother is still cold and distant. Later, Sam discovers that his younger brother, Tommy, has stolen from him. Sam goes to confront him, but their argument quickly turns physical. After a brief struggle, Sam transforms into a white bull and charges towards Tommy.

Tara shows up at Lafayette's house and tells him that she has had enough of Bon Temps. She asks him to leave with her, but Lafayette tells her that he cannot—"this is my life, Tara." Tara storms out, but later returns and they talk. Lafayette tells her about his mother's suicide and how he has his own demons to face. Tara tells him that she wants to face hers with him, and the two reconcile.

Jason visits Hotshot and is ambushed by a group of were-panthers. Crystal arrives and tells them to stop—she is pregnant with Jason's child. Crystal takes Jason back to her house to talk, and he apologizes for not handling the situation well. Crystal tells him that the baby is Tommy's, but that she loves Jason and wants to be with him.

After being beaten by the werewolves, Sookie is approached by a man who introduces himself as Russell Edgington, the Vampire King of Mississippi. He tells Sookie that he has been searching for her, and then drinks her blood. In a moment of frenzy, Russell feeds on a nearby werewolf and then declares that they are going to war.