‘True Blood’ Season Four July Episode Guide

Alexander Skarsgard in True Blood Season 4
Alexander Skarsgard in ‘True Blood’ Season 4 (Photo © HBO)

If you don’t want to know what’s going to happen on True Blood during July, definitely don’t continue reading. But if you want the basics on season four’s July episodes, read on:

Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 3 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: July 3 (11:30 p.m.), 5 (11:30 p.m.), 6 (10:00 p.m.), 9 (12:15 a.m.) and 14 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 4 (9:00 p.m.), 7 (10:00 p.m.), 8 (12:30 a.m.) and 10 (2:00 p.m.)
Sookie (Anna Paquin) adjusts to Bon Temps’ new realities; Bill (Stephen Moyer) reveals pieces of his past; Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) crashes a witches’ meeting; Jason (Ryan Kwanten) gets his wounds licked; Andy (Chris Bauer) struggles with his addiction; Sam (Sam Trammell) learns of Luna’s (Janina Gavankar) special talents; Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll) satisfies her blood cravings; and Arlene (Carrie Preston) witnesses strange behavior from her family.
Written by Brian Buckner; directed by Scott Winant.

Episode #39: “If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin’?”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 10 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 10 (11:05 p.m.), 12 (11:00 p.m.), 13 (10:30 p.m.), 14 (10:00 p.m.) and 16 (10:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 11 (9:00 p.m.), 15 (10:00 p.m.) and 17 (4:00 p.m.)
Sookie makes a deal with Eric, and reconnects with Alcide (Joe Manganiello); Bill punishes an errant vampire and counsels a guilt-ridden Jessica; Jason is cast as a reluctant savior; Tommy (Marshall Allman) eyes a scam and alienates Sam; Marnie (Fiona Shaw) flexes her newfound powers; Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) delivers an ultimatum to Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis), Tara (Rutina Wesley) and Jesus (Kevin Alejandro); Eric spoils Sookie’s faerie reunion.
Written by Alan Ball; directed by David Petrarca.

Episode #40: “I’m Alive and on Fire”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 17 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 17 (11:05 p.m.), 19 (11:00 p.m.), 20 (10:00 p.m.) and 23 (11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. PT), and Aug. 3 (8:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 18 (9:00 p.m.), 21 (10:00 p.m.), 22 (11:00 p.m.), and 24 (4:00 p.m.)
Alcide helps Sookie hunt for Eric; Marnie searches for guidance to break a spell; Bill discovers a common bond with the Bellefleurs; Jason begs for liberation from Hotshot; Sam penetrates Luna’s inner circle; Arlene sees the writing on the wall; Tommy returns to his roots.
Written by Nancy Oliver; directed by Michael Lehmann.

Episode #41: “I Hate You, I Love You”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 24 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
HBO playdates: July 24 (11:05 p.m.), 26 (11:35 p.m.), 27 (10:00 p.m.) and 30 (10:15 p.m.), and Aug. 3 (9:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 25 (9:00 p.m.), 28 (10:00 p.m.), 29 (11:00 p.m.) and 31 (4:00 p.m.)
Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy’s accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman’s power; Jason convalesces.
Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Daniel Minahan.

Episode #42: “I Wish I Was the Moon”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 31 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 31 (11:00 p.m.) and Aug. 2 (11:30 p.m.), 3 (10:00 p.m.) and 6 (12:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Aug. 1 (9:00 p.m.), 4 (10:00 p.m.), 5 (12:05 a.m.) and 7 (6:00 p.m.)
Sookie searches for Jason under a full moon; Marnie connects with spirits of the past; Arlene and Terry cope with a suspicious inferno; Debbie (Brit Morgan) urges Alcide to join a new werewolf community; Tommy trades places with Sam; Lafayette feels the spirit in Mexico; Eric surrenders to his King’s will.
Written by Raelle Tucker; directed by Jeremy Podeswa.