True Blood July Episodes – Updated

Kristin Bauer von Straten as Pam in 'True Blood'
Kristin Bauer von Straten as Pam in 'True Blood' - Photo John P. Johnson/HBO
In all honesty, the first two episodes of True Blood season 5 almost had me ready to take a break from the series. And as a huge fan of Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse books, I was more than a little disappointed nothing about this season has anything to do with Harris’ storylines. Fortunately, the season has turned itself around – although I’m still not sold on the need to include Terry’s backstory as one of the central plotlines this season.

As the fifth season edges closer to its finale, HBO has released updated descriptions for the remaining July episodes:

Episode #54: “Hopeless”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 15 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 15 (11:05 p.m.), 18 (10:00 p.m.), 19 (11:00 p.m.) and 21 (12:45 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 16 (9:00 p.m.), 19 (8:00 p.m.), 20 (11:00 p.m.) and 22 (1:50 p.m.)
The aftermath at the asylum leaves Sookie (Anna Paquin) with an eerie sense of foreboding. At Fangtasia, Pam (Kristin Bauer van Straten) breaks up a vamp-girl fight, praising Tara (Rutina Wesley) for her tenacity. Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis) visits Ruby Jean (Alfre Woodard), who also received a disturbing message from Jesus. Fearing for his family’s safety, Terry blames his curse for his troubles with Arlene (Carrie Preston). Alcide (Joe Manganiello) challenges J.D. (Louis Herthum); Sam (Sam Trammell) offers to help Andy investigate the recent shootings; Roman lays out his plans to take out Russell.
Written by Alan Ball; directed by Dan Attias.

Episode #55: “In the Beginning”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 22 (11:00 p.m.), 25 (10:00 p.m.), 26 (11:00 p.m.) and 28 (10:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 23 (9:00 p.m.), 26 (8:00 p.m.), 27 (11:00 p.m.) and 29 (4:35 p.m.), and Aug. 10 (9:00 p.m.)
Bill and Eric get a powerful taste of sacred blood. A revelation at Hot Wings causes Sookie to wonder what her life would be like without faerie powers. Meanwhile, Sam sniffs out several shifter shooters; Hoyt finds camaraderie in a new group of friends; Alcide prepares for the worst in his face off with J.D.; Andy attempts to reconnect with Bud; Lafayette finds an unlikely ally searching for Jesus’ body in Mexico; Lettie Mae (Adina Porter) pays Tara a visit; Arlene takes a sentimental journey as her concerns for Terry deepen.
Written by Brian Buckner; directed by Michael Ruscio.

Episode #56: “Somebody That I Used To Know”
Debut: SUNDAY, JULY 29 (9:00-10:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 29 (11:00 p.m.) and 31 (midnight), and Aug. 1 (10:00 p.m.), 2 (11:00 p.m.) and 4 (11:30 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 30 (9:00 p.m.) and 31 (10:00 p.m.), and Aug. 2 (8:00 p.m.), 3 (11:00 p.m.), 5 (2:45 p.m.) and 10 (10:00 p.m.)
At Authority headquarters, the Chancellors revel in the afterglow of recent events; Eric gets a message from Godric; Bill is shaken by a distant memory. Helped by Claude (Giles Matthey) and his sisters, Sookie and Jason visit the site of their parents’ deaths, with shocking results. An emotional Luna tries to walk in Sam’s shoes. Hoyt’s new pals bring him a present; Lafayette leads a séance to purge a curse; J.D. ups the stakes of his fight with Alcide.
Written by Mark Hudis; directed by Stephen Moyer.