In Bon Temps, Louisiana, Sookie Stackhouse, a telepathic waitress, navigates a world of vampires. Her primary concern is finding her vampire boyfriend, Bill Compton, who is kidnapped by Russell Edgington, the powerful Vampire King of Mississippi. Russell seeks to consolidate his power and sees Bill as a valuable asset. Sookie enlists the help of Alcide, a werewolf, to locate Bill, while also dealing with the manipulative vampire Franklin Mott and the vengeful vampire Eric Northman, who has a personal vendetta against Russell.

The central conflict escalates as Bill pledges allegiance to Russell, and Russell becomes aware of Sookie's unique fairy powers. Russell's ruthlessness is evident as he kidnaps Tara and decapitates the Magister. A major turning point occurs when Sookie stakes Lorena, saving Bill, but Lorena's true death shocks everyone. The season culminates with Eric and Russell drinking Sookie's blood, allowing them to walk in the sun, before Eric imprisons Sookie. Ultimately, Sookie, weary of the vampire drama, uses her fairy abilities to depart for the fairy world, leaving Bon Temps behind.

Season 3 of True Blood covers episodes 1-12. Here's everything that happened:

Season 3, Episode 1: Bad Blood - Sookie seeks Eric's help to find the kidnapped Bill. Tara spirals after Eggs' death. Bill, held captive and drained, escapes his abductors, killing one in a car crash. Jessica hides a body. Bill feeds on an elderly woman in Mississippi and is then confronted by werewolves.

Season 3, Episode 2: Beautifully Broken - Bill is held captive by the Vampire King of Mississippi, Russell Edgington, who wants Bill to help him consolidate power. Tara finds a surprising connection with the vampire Franklin Mott. Eric's past is explored through flashbacks revealing his and Godric's hunt for werewolves during WWII. Sookie enlists Eric's help to find Bill, leading to Eric being invited into her home to deal with a werewolf. Jessica seeks Pam's advice about the body she left at her house, but the body disappears.

Season 3, Episode 3: It Hurts Me Too - Sookie enlists Alcide, a werewolf bodyguard, to find Bill in Jackson. Bill pledges allegiance to the King of Mississippi. Franklin charms Tara and gets information about Bill. Eric gifts Lafayette a car to encourage V sales. Bill has flashbacks where he is forced to glamour his wife. Arlene discovers she is pregnant with a baby that isn't Terry's.

Season 3, Episode 4: 9 Crimes - Bill breaks up with Sookie and aligns further with Russell. Eric and Pam are given a deadline by the Magister to prove Bill is selling vampire blood. Franklin kidnaps Tara and delivers her to Russell. Sookie attends a werewolf party with Alcide, where Russell offers them his blood. The episode concludes with Bill, Lorena, and Russell feeding on a kidnapped human.

Season 3, Episode 5: Trouble - Sookie and Alcide seek help from a packmaster regarding Russell's minions. Tara considers Franklin's marriage proposal, unaware of his true intentions. Eric's past is revealed through a flashback, showing Russell was responsible for his family's death. Bill warns Sookie, but she's captured by Russell, who is thrilled by her powers. The episode concludes with Russell aware of Sookie's abilities.

Season 3, Episode 6: I Got a Right to Sing the Blues - Sookie is held captive by Russell, while Bill is sentenced to death by Lorena. Tara escapes Franklin, bashing his head in. Eric helps Russell corner Queen Sophie-Anne into a marriage proposal. Lorena tortures Bill, but Sookie arrives. The episode concludes with Lorena attacking Sookie.

Season 3, Episode 7: Hitting the Ground - Sookie stakes Lorena to save Bill, resulting in Lorena's true death. Sam rescues Tommy from a dogfighting ring. Russell forces Sophie-Anne into marriage and then decapitates the Magister. Bill, in a crazed state, drains Sookie, leading to her hospitalization and a mysterious blood rejection. Sookie enters a dreamlike state.

Season 3, Episode 8: Night on the Sun - Sookie ends things with Bill, but they later engage in passionate make-up sex after a werewolf attack orchestrated by Russell. Eric exacts revenge on Talbot for his family's death by staking him. Jason confronts Crystal's father, and Lafayette's mother visits. The episode concludes with Bill and Sookie together.

Season 3, Episode 9: Everything is Broken - Nan Flanagan confronts Eric about the Magister's disappearance, while Russell vows revenge. Jason uses wooden bullets to kill Franklin, saving Tara. Bill learns more about Sookie's identity after a dream-state encounter with Claudine. Eric is given the go-ahead to kill Russell.

Season 3, Episode 10: I Smell a Rat - Bill reveals to Sookie she is part faerie, explaining her allure to vampires. Eric, fearing his demise, bequeaths everything to Pam and impulsively kisses Sookie. Jason confesses to Tara that he killed Eggs. The episode concludes with Eric taking Sookie prisoner in Fangtasia's basement.

Season 3, Episode 11: Fresh Blood - Eric reveals to Russell that he killed Talbot as revenge for his family's death and tempts him with the ability to walk in the sun using Sookie's blood. Eric and Russell drink Sookie's blood, and Eric handcuffs himself to Russell as they step into the sunlight. Bill tries to regain Sookie's trust, while Sam's dark side emerges.

Season 3, Episode 12: Evil is Going On - Eric and Bill plan to encase Russell in concrete for eternity. Sookie, tired of vampires, uses her fairy powers and departs for the fairy world. Sam confronts Tommy, and a shot is fired. The episode concludes with Sookie leaving Bon Temps.