Over 10 Years Later, These 5 True Blood Deaths Are Still Shocking

HBO is a premium cable network with a penchant for killing off core characters unexpectedly. The Sopranos did so with a certain regularity, as did Game of Thrones. Another iconic HBO program with a penchant for an unexpected demise was also True Blood. The show was a cultural phenomenon when it was on the air, claiming its place as the most-watched HBO series since The Sopranos. Viewers faithfully tuned in each week to see what the residents of Bon Temps, Louisiana were getting up to. For many fans, diving into each new episode as it debuted meant bracing ourselves for the possibility of a surprise death.

With characters that feel like family to many of us, it was a rude awakening when one of them (dead or undead) met with the true death. In light of that, we are looking back on five of the most shocking demises from the show’s iconic seven-season run.

1) Roman

Christopher Meloni appears as a recurring guest star throughout the first half of True Blood Season 5. Meloni plays Roman, a high-ranking member of the Vampire Authority. Roman is very much about law and order and peacefully coexisting with humans. Right before his untimely demise, Roman is getting ready to stake former Vampire King and known Sanguinista Russell (Denis O’Hare). As we brace for Russell’s impending demise, Russell turns the tables, killing Roman with his own stake.

Roman’s death, although plenty shocking, is a brilliant plot twist that shakes things up, allowing the narrative to go in a direction few saw coming. Specifically, following Roman’s death, Russell momentarily aligns with the Authority as they adopt a Sanguinista agenda in Roman’s absence.

2) Adele Stackhouse (Gran)

Adele’s (Lois Smith) death floored fans who weren’t already familiar with the Charlaine Harris novels upon which True Blood is based. She’s a soothing presence who serves as an antidote to some of the more radicalized characters who possess little tolerance for diversity. Sadly, it’s one of those very characters who ends Adele’s life in the show’s first season. As fans likely remember, Drew Marshall (Michael Raymond-James) murders Adele in a botched attempt to kill series lead Sookie (Anna Paquin) for her reputation as a “fang banger” (a person known to associate with vampires).

Adele is a maternal soul without a mean bone in her body. She is often more of a mother to Sookie’s best friend Tara (Rutina Wesley) than Tara’s actual mother. Adele’s gentle way makes her seem an unlikely target, but her death in Season 1 establishes early on that no one’s tenure on the series is guaranteed in the long term.

3) Alcide

Alcide dies in True Blood Season 7 when a group of human vigilantes with a severe disdain for supernatural beings shoot him as he’s attempting to track Sookie. This is yet another shocking death perpetrated at the hands of the intolerant. True Blood paints a harrowing portrait of what it’s like to be different and to be despised on that basis. The idea that his death transpires at the hands of hateful cowards makes his shocking passing all the more traumatic.

Although Alcide’s death comes as a complete shock, by Season 7, we knew the cast was going to continue to dwindle and we knew there would be more casualties. That knowledge, however, provides little comfort to fans who fell in love with Alcide after he first appears in Season 3.

4) Terry

Terry (Todd Lowe) is a brilliant character, a sensitive soul with a gentle way about him. Rather than letting the horrors of war harden him, he goes in the opposite direction and leans into his sensitive side. Despite his valiant efforts to move past his trauma, Terry ultimately makes the fateful decision to have a friend end his life for him.

What makes all of this so shocking is that Terry’s Season 6 death comes right after Arlene (Carrie Preston) asks a vampire to glamour him to ensure he will no longer be haunted by his past. Following a successful glamour, it briefly appears as if Terry might be able to move forward and enjoy life as a dedicated family man. However, since he orchestrated his demise prior to the glamour, he has no recollection of that and unknowingly falls prey to a sniper while taking out the trash at Merlotte’s Bar and Grill.

5) Tara

We saved what is considered by most to be the most shocking death of True Blood for last. Part of what makes Tara’s true death so shocking is how haphazard it appears. In the first few minutes of the Season 7 opener, Tara falls prey to a ruthless vampire in a noble attempt to protect her mother, Lettie Mae (Adina Porter).

Part of what makes Tara’s demise so surprising is the idea that it’s presented as so incidental. Hell, she perishes before the opening credits roll. Many perceived her sendoff as somewhat anticlimactic. The only saving grace is that her arc continues after her true death, with Tara appearing to Lettie in a series of surreal dream sequences. Even still, most agree that Tara deserves better than she got.

Now that you’ve seen our top picks for the most shocking deaths on True Blood, it’s time for you to weigh in. Hit us up via the comments section below to let us know which series death surprised you most.

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