Anna Paquin, Ryan Kwanten, and Stephen Moyer in “True Blood”...

Anna Paquin, Ryan Kwanten, and Stephen Moyer in “True Blood” second season, episode “New World in My View." Credit: HBO

The fifth season premiere of “True Blood” was full of surprises, including Eric Norton’s too-close-for-comfort relationship with his sister and Reverend Steve’s love confession for Jason Stackhouse. But perhaps the biggest shocker of all was Tara Thornton’s transformation into a vampire.

It’s been no secret that Tara was a vamp hater. She even joined Marnie, the witch, on her mission to kill off the bloodsuckers last season. But after being shot and murdered by Debbie Pelt, the jealous werewolf, Sookie Stackhouse and Lafayette Reynolds felt their only choice to save their loved one was to turn Tara.

Pam Swynford De Beaufort happened to be at the wrong place at the right time. The vamp agreed to turn Tara under one condition. "If you can use your magic hands  ... whatever power it is you have over Eric to fix what's broken between us, and you'll still owe me one, you have a deal,” she told Sookie. Sookie agreed.

Desperate for Tara’s life, even an immortal one, Sookie and Lafayette dug her up with Pam and waited for the next night. In the meantime, the pair cleaned up evidence of Debbie’s murder. Although Lafayette told Sookie they should call the cops and say it was self-defense, Sookie insisted that she had time to think of her actions.

Both characters then head over to see Jesus' dead body, which was tied to a chair in Lafayette’s apartment. But the body was missing causing Lafayette to have another breakdown.

It seems Sookie had no time to think of Eric Northman and Bill Compton, who are placed in the trunk of a car by the Vampire Authority, because of the death of Nan Flanagan. The duo lit the car on fire to escape.

They are about to be killed by the driver when Nora, Eric’s sister who is also a vampire, saves them. The siblings kiss passionately, which is a bit much, even for Eric. While the escape seemed successful, the three vampires are later stopped at gunpoint.

That night, Tara also awakens but she is no longer the character fans remember. As a vamp, her first instinct is to attack Sookie, who screams for Lafayette’s help.

Scenes from the upcoming episodes show Tara as an evil vamp up to no good. Sookie and Lafayette may have had good intentions, but did they make the right choice?

“I'm biased but pretty great episode right?!” Kristin Bauer, who plays Pam, tweeted.

Tara’s transformation has people so caught off guard that HBO is having a live chat today at 2 p.m. with actress Rutina Wesley to discuss her character’s new form.

What did you think of Tara’s turn? Let us know in the comments below.

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