So... Tara is (sort of) alive. Steve Newlin is gay. Jessica is torn. Jason is sorry. Lafayette is sad. Eric and Bill are in trouble. And werewolves have an especially grotesque was of honoring their dead.

These were just some of the storylines featured on last night's True Blood Season 5 premiere, as the zaniest show on television held little back in terms of violence, gore and nudity.

What can fans expect going forward? What kind of vampire will Tara make? What impression will Christopher Meloni give when he debuts next week as the head of The Authority? Watch the following extended preview for this summer's new episodes now:

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.