Russell sends Sookie back upstairs -- screaming about Bill, duh -- and Eric watches Russell and Talbot very quickly, with that conspiratorial flirty smile plastered on, at all the cracks in the spaces between them. He won't tell Talbot where he's going, saying it's just business, and Talbot doesn't even have time to get pissy about that before the King invites Eric along, which shifts the triangle all the way over into a new shape: "You never take me anywhere! Because you prefer to be in the company of sycophants!"

Russell and Eric lock eyes, smiling indulgently about it, so Talbot almost gratefully takes the bitchy-wife role again for his exit scene: "Deep down, my darling, you have very weak character." (While Eric would I think normally smack you for calling him a sycophant, like what a ridiculous accusation, we're dealing with a King so he gets to practically roll his eyes, like, "What can you do? You say sycophant, I say smitten.") Though for what it's worth, I feel bad for Talbot here, because No Threesomes is the rule and this is why: Not even Talbot knows if he's feeling bad because Russell chooses Eric over him, or Eric's choosing Russell. They both sting, and he has to admit the possibility he'll be left out because that's exactly what Eric's been leading him to think will happen to Russell.

But Eric plays it just right, falling somewhere between Helpful Servant and Concubine Applicant, and can share an indulgent smile with his King when Russell tsks, "He's in one of his moods." Russell vaguely gives Eric the impression that they're going to Shreveport, which is a relief since they've got until next sundown to save Pam, which is literally hours away. But you don't become King without a well-managed schedule, and in fact Russell's got a whole other gambit to play before that, and he knows he needs to leave Eric hanging as long as possible, which means going to New Orleans first even if he doesn't say it aloud.

Sookie screams Bill's name and threatens to use her "powers" against the Vampercrombie taking her upstairs, but once she's in her room -- screaming Bill's name, okay, at the walls of the empty room I guess just on the off chance this is all just a gorgeous mistake -- she gets a psychic message from Tara: Sookie. Sookie. Don't worry, Sookie. I'm gonna get you out. Wait until the sun comes up. I'll find you. Be ready. Because we're gonna need all the luck in the world, but I'm gonna get us out of here. I'm not giving up without a fight. It's immensely empowering to hear, spooned as she is with sleepy Franklin and covered in his blood, but also sort of harrowing, because she's just sending these thoughts out as hard as she can without any idea if she is doing it right or just praying to nothing at all. "You have no idea what awaits you on the other side, my beautiful bride. No more pain. No more fear," says Franklin Mott. "No more rules."