Sam Merlotte

Sam Merlotte

Appearances

Season(s)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

First seen

"Strange Love"

Last seen

"Save Yourself"

Appeared in

60 episodes (see below)

Mentioned in

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Biographical Information

Also Known As

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Status

Alive

Age

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Turning age

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Vampire age

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Date of birth

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Date turned

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Date of death

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Origin

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Profession

Owner of Merlotte's Bar and Grill, Bon Temps, Louisiana

Religion

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Gender

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Family Information

Joe Lee Mickens - Father (deceased)
Melinda Mickens - Mother (deceased)
Mitch Merlotte - Adoptive Father
Sue Ann Merlotte - Adoptive Mother
Tommy Mickens - Brother (deceased)

Supernatural Information

Species

Shapeshifter

Powers

Shape shifting,strengthened senses

Has shifted into

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Notable Progeny

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Notable kills

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Cause of death

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Killed by

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Physical Appearance

Height

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Hair color

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Eye color

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Portrayed by

Actor

Sam Trammell
Martin Spanjers (young)

Actress

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[[:Category:{{{Images}}}|Images]]

"Andy, if you don’t stop fuckin’ with me, I’ll turn into a doberman and bite off your goddamn face!"

―Sam

Sam Merlotte is a major character in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth seasons of True Blood. He is played by starring cast member Sam Trammell and debuts in "Strange Love". He is a shapeshifter and the owner of the bar/restaurant Merlotte's Bar and Grill in Bon Temps, Louisiana. In his early 30's, he is of average height and strong build, with gray eyes and shaggy brown hair, much in line with his alternate form. While he can change into any animal (so long as there is a suitable 'template' animal around for him to use as a basis), Sam's preferred alternate shape is that of a light-colored border collie.

Like all shapeshifters, Sam feels a strong urge to change shape on the nights of a full moon. The rest of the time he can do so at will. He often will go for runs in dog form through the local woods with his canine friends.

Although not usually an angry person, Sam has shown that he has a bad temper, shown to even be capable of killing. ("I Smell a Rat") He appears to dislike vampires, and has an even deeper hatred for werewolves and werepanthers; he nearly beats Calvin Norris to death in Season 3 and when Sookie compares him to a werewolf, he resents the thought.

Biography

Background

Sam was born to shapeshifter Melinda Mickens when she was sixteen years old. Melinda's then-boyfriend, human Joe Lee Mickens, was in prison at the time, so Melinda gave Sam up for adoption. Sam was adopted by the Merlotte family, becoming their only child and son.

Growing up as an adopted child, Sam's life changed dramatically upon his entry into puberty. On the night of a full moon, to the horror of his adoptive parents, a teen-aged Sam revealed the nature of his true heritage by involuntarily shape-shifting into a copy of the family dog. He returned home from school the next day to an empty house (with the exception of his own room); in fear, his adopted family had abandoned him.

A young Sam

Sam drifted for the next few months, unsure of his new-found ability to shift, but using it to his advantage. Breaking into a rather well-appointed house, Sam discovered a mountain of food on the dining table, and strangely, drawers full of cash. Helping himself hungrily to both, he was soon surprised by the house's resident, Maryann Forrester. She seduced the naive teenager to her bed, but the moment she herself began to display abilities of an otherworldly nature, Sam was terrified and, grabbing his bag of ill-gotten cash, fled into the night.

The specifics are unknown but it is during this time that Sam came into contact with werewolves. Though little is known about these encounters, it is implied that they were unpleasant and has left him with a resentment, even a hatred, toward them.

Sam eventually used his 'borrowed' cash to establish Merlotte's Bar and Grill in the small town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. Local residents took up employment at the restaurant, including Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress, and Lafayette Reynolds, a chef. Sam soon developed a crush on Sookie, but said little about his crush until Bill Compton came into the picture.

Season 1

Sam Season 1

While initially distrustful of vampires upon the revelation of their existence, Sam is open enough to buy a case of Tru Blood for the bar (which subsequently spoils due to lack of sales). This distrust is heightened when Bill Compton first walks into Merlotte's and catches the attentions of Sookie, spoiling Sam's attempted revelation of feelings for her. While Sam's attempts at doing so are continually foiled, usually by his own shyness, he maintains a protective and surreptitious watch on her in his dog form.

It is during a late night drinking confessional, while lamenting the lack of physical intimacy in their lives, that Tara propositions Sam for sex. After an initial reluctance, due in part to Tara's employment status (Sam is her boss), but more so his lingering feelings for Sookie, Sam acquiesces and the two share a brief sexual encounter. This one night stand brings the two closer together.

Following the murder of Dawn Green, Sam increases his protective watch over Sookie. He finally gets his chance to express his feelings for her when it becomes apparent that Sookie and Bill's relationship is on the rocks, and he asks her out on a date. This ends badly however, when the discussion moves to vampires and the inherent dangers of dating one, to which Sookie takes affront.

When Adele Stackhouse is murdered, Sam and Bill agree to put their differences aside to protect her granddaughter Sookie. While Sookie grieves, Sam and Tara's mutual loneliness rears its head, and the two again share a bed. Tara is preoccupied with her mother's issues however, and leaves Sam during the night.

Sam threatening a group of vicious vampires

When Sookie's mood at work the next day reveals that she and Bill shared a bed, Sam's fears for her. His concerns over vampires are fanned further when three vampires enter the bar and threaten the patrons, and he is powerless to stop them. It is only when Bill arrives and orders them out that an uneasy peace is restored. Sam begrudgingly respects Bill's actions.

To blow off steam, Sam goes for a 'doggy-run' through the woods, and after changing back into human form (sans clothing), is unknowingly spotted by Detective Andy Bellefleur. When the three vampires who threatened the bar patrons are subsequently destroyed in a house fire the next day, Sam is questioned by the police. He is forced to lie about his naked run, claiming that he came from a family of nudists and runs once a year to honor them. Andy of course investigates this claim, and when no evidence can be found to support it, or indeed any of Sam's family or personal history, Sam's position on the Bon Temps murderer suspect list goes up.

Sam again takes up the mantle of Sookie's protector when Bill is called away 'on business', and in dog form keeps a watchful eye upon her. His desires get the better of him however when Sookie invites her canine protector inside for the evening. His is forced to reveal his true nature to Sookie when he falls asleep on the foot of her bed and reverts to human form. Sookie is obviously terrified when she is woken by snoring, finding Sam naked at her feet, but Sam reassures her that he is indeed the border collie that has been following her around by changing shape before her.

Sookie discovers Sam's secret

While his continuing messages to Tara go unanswered, Sam assists Sookie in investigating the Bon Temps' murders. Sam is eventually crucial in discovering the true identity of the killer when he recognizes Dawn's scent on René Lenier's work vest. He races to Sookie's rescue and manages to distract Rene in the killing act long enough for Sookie to decapitate him with a shovel. He is then instrumental in saving Bill's life, rescuing the sun-damaged vampire by burying him in an open grave.

Sookie, heavily medicated on painkillers following her altercation with René, reveals her admiration and platonic love for Sam, and expresses her wish for him to not hide and show people his the beauty of his 'true self'. While Tara and Lafayette believe this to be a statement on Sam's caring nature, Sookie reveals Sam's ability to shapeshift, however Sam is able to deflect this by blaming it on Sookie's drug-addled state.

Sam's relief over Sookie's safety is short-lived, however, and his concerns turn towards his own safety when he discovers where Tara has been for the last few days; living with Maryann Forester, the source of his ill-gotten cash.

Season 2

Sam falls for Daphne

In season two Sam began to date Daphne, a new waitress he had hired at Merlotte's. The two bonded quickly as she also was a shapeshifter and they had a lot in common, Daphne was the closest relationship Sam has had up until this point. However, Daphne quickly betrayed him when she revealed she was working for Maryann Forrester, who was later revealed to be a Maenad that wanted to use Sam as a sacrifice. Sam managed to escape from Mary Ann by shifting into an owl and flying away. Later the following day Sam found Daphne, held her at gunpoint, and asked her why she betrayed him. This is how he learned that Daphne was using him all along and had been sent to Merlotte's by Maryann.

In the finale, Sam, having shifted into a white bull, tricked Maryann into thinking he was the "god who comes."

Sam destroying Maryann (Click for Animation)

Convinced that the ritual had finally succeeded, she approached Sam and was willingly killed as he gored her in the heart with one of his horns. He then shifted back to a human, much to Maryann's surprise, and crushed her heart as she watched helplessly. At the end of the finale, Sam tracked down his foster parents and learned the location of his biological parents. ("Beyond Here Lies Nothin'")

Season 3

Sam meets his family

After learning the name and location of his birth parents, Sam makes a road trip to Magnolia, Arkansas. During his stay at a hotel in Magnolia, Sam begins to have erotic dreams of Bill Compton as a side effect from absorbing massive amounts of his vampire blood. After waking from this dream, Sam learns that the Mickens no longer live at their previous address. However, he learns that their son Tommy Mickens worked as a local mechanic. ("Bad Blood")Even though Tommy made claims that he wasn't related to the Mickens, Sam followed him to his house. After sorting through the mailbox at the Mickens' residence, Sam learned that Tommy was indeed a Mickens and possibly his younger brother.

While trying to connect to Tommy, Sam joins him on a run. During their run, Tommy stops in the middle of the street and barks for Sam. Sam then runs out to the street after him. They both stop and stand there till a truck driving up is inches away from hitting them both. Tommy, in his Pit-Bull form, then quickly shifts into a hawk and flies away. Sam then jumps out of the way from the truck. Sam realizes Tommy tried to get Sam hit. ("Beautifully Broken")Sam returns to his parents' house, not mentioning that Tommy tried to get him killed on the highway and explains that he`s heading back to Bon Temps.

Sam beats a werepanther up.

Back at Merlotte's, Sam accepts Sookie's request for some free time to look for Bill and to also keep an eye out for Jessica Hamby. The Mickens surprise him by showing up at Merlotte`s, and, when he tries to cover his dismay by buying them all lunch, a free meal quickly turns into a monstrous bar tab. When Sam steps in to stop Tommy from drinking underage, a liquored-up Joe Lee gets in his face. Sam gently kicks them all out, but, later that night when his security alarm goes off, he finds a pit bull rifling through his office, until it shifts into a bird and flies out the window. ("It Hurts Me Too")

Sam goes running after his brother and discovers that his parents are living in their van in the Merlotte's parking lot. He tells Melinda that Tommy tried to steal from the safe. She says they are behind on the rent and have no place to go, but they will clear out when Tommy returns. Sam finds Tommy in the woods and tries to convince him to leave their parents. Tommy says he has no choice because their parents need him, and he won't be on his own until they're dead.

Tommy pleads with Sam, but Sam fires anyway (click for animation)

Sam tells his parents he will hook them up with a place to stay as long as there is no more stealing or drinking. When Arlene demands that Sam bring in more help, Sam hires Jessica as a hostess and Tommy as a bus boy. ("9 Crimes") Feeling as though everyone is taking advantage of him and stressed, Sam is unable to cope with his anger. During this time we see a flashback to when Sam was a thief and murderer.

Sam also has another quick tryst with Tara. Finally snapping one night in Merlotte's, Sam beats up a werepanther—almost killing the beast. In the season finale, we see him finding his money stolen. He grabs a gun and chases down Tommy. Tommy explains that he needs help, but Sam won't listen...he raises his gun and fires.

Season 4

• See: "Sam Merlotte/Season 4"

Season 5

• See "Sam Merlotte Season 5"

Season 6

• See "Sam Merlotte Season 6"

Powers and abilities

Sam is first shown as human and displayed no special abilities, however he was later revealed to be a shapeshifter, able to change into many animals, such as birds, dogs, bulls, horses, rabbits and even flies. Sam can not shift into a different human form, the reason given is that humans are too complex, although (as with all shapeshifters) if they kill a member of their family they will become a skinwalker, shapeshifters with the ability to shift into humans. A dog is his go-to shift, which means it is the easiest animal for him to become and he also shares some traits with a dog such as a keen sense of smell which he used to identify Rene as Dawn's killer and finding his and Luna's assassins. Sam's sense of smell is so strong that whilst in his human form, he is able to smell fear and also smell people go into "survival mode" ("Hopeless"). While Sam has no enhanced strength or speed, he has the abilities of whatever he shifts into, he will be very strong if he was for example, a rhino and very fast if he were a cheetah and if he shifts into a certain animal often, he retains said animal's abilities such as his heightened sense of smell from his go-to shift which is a dog, however, the abilities he retains may only be senses and not physical enhancements such as speed or strength, despite this he was able to defeat Marcus, a werewolf and former packmaster, in a 1-on-1 fight. ("Soul of Fire")

Sam has also shown the ability to communicate with animals, successfully ordering a dog in a dog fighting ring to leave.

Quotes

There is an image gallery for Sam Merlotte

Sam: [stopping Lafayette before he reaches the rednecks] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Im paying you to cook, not beat on customers.
Lafayette: [deadpan] Then I want a motherfuckin raise.
Sam: Ill think about it. Till then, no trouble.
Sam: You know who I really would want in Martherville? Buffy or Blade, or any other of these cool vampire killer who can take care of Bill.

Appearances

Season one appearances
"Strange Love"	"The First Taste"	"Mine"	"Escape from Dragon House"
"Sparks Fly Out"	"Cold Ground"	"Burning House of Love"	"The Fourth Man in the Fire"
"Plaisir D'Amour"	"I Don't Wanna Know"	"To Love Is to Bury"	"You'll Be the Death of Me"

Season two appearances
"Nothing but the Blood"	"Keep This Party Going"	"Scratches"	"Shake and Fingerpop"
"Never Let Me Go"	"Hard-Hearted Hannah"	"Release Me"	"Timebomb"
"I Will Rise Up"	"New World in My View"	"Frenzy"	"Beyond Here Lies Nothin'"

Season three appearances
"Bad Blood"	"Beautifully Broken"	"It Hurts Me Too"	"9 Crimes"
"Trouble"	"I Got a Right to Sing the Blues"	"Hitting the Ground"	"Night on the Sun"
"Everything Is Broken"	"I Smell a Rat"	"Fresh Blood"	"Evil is Going On"

Season four appearances
"She's Not There"	"You Smell Like Dinner"	"If You Love Me, Why Am I Dyin'?"	"I'm Alive and on Fire"
"Me and the Devil"	"I Wish I Was the Moon"	"Cold Grey Light of Dawn"	"Spellbound"
"Let's Get Out of Here"	"Burning Down the House"	"Soul of Fire"	"And When I Die"

Season five appearances
"Turn! Turn! Turn!"	"Authority Always Wins"	"Whatever I Am, You Made Me"	"We’ll Meet Again"
"Let's Boot and Rally"	"Hopeless"	"In the Beginning"	"Somebody That I Used to Know"
"Everybody Wants to Rule the World"	"Gone, Gone, Gone"	"Sunset"	"Save Yourself"

See also

• Merlotte's Bar and Grill
• Shapeshifter