I totally agree with you. Personally Tara isn't my favourite character anyway but they can't keep (apparently) killing people off and then bringing them back, like when Sookie got shot, we all knew she wouldn't die. I also liked Steve Newlin coming back, I thought ages ago about his disappearance and was saying I bet he'll come back as a vampire, so when he actually did that was awesome! As for the part where Alcide goes to his building (multi-story car park, I think it was?) only to find a huge hole in the floor, silver chains scattered around and his employee's memory having been erased, that was frickin' amazing. I was honestly surprised as in all the article's I'd previously read regarding Russell's return it seemed unsure, but yeah, cement wasn't exactly gonna hold him back for long!! One thing that's confused me a little, is the werewolf that appears to Sam, there's been hints that it may be Alcide's dad, but what reason would he have for attacking or having a grudge? I do feel there could of been more in the episodes as many have said there seemed to be empty spots here and there and some things were just irrelevant (Sookie getting shot for example.)
As for season 5... I've read that it's going to be exploring the world of fairies more, so hopefully we shall meet Claude and I suppose Niall? Also they talk about a familiar character returning (so one we have seen before) I hope it's Sophie-Ann because she has some big parts in the books at least and I can't remember exactly but we don't actually know if Bill killed her? Oh and also, I seriously want them to bring Quinn in to the picture, will be awesome and I'm really interested as to who they would cast for his part.