The Vampire Diaries

After a tragic car crash killed the parents of 17-year-old Elena and her 15-year-old brother, Jeremy, four months ago, they're still adjusting to their new reality -- living with their Aunt Jenna. Elena is reassured by Bonnie and her frenemy Caroline.

Elena goes to the Salvatore house to talk to Stefan, but finds Damon there instead, who reveals surprising information about Stefan's past. Vicki begins to remember the attack.

Elena tries to ignore Bonnie's warnings about the disturbing vibes she got from Stefan. Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner, hoping that the two will bond, but the evening is disrupted by the unexpected and unwelcome arrival of Damon and Caroline.

Stefan escorts Elena to the town's Founder's Party. At the party, Damon tells Elena a story about the Salvatore family, leaving Elena with questions Stefan refuses to answer.

Stefan is hopeful of his plan to get rid of Damon and decides to reveal parts of his past to Elena. Bonnie, surprised by abilities she didn't know she possessed, seeks advice from her grandmother. Elena and Jenna worry about Jeremy and Vicki.

In flashbacks, Stefan reveals to Elena the Salvatore family history, including how his rivalry with Damon began. In the present, Damon impulsively takes control of Vicki's future. Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood take steps to protect the town.

As Vicki's behavior becomes more dangerous, Stefan tries to help her. Elena asks Jeremy not to see Vicki. To cheer Vicki up, Matt takes her to the high school's haunted house, but the night takes a terrifying turn. Bonnie's abilities surprise Damon.

Stefan gets a surprise birthday visit, as Caroline tries to get Damon's medallion back from Bonnie. Elena and Jenna are surprised by a change in Jeremy's behavior. Elena tries to avoid Stefan, but Lexi gives her some unsolicited relationship advice.

Jeremy gets a break from the mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman. Bonnie and Caroline continue to argue over the medallion, and Matt comes to Caroline's aid. Stefan is stunned when Damon reveals exactly why he returned to Mystic Falls.

When Sheriff Forbes tells Damon of another attack, he offers to track down the killer. He learns startling information about the town's founding families in the process. Stefan and Elena come to a new understanding.

Damon goes to Georgia to surprise an old flame, Bree, and enlist her help. Stefan opens up to Grams to help Bonnie overcome her fears and accept her powers. At the library, Jeremy meets a girl with her own theories on the folklore of Mystic Falls.

The Mystic Grill's Ben comes to Bonnie's aid. Damon and Stefan accompany Elena to a school dance with a 1950s theme. Stefan and Damon try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, and Alaric introduces himself to Damon.

In flashbacks, Stefan and Damon recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople, including their father Giuseppe. Bonnie's date with Ben takes a frightening turn. Stefan learns why Alaric's interested in the ancestral journal and the town's history.

Stefan helps Elena and Bonnie out of a dangerous situation. Jeremy asks Anna to a party in the woods, unaware that she has her own reasons for meeting him. Stefan, Damon and Elena work with Bonnie and Grams to open the tomb, with shocking results.

Sheriff Forbes asks Damon to be part of a fundraising bachelor auction. Matt and Caroline are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Matt's mother, Kelly. With Jenna and Stefan's help, Elena is determined to find out everything about her birth mother.

Anna brings a surprising guest to pay a visit to Damon. Elena and Stefan go on an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt. Jenna reunites with her old friend Kelly, and Jeremy's relationship with Anna takes an unexpected direction.

Stefan and Damon make a dangerous new enemy, and Stefan has to make a frightening decision. Matt is hopeful that his mom will stay. After Caroline's car breaks down, she makes a horrific discovery that shocks everyone in town.

Stefan displays a rare party attitude at Founder's Day while Damon's attempt to find out why Elena's uncle, John Gilbert, has returned to town takes an ugly turn. Alaric has an awkward talk with Elena about Isobel.

Elena and Caroline compete in the "Miss Mystic Falls" beauty pageant, where Spencer Locke appears as one of the contestants. John Gilbert attempts to intimidate Damon, but his plan doesn't have the desired effect. Stefan is hiding a dangerous secret.

Elena learns what happened when Damon and Stefan were turned. Pearl has an ugly confrontation with John Gilbert, and Damon and Alaric try to find a mysterious invention before he does. Jeremy and Anna get closer.

Isobel returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena. Stefan, Damon and Bonnie step in.

Damon and Alaric try to stop John Gilbert from setting a plan in motion to bring Founder's Day to an end amid chaos, destruction and death. Stefan dislikes Damon's attitude toward Elena, but she's more concerned about fixing her relationship with Jeremy.