NINA DOBREV, PAUL WESLEY and IAN SOMERHALDER star in this new series, based on the best-selling book series, of two vampire brothers at war for the soul of 17-year-old Elena.

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. Tyler tries to embarrass Stefan by throwing a football at him, but Stefan effortlessly catches and passes the ball back, impressing everyone with his skill. Mr. Tanner (recurring guest star BENJAMIN AYRES) reluctantly lets Stefan join the football team. Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner, hoping that ...

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 that his plan to get rid of Damon is working, and decides to reveal parts of his past to Elena. Meanwhile, Elena and Jenna are concerned about Jeremy's relationship with Vicki. At a fundraising car wash, Bonnie is surprised by abilities she didn't know she possessed, and seeks advice from her grandmother (guest star JASMINE GUY - A Different World). Finally, Elena hears a dist...

Elena demands that Stefan explain the frightening events that have been happening in Mystic Falls. In flashbacks, Stefan explains how his rivalry with Damon began. Back in the present, Damon impulsively takes control of Vicki's future, and a confused and frightened Vicki runs away. Sheriff Forbes (guest star MARGUERITE MACINTYRE - Kyle XY) and Mayor Lockwood (guest star ROB PRALGO - Army Wives)...

As Vicki's behavior becomes more dangerous, Stefan tries to help her. Elena, meanwhile, tries to convince Jeremy to stay away from her. Caroline gives Bonnie a necklace she took from Damon to wear with her Halloween costume, and when Damon tries to take it back, he is surprised by Bonnie's abilities. Bonnie discusses the incident with Grams (recurring guest star JASMINE GUY) and learns more abo...

Stefan gets a surprise birthday visit from an old friend, Lexi (ARIELLE KEBBLE - The Grudge 2, Gilmore Girls). Caroline tries to get Damon's medallion back from Bonnie.

Jeremy gets a break from the mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman (recurring guest star MATT DAVIS - Blue Crush, Legally Blonde, What About Brian), and introduces Alaric to Jenna. Bonnie is having terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors. Despite Elena's efforts to smooth things over, Bonnie and Caroline continue to argue over the medallion. When the girls hold a seance to help t...

Jeremy gets a break from the mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman (recurring guest star MATT DAVIS - Blue Crush, Legally Blonde, What About Brian), and introduces Alaric to Jenna. Bonnie is having terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors. Despite Elena's efforts to smooth things over, Bonnie and Caroline continue to argue over the medallion. When the girls hold a seance to help t...

When Sheriff Forbes (MARGUERITE MACINTYRE) tells Damon of another attack, he offers to track down the killer, learning startling information about the town's founding families.

Damon takes a trip to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame, Bree (guest star GINA TORRES - Standoff, Firefly, Alias, 24, Gossip Girl), and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. In the process, Damon comes face to face with someone who is determined to make him pay for past wrongs. Stefan opens up to Grams (recurring guest star JASMINE GUY) in his effort to help Bonnie overcom...

The Mystic Grill's Ben (SEAN FARIS) comes to Bonnie's aid. Damon and Stefan accompany Elena to a school dance with a 1950s theme. Alaric (MATT DAVIS) introduces himself to Damon.

In flashbacks, Stefan and Damon recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople -- including their father, Guiseppe Salvatore (guest star JAMES REMAR - Dexter, Sex and the City), and Pearl (guest star KELLY HU - Army Wives, Martial Law) -- leading to the devastating events that caused the rift in their relationship. Back in the present, Bonnie's date with Ben (recurring guest star SEAN FARIS) ...

Jeremy asks Anna (MALESE JOW) to a party in the woods. Stefan, Damon and Elena work with Bonnie and Grams (JASMINE GUY) to open the tomb, and are shocked by what they discover.

Matt and Caroline are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Matt's mother, Kelly (recurring guest star MELINDA CLARKE -- The O.C., CSI: Crime Scene Investigation). Stefan and Elena are worried about Damon's new attitude, and Damon is asked by Sheriff Forbes (recurring guest star MARGUERITE MACINTYRE) to take part in a fundraising bachelor auction. Alaric discovers shocking secrets from his ow...

Anna (MALESE JOW) brings a surprising guest to pay a visit to Damon. Elena and Stefan go on an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt. MELINDA CLARKE appears as Kelly.

When Stefan and Damon make a dangerous new enemy, Stefan suddenly finds himself in a perilous situation. Damon and Elena try to convince Alaric to work with them to help Stefan. Matt is hopeful that his mom, Kelly (recurring guest star MELINDA CLARKE), may be back to stay. And, after Caroline's car breaks down in a storm, she makes a horrific discovery that shocks everyone in town.

While Stefan struggles to control his new situation, Elena and Jeremy are surprised by a visit from their uncle, John Gilbert (recurring guest star DAVID ANDERS -- 24, Heroes, Alias). Alaric has an awkward talk with Elena about Isobel. At a Founder's Day event, Stefan displays a rare party attitude and Damon's attempt to find out why Uncle John has returned to town takes an ugly turn. An incide...

Elena and Caroline compete in a beauty pageant. Spencer Locke (Resident Evil: Extinction) appears as one of the contestants. John Gilbert (DAVID ANDERS) tries to scare Damon

While Stefan struggles to come to terms with his past, both he and Damon reveal parts of their history to Elena, until she finally learns the truth about how they became vampires. Pearl (recurring guest star KELLY HU) has an ugly confrontation with John Gilbert (recurring guest star David Anders). Damon and Alaric try to find a mysterious invention before John does. Meanwhile, the friendship an...

Isobel (recurring guest star MIA KIRSHNER -- The L Word, 24) returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena. When mother and daughter finally meet, Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena's questions, but reveals that she will stop at nothing to find the mysterious invention John Gilbert has been searching for. Isobel's dangerous actions l...

In the season finale, Damon and Alaric try to stop John Gilbert (DAVID ANDERS) from setting a plan in motion to bring Founder's Day to an end amid chaos, destruction and death.