In the third season premiere, on the morning of Elena's 18th birthday, Caroline Forbes (series star CANDICE ACCOLA) is busy planning a party, but Elena is focused on searching for any clues that might help her discover where Stefan is. Damon is also searching for Stefan, while trying to protect Elena and keep her from doing anything that would draw Klaus's attention. Meanwhile, Klaus and Stefan...

Damon and Alaric reluctantly go along with Elena's new strategy to find Stefan, leading Damon into a dangerous fight with an unexpected enemy.

Klaus and Stefan arrive in Chicago, where Stefan is reunited with a vampire (recurring guest star CLAIRE HOLT – Pretty Little Liars, H20: Just Add Water), who hasn't really moved on from her interest in him decades earlier. In a flashback to Chicago in the 1920s, Stefan comes face to face with a shocking chapter from his wild past. After Damon gets a tip on Stefan and Klaus' whereabouts from an...

Stefan suddenly finds himself in danger.

Despite all that has happened, Caroline is determined to see that Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler all enjoy a traditional Senior Prank Night before the school year begins at Mystic Falls High School. However, when uninvited guests show up, it doesn't take long for the evening to take a deadly turn. Damon convinces Jeremy that he can use his new connection to the other side to help find a way to d...

On the first day of their senior year, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Matt are still reeling from recent events, while Tyler seems to be enjoying everything a little too much. Damon is annoyed by a new houseguest, and everyone is surprised by the arrival of a new student in Alaric's history class. Matt asks Bonnie for help when he realizes he made a serious mistake. Meanwhile, Stefan continues to ...

As Mystic Falls prepares to celebrate the traditional Illumination Night, the town is invaded by spirits of the dead. After a particularly violent encounter with an angry spirit, Damon asks Bonnie to find the reason behind the ghosts' surprising power. Elena convinces Jeremy to use his connection to the other side to help her find a new way to reach Stefan, leading Jeremy to a terrible choice. ...

With help from Elena and Bonnie, Alaric tries to decipher the meaning behind his recent discovery. Elena and Rebekah (recurring guest star CLAIRE HOLT) engage in a mean-girl power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus and Elijah (recurring guest star DANIEL GILLIES). Damon tries a reckless new approach to make a b...

On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah (recurring guest star CLAIRE HOLT) opens up to Elena about why the evening is so important to her, leaving Elena with conflicting emotions. Caroline and Matt are both shocked at Tyler's behavior throughout the evening. The night takes a surreal turn when Klaus puts his latest plan into action. Determined to outsmart Klaus, Damon enters into a danger...

Tyler faces consequences of his actions as a hybrid.

Although Caroline is in no mood to celebrate her 18th birthday, Elena, Bonnie and Matt surprise her with a small party in an unusual location. Damon and Stefan disagree on the best way to handle Klaus, and a reckless Stefan decides to test his theory by taking things to dangerous extremes. Bonnie is concerned when Elena tells her about Jeremy's new plans. At a Founder's meeting, Alaric once aga...

PERSIA WHITE guest stars as Bonnie's mother.

Sheriff Forbes (MARGUERITE MacINTYRE) delivers disturbing news to Alaric and Elena about a recent murder weapon, and Caroline is heartbroken when unable to stop a tragedy unfold.

Elena is invited to a formal ball at Klaus' mansion and learns of a horrifying plan that could lead to numerous deaths. Who can she trust with her new information?

When Elijah (DANIEL GILLIES) gives Damon and Stefan a dangerous ultimatum that puts Elena in danger, they turn to Alaric and Meredith (TORREY DeVITTO) for help.

Damon recalls a beautiful vampire (CASSIDY FREEMAN) in 1912.

Damon is surprised to learn why Sage (CASSIDY FREEMAN) has returned, and pleased when she devises an unusual method to help him figure out what Rebekah (CLAIRE HOLT) is up to.

Stefan's emotional turmoil leads him to a dangerous confrontation with Klaus and, later, to a heartbreaking moment with Elena. CLAIRE HOLT and CASPER ZAFER guest star.

Caroline is thrilled when Tyler returns to town, but Tyler soon suspects that something has been going on between Caroline and Klaus. Matt tries to keep Rebecca (CLAIRE HOLT) busy.

Alaric finds an unexpected ally to guide him on his dangerous new path, while Damon and Meredith (recurring guest star TORREY DeVITTO) try to figure out what their next move should be. At the school's 1920s Decade Dance, Bonnie asks Jamie (recurring guest star ROBERT RI'CHARD) to go with her and, at Caroline's suggestion, Elena asks Stefan to be her date. Caroline is pleasantly surprised when T...

Klaus acts on his intentions to leave town with Elena, but finds resistance from a surprising new enemy. Damon and Stefan have a surprisingly candid conversation about the future.

In the third season finale, determined to protect his sister, Jeremy makes a decision that will change everything. In the harsh reality of the present situation, Elena longs for simpler times when her parents, Grayson (guest star JASON MACDONALD) and Miranda (guest star ERIN BEUTE), and Aunt Jenna (guest star SARA CANNING) were still alive and her biggest concern was her relationship with Matt....