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 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 seeks advice from her grandmother (JASMINE GUY - A Different World).

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.

Bonnie's abilities surprise Damon. Elena asks Jeremy not to see Vicki. To cheer Vicki, Matt takes her to the high school's haunted house, but the night takes a terrifying turn.

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 (MATT DAVIS - Blue Crush). Damon reveals to Stefan the stunning reason he returned to Mystic Falls.

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 goes to Georgia to surprise an old flame, Bree (GINA TORRES - Standoff, Firefly), and enlist her help. Meanwhile, Stefan uncovers a startling clue to the past.

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.

More Salvatore family secrets are revealed - JAMES REMAR (Dexter) guest stars as Damon and Stefan's father, Giuseppe. Bonnie's date with Ben (SEAN FARIS) takes a bad turn.

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.

Recurring guest star MELINDA CLARKE appears as Kelly, Matt's long-lost mother. Damon is asked by Sheriff Forbes (MARGUERITE MACINTYRE) to be part of a fundraising bachelor auction.

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.

Stefan is forced to make a frightening decision. Matt is hopeful that his mom, Kelly (MELINDA CLARKE), will stay. And, after Caroline's car breaks down in a storm, she makes a horrific discovery that shocks everyone in town.

Stefan displays a rare party attitude and Damon's attempt to find out why Elena's uncle, John Gilbert (DAVID ANDERS - Alias, 24), has returned to town takes an ugly turn.

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 Damo

Elena learns what happened when Damon and Stefan were turned. Pearl (KELLY HU) has an ugly confrontation with John Gilbert (David Anders). Jeremy and Anna (MALESE JOW) get closer.

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.

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.