Episode guide
The Vampire Diaries: Season 3
22 episodes · premiered Sep 15, 2011
Season three opens the door to learn more about Klaus and the Original Family as his motives for wanting Stefan on his side are finally revealed. As Stefan sinks deeper into the dark side, Damon and Elena struggle with the guilt of their growing bond, even as they work together to bring Stefan back from the edge.
- Episode 1: The Birthday Sep 15, 2011 · 42m On the morning of Elena’s 18th birthday, Caroline 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…
- Episode 2: The Hybrid Sep 22, 2011 · 41m Klaus puts a plan in motion that will give him even more power, but even with the unwilling participation of werewolf Ray Sutton, things don’t go exactly as Klaus had planned. Damon and…
- Episode 3: The End of the Affair Sep 29, 2011 · 43m Klaus and Stefan arrive in Chicago, where Stefan is reunited with a vampire who hasn't really moved on from her interest in him decades earlier. In a flashback to Chicago in the 1920s…
- Episode 4: Disturbing Behavior Oct 6, 2011 · 42m Still in Chicago, Klaus uses Gloria, a witch he knew long ago, to help him track down missing information that will explain why his plan isn’t working. Gloria’s spells reveal intriguing…
- Episode 5: The Reckoning Oct 13, 2011 · 43m 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…
- Episode 6: Smells Like Teen Spirit Oct 20, 2011 · 43m 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…
- Episode 7: Ghost World Oct 27, 2011 · 43m 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…
- Episode 8: Ordinary People Nov 3, 2011 · 43m With help from Elena and Bonnie, Alaric tries to decipher the meaning behind his recent discovery Elena and Rebekah engage in a mean-girl power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some…
- Episode 9: Homecoming Nov 10, 2011 · 42m On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah 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…
- Episode 10: The New Deal Jan 5, 2012 · 43m Stefan has hidden the coffins containing the bodies of Klaus’ family, and Klaus quickly turns to violence to convince Damon and Elena that no one will be safe until he finds Stefan and…
- Episode 11: Our Town Jan 12, 2012 · 43m 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…
- Episode 12: The Ties That Bind Jan 19, 2012 · 43m Bonnie believes her recurring dreams about Klaus’ coffins will tell her how he can be killed. The dreams also lead Bonnie to a reunion with her mother, Abby, whom Bonnie hasn’t seen for 15…
- Episode 13: Bringing Out the Dead Feb 2, 2012 · 43m Sheriff Forbes delivers some disturbing news to Alaric and Elena about the weapon used in a recent murder. In the Salvatore brothers’ escalating quest to kill Klaus, Stefan turns to Bonnie…
- Episode 14: Dangerous Liaisons Feb 9, 2012 · 43m Elena is surprised to receive an invitation to a formal ball, and when Damon and Stefan hear the party is being hosted at Klaus’s newly renovated mansion, they both insist on attending the…
- Episode 15: All My Children Feb 16, 2012 · 43m After starting her day with a startling discovery of Damon’s latest indiscretion, Elena is frustrated to find that none of her friends agree with her on how they should react to the…
- Episode 16: 1912 Mar 15, 2012 · 42m The present-day murders in Mystic Falls remind Damon of a similar crime spree a century earlier. In flashbacks to 1912, Damon recalls a beautiful vampire, Sage, who showed him a whole new…
- Episode 17: Break On Through Mar 22, 2012 · 43m A century after their first encounter, Damon and Sage meet again at the ceremony to kick-off the restoration of Wickery Bridge. Damon is surprised to learn the reason Sage has returned…
- Episode 18: The Murder of One Mar 29, 2012 · 42m Damon and Stefan focus a new project that will bring them closer to destroying Klaus, and they quickly bring Elena, Caroline and Matt in on the plan. After Klaus threatens someone close to…
- Episode 19: Heart of Darkness Apr 19, 2012 · 43m Elena and Damon set off together to make sure Jeremy is safe in Denver, and to see if his special abilities can help reveal the information they need about ancient vampire bloodlines. It…
- Episode 20: Do Not Go Gentle Apr 26, 2012 · 43m Alaric finds an unexpected ally to guide him on his dangerous new path, while Damon and Meredith try to figure out what their next move should be. At the school’s 1920s Decade Dance…
- Episode 21: Before Sunset May 3, 2012 · 42m Klaus acts on his intentions to leave town with Elena, but finds resistance from a surprising new enemy. Bonnie calls on Abby to help her with a difficult spell. As events spiral out of…
- Episode 22: The Departed May 10, 2012 · 43m 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…