The third season begins with Elena and Damon searching for Stefan, who is with Klaus tracking a werewolf. Meanwhile, Caroline plans a party for Elena's 18th birthday, and Jeremy sees the ghosts of his former girlfriends Vicki and Anna. (TV Guide)
Klaus tries to strengthen his power by using a werewolf. Meanwhile, Damon fights an unexpected enemy; and Tyler and his mother have an emotional confrontation. (TV Guide)
Klaus and Stefan travel to Chicago, where Stefan is reunited with a vampire who was in love with him decades earlier. Meanwhile, Damon and Elena follow Stefan's trail; and Tyler worries about Caroline and turns to her mom for help. (TV Guide)
Klaus contacts a witch from his past to see why his plan isn't working. Meanwhile, Damon faces a new enemy and lashes out in a way that brings about lasting consequences; Jeremy makes a breakthrough with one of his ghostly visitors. (TV Guide)
A high-school prank night turns deadly when uninvited guests arrive. Meanwhile, Damon tries to get Jeremy to use his ghostly connection to help defeat Klaus, who is tightening his grip on Stefan and using him for increasingly dangerous purposes. (TV Guide)
Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Matt begin their senior year of high school. Meanwhile, Damon becomes annoyed with a new house guest, and everyone is surprised by a new arrival in Alaric's history class. (TV Guide)
Mystic Falls is invaded by spirits of the dead during the town's Illumination Night, and Damon encounters an angry ghost with surprising power. Meanwhile, Elena persuades Jeremy to use his connection to the spirit world to help find Stefan. (TV Guide)
Elena and Rebekah engage in a power struggle, until Rebekah reveals her family's ancient secrets and violent past with Klaus. Meanwhile, Damon tries a reckless new approach to make a breakthrough with Stefan. (TV Guide)
Rebekah opens up to Elena on the night of the homecoming dance. Meanwhile, Klaus puts his latest plan into action, but Damon enters into a dangerous partnership to stop him. (TV Guide)
Last we saw our Mystic Falls friends, the plan to kill Klaus was foiled by Stefan, who was out to seek some revenge on his own. When "The New Deal" picks up, everyone is waiting Klaus for strike back. (TV Guide)
Elena, Bonnie and Matt plan a surprise 18th birthday party for Caroline. Meanwhile, Damon and Stefan disagree over the best way to handle Klaus; and Alaric runs into Dr. Fell, who is in the middle of an argument with her ex-boyfriend. (TV Guide)
Bonnie is reunited with her estranged mother; Klaus negotiates with Stefan to control the coffins of his family members; Tyler tries to regain his free will; and Damon becomes intrigued by Alaric's new friend, Dr. Fell. (TV Guide)
Klaus hosts a dinner party and an unexpected guest arrives; Sheriff Forbes shares upsetting news with Alaric and Elena about a weapon used in a murder. (TV Guide)
Elena learns about a startling indiscretion by Damon. Meanwhile, Bonnie and Abby take part in a ritual to appease the spirits of nature; and Elijah gives Damon and Stefan a dangerous ultimatum that puts Elena in danger. (TV Guide)
Damon recalls murders from 1912 that are eerily similar to a present-day crime spree. Meanwhile, Elena and Matt try to prove that Dr. Fell is a killer. (TV Guide)
Damon and Sage reunite a century after their first encounter. They meet again at a ceremony to begin restoration of Wickery Bridge. Meanwhile, Abby has trouble adjusting to her new reality; and Elena tries to help Stefan with his latest struggles. (TV Guide)
Damon and Stefan focus on a plan to destroy Klaus. Meanwhile, Klaus threatens someone close to Bonnie in order to force her to conduct a spell for him. (TV Guide)
Tyler returns to Mystic Falls and soon suspects that something has been going on between Caroline and Klaus. Meanwhile, Elena and Damon visit Jeremy in Denver and learn that he is hanging with the wrong crowd. (TV Guide)
The school holds a 1920s-themed dance, and Caroline goads Elena into asking Stefan to accompany her. Meanwhile, Bonnie invites Jamie to the dance; Klaus tries to derail Tyler's plans for Caroline; and Damon and Stefan need help undoing a perilous spell. (TV Guide)
Klaus tries to leave town with Elena, but he encounters resistance from a new enemy. Meanwhile, Bonnie gets Abby to help her with a difficult and dangerous spell. (TV Guide)
The third season concludes with Elena wishing she could go back to simpler times when her parents were alive. Meanwhile, Stefan and Damon leave Mystic Falls on a mission; and Caroline and Tyler are forced to make a life-altering decision. (TV Guide)