Rebekah (CLAIRE HOLT) is back with a vengeance. Bonnie is uncomfortable when her father, Rudy Hopkins (RICK WORTHY - Supernatural), accepts the role of Interim Mayor.

Jeremy is furious when Klaus tries to control him by putting Matt's life in danger. Damon coaches Jeremy as he prepares to take on Klaus' new vampires, but they find that Kol has beaten them to it. Kol makes it clear that he will stop at nothing to convince everyone to give up the search for the cure. Looking for a new ally, Rebekah reminds Stefan that they were once close friends. When Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Hopkins question Shane about his involvement in the Founders' Council deaths, Bonnie steps in with questions of her own, and Shane's responses push Bonnie to the edge of her powers. Elena negotiates with Klaus to keep Jeremy safe, but when danger suddenly appears from a totally unexpected enemy, Elena comes up with her own daring plan for Jeremy.

When the 1980s Decade Dance at the high school is cancelled by Mayor Hopkins (RICK WORTHY), Stefan finds a charming way to make it up to a disappointed Rebekah (CLAIRE HOLT).

Realizing that Elena needs some time away from Mystic Falls, Damon takes her to New York City. Flashbacks reveal Damon's hedonistic life there in the 1970s.

Season finale: It's Graduation Day. Damon's life is in danger and Elena faces an epic confrontation. Plus, Stefan discovers a horrifying clue to the mystery surrounding Silas.

As the fifth season opens, Elena, after a passionate summer with Damon, heads to college nearby with Caroline as her roommate. Plus, a terrifying appearance by Silas (PAUL WESLEY).

A fellow Whitmore student named Jesse (KENDRICK SAMPSON) gives Elena some intriguing information about Professor Wes Maxfield (RICK COSNETT). Damon asks for help finding Stefan.