Now Klaus has Elijah back, they host a dinner party to negotiate a future with the Salvatore brothers, who actually procrastinate. Meanwhile combined witchcraft finally opens the mystery coffin, from which a scary surprise guest is released, but both families will be shocked. Alaric has been wounded dangerously by lover Dr. Fell, who happens to be supernatural, which makes saving him problematic, but Elena steps up. Caroline's father Bill Forbes refuses to survive his vampire bite by allowing Caroline to turn him into one like her.

Now Klaus's original family's coffins are open, he's supplanted as family head by their sorceress-maker, mother Esther, who holds a grand ball in their splendidly restored mansion. Invitations with gifts and where needed other persuades go to the Salavtore brothers, Alaric, Matt, Caroline and especially Elena, who is asked for a private meeting. After Stefan prevents Damon from stopping her, she learns that Esther, aided by son Finn, needs Doppleganger blood to put a fatal spell on her children, the others being an 'abomination' except Elijah, firstly binding their fate. Tyler prepares his return.

After starting her day with a startling discovery of Damons' latest indiscretion, Elena is frustrated to find that none of her friends agree with her on how they should react to the Original family's internal power struggle. Once again caught up in the destiny of the Bennett witches, Bonnie and Abby find themselves playing a part in a ritual to appease the spirits of nature. When Elijah gives Damon and Stefan a dangerous ultimatum that puts Elena in danger, they turn to Alaric and Meredith for help with a plan that leads them to a terrible choice.

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 Rebekah (Claire Holt) busy.

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).

Someone has been attacking patients at the hospital. A violent wind storm causes a power outage and ghosts suddenly appear - some with good intentions and some bent on revenge.

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.

Elena and Stefan start having dreams about an alternate version of their lives; The Travelers move in on Mystic Falls; Matt has a frightening encounter on the Other Side.