Chris Brochu

In the season finale, Damon’s plan causes a huge explosion in Mystic Falls, and everyone is caught up in the confusion, leaving a trail of heroism, sacrifice, relief and despair.

In the season premiere, after spending four months coping with the loss of Damon in a potentially dangerous way, Elena returns to Whitmore College for her sophomore year.

Bonnie has a disturbing encounter with Grams (JASMINE GUY). When Damon finds Markos (RAFFI BARSOUMIAN), he is both relieved and troubled by what Markos has to tell him.

When Tyler turns up at the Salvatore house with the news that Markos’ (recurring guest star Raffi Barsoumian) plan to break the witches’ curse puts Stefan and Elena in imminent danger, Damon suggests they hide out in the remote cabin once owned by Caroline’s father. Once there, it becomes obvious to Caroline that Stefan and Elena are keeping a secret, so Damon comes up with a parlor game designed to expose the truth. A ghostly presence at the cabin uses violence and fire to make itself known. Meanwhile, Matt takes charge of Tyler’s plan to get information from one of the Travelers, and Bonnie continues to keep the truth about the Other Side from Jeremy, despite warnings from Grams (recurring guest star Jasmine Guy).

In an attempt to bring some fun back into their lives, Elena persuades Caroline to meet her at the swimming hole where she plans to introduce her to Liam (recurring guest star Marco James – The Client List). Tyler, still working on controlling his anger issues, asks Liv (recurring guest star Penelope Mitchell – Hemlock Grove) for a favor and is surprised when she makes an unexpected confession. Stefan arrives back in Mystic Falls looking for Enzo and is caught off guard when he notices a strange change in Elena. Meanwhile, at the lake, Enzo’s actions cause Matt to make a startling revelation, and Jeremy makes a discovery about the anti-magic spell that could potentially put Elena’s life in danger. Elsewhere, Damon and Bonnie stumble upon clues that lead them to believe they’re not alone.

Bonnie has an unsettling encounter with Luke (Chris Brochu), and learns more about his family history. The Travelers’ leader, Markos (Raffi Barsoumian), arrives in Mystic Falls.