Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
22 Episodes 2009 - 2010
Based on the novels by L.J. Smith, the first season of "The Vampire Diaries" follows Elena (Nina Dobrev), a Virginia high-school student who falls for a new guy in class, Stefan (Paul Wesley), a centuries-old vampire struggling to live peacefully among humans. Complicating the already risky budding relationship are the return of Stefan's vampire brother Damon (Ian Somerhalder), Elena's grief over the death of her parents, Elena's ex-boyfriend Matt (Zach Roerig) and other supernatural elements in Mystic Falls.
Episode 1
Thu, Sep 10, 2009 60 mins
In the series opener, a Virginia high-school student, Elena (Nina Dobrev), falls for a new boy (Paul Wesley) in class who is actually a centuries-old vampire struggling to live peacefully among humans. Their budding relationship is threatened when his evil vampire brother arrives in town and tries to capture Elena's heart for himself.
Episode 2
Thu, Sep 17, 2009 60 mins
Vicki recovers in the hospital from an attack and begins to remember what happened, but Stefan tries to prevent her from recalling what actually occurred. Meanwhile, Elena meets Damon, who reveals to her some surprising secrets about Stefan's past; and Jeremy struggles with his feelings for Vicki.
Episode 3
Thu, Sep 24, 2009 60 mins
Stefan joins the football team after an impressive athletic display involving catching and throwing. Also: Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner in hopes they will bond, but Damon disrupts the evening with an unexpected visit. Later, an act of violence shocks the town.
Episode 4
Thu, Oct 1, 2009 60 mins
Stefan escorts Elena to the town's annual Founder's Party where Damon tells her a surprising story about his family's past. It prompts Elena to ask Stefan questions he refuses to answer and forces him to take action against his brother.
Episode 5
Thu, Oct 8, 2009 60 mins
A stranger tells Elena that he recognizes Stefan from 1953 when Stefan's uncle was killed by a wild animal. The revelation sends her searching for the truth. Meanwhile, Damon tries to lure Caroline to the dungeon Stefan trapped him in so she can free him, and Bonnie discovers psychic powers she didn't know she possessed.
Episode 6
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 60 mins
Stefan is forced to tell Elena he is a vampire, and he reveals his family's history to her and how his rivalry with Damon began. Meanwhile, Damon considers turning Vicki into a vampire and he threatens to harm Elena if Stefan doesn't return his ring that protects him from the sun. Also: the sheriff and mayor take action to protect Mystic Falls from further violence but it only leads to more of it.
Episode 7
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 60 mins
Vampire Vicki turns the school's Halloween haunted house into a truly terrifying experience when she can't control her urge for blood. Meanwhile, Damon is surprised by Bonnie's psychic abilities when he tries to take back a necklace she's wearing that belongs to him.
Episode 8
Thu, Nov 5, 2009 60 mins
An old friend (Arielle Kebbel) visits Stefan on his birthday and she gives Elena some insight into dating him. Meanwhile, Caroline attempts to get Damon's medallion back from Bonnie, and Damon offers to help Sheriff Forbes, which leads to tragedy.
Episode 9
Thu, Nov 12, 2009 60 mins
Damon reveals to Stefan the actual reason why he returned to Mystic Falls and the news stuns Stefan. Meanwhile, Bonnie is disturbed by terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors, and she and Caroline hold a séance. Also: Jeremy introduces his new history teacher to his aunt Jenna.
Episode 10
Thu, Nov 19, 2009 60 mins
Damon learns another vampire is in town when a body drained of its blood is discovered, and he searches for the person. Meanwhile, Elena confesses her love for Stefan and persuades him to stay in Mystic Falls, but she also makes a devastating discovery that adversely affects her relationship with him; and Jeremy resumes a hobby of drawing fantasy creatures that he had abandoned after his parents died.
Episode 11
Thu, Jan 21, 2010 60 mins
Damon rescues Elena from a car accident and takes her to Georgia where he surprises an old flame (Gina Torres), but he's confronted by someone who attempts to make him pay for past wrongdoings. Meanwhile, Bonnie fears she is losing her powers, and Jeremy meets a cute girl (Malese Jow) who believes vampires are present in Mystic Falls.
Episode 12
Thu, Jan 28, 2010 60 mins
Stefan and Damon attempt to learn the identity of a new vampire who is threatening Elena, and they accompany her to a school dance with a 1950s theme where they hope to lure the vampire. Meanwhile, Matt begins working at the Mystic Grill to earn extra cash, and Anna tries to gain possession of the journal that belonged to Jeremy's ancestor.
Episode 13
Thu, Feb 4, 2010 60 mins
Stefan and Damon recall the horrific events of 1864 that resulted in their broken relationship when their father became a vampire hunter who targeted Katherine, and Stefan confronts Alaric over why he's in Mystic Falls. Meanwhile, Bonnie learns the truth about Ben, and Anna searches for the Gilbert journal that holds the secret to opening Katherine's tomb.
Episode 14
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 60 mins
Bonnie and Grams attempt to open the mysterious tomb that Damon believes has confined Katherine for the past 145 years. Meanwhile, Anna threatens to kill Jeremy if Stefan doesn't help her get her mother out of the tomb, and Damon learns a devastating secret about Katherine.
Episode 15
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 60 mins
Matt's mother appears unexpectedly; Damon takes part in a fund-raising bachelor raffle; Elena searches for information about her birth mother; Alaric confronts Damon about his late wife.
Episode 16
Thu, Apr 1, 2010 60 mins
Elena and Stefan go on an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt; Anna brings her vampire mother to visit Damon; Jeremy cuts himself to see if Anna will reveal herself to be a vampire; and Damon tries to seduce Matt's mother.
Episode 17
Thu, Apr 8, 2010 60 mins
Stefan and Damon face a dangerous new enemy. The encounter leads to a perilous situation for Stefan, and Elena tries to get Alaric to help. Meanwhile, Caroline makes a shocking discovery when her car breaks down during a storm; and Matt's mom visits, giving him hope that she will stay for good.
Episode 18
Thu, Apr 15, 2010 60 mins
Elena and Jeremy receive a surprise visit from an uncle who controls their estate, and he has a violent encounter with Damon. Meanwhile, Stefan struggles to resist drinking human blood to gain strength, and he gets drunk at a Founders Day event, where Matt and Tyler get into a fight.
Episode 19
Thu, Apr 22, 2010 60 mins
Elena and Caroline compete for the title of Miss Mystic Falls during the Founder's Day Gala. Meanwhile, Stefan's need for human blood continues to consume him and he kidnaps a girl from the gala to feed upon her; and Damon learns John Gilbert is seeking a mysterious device created in 1864 that Pearl has in her possession.
Episode 20
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 60 mins
Elena learns the truth about how Stefan and Damon became vampires back in 1864, and Stefan struggles with whether he wants to continue to live. Meanwhile, Pearl decides to move away from Mystic Falls after a nasty confrontation with Johnathan Gilbert, but Anna refuses to go with her.
Episode 21
Thu, May 6, 2010 60 mins
Alaric's vampire wife Isobel returns to town and demands a meeting with her daughter Elena in order to gain access to a mysterious device that can allegedly harm vampires. To ensure that Elena cooperates, Isobel kidnaps Jeremy and threatens to kill him.
Episode 22
Thu, May 13, 2010 60 mins
The first season concludes with a Founder's Day celebration that ends in destruction and death because of a plan set in motion by Johnathan Gilbert to kill all of the town's vampires. Meanwhile, Elena tries to repair her relationship with Jeremy, but he refuses to listen to her and considers Anna's offer to become a vampire.