During the Founders' Day jubilee, John Gilbert activates the devastating anti-vampire device. The tomb vampires are rounded up and burned alive in a basement, and Stefan and Damon narrowly escape with the help of Bonnie. The season ends on a legendary cliffhanger: Katherine Pierce returns to Mystic Falls, slicing off John Gilbert's fingers and leaving Elena's life hanging in the balance. Production and Legacy
The insecure, bubbly friend who frequently finds herself caught in the crossfire of supernatural events.
The Founders' Party; Elena learns about the town's history with vampires.
After Stefan and Elena finally consummate their love, Elena accidentally discovers a photograph of Katherine Pierce, realizing she looks identical to Stefan's lost love. Terrified and confused, Elena flees, only to crash her car when a supernatural figure appears in the middle of the road. Episode 11: "Bloodlines" Original Air Date: January 21, 2010
Elena’s troubled younger brother who gets involved with supernatural entities.
Season 1 focuses on Elena Gilbert’s discovery of the supernatural world following the arrival of Stefan Salvatore. As she falls for Stefan, his dangerous older brother, Damon, arrives to wreak havoc and fulfill a century-old vendetta involving their shared past with a woman named Katherine Pierce. 22 Original Air Date: May 13, 2010 Episode Index Pilot Stefan and Elena meet; Damon returns to Mystic Falls. The Night of the Comet Vicki is attacked; Elena and Stefan share their first kiss. Friday Night Bites
Elena and Stefan attend the annual Founders' Party hosted by the Lockwood family. Stefan uses a spiked drink of vervain to weaken Damon, locking him away in the Salvatore boarding house cellar. Meanwhile, the town's secret Founders' Council discovers that vampires have officially returned to Mystic Falls. Episode 5: "You're Undead to Me" Original Air Date: October 8, 2009
Mystic Falls prepares to celebrate the passing of a rare comet. Elena attempts to navigate her growing feelings for Stefan, while Damon targets Elena’s friend, Vicki Donovan, altering her memories to mock Stefan's morality. Bonnie senses an eerie, magical energy radiating from Stefan. Episode 3: "Friday Night Bites" Original Air Date: September 24, 2009
Stefan struggles with a severe addiction relapse after consuming human blood, exhibiting erratic, dangerous behavior. Elena’s uncle, John Gilbert, arrives in town, revealing that he knows the Salvatore brothers are vampires and threatening to expose them to the Council. Episode 19: "Miss Mystic Falls" Original Air Date: April 22, 2010
– Damon takes Elena on a trip to Georgia.
Elena and Caroline compete in the Miss Mystic Falls pageant. Stefan's bloodlust peaks, causing him to kidnap a contestant. Damon steps in to dance with Elena in Stefan's absence, marking a major shift in their dynamic. Episode 20: "Blood Brothers"