Season 5 (2013-14)
Number of Episodes: 22
Intro: In the tumultuous fourth season of The Vampire Diaries, the world of Mystic Falls was turned upside down when the beautiful and compassionate Elena Gilbert came face-to-face with her worst nightmare -- life as a vampire. While Elena struggled to control her new powers and the overwhelming thirst for blood, the astonishing news that a cure for vampirism may actually exist reached Damon and Stefan Salvatore, the two vampire brothers who love her.
Their search for the cure leads the brothers, along with Elena’s brother Jeremy and her best friends Bonnie and Caroline, to a horrifying confrontation with the ancient and all-powerful immortal, Silas, who has been entombed with the cure for more than 2,000 years. But Elena isn’t the only vampire who longs to return to life as a human, and the question of who will take the cure is resolved in the heart-stopping season finale, along with moments of unexpected joy, unspeakable sorrow, and a confession of true love. The series heads into its fifth season with some characters headed off to college, a newly cured vampire trying to survive as a human, and a shocking Salvatore secret.
Original Air Dates: October 3, 2013 - May 15, 2014 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on The CW
Episode #: 1 (90)
Title: "I Know What You Did Last Summer"
Summary: After spending the summer enjoying her passionate relationship with Damon, and making sure that Jeremy is adjusting after his return from the dead, Elena is thrilled to move into the dorm at nearby Whitmore College with her new roommate, Caroline.
Still believing that Bonnie has been traveling all summer and will soon join them, Elena and Caroline are surprised when a student named Megan shows up and announces that she will be sharing their dorm room. Katherine makes an unexpected appearance at the Salvatore house and pleads with Damon to help her now that she is human and vulnerable to her enemies. Matt and Rebekah return to Mystic Falls after spending a wild summer in Europe, where they met a mysterious beauty named Nadia. Elena can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong with Stefan, and Silas makes a terrifying appearance at the “End of Summer” party in the town square.
Episode #: 2 (91)
Title: "True Lies"
Summary: Without telling Elena (Nina Dobrev) that Stefan (Paul Wesley) is missing, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) turns to Sheriff Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) for help finding his brother. Elena and Caroline (Candice Accola) try to find out who is covering up a campus murder, and a fellow Whitmore student named Jesse (guest star Kendrick Sampson) gives Elena some intriguing information about Professor Wes Maxfield (guest star Rick Cosnett). While Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) struggles to return to his old life, he continues to be the only person who can see and talk to Bonnie (Kat Graham), but he can’t convince her that it’s time to let the others know that she sacrificed her own life for his. After learning that Silas is searching for Katherine, Damon asks Matt (Zach Roerig) and Jeremy to keep her out of sight, but the situation quickly spirals out of control. Finally, Nadia (guest star Olga Fonda) uses violence to make a point about her own agenda.
Episode #: 3 (92)
Title: "Original Sin"
Summary: When Elena and Katherine have the same dream that Stefan is in danger and desperately needs their help, they convince Damon to help them find Stefan. However, their plans are thwarted by a mysterious young woman named Tessa who seems to know everything about Stefan's history. In flashbacks to a distant time and place, Tessa reveals the shocking secrets in her past and what she has planned for the future. She also has a disturbing message for Damon about his own future. Silas forces an unwilling accomplice to help him search for Katherine, leading to a confusing and life-threatening situation for Matt. Finally, Silas reveals the reason he's determined to find Katherine, and Damon and Elena face a disturbing new reality.
Episode #: 4 (93)
Title: "For Whom the Bell Tolls"
Summary: While Mystic Falls observes its traditional Remembrance Day to honor the dead, Damon and Elena try to help Stefan through a confusing time, a task that ends up taking Elena on an emotional journey of her own. A worried Matt tries to figure out the reason behind his mysterious blackouts, and Caroline makes an effort to get to know Jesse better. Jeremy makes a startling confession that hits Damon hard. Finally, Dr. Maxfield puts a plan in motion that will change everything.
Episode #: 5 (94)
Title: "Monster's Ball"
Summary: On campus, Elena is touched by a sad and secretive student named Aaron. Elena and Damon attend the Whitmore Historical Ball dressed as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. At the Ball, Elena shares a dance with Dr. Maxfield, who has a disturbing message for her. Caroline’s evening at the Ball takes her from happiness to heartbreak. Meanwhile, Nadia reveals her surprising history to Katherine, and Damon tries to make a deal with Silas. Silas’ demand that Damon commit an unthinkable act leads to a violent confrontation.
Episode #: 6 (95)
Title: "Handle with Care"
Summary: Silas happily announces his new goal to Damon and Elena, but they are skeptical when he promises to accomplish one important task in return for their help. Tessa confidently tells Stefan about her next move, then realizes that Silas has managed to outsmart her. A desperate Katherine discovers a new and unexpected consequence of becoming human again, and realizes she needs a new place to stay. In exchange for a spot in the dorm room, she offers to show Caroline how to get answers from Dr. Maxfield. Bonnie is touched by Jeremy’s strength and determination to stand by her. Finally, Damon is stunned when he figures out the secret to Tessa’s plan.
Episode #: 7 (96)
Title: "Death and the Maiden"
Summary: While Elena and Damon try to explain Amara’s situation to Stefan, Dr. Wes gives Katherine some deeply disturbing news. Nadia shows up at Caroline’s dorm room, searching for Katherine. After a surprising conversation with Amara, Jeremy and Bonnie share a glimmer of hope. Silas fails to keep a promise, causing Damon to turn to Tessa for help with his new plan, and Stefan makes a heartbreaking confession to Damon and Elena.
Episode #: 8 (97)
Title: "Dead Man on Campus"
Summary: At Whitmore College, Elena and Caroline decide it’s time to throw a big party, but their plans are interrupted when Jesse suddenly needs Caroline’s help. At Elena’s request, Damon comes up with an effective method to get Wes to answer his questions. At the party, Elena finds that she and Aaron have a lot in common, and Caroline grows more concerned about Jesse. Meanwhile, Katherine does a favor for Matt and manages to get through to Stefan, who is still struggling to overcome the events of the summer. Finally, Bonnie does her best to cope with her new reality, and Damon makes a terrifying discovery about a secret society.
Episode #: 9 (98)
Title: "The Cell"
Summary: Stefan helps Katherine in order to deal with his pain until Caroline finds another way. Elena tries to fix things with Caroline and gets very concerned about Damon that she asks Aaron for help. Damon reveals aspects of his dark life to Elena and she tells him what she has just learnt about her family. Aaron takes a desperate path after a conversation with Dr. Wes.
Episode #: 10 (99)
Title: "Fifty Shades of Grayson"
Summary: Damon asks for Stefan's help to find Elena. The brothers visit Aaron and Stefan is shocked of what Damon knows. Dr Wes is trying to stop Damon and thus releases a secret weapon, forcing Damon to face his past. Dr Wes confesses information to Elena about the history of Whitmore College as well as his goal. Katherine turns to Matt for help and she realizes that the solution to her problem may be Nadia.
Episode #: 11 (100)
Title: "500 Years of Solitude"
Summary: With her impending death, 500-year-old Katherine reminisces about her life and the night she gave birth in 1490. Stefan informs Elena, Caroline and Bonnie that Katherine doesn't have long to live. Damon, Matt and Jeremy talk about Katherine's infamous moments. Stefan and Elena are forced to help Nadia save her mother. Caroline indulges in some scandalous behavior. Katherine and Elena share a moment of bonding.
Episode #: 12 (101)
Title: "The Devil Inside"
Summary: Damon takes the high road when Enzo insists they bond by seeking revenge. Matt spontaneously decides to host a party. Caroline makes a confession to Elena that puts her at odds with Stefan and Tyler. Elena finds she has only minutes to save her life.
Episode #: 13 (102)
Title: "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Summary: Whitmore College holds its annual "Bitter Ball" for broken-hearted students, which Caroline persuades Elena and Bonnie to attend. Bonnie meets up with Liv who seems to be playing her hand at witchcraft. Matt's relationship with Nadia bothers Tyler. Stefan speaks to Damon and Enzo after making a troubling discovery. Dr. Maxfield gets a new benefactor for his struggling research project. Damon and Enzo use violence to induce Bonnie and Jeremy to help them with their revenge plans but things don't go as planned.
Episode #: 14 (103)
Title: "No Exit"
Summary: Since Dr. Wes injected Damon with the serum his behavior has gone from bad to worse. Stefan feels bad telling Damon never to return to Mystic Falls so he sets out to find him with Elena tagging along. Once again Dr. Wes asks the Travelers for help when he decides to test the friendship between Damon and Enzo. Matt recruits Caroline and Tyler to help protect Elena ending with a violent confrontation. As Stephan later tries to console unhappy Caroline, their talking leads to a shocking realization.
Episode #: 15 (104)
Title: "Girl Gone"
Summary: Even as Nadia is going back over the memories of her centuries long search for Katherine, Stefan, Caroline and Matt figure out a new plan to save Elena's life. Jeremy and Bonnie need Liv's help again. Damon is determined to get revenge on Dr. Maxfield. Caroline and Tyler work out a new understanding. Bonnie discovers a horrifying secret that endangers her friends.
Episode #: 16 (105)
Title: "While You Were Sleeping"
Summary: When Elena wakes, Stefan tries to fill her in on what has happened. Caroline finds a terrifying secret in Dr. Wesley's files just as Enzo shows up claiming to possess the solution. Caroline calls Stefan and asks him to meet her and Enzo in an mysterious location. When they get there, a group of Travelers lets them know something new about the importance of doppelgangers. Elena runs into Luke on campus who seems to know her. Rather than take him up on his suggestion to go on a drinking binge, she sends him off to find Bonnie and Liv. When Damon finally gets around to filling Elena in on his recent activities, they come to a new agreement about their relationship.
Episode #: 17 (106)
Title: "Rescue Me"
Summary: Caroline and Enzo make a trip to Atlanta to find a recently revealed doppleganger. Enzo tells Caroline about his past. When Damon and Elena find out about Jeremy's bad behavior at school after a parent-teacher meeting, Damon lets Elena in on some disturbing news about Jeremy's personal life. Bonnie come across Luke and finds out more about his family history. Jeremy makes a deal with Liv after she tells him about the Travelers' next move and shows him how substantial her power has become. Caroline and Stefan share a special moment. The leader of the Travelers, Markos, makes an appearance.
Episode #: 18 (107)
Title: "Resident Evil"
Summary: Stefan and Elena experience unsettling dreams of the life they might have had together. Bonnie has a disturbing encounter with Grams. Enzo searches for a woman he loved decades ago. Bonnie is angry when she learns that Jeremy is working with Liv. Matt, Tyler and Jeremy help Liv keep track of the Travelers who plan to take over Mystic Falls. Matt has a terrifying encounter with inhabitants of the Other Side. Luke shows up and tells Damon, Elena and Enzo what he knows about Markos. Damon finds Markos and is both pleased and concerned about what he hears.
Episode #: 19 (108)
Title: "Man on Fire"
Summary: Elena obsesses over the state of her relationship with Damon. Enzo, through flashbacks to election night in 1960, learns what happened to his long-lost love. When he enlists Liv and Luke's help, things take a bad turn. Damon's attempts to calm Enzo down results in a confrontation between Enzo and Stefan. Bonnie deal with changes happening on the Other Side. Jeremy and Matt admit to Damon that the Traveler knife is missing. Markos enlists Sloan's help in a ritual designed to break an ancient curse against the Travelers. Tyler finds himself forced to play a risky part in the ritual.
Episode #: 20 (109)
Title: "What Lies Beneath"
Summary: Tyler reveals that Markos' plans to break the witches curse isn't without its dangers to Elena and Stefan. So Damon takes Stefan and Elena to a cabin, once owned by Caroline's dad, to keep them safe, and then he devises a parlor game to get them to reveal a secret they've been hiding. At the cabin, a spirit uses violence and fire to let them know it is there. Matt's charged with getting information from one of the Travelers. Meanwhile, Bonnie keeps Jeremy in the dark regarding the truth about the Other Side, in spite of Grams warnings.
Episode #: 21 (110)
Title: "Promised Land"
Summary: Stefan and Elena become stranded in a remote location, after escaping from Markos, and he gets philosophical about her relationship with Damon. Liv and Luke develop a new plan after their attempt to protect Stefan and Elena goes awry. Meanwhile, Damon, along with Matt and Jeremy, sets a trap for Markos. Bonnie admits to Caroline that she's been keeping the truth about the Other Side from everyone. Caroline witnesses an unthinkable act of violence by one of the Travelers.
Episode #: 22 (111)
Title: "Home"
Summary: Damon tries to stop the disintegration of the Other Side. Meanwhile, Elena takes matters into her own hands and demands that Liv and Luke help her; and Markos uses violence against Tyler/Julian to prove that Mystic Falls is under the control of the Travelers.