In the fourth season premiere, Elena awakens after the accident to find the thing she dreaded most has come true. Damon is furious with Stefan, and takes out his rage on Matt. Yay Damon!

Stefan and Damon argue about what is best for Elena. Jeremy and Matt are surprised to see a girl they used to know, April, enrolling at Mystic Falls High. For Matt that isn't much of a stretch since he doesn't really have friends.

Elena learns confronting Rebekah can be dangerous. Tyler gets a surprise visit from Hayley, a werewolf who helped him with Klaus.

At a fraternity costume party, Damon gives Elena a lesson in choosing a victim. Klaus reveals an encounter with a group of vampire hunters - flashing back to 12th century Italy.

Stefan and Klaus form an uneasy alliance to try and contain the danger that Connor has unleashed. Professor Shane works with Bonnie.

Terrifying hallucinations leave Elena shaken and confused and she makes a painful confession to Stefan. Matt gives Damon startling information about Professor Shane. Which shocks Damon, since he thought Matt was braindead.

At the annual Miss Mystic Falls Pageant, Elena and Caroline give April advice, while Tyler and Hayley work together on a secret project.

Damon and Stefan visit New Orleans in hopes of finding someone who remembers their last visit in 1942.

It's a winter wonderland in Mystic Falls. Plus, Professor Shane reveals a piece of ancient history that leaves everyone speechless.

Rebekah is back with a vengeance. Bonnie is uncomfortable when her father, Rudy Hopkins, accepts the role of Interim Mayor.

Jeremy is furious when Klaus tries to control him by putting Matt's life in danger. Sadly he doesn't die. 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.

When the 1980s Decade Dance at the high school is cancelled by Mayor Hopkins, Stefan finds a charming way to make it up to a disappointed Rebekah.

Shane leads an expedition to a desolate island, where he believes the secret of the cure lies hidden. Rebekah and Elena continue their bitter rivalry.

Damon has an ugly run-in with a Hunter, Vaughn, and realizes he is one of the Five. Stefan admits his feelings about possibly becoming human.

Damon and Rebekah learn an unexpected bit of recent history from Vaughn. Bonnie reveals the rest of Shane's plan.

Elena's new outlook has everyone concerned. Damon and Rebekah work together, but his unwanted advice catches her off-guard. Klaus tries to use Hayley.

Realizing that Elena needs some time away from Mystic Falls, Damon takes her to New York City. Flashbacks reveal Damon's hedonistic life there in the 1970s.

While in a small town in Pennsylvania with Rebekah, Elena has a surprising encounter with Elijah. Klaus receives Caroline's reluctant help.

When Caroline's plans for the perfect Senior Prom night are disrupted by Elena, she turns to an amused Klaus for a solution. Bonnie makes a terrifying discovery.

Klaus returns to his past in New Orleans and meets with his former protégé, Marcel, a charismatic vampire with control over the city's inhabitants.

This is the backdoor pilot to The Originals.

The Salvatore brothers ask for backup from a surprising source when Elena calls their bluff. Katherine is suspicious when Bonnie makes her an offer. Matt dies, I rejoice... but he's wearing the damn ring. GOD DAMMIT.

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 Silas' true identity.

A reaction to the Gag reel for season 4 of The Vampire Diaries 

My thoughts on season 4 of The Vampire Diaries.