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The Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

Every episode of The Vampire Diaries ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries!

Binge this in 5d 1h•Peaking at 9.4/10

The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 22 - The Departed
    9.4/10(4878 votes)

    S3:E22

    Determined to protect his sister, Jeremy makes a decision that will change everything. In the harsh reality of the present situation, Elena longs for simpler times when her parents, Grayson and Miranda, and Aunt Jenna were still alive and her biggest concern was her relationship with Matt. Stefan and Damon leave Mystic Falls together on a mission, but soon split up when Elena needs one of them. Caroline and Tyler are forced to make a life-changing decision. Finally, Bonnie makes a secret deal that has heartbreaking consequences.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Brett Matthews, Julie Plec

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  2. The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 16 - I Was Feeling Epic
    9.3/10(4982 votes)

    S8:E16

    With the fate of Mystic Falls at stake, Stefan and Damon must fight their greatest enemy for one last battle.

    Director:Julie Plec
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  3. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 22 - Founder's Day
    9.2/10(3989 votes)

    S1:E22

    Founder's Day has finally arrived, and everyone is busy with last-minute preparations for floats and fireworks. Stefan is uncomfortable with Damon's new attitude toward Elena, but Elena is more concerned about repairing her relationship with Jeremy. Jeremy is worried about Anna, but not sure he's on board with her latest plan for the future. While Caroline is enjoying her day as Queen of the celebration, she also tries to help Matt and Tyler get their friendship back on track. Finally, although Damon and Alaric do their best to stop him, Johnathan Gilbert sets a plan in motion that brings Founder's Day to an end amid chaos, destruction and death.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Bryan Oh

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  4. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 21 - The Sun Also Rises
    9.1/10(2920 votes)

    S2:E21

    With the arrival of the full moon, Elena tries to prepare for whatever Klaus has planned and Tyler faces his second transformation. The terrifying events quickly spin out of control, despite an unexpected act of courage. Finally, Damon admits the truth to Stefan about a terrible new development they must face...

    Director:Paul M. Sommers
    Writers:Mike Daniels, Caroline Dries

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  5. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 5 - The Reckoning
    9.1/10(2943 votes)

    S3:E5

    Despite all that has happened, Caroline is determined to see that Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler all enjoy a traditional Senior Prank Night before the school year begins at Mystic Falls High School. However, when uninvited guests show up, it doesn't take long for the evening to take a deadly turn. Damon convinces Jeremy that he can use his new connection to the other side to help find a way to defeat Klaus. Finally, Klaus deepens his hold on Stefan and uses him for increasingly violent and dangerous purposes.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 23 - Graduation
    9.1/10(3134 votes)

    S4:E23

    On Graduation Day, Mystic Falls is overrun with ghosts intent on settling old scores and fulfilling their supernatural destinies. Damon’s life is in danger after a ghostly encounter, while Matt and Rebekah join forces to battle a ghost determined to find the cure. As everyone gathers for the graduation ceremony and the ghosts converge, help comes from an unlikely hero. Caroline receives a touching and unexpected graduation present, and Bonnie’s plan leads to the closing of the veil. Elena makes a decision about the Salvatore brothers and faces an epic confrontation with Katherine. Finally, Stefan discovers a horrifying clue to the mystery surrounding Silas.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Julie Plec

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

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  7. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 7 - Masquerade
    9.0/10(3036 votes)

    S2:E7

    Stefan and Damon decide on a new plan to deal with Katherine at the Lockwood’s masquerade ball. Katherine calls on an old friend, Lucy, to attend the ball with her. Bonnie, Jeremy and Alaric all do what they can to help Stefan and Damon, but Katherine has a surprise planned that none of them could foresee. Things take an ugly turn when Matt and Tyler start doing shots with their friends.

    Director:Charles Beeson
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  8. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 1 - The Return
    8.9/10(3358 votes)

    S2:E1

    The second season begins with Elena discovering her uncle John's bloody body and learning Jeremy's fate, and Damon realizing that Katherine has returned. Meanwhile, Caroline is taken to the hospital following a car accident, and Tyler's mysterious uncle Mason arrives in town.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  9. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 22 - As I Lay Dying
    8.9/10(2956 votes)

    S2:E22

    Mystic Falls screens "Gone with The Wind" in the town square, and Damon's memories of Katherine in 1864 mix with the reality of present-day Elena. Stefan pays a steep price after trying to prevent a tragedy, and Sheriff Forbes makes a dangerous mistake while trying to keep everyone safe. Multiple lives hang in the balance as the consequences of the sacrifice ritual play out to a horrifying conclusion.

    Director:John Behring
    Writers:Mike Daniels, Michael Narducci, Turi Meyer, Alfredo Septién

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  10. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 9 - Homecoming
    8.9/10(2697 votes)

    S3:E9

    On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah opens up to Elena about why the evening is so important to her, leaving Elena with conflicting emotions. Caroline and Matt are both shocked at Tyler’s behavior throughout the evening. The night takes a surreal turn when Klaus puts his latest plan into action. Determined to outsmart Klaus, Damon enters into a dangerous partnership, leading to a terrifying turn of events.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 22 - Home
    8.9/10(2747 votes)

    S5:E22

    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.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Brian Young

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  12. The Vampire Diaries Season 8 Episode 11 - You Made a Choice to Be Good
    8.9/10(1885 votes)

    S8:E11

    Cade returns to Mystic Falls and presents Damon and Stefan with additional assignments, each with unthinkable consequences. Even with tension growing in their friendship, Caroline and Matt do their best to protect the town’s residents from Cade’s appetite for their souls. Bonnie and Enzo hit the road on a romantic trip, taking the bell with them in hopes to keep it safe.

    Director:Carol Banker
    Writers:Melinda Hsu Taylor, Céline Geiger

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  13. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 8 - Rose
    8.8/10(2856 votes)

    S2:E8

    An Ancient Presence In Mystic Falls, Stefan and Damon come to Elena’s assistance and, in the process, learn surprising new information about people, vampires and events in the distant past. Jeremy helps Bonnie after she casts a difficult and exhausting spell, and Caroline does what she can to make things easier for Tyler. Finally, Stefan and Damon reach a new understanding.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writer:Brian Young

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  14. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 19 - Klaus
    8.8/10(2655 votes)

    S2:E19

    Stefan and Damon are furious when they discover that Elena has defied them both to make a new ally and take control of the plan to out-maneuver Klaus. Disagreement over how to protect Elena leads to growing tension between the Salvatore brothers. Meanwhile, Stefan has his hands full trying to keep a confused and frightened Jenna safe. Flashbacks to 1491 reveal Katherine’s introduction to Elijah and Klaus, along with the origin of the moonstone curse. Elena learns shocking new information about Klaus’ motives.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  15. The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Episode 22 - I'm Thinking of You All the While
    8.8/10(2339 votes)

    S6:E22

    In the aftermath of Alaric and Jo’s powerful nuptials, things take a dramatic turn when an uninvited guest shows up, leaving Elena in terrible jeopardy. Despite Matt’s advice to leave town to protect herself, a defiant Bonnie takes matters into her own hands after finding herself on the receiving end of a twisted plan. As Stefan and Caroline reach an emotional crossroad in their relationship, a reunion with Liv leaves Tyler faced with a decision that could change his life forever. Meanwhile, Lily's reckless actions cause Stefan to realize the lengths to which his mother will go to reunite with her “family.” Finally, after a devastating chain of events, Damon is forced to make the most difficult decision of his life.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Julie Plec

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  16. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 18 - The Last Dance
    8.7/10(2453 votes)

    S2:E18

    As the high school prepares to throw a “1960s Decade Dance,” Elena starts receiving disturbing messages from Klaus via an unusual source. Bonnie tries to reassure Jeremy that she is strong enough to help Elena, but a worried Jeremy asks Stefan for advice. Caroline talks Matt into taking her to the dance. Expecting Klaus to show up at the dance, Damon and Alaric attend as chaperones, but Klaus is playing a complicated game that keeps them on edge. Finally, Damon comes up with a new plan of action that shocks and upsets everyone.

    Director:John Behring
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 20 - The Last Day
    8.7/10(2439 votes)

    S2:E20

    Damon is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to prevent Elena from being a victim of Klaus’ plan to break the curse. Damon’s actions put him at terrible odds with Stefan and the tension that started brewing between the brothers over their differing opinions of how to help save Elena’s life blows up into full-scale conflict. Tyler returns to Mystic Falls after receiving a disturbing phone call. With the full moon marking the arrival of the sacrifice ritual, Stefan and Elena spend a romantic day together — afraid it might be their last.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writers:Brian Young, Andrew Chambliss

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  18. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 3 - The End of the Affair
    8.7/10(2663 votes)

    S3:E3

    Klaus and Stefan arrive in Chicago, where Stefan is reunited with a vampire who hasn't really moved on from her interest in him decades earlier. In a flashback to Chicago in the 1920s, Stefan comes face-to-face with a shocking chapter from his wild past. After Damon gets a tip on Stefan and Klaus' whereabouts from an unexpected source, he and Elena follow their trail. Back in Mystic Falls, Tyler is concerned about Caroline and turns to Sheriff Forbes for help.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Caroline Dries

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  19. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 8 - Ordinary People
    8.7/10(2429 votes)

    S3:E8

    With help from Elena and Bonnie, Alaric tries to decipher the meaning behind his recent discovery Elena and Rebekah engage in a mean-girl power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus and Elijah. Damon tries a reckless new approach to make a breakthrough with Stefan, and they're both surprised by an unlikely ally.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 1 - Growing Pains
    8.7/10(3570 votes)

    S4:E1

    Elena awakens on the morning after the accident to find the thing she dreaded most has come true – she died with vampire blood in her system and now must go through the terrible transition to become a vampire…or face certain death. Stefan promises Elena that he and Bonnie will exhaust every possible way out of the situation, but Damon is furious with his brother for letting Elena die in the first place. Bonnie pays a terrible price for her attempt to change Elena’s fate, while Damon takes out his frustration and rage on Matt. In a rare moment of empathy, Rebekah is deeply touched by Stefan and Elena’s devotion to one another. Finally, Pastor Young and the Town Council members begin rounding up the vampires and their supporters, leading to an unexpected tragedy.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Caroline Dries

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  21. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 2 - Memorial
    8.7/10(2635 votes)

    S4:E2

    Elena tries to cope with the extreme highs and lows that are part of becoming a vampire, and Stefan and Damon almost come to blows while arguing about what is best for her. Damon decides to help Elena in his own way and asks her not to tell Stefan. A stranger, Connor Jordan, arrives in town and begins questioning Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood. Connor’s actions quickly convince Stefan that they are dealing with a dangerous vampire hunter. Jeremy and Matt are surprised to see a girl they used to know, April, has returned to town and is enrolling at Mystic Falls High. At a town gathering, Elena comes close to losing control until Caroline steps in to help her. Finally, Damon confides his feelings to an unexpected friend.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writers:Jose Molina, Julie Plec

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  22. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 7 - My Brother’s Keeper
    8.7/10(2777 votes)

    S4:E7

    Caroline does her best to be there for Stefan and Elena in a tough time. Damon tries to convince Stefan to help him uncover Prof. Shane’s motives, but Stefan is intent on carrying out a different plan with Klaus. At the annual Miss Mystic Falls Pageant, Elena and Caroline give April advice on which dress to wear, while Tyler and Hayley work together on a secret project, and Damon confronts Prof. Shane with his suspicions. Alarmed by the vivid nightmares he’s having, Jeremy turns to Matt for help, but the situation escalates sooner than anyone expected.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writer:Elisabeth R. Finch

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  23. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 15 - Stand by Me
    8.7/10(2247 votes)

    S4:E15

    When Stefan arrives back in Mystic Falls with Elena and Jeremy, Caroline is immediately worried about Elena’s state of mind. Stefan reaches out to Dr. Fell and Matt for help. Still on the island, Damon relays somber news to Rebekah, and is surprised at her reaction. Together, Damon and Rebekah learn an unexpected bit of recent history from Vaughn. Everyone is horrified when Bonnie reveals the rest of Shane’s plan. Finally, after Damon does his best to help her, Elena comes up with a plan of her own.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writers:Charlie Charbonneau, Julie Plec

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  24. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 11 - 500 Years of Solitude
    8.7/10(2335 votes)

    S5:E11

    Katherine recalls the traumatic night in 1490 when she gave birth to a daughter who was immediately taken from her. Meanwhile, Nadia creates a frightening plan to protect her mother; and Caroline indulges in some scandalous behavior.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Julie Plec

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  25. The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Episode 15 - Let Her Go
    8.7/10(1895 votes)

    S6:E15

    After assigning tasks to each of her friends, Caroline attempts to deal with her current situation as reality begins to set in around her. While spending the day with Caroline, Elena grows concerned when she starts noticing a strange change in her behavior. Meanwhile, Alaric becomes wary when Kai, who has begun experiencing unexpected consequences from the merge, turns to Jo, desperate for her help. Elsewhere, while Bonnie finds herself in an unfamiliar situation, Matt and Tyler contemplate a major life change. And when Damon offers Caroline advice on how to cope with everything going on around her, it forces him to revisit painful memories involving his own mother.

    Director:Julie Plec
    Writer:Julie Plec

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Departed" is the best rated episode of "The Vampire Diaries". It scored 9.4/10 based on 4878 votes. Directed by John Behring and written by Brett Matthews, Julie Plec, it aired on 5/10/2012. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "I Was Feeling Epic".