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The Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries Season 1

Every episode of The Vampire Diaries Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries Season 1!

Binge this in 15h 36m•Peaking at 9.2/10

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
    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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  2. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 14 - Fool Me Once
    8.6/10(2879 votes)

    S1:E14

    Stefan helps Elena and Bonnie out of a dangerous situation. Jeremy asks Anna to a party in the woods, unaware that she has her own reasons for wanting to meet him there. When Stefan, Damon, and Elena work with Bonnie and Grams to open the tomb, everyone is shocked by what they discover.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Brett Conrad

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  3. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 17 - Let the Right One In
    8.6/10(2797 votes)

    S1:E17

    When Stefan and Damon make a dangerous new enemy, Stefan suddenly finds himself in a perilous situation. Damon and Elena try to convince Alaric to work with them to help Stefan. Matt is hopeful that his mom, Kelly, may be back to stay. After her car breaks down in a storm, Caroline make a horrific discovery that shocks everyone in town.

    Director:Dennis Smith
    Writer:Julie Plec

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  4. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 6 - Lost Girls
    8.4/10(3264 votes)

    S1:E6

    In a flashback sequence, Stefan reveals the Salvatore family history to Elena. Elena demands that Stefan explain the frightening events that have been happening in Mystic Falls. In flashbacks, Stefan explains how his rivalry with Damon began. Back in the present, Damon impulsively takes control of Vicki’s future, and a confused and frightened Vicki runs away. Finally, Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood take steps to protect the town.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  5. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 21 - Isobel
    8.4/10(2783 votes)

    S1:E21

    Isobel returns to town and stuns Alaric with her attitude and her demands that he arrange a meeting with Elena. When mother and daughter finally meet, Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena’s questions, but reveals that she will stop at nothing to find the mysterious invention Johnathan Gilbert has been searching for. Isobel’s dangerous actions lead Stefan, Damon and Bonnie to step in and help Elena deal with the situation.

    Director:J. Miller Tobin
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Brian Young

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  6. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 8 - 162 Candles
    8.3/10(3070 votes)

    S1:E8

    On his birthday, Stefan is surprised by a visit from Lexi, one of his oldest friends. Still upset by the events at the Halloween haunted house, Elena does her best to stay away from Stefan, but Lexi gives her some unsolicited relationship advice. Elena and Jenna are surprised by a change in Jeremy’s behavior. At Damon’s insistence, Caroline tries to get his medallion back from Bonnie. Finally, Damon’s offer to help Sheriff Forbes has sudden and tragic results.

    Director:Rick Bota
    Writers:Barbie Kligman, Gabrielle Stanton

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  7. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 10 - The Turning Point
    8.3/10(2939 votes)

    S1:E10

    After reading the journal left by one of the Gilbert ancestors, Jeremy is inspired to return to his hobby of sketching fantasy creatures, a talent he had abandoned when his parents died. Much to the surprise of their friends, Matt and Caroline continue to hang out together. When Sheriff Forbes tells Damon there has been another attack, he offers to track down the killer and learns a startling piece of information about the town’s founding families. Alaric steps in to help during an awkward scene with Jeremy, Tyler and Mayor Lockwood. Stefan and Elena come to a new understanding, but everything changes when Elena accidentally makes a devastating discovery.

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

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  8. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 13 - Children of the Damned
    8.3/10(2815 votes)

    S1:E13

    In flashbacks, Stefan and Damon recall the long-ago actions taken by townspeople including their father, Guiseppe Salvatore, and Pearl, leading to the devastating events that caused the rift in their relationship. In the present, Bonnie's date with Ben takes a frightening turn. Elena helps Stefan as he and Damon race to find the missing journal that belonged to Elena's ancestor. Stefan learns the reason behind Alaric's interest in both the journal and the town's history. Damon discovers that an old acquaintance has returned to town with an agenda he understands.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  9. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 19 - Miss Mystic Falls
    8.3/10(2920 votes)

    S1:E19

    At the Founder’s Day Gala, Elena and Caroline compete for the title of “Miss Mystic Falls” against other girls from town, including Tina Fell and Amber Bradley. Elena is happy to have Bonnie back in town, but Bonnie still has issues to work through. John Gilbert attempts to intimidate Damon, but his plan doesn’t have the desired effect. Damon discovers that Stefan is hiding a dangerous secret that could impact everyone in town.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Bryan Oh

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  10. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 5 - You're Undead to Me
    8.2/10(3220 votes)

    S1:E5

    Stefan takes action to protect Elena. Stefan is hopeful that his plan to get rid of Damon is working. Elena and Jenna are concerned about Jeremy’s relationship with Vicki. Stefan decides to reveal parts of his past to Elena. At a fund-raising car wash, Bonnie is surprised by abilities she didn’t know she possessed, and seeks advice from her grandmother. Finally, Elena hears a disturbing story about the Salvatore family from a stranger.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writers:Gabrielle Stanton, Sean Reycraft

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  11. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 7 - Haunted
    8.2/10(3062 votes)

    S1:E7

    As Vicki’s behavior becomes more dangerous, Stefan tries to help her. Elena tries to convince Jeremy to stay away from Vicki. Caroline gives Bonnie a necklace she took from Damon to wear with her Halloween costume, and when Damon tries to take it back, he is surprised by Bonnie’s abilities. Bonnie discusses the incident with Grams and learns more about her family’s past. Trying to cheer Vicki up, Matt takes her to the high school’s haunted house, but the evening soon takes a terrifying turn.

    Director:Ernest R. Dickerson
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  12. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 11 - Bloodlines
    8.2/10(2950 votes)

    S1:E11

    Damon takes a trip to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame, Bree and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. In the process, Damon comes face to face with someone who is determined to make him pay for past wrongs. Stefan opens up to Grams in his effort to help Bonnie overcome her fears and accept her powers. While researching his history paper in the public library, Jeremy meets a cute-but-geeky girl named Anna who has her own theories on the folklore of Mystic Falls. When Damon returns from Georgia, Stefan is waiting with news that will change their world.

    Director:David Barrett
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  13. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 20 - Blood Brothers
    8.2/10(2730 votes)

    S1:E20

    While Stefan struggles to come to terms with his past, both he and Damon reveal parts of their history to Elena, until she finally learns the truth about how they became vampires. Pearl has an ugly confrontation with Johnathan Gilbert. Damon and Alaric try to find a mysterious invention before Johnathan does. The friendship and flirtation between Jeremy and Anna continues to grow.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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  14. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 9 - History Repeating
    8.1/10(2936 votes)

    S1:E9

    Jeremy gets a break from the mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman and introduces Alaric to Jenna. Bonnie is having terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors. Despite Elena’s efforts to smooth things over, Bonnie and Caroline continue to argue over the medallion. When the girls hold a séance to help them decide what to do, the results are stranger than any of them expected. Matt comes to Caroline’s aid when she needs a friend. Damon finally reveals to Stefan the stunning reason he has returned to Mystic Falls.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Brian Young, Bryan M. Holdman

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  15. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 12 - Unpleasantville
    8.1/10(2812 votes)

    S1:E12

    Damon, Elena and Stefan attend the school dance with a 1950s' theme, where Alaric introduces himself to Damon. Stefan and Damon try to figure out the identity of the new vampire in town, Stefan gives Elena jewelry filled with Vervain to protect her family and friends. To make ends meet Matt takes a job at the Mystic Grill. Ben comes to help Bonnie when he notices Damon is bothering her.

    Director:Liz Friedlander
    Writers:Brian Young, Barbie Kligman

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  16. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 15 - A Few Good Men
    8.0/10(2703 votes)

    S1:E15

    Matt and Caroline are surprised by the sudden reappearance of Matt’s mother Kelly. Stefan and Elena are worried about Damon’s new attitude. Damon is asked by Sheriff Forbes to take part in a fund-raising bachelor auction. Alaric discovers shocking secrets from his own past. With help from Jenna and Stefan, Elena is determined to find out everything she can about her birth mother, but the truth may be more than she can handle.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Brian Young

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  17. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 18 - Under Control
    8.0/10(2685 votes)

    S1:E18

    While Stefan struggles to control his new situation, Elena and Jeremy are surprised by a visit from their uncle, John Gilbert. Alaric has an awkward talk with Elena about Isobel. At a Founder’s Day event, Stefan displays a rare party attitude and Damon’s attempt to find out why Uncle John has returned to town takes an ugly turn. An incident at the party causes trouble between Matt and Tyler... and the relationship between Matt and his mother, Kelly, reaches a new low. Meanwhile, Elena’s effort to comfort Jeremy falls short and he decides to take matters into his own hands.

    Director:David Von Ancken
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Barbie Kligman

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  18. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 3 - Friday Night Bites
    7.9/10(3495 votes)

    S1:E3

    As Elena tries to ignore Bonnie's warnings about Stefan, Tyler tries to embarrass Stefan by throwing a ball at him. However, his effortless catch and football skills impress everyone, leading Mr. Tanner to let him join the football team. Meanwhile, Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner in order to try to get the two to know each other, but the night ends up backfiring. Finally, the town is shocked by an act of violence.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writers:Barbie Kligman, Bryan M. Holdman

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  19. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 4 - Family Ties
    7.9/10(3269 votes)

    S1:E4

    Elena asks Stefan to escort her to the town's annual Founder's Party. Vicki gets Tyler to ask her to the party, then accuses him of trying to hide their relationship from his family. Zach reveals a useful family secret to Stefan. At the party, Damon tells Elena a story about the Salvatore family's past, leaving Elena with questions that Stefan refuses to answer. Finally, Stefan takes action to get Damon out of his life for good.

    Director:Guy Ferland
    Writers:Brian Young, Andrew Kreisberg

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  20. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.8/10(5567 votes)

    S1:E1

    Elena Gilbert and her brother Jeremy come to terms with the death of their parents. Elena is popular amongst her peers and the perfect straight A student, but has difficulties hiding her grief from the world. Meanwhile, Jeremy treads on a dangerous path of using drugs to ease his pain. The arrival of new student Stefan Salvatore, however, makes Elena think about romantic possibilities.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 16 - There Goes the Neighborhood
    7.8/10(2671 votes)

    S1:E16

    Anna brings a surprising guest along when she pays a visit to Damon. Elena and Stefan go on an awkward double date with Caroline and Matt, but Stefan and Matt find they have some common ground. Jenna reunites with her old friend Kelly, and Jeremy’s relationship with Anna takes an unexpected direction.

    Director:Kevin Bray
    Writers:Andrew Chambliss, Bryan Oh

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  22. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 2 - The Night of the Comet
    7.5/10(3880 votes)

    S1:E2

    As Mystic Falls gets ready for a festival to celebrate the passing of a comet, Vicki continues to recover in the hospital following Damon's attack. Stefan heads to the hospital to try to use his abilities to make Vicki forget who attacked her, but his efforts are cut short by Matt. Meanwhile, at a parent/teacher conference Mr. Tanner tells Aunt Jenna that Jeremy is in trouble and needs immediate intervention.

    Director:Marcos Siega
    Writers:Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Founder's Day" is the best rated episode of "The Vampire Diaries" season 1. It scored 9.2/10 based on 3989 votes. Directed by Marcos Siega and written by Andrew Chambliss, Bryan Oh, it aired on 5/13/2010. This episode is rated 0.6 points higher than the second-best, "Fool Me Once".