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The Worst Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

Every episode of The Vampire Diaries ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Vampire Diaries!

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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 Worst Episode
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    The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 3 - The End of the Affair
    6.0/10(13 votes)

    #1 - The End of the Affair

    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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  2. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 4 - Disturbing Behavior
    6.3/10(13 votes)

    #2 - Disturbing Behavior

    S3:E4

    Still in Chicago, Klaus uses Gloria, a witch he knew long ago, to help him track down missing information that will explain why his plan isn’t working. Gloria’s spells reveal intriguing glimpses of the truth, but she soon realizes she needs Stefan’s knowledge to complete the puzzle. When Stefan suddenly finds himself in danger, help comes from a surprising ally. Back in Mystic Falls, a frustrating new enemy pushes Damon over the brink and he lashes out in a way that will have lasting consequences. Caroline struggles with her own emotional issues, even as she tries to help Elena face her feelings. Jeremy makes a brief but disturbing breakthrough with one of his ghostly visitors, leaving him more confused than ever. Finally, Bonnie has a strange encounter that will affect everyone.

    Director:Wendey Stanzler
    Writer:Brian Young

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  3. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 3 - Friday Night Bites
    6.6/10(28 votes)

    #3 - Friday Night Bites

    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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  4. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 13 - Children of the Damned
    6.7/10(18 votes)

    #4 - Children of the Damned

    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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  5. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 17 - Break On Through
    6.7/10(15 votes)

    #5 - Break On Through

    S3:E17

    A century after their first encounter, Damon and Sage meet again at the ceremony to kick-off the restoration of Wickery Bridge. Damon is surprised to learn the reason Sage has returned, and pleased when she devises an unusual method to help him figure out what Rebekah is up to. Abby is having a hard time adjusting to her new reality, despite Bonnie and Caroline’s efforts to help. When Damon informs Elena of Stefan’s latest struggles, she reaches out to Stefan to help her save a friend in danger, in hopes that it will help bring Stefan even closer to his humanity. Finally, when Damon discovers a new secret weapon, he lets Stefan in on the news.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writer:Rebecca Sonnenshine

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  6. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 12 - The Devil Inside
    6.7/10(10 votes)

    #6 - The Devil Inside

    S5:E12

    Damon tries to get back together with Elena, however, Katherine has a plan and attempts to take Elena's body permanently. Tyler is upset with Caroline and Matt is used by Katherine. Enzo finds Damon and they decide to become a team again.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writers:Brett Matthews, Sonny Postiglione

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

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  7. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 13 - Bringing Out the Dead
    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #7 - Bringing Out the Dead

    S3:E13

    Sheriff Forbes delivers some disturbing news to Alaric and Elena about the weapon used in a recent murder. In the Salvatore brothers’ escalating quest to kill Klaus, Stefan turns to Bonnie and Abby, while Damon reaches out to an old acquaintance for help in setting up an elaborate plan. Intent on a plan of his own, Klaus hosts a strange dinner party, where he reveals another story from his family’s violent past until an unexpected guest brings the party to an end. Meanwhile, Caroline is heartbroken when she is unable to stop a tragedy from unfolding.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Alfredo Septién, Turi Meyer

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  8. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 20 - Blood Brothers
    6.9/10(19 votes)

    #8 - Blood Brothers

    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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  9. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 5 - Kill or Be Killed
    7.0/10(15 votes)

    #9 - Kill or Be Killed

    S2:E5

    Tyler learns more about the Lockwood family curse from Mason. Stefan and Damon argue over how to handle Mason. Elena tries to keep Jeremy from becoming more involved with the Lockwood mystery, but Jeremy makes an effort to hang out with Tyler. Mason gives Sheriff Lockwood some startling information, leading to a night of violence, confession and heartbreak.

    Director:Jeff Woolnough
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. The Vampire Diaries Season 2 Episode 11 - By the Light of the Moon
    7.0/10(14 votes)

    #10 - By the Light of the Moon

    S2:E11

    As the full moon approaches, Caroline helps Tyler prepare for the transformation he is powerless to stop. While Stefan and Katherine play mind games on one another, Damon and Alaric are suspicious when a stranger named Jules shows up in Mystic Falls, searching for her missing friend, Mason. Elena is frustrated at the lengths Jeremy and her friends have gone to in order to keep her safe. Bonnie and Luca work together on a spell, while still keeping secrets from one another. Finally, Elijah makes an unexpected appearance with an offer that could change everything.

    Director:Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 2 - The Hybrid
    7.0/10(12 votes)

    #11 - The Hybrid

    S3:E2

    Klaus puts a plan in motion that will give him even more power, but even with the unwilling participation of werewolf Ray Sutton, things don’t go exactly as Klaus had planned. Damon and Alaric reluctantly go along with Elena’s new strategy to find Stefan, leading Damon into a dangerous fight with an unexpected enemy. Jeremy turns to Matt for help as he continues to try to understand what the ghosts from his past want from him. Unaware that Caroline is in need of his help, Tyler faces an emotional confrontation with his mother.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Alfredo Septién, Turi Meyer

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  12. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 1 - I Know What You Did Last Summer
    7.0/10(10 votes)

    #12 - I Know What You Did Last Summer

    S5:E1

    As the fifth season opens, Elena, after a passionate summer with Damon, heads to college nearby with Caroline as her roommate. Plus, a terrifying appearance by Silas.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writer:Caroline Dries

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  13. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 10 - The Turning Point
    7.1/10(17 votes)

    #13 - The Turning Point

    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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  14. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 12 - The Ties That Bind
    7.1/10(14 votes)

    #14 - The Ties That Bind

    S3:E12

    Bonnie believes her recurring dreams about Klaus’ coffins will tell her how he can be killed. The dreams also lead Bonnie to a reunion with her mother, Abby, whom Bonnie hasn’t seen for 15 years. At Abby’s remote farmhouse, Bonnie and Elena meet Jamie, the young man Abby took in years earlier. Bonnie’s sudden appearance catches Abby off-guard, but she does her best to explain the past. Tyler turns to an unexpected ally in his quest to regain his free will. Damon is intrigued by Alaric’s new friend, Dr. Fell, and Klaus continues his bitter negotiations with Stefan over control of the coffins containing his family members.

    Director:John Dahl
    Writer:Brian Young

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  15. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 4 - Family Ties
    7.2/10(25 votes)

    #15 - Family Ties

    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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  16. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 2 - The Night of the Comet
    7.3/10(37 votes)

    #16 - The Night of the Comet

    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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  17. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 6 - Lost Girls
    7.3/10(20 votes)

    #17 - Lost Girls

    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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  18. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 19 - Miss Mystic Falls
    7.3/10(21 votes)

    #18 - Miss Mystic Falls

    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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  19. The Vampire Diaries Season 3 Episode 15 - All My Children
    7.3/10(13 votes)

    #19 - All My Children

    S3:E15

    After starting her day with a startling discovery of Damon’s latest indiscretion, Elena is frustrated to find that none of her friends agree with her on how they should react to the Original family’s internal power struggle. Once again caught up in the destiny of the Bennett witches, Bonnie and Abby find themselves playing a part in a ritual to appease the spirits of nature. When Elijah gives Damon and Stefan a dangerous ultimatum that puts Elena in danger, they turn to Alaric and Meredith for help with a plan that leads them to a terrible choice.

    Director:Pascal Verschooris
    Writers:Evan Bleiweiss, Michael Narducci

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  20. The Vampire Diaries Season 4 Episode 7 - My Brother’s Keeper
    7.3/10(12 votes)

    #20 - My Brother’s Keeper

    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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  21. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 5 - You're Undead to Me
    7.4/10(26 votes)

    #21 - You're Undead to Me

    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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  22. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 7 - Haunted
    7.4/10(22 votes)

    #22 - Haunted

    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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  23. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 16 - There Goes the Neighborhood
    7.4/10(15 votes)

    #23 - There Goes the Neighborhood

    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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  24. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 18 - Under Control
    7.5/10(15 votes)

    #24 - Under Control

    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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  25. The Vampire Diaries Season 1 Episode 21 - Isobel
    7.5/10(17 votes)

    #25 - Isobel

    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:Brian Young, Caroline Dries

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Worst Episodes Summary

"The End of the Affair" is the worst rated episode of "The Vampire Diaries". It scored 6/10 based on 13 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Caroline Dries, it aired on 9/29/2011. This episode scored 0.3 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Disturbing Behavior".