16 Favorite Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

7. “The End of The Affair” (Season 3 Episode 3)

While Klaus forces Stefan to essentially be his wing-man for a summer, we learn why the former took such a strong interest in the latter. On “The End of The Affair” we discover that Stefan not only met Klaus before, but that they used to be friends.

During the Roaring 20s, Stefan indulged in some pretty bad behavior with Klaus by his side. And not only that, but he also dated Klaus’ sister, Rebekah. This surprise connection and shared history between Stefan and the Original family brought complexity to both Klaus and Stefan’s characters, and it created one of the most fascinating relationships on the show.

8. “The Reckoning” (Season 3 Episode 5)

“The Reckoning” takes place almost entirely at the Mystic Falls high school at night, making it a perfect location for the chaos that ensures. Klaus returns to town with Stefan because his plan to make hybrids is failing. So, he experiments with Tyler using Elena’s blood, making him the first successful hybrid.

This fast-paced and highly entertaining hour is balanced with incredible character development. After resisting temptation for months, Stefan finally flips his humanity-switch through Klaus’ compulsion. Ripper Stefan finally surfaces.

9. “The Departed” (Season 3 Episode 22)

The Season 3 finale has a breathtaking (excuse the pun) underwater sequence wherein our dear Elena loses her life and becomes a vampire. It’s a beautiful scene that demonstrates human-Elena’s most admirable trait — her selflessness. She urges Stefan to save Matt’s life before her own, and because Stefan has always respected Elena’s free will and choices, he obliges.

It’s fitting to showcase the beauty of their relationship in these moments given that minutes prior, human Elena makes her final choice between the brothers — it was always going to be Stefan.

10. “Stand By Me” (Season 4 Episode 15)

Nina Dobrev shines in this episode as Elena’s devastation over losing her brother, Jeremy take its toll. Out of desperation, Damon takes matters into his own hands and compels Elena to switch her humanity off, thus turning off all the pain.

Whether you loved or hated the sire-bond storyline, you have to admit that it played a hand in one of the show’s most powerful scenes. Dobrev’s visceral performance is what makes “Stand By Me” so powerful, as she transitions from hysteria to a lulled silence within seconds.

11. “500 Years of Solitude” (Season 5 Episode 11)

The 100th episode of The Vampire Diaries is one for the books simply because of how nostalgic it makes us feel. We take a moment to see how far everyone has come and how it truly feels like a family of vampires, werewolves, witches, hunters, and humans has been tightly forged.

The gang gathers for a celebratory occasion — Katherine’s death. While everyone reminisces on all the ways Katherine has screwed them, Stefan has the compassion to provide Katherine with some comfort and resolution by infiltrating her dreams.

Oh, and we also get some much-deserved Klaus and Caroline goodness.

12. “Let Her Go” (Season 6 Episode 15)

In one of the most human storylines the show has ever told, Sheriff Forbes loses her life to cancer. It is seemingly ordinary for a supernatural show, but extraordinary in the story it produces.

Caroline, who takes center-stage in “Let Her Go” with her friends by her side and her relationship with Stefan in question, has a graceful episode that exhibits her relatable grief. It is moving, beautiful, and demonstrates how sometimes a simpler story is best.

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