Season 5 of the supernatural drama, based on the novels by L.J. Smith, begins with Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola) moving into a dorm at nearby Whitmore College and looking forward to a normal freshman experience. Unfortunately, things quickly go sideways when their third roommate, Megan (Hayley Kiyoko), is murdered at a frat party by a vampire, and Elena learns that Megan had a connection to her late father. Meanwhile, Katherine (Dobrev) struggles adapting to being human again after 500 years as a vampire and asks Damon (Ian Somerhalder) to help her now that she is vulnerable to her many enemies. At the top of that list is Stefan's evil doppelgänger Silas (Paul Wesley), who is holding Stefan in a locked box under the sea. Katherine is also disturbed to meet a mysterious young woman named Nadia (Olga Fonda), who reveals to her a secret that dates back to 1490 Bulgaria. As for Bonnie (Kat Graham), she remains trapped on the Other Side and can only communicate with the recently resurrected Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen). But unbeknownst to them the Other Side itself is in danger of imploding.

The third season of The Vampire Diaries finds Damon and Elena joining forces to rescue Stefan from the clutches of Klaus. Elsewhere, Bonnie and Jeremy struggle with a spirit invasion when a door to the Other Side is opened, while Caroline and Tyler's relationship continues to evolve, and the arrival of an ancient vampire hunter puts all of Mystic Falls in jeopardy.

Still grieving the tragic death of her parents, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) returns to Mystic Falls High School with hopes of reconnecting with her friends and nurturing what family she has left. All hopes of a normal year fade, however, when she meets Stephen Salvatore (Paul Wesley), a new student, and his brother, Damon (Ian Somerhalder). The siblings share more than just dark good looks, a deep interest in Elena - they're both vampires, and one of them won't stop until he's gotten a taste of Elena's blood.