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 Gramsto open the tomb, everyone is shocked by what they discover.
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.
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.
Damon goes to Georgia, where he surprises an old flame, Bree and enlists her help to figure out how to open the tomb. Stefan opens up to Grams in his effort to help Bonnie overcome her fears and accept her powers.
After reading a journal kept by a Gilbert ancestor, Jeremy begins to sketch again -- a hobby he quit when his parents died. Sheriff Forbes notifies Damon of another attack and Damon offers to try to track down the killer. Alaric helps Jeremy, Tyler and Mayor Lockwood, while Elena makes a shocking discovery.
A mysterious new history teacher, Alaric Saltzman arrives at the high school. When Elena, Bonnie and Caroline hold a séance, the results are stranger than any of them expected. Damonfinally reveals to Stefan the stunning reason he has returned to Mystic Falls.
On his birthday, Stefan (Paul Wesley) is surprised by a visit from Lexi (guest star Arielle Kebble, “Gilmore Girls”), one of his oldest friends. Damon’s offer to help Sheriff Forbes (guest star Marguerite MacIntyre) has sudden and tragic results.
Stefan tries to save Vicki from herself. Damon tries to take his necklace back from Bonnie, he is shocked by Bonnie's powers. Bonnie discovers more about her family's history. Matt takes Vicki to a haunted house.
Elena seeks answers from Stefan about all the bad things happening in Mystic Falls. Stefan reveals how the rivalry with his brother began through a series of flashbacks. Damon controls Vicki's future. Meanwhile, Sheriff Forbes and Mayor Lockwood try to protect their town.