The Vampire Diaries (Season Three)

**Notice:** This **article** uses content directly taken from the Season Three **article** at the Vampire Diaries Wiki, and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.

## Season Three

### Slogan

*The Year of the Originals*

 Season 1 • Season 2 • **Season 3** • Season 4

 Season 5 • Season 6 • Season 7 • Season 8

The third season of *The Vampire Diaries* began airing in the United States in Fall 2011. It was announced on April 26, 2011 that the show was renewed for another season. Julie Plec mentioned that it will be "The Year of the Original Vampires."

## Season Summary

Season three opens the door to learn more about Klaus and The Original Family as his motives for wanting Stefan and Alex on his side are finally revealed. As Stefan sinks deeper into the dark side and Alex trying to live with the fact that she thinks her twin is dead as Damon and Elena struggle with the guilt of their growing bond even as they work together to bring Stefan and Alex back home. The ghosts from Jeremy’s past have a powerful message they’re trying to deliver to him, not to mention the impact they’re having on his relationship with Bonnie Bennett; as Caroline and Tyler grow closer, a war erupts between their families.

The series stars Nina Dobrev as Alexandria Gilbert/Elena Gilbert, Paul Wesley as Stefan Salvatore, Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore, Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert, Kat Graham as Bonnie Bennett, Candice Accola as Caroline Forbes, Zach Roerig as Matt Donovan, Michael Trevino as Tyler Lockwood, Jensen Ackles as Alaric Saltzman and Joseph Morgan as Niklaus Mikaelson.

Based on the series of books by L. J. Smith, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is from Alloy Entertainment and Bonanza Productions Inc in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios with executive producers Kevin Williamson ("Scream," "Dawson's Creek"), Julie Plec ("Kyle XY," "Wasteland"), Leslie Morgenstein ("Gossip Girl," "Private") and Bob Levy ("Gossip Girl," "Privileged")

## Antagonists

*Main article: Antagonists in Season Three*

## Chapters

### Chapter One

* Chapter I: **The Ghosts Chapter:** **(Ep. 301 - 307)** This chapter deals with the events surrounding Jeremy's new ability to see Ghosts and the mystery surrounding the return of Anna and Vicki to the world of the living. It also deals with Klaus's plan to create more hybrids as well as revealing his back story to his new wingman and wingwoman, Stefan and Alex, as well as why he wants them at his side.
	+ The main antagonists of this chapter are Niklaus Mikaelson, Rebekah Mikaelson, Stefan Salvatore, and Alexandria Gilbert.

### Chapter Two

* Chapter II: **The Originals Chapter: (Ep. 308 - 315)** This chapter deals with the truth surrounding the creation of the Vampires in the form of the Originals. It evolves into a conflict between Klaus and Stefan after the latter steals the coffins of the Originals and uses them in his crusade to destroy Klaus. It also sees the arrival and death of the one responsible for the creation of the vampires: Mikael, Klaus' stepfather, and the father to the rest of the Original Vampires. Also, vampires and humans alike are baffled when a killing spree begins against Founder's Council members, scaring others into thinking there is a serial killer in Mystic Falls.
	+ The main antagonists of this chapter are Niklaus Mikaelson, Mikael, and Stefan Salvatore.

### Chapter Three

* Chapter III: **The Bloodline Chapter:** **(Ep. 316 - 322)** This chapter starts with the development of Esther's plot to destroy her family. Elijah and the rest of the family are not willing to just die and they use Elena to force Damon and Stefan to help them in their power struggle against their mother. Lastly, they learn that once you kill one Original, you also kill their entire bloodline of vampires, which leads to a search to find out who turned whom and which Originals they can kill without signing their own death sentences. It also continues the storyline of the mysterious killer who seems bent on killing the Council members who protect the secret of the vampires in Mystic Falls. As Alaric is revealed to be the killer, due to overusing the Gilbert Ring which cause him to have a split personality, Esther makes him into an Enhanced Original Vampire with the last and indestructible White Oak Stake to kill her children. After appearing to kill Klaus, Rebekah kills Elena, as Alaric's life was bound to Elena's, killing him. However, Elena died with vampire blood in her system.
	+ The main antagonists of this chapter are Esther, Niklaus Mikaelson, Rebekah Mikaelson, and Alaric Saltzman.