The Vampire Diaries, Day One of Twenty-two Thousand, Give or Take

Damon is forced to navigate his new reality without the love of his life. Stefan takes an active role in protecting the town from Lily.

Caroline, who finds herself a pawn in Lily and the heretics' plan for retribution, uncovers a shocking detail about Stefan's past. Alaric asks Bonnie for help with a mysterious, potentially dangerous artifact.

Caroline learns some shocking information about Valerie's past, while Stefan learns a few unexpected details about his own. Flashbacks to 1863 are seen.

Stefan and Caroline are forced to spend the night at Whitmore College's Heaven & Hell ball. Enzo sets off to find out what Valerie is hiding.

After realising the downward spiral he was on, Damon decides he's going to turn over a new leaf and that his actions moving forward will do right by Elena.

Lily sets up a face-to-face meeting between Julian, Damon and Stefan to declare peace between her Heretic family and the residents of Mystic Falls.

After Stefan and Damon confront their mother with painful memories from their childhood, Lily reveals a dark secret she's been harboring for over 160 years.

Following a major revelation uncovered by Valerie, Caroline is forced to face her new reality, even as it threatens to destroy her relationship with Stefan.

With the holidays in full swing, a search for Julian leads Damon and Stefan to a small town near Mystic Falls. Managing a toy drive, Bonnie connects with Nora.

Trapped inside the Phoenix stone, Damon is tormented by a traumatic experience from his time in the Civil War and forced to face his darkest demon in order to get out.

Tyler returns to Mystic Falls for Alaric's baby shower and Caroline makes an upsetting discovery. Stefan tries to help Damon get a grip on reality.

Under the influence of a dangerous and reckless Julian, Damon spirals out of control. Caroline needs help with the side effects she's experiencing.

When Damon's actions put everyone he loves in a ruthless vampire hunter's path, he is forced to make things right before it's too late. Caroline's life hangs in the balance. Enzo discovers a dark secret about Damon.

In New Orleans, Stefan comes face to face with Klaus Mikaelson, who soon becomes suspicious of his old friend's unexpected arrival in his city. Valerie finds Stefan a safe house. Caroline contemplates her future in Mystic Falls.

Matt decides it may be time to take a stand against the vampires of Mystic Falls. Damon's desire to take himself out of the game ramps up. Stefan questions a future with Caroline.

With time running out and Rayna closing in on Stefan, Valerie tries to reason with Damon. Enzo attempts to clear his name after being framed for breaking Rayna out of the Armory.

After his brother's fateful decision, Stefan awakens to find himself thrown into a life-or-death situation with only his basic instincts to rely on. Rayna sets out to find Stefan after discovering a new threat.

Alaric makes his unwillingness to participate in a vampire-hunting expedition with Damon clear while revealing the truth about the past three years of his life without Damon. Bonnie meets a young woman in the psych ward. Damon heads to Memphis.

When Enzo's efforts to protect Bonnie end up putting her life in jeopardy, he learns that Rayna may hold the key to her survival.

Caroline joins Alaric on a mission and realises she's missed her former supernatural lifestyle. Damon makes a fateful decision that forever changes his relationship with Bonnie.

Stefan makes a rash decision that ultimately forces him and Caroline to face the fallout from their relationship. Enzo watches Bonnie fight for her life.

Despite Damon, Enzo, and Caroline's best efforts to help Bonnie face her harrowing predicament, her options are running out -- drastic measures must be taken.