Home > The Vampire Diaries > Season 3 « TV Series Page The Vampire Diaries: Season 3 (2011 - 2012) SEASON: Season 3 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Episode List All Critics | Top Critics TOMATOMETER 88% Average Rating: 8.7/10 Season Reviews: 8 Fresh: 7 Rotten: 1 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. 100% Average Rating: 10.0/10 Season Reviews: 2 Fresh: 2 Rotten: 0 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. Critic Consensus: No consensus yet. AUDIENCE SCORE 87% liked it Average Rating: 4.3/5 User Ratings: 294 ADD YOUR RATING - NOT INTERESTED + WANT TO SEE Share on Facebook Post Want to See Not Interested Add Rating My Rating × Want to See Not Interested Post Share on Facebook Episodes 1 The Birthday Air date: Sep 15, 2011 In the third season premiere, it's Elena's 18th birthday. As she searches for clues to locate Stefan, Damon tries to keep her from doing anything that might draw Klaus's attention. More 2 The Hybrid Air date: Sep 22, 2011 Damon and Alaric reluctantly go along with Elena's new strategy to find Stefan, leading Damon into a dangerous fight with an unexpected enemy. More 3 The End of the Affair Air date: Sep 29, 2011 Stefan is reunited with a vampire (CLAIRE HOLT), from decades earlier. In a flashback to the 1920s, Stefan comes face to face with a shocking chapter from his wild past. More 4 Disturbing Behavior Air date: Oct 6, 2011 A frustrating new enemy pushes Damon over the brink and he lashes out in a way that will have lasting consequences. Bonnie has a strange encounter that will affect everyone. More 5 The Reckoning Air date: Oct 13, 2011 Caroline is determined to see that Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler all enjoy a traditional Senior Prank Night before the school year begins ... but the evening takes a deadly turn. More 6 Smells Like Teen Spirit Air date: Oct 20, 2011 On the first day of their senior year, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Matt still reel from recent events. Meanwhile, Stefan continues to carry out his latest assignment from Klaus. More 7 Ghost World Air date: Oct 27, 2011 Preparing to celebrate the traditional Illumination Night, Mystic Falls is invaded by spirits. After a violent encounter with an angry spirit, Damon asks Bonnie for help. More 8 Ordinary People Air date: Nov 3, 2011 Elena and Rebekah engage in a power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus. More 9 Homecoming Air date: Nov 10, 2011 On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah tells Elena why the evening is so important to her, leaving Elena with conflicting emotions. MY MORNING JACKET performs. More 10 The New Deal Air date: Jan 5, 2012 A REASON TO FEEL GUILTY - Stefan has hidden the coffins containing the bodies of Klaus' family, and Klaus quickly turns to violence to convince Damon and Elena that no one will be safe until he finds Stefan and gets his family back. Tyler continues to make the most of his new abilities as a hybrid, but he has to face the disturbing consequences of his actions as well. After a terrifying incident, Elena and Alaric grow increasingly concerned about Jeremy's attitude and, ultimately, his safety. Alaric meets the beautiful Dr. Fell (guest star Torrey Devitto, "Pretty Little Liars"), who is intrigued with his amazing ability to heal. While trying to strike a deal with Klaus, Elena delivers news that truly shocks him. Kat Graham also stars and internet personality Justine Ezarik guest stars as a bartender. John Behring directed the episode written by Michael Narducci. More Show More Episodes The Vampire Diaries: Season 3 Photos View All Photos (126) Tv Season Info The CW's number-one series continues for another season of epic romance, suspense and a bloody good thrill ride. Based on the best-selling book series, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES is the story of two vampire brothers, obsessed with the same gorgeous girl, who are battling to control the fate of an entire town. Last season, the appearance of the vengeful Katherine Pierce threw a wrench into the love triangle between Stefan, Elena and Damon, and the other residents of Mystic Falls were forced to choose sides as they fell victim to a new breed of danger. Stefan and Damon were later met with their greatest challenge yet -- the arrivals of Elijah and Klaus, two of the Original vampires. As Klaus went head to head with Damon and took a special interest in Stefan, he also seemingly focused on breaking the "Sun and Moon" curse by sacrificing Elena; never swaying from his mission, no matter the action the brothers took, he proved to be the most powerful vampire in existence. Season three opens the door to learn more about Klaus and the Original Family as his motives for wanting Stefan on his side are finally revealed. As Stefan sinks deeper into the dark side, Damon and Elena struggle with the guilt of their growing bond, even as they work together to bring Stefan back from the edge. Plus, 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. And, as Caroline and Tyler grow closer, a war erupts between their families. Genre: Drama Network: CW Premiere Date: Sep 15, 2011 Creators: Julie Plec, Kevin Williamson Exec. Producers: Kevin Williamson, Julie Plec, Leslie Morgenstein, Bob Levy Cast Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert Paul Wesley (II) as Stefan Salvatore Steven R. McQueen as Jeremy Gilbert Ian Somerhalder as Damon Salvatore Kat Graham as Bonnie Candice Accola as Caroline Zach Roerig as Matt Michael Trevino as Tyler Matthew Davis as Alaric Joseph Morgan as Klaus Claire Holt as Vampire Torrey DeVitto as Dr. Fell Persia White as Abby Marguerite MacIntyre as Sheriff Forbes Cassidy Freeman as Sage David Gallagher as Ray Sutton Robert Ri'chard as Jamie Daniel Gillies as Elijah Malese Jow as Anna Susan Walters as Tyler's mother Jason MacDonald as Grayson Charmin Lee as Gloria Erin Beute as Miranda Taylor Kinney as Mason Lockwood Justine Ezarik as Bartender Casper Zafer as Finn Sara Canning as Aunt Jenna Kayla Ewell as Vicki David Colin Smith as Medical Examiner Arielle Kebbel as Lexi Kelly Hu as Pearl Jasmine Guy as Grams Stephen Martines as Frederick Frank Brennan as Tobias Fell Michael Malarkey as Enzo Show More Cast Episodes 1 The Birthday Air date: Sep 15, 2011 In the third season premiere, it's Elena's 18th birthday. As she searches for clues to locate Stefan, Damon tries to keep her from doing anything that might draw Klaus's attention. More 2 The Hybrid Air date: Sep 22, 2011 Damon and Alaric reluctantly go along with Elena's new strategy to find Stefan, leading Damon into a dangerous fight with an unexpected enemy. More 3 The End of the Affair Air date: Sep 29, 2011 Stefan is reunited with a vampire (CLAIRE HOLT), from decades earlier. In a flashback to the 1920s, Stefan comes face to face with a shocking chapter from his wild past. More 4 Disturbing Behavior Air date: Oct 6, 2011 A frustrating new enemy pushes Damon over the brink and he lashes out in a way that will have lasting consequences. Bonnie has a strange encounter that will affect everyone. More 5 The Reckoning Air date: Oct 13, 2011 Caroline is determined to see that Elena, Bonnie, Matt and Tyler all enjoy a traditional Senior Prank Night before the school year begins ... but the evening takes a deadly turn. More 6 Smells Like Teen Spirit Air date: Oct 20, 2011 On the first day of their senior year, Elena, Caroline, Bonnie and Matt still reel from recent events. Meanwhile, Stefan continues to carry out his latest assignment from Klaus. More 7 Ghost World Air date: Oct 27, 2011 Preparing to celebrate the traditional Illumination Night, Mystic Falls is invaded by spirits. After a violent encounter with an angry spirit, Damon asks Bonnie for help. More 8 Ordinary People Air date: Nov 3, 2011 Elena and Rebekah engage in a power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus. More 9 Homecoming Air date: Nov 10, 2011 On the night of the Homecoming dance, Rebekah tells Elena why the evening is so important to her, leaving Elena with conflicting emotions. MY MORNING JACKET performs. More 10 The New Deal Air date: Jan 5, 2012 A REASON TO FEEL GUILTY - Stefan has hidden the coffins containing the bodies of Klaus' family, and Klaus quickly turns to violence to convince Damon and Elena that no one will be safe until he finds Stefan and gets his family back. Tyler continues to make the most of his new abilities as a hybrid, but he has to face the disturbing consequences of his actions as well. After a terrifying incident, Elena and Alaric grow increasingly concerned about Jeremy's attitude and, ultimately, his safety. Alaric meets the beautiful Dr. Fell (guest star Torrey Devitto, "Pretty Little Liars"), who is intrigued with his amazing ability to heal. While trying to strike a deal with Klaus, Elena delivers news that truly shocks him. Kat Graham also stars and internet personality Justine Ezarik guest stars as a bartender. John Behring directed the episode written by Michael Narducci. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for The Vampire Diaries Season 3 All Critics (8) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (1) Overall, nothing too shocking. But still major game changers in the series. Hopefully it gets better next season because I started to lose interest this season. Nov 16, 2017 | Full Review… Lindsey McPherson Baltimore Sun Stefan's always been interesting in his extremely passive-aggressive need to be liked, and now he's let the beast roam free, it'll be an interesting watch. Nov 16, 2017 | Full Review… Caroline Preece Den of Geek [There were a lot of] shocking moments leaving me wanting a lot more Mystic Falls. Is it September yet? Sep 16, 2013 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Matt Richenthal TV Fanatic Overall a great episode and good season opener. Sep 21, 2011 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Fay Brennan What Culture It wouldn't be a "Vampire Diaries" season finale without twists aplenty-and several heartbreaking deaths. Nov 16, 2017 | Full Review… Hillary Busis Wall Street Journal Top Critic Pretty much everything has been turned on its head since we last visited Mystic Falls, Virginia, but it's a testament to The Vampire Diaries' consistently strong writing and acting that it already feels so normal. Sep 15, 2011 | Rating: 4.5/5 | Full Review… Steve Marsi TV Fanatic If anyone was worried that The Vampire Diaries had lost their touch with cliffhangers, the attack on Caroline should put those fears to rest. That scene was well executed to catch the audience off guard by turning quickly from light comedy to suspense. Sep 16, 2011 | Rating: 8.5/10 | Full Review… Diana Steenbergen IGN Movies The season three premiere took those character beats developed last season and not only executed them perfectly but also built upon that foundation. Sep 15, 2011 | Rating: A | Full Review… Carrie Raisler AV Club Top Critic View All Critic Reviews (8) Audience Reviews for The Vampire Diaries: Season 3 There are no featured audience reviews yet. Click the link below to see what others say about The Vampire Diaries: Season 3! View All News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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