In the series opener, Virginia high-schooler Elena (Nina Dobrev) falls for a new student (Paul Wesley), who is actually a centuries-old vampire struggling to live peacefully among humans. Their budding relationship is threatened when his evil vampire brother arrives in town and tries to capture Elena's heart for himself.
Vicki recovers in the hospital from an attack and begins to remember what happened, but Stefan tries to prevent her from recalling what actually occurred. Meanwhile, Elena meets Damon, who reveals to her some surprising secrets about Stefan's past; and Jeremy struggles with his feelings for Vicki.
Stefan joins the football team after an impressive athletic display. Elsewhere, Elena invites Stefan and Bonnie to dinner in hopes that they will bond, but Damon disrupts the evening with an unexpected visit; an act of violence shocks the town.
Stefan escorts Elena to the town's annual Founder's Party, where Damon tells her a surprising story about his family's past. It prompts Elena to ask Stefan questions he refuses to answer and forces him to take action against his brother.
A stranger tells Elena that he recognizes Stefan from 1953 when Stefan's uncle was killed by a wild animal. The revelation sends her searching for the truth. Meanwhile, Damon tries to lure Caroline to the dungeon Stefan trapped him in so she can free him, and Bonnie discovers psychic powers she didn't know she possessed.
Stefan is forced to tell Elena he is a vampire, and he reveals his family's history to her and how his rivalry with Damon began. Meanwhile, Damon considers turning Vicki into a vampire and he threatens to harm Elena if Stefan doesn't return his ring that protects him from the sun. Meanwhile, the sheriff and mayor take action to protect Mystic Falls from further violence, but it only leads to more of it.
Vampire Vicki turns the school's Halloween haunted house into a truly terrifying experience when she can't control her urge for blood. Meanwhile, Damon is surprised by Bonnie's psychic abilities when he tries to take back a necklace she's wearing that belongs to him.
An old friend (Arielle Kebbel) visits Stefan on his birthday and she gives Elena some insight into dating him. Meanwhile, Caroline attempts to get Damon's medallion back from Bonnie, and Damon offers to help Sheriff Forbes, which leads to tragedy.
Damon reveals to Stefan the actual reason why he returned to Mystic Falls and the news stuns Stefan. Meanwhile, Bonnie is disturbed by terrifying dreams about one of her ancestors, and she and Caroline hold a séance. And Jeremy introduces his new history teacher to his aunt Jenna.
Damon learns another vampire is in town when a body drained of its blood is discovered, and he searches for the person. Meanwhile, Elena confesses her love for Stefan and persuades him to stay in Mystic Falls, but she also makes a devastating discovery that adversely affects her relationship with him; and Jeremy resumes a hobby of drawing fantasy creatures that he had abandoned after his parents died.