Ep 20. Do Not Go Gentle

Elena is getting ready for the ’20s Dance Decade’ at school, which was organized by Esther. Caroline seems unhappy as her mother, Sheriff Forbes, forces her to attend the party. While Stefan and Damon accompany Elena to the dance and keep an eye on Alaric, who is acting strangely. They suspect that Alaric is a supernatural being since he’s the only human among the group, but they can’t seem to pinpoint what he is.

Damon suggests a plan to find out what’s going on with Alaric – he spikes his drink with a mystical elixir that will test his identity. Meanwhile, Esther keeps up with her plans to rid her family from vampires, with Alaric being the one to finish the job.

Towards the end of the dance, things get heated up when everyone is forced to express their innermost secrets because of Esther’s magic, leading to confessions, chaos, and drama. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving the audience eager to find out what happens next.

The episode begins with Alaric being cautious around Stefan and Damon, knowing that they’re vampires. Although the two brothers assure him that they won't hurt him, Alaric is still suspicious, and his strange behavior confuses everyone.

As the party commences, Stefan tries to make up with Elena and admits that he has been a terrible boyfriend lately and that he wants to make things better. Elena remains hesitant, still trying to come to terms with her feelings for both brothers.

Caroline reluctantly attends the dance with Tyler, much to her mother's satisfaction. Still upset over her breakup with Matt, Caroline finds herself drawn to Klaus, who has arrived at the affair uninvited. Klaus, intrigued by Caroline, lures her away from Tyler, making her confess her innermost secrets.

Back in the Salvatore mansion, Bonnie is studying Esther's grimoire, hoping to find a way to stop her. When Klaus enters the house, he tries to bribe Bonnie into revealing Esther's plan. Unlike Caroline, Bonnie won't be tempted into Klaus's charm, and she makes it clear that she won't betray her friends.

As the dance heats up, Esther puts her plan in action. Using her magic, she forces everyone to confess their secrets. Stefan reveals that he no longer wants to be a vampire and that he wants to live a human life with Elena. Elena admits that she's unsure of her feelings for both Stefan and Damon and that she can't choose between them.

When it's Alaric's turn to confess, his confession is much more alarming. He admits to being a murderer and that he has killed several people, but he has no recollection of any of it. Shocked by his confession, Stefan and Damon realize that Alaric’s dark personality was actually because of the supernatural power that has taken over his mind and body.

Just as Stefan and Damon were about to take Alaric and head back to Salvatore mansion, Esther makes her entrance. From the moment Esther takes the stage, she makes it clear that she has a plan for everyone. Esther reveals that she has been working with Alaric all along and that he was activated as a killing machine.

Suddenly, everyone collapses as Esther’s plan bears fruit. As the episode ends, a big cliffhanger has been left for the audience as Alaric, under Esther’s control, takes on Klaus.