Ep 8. 162 Candles

In The Vampire Diaries season 1 episode 8, titled "162 Candles," Stefan's birthday is approaching, and Elena wants to make sure it's a special day. However, Stefan is not quite in the mood for celebration, as he is still wrestling with his guilt over the recent vampire attacks in Mystic Falls. Despite his reservations, Elena insists on throwing him a party, enlisting the help of Bonnie to plan a surprise.

Meanwhile, Damon approaches Alaric, asking for his help in locating a mysterious journal that was owned by one of the town's founding families, the Gilberts. Damon believes that there may be valuable information contained within the journal about the vampire who turned him and his brother, Stefan, over a century ago. Alaric agrees to help Damon find the journal, but warns him that it may be difficult to obtain.

As Stefan's birthday party gets underway, tensions begin to rise when Caroline, still reeling from her recent transformation into a vampire, becomes jealous of Elena's relationship with Stefan. Damon also stirs up trouble when he shows up uninvited, hoping to use the party as an opportunity to search for the journal. As the night progresses, secrets are revealed, and not everyone will make it out of the party unscathed.

Throughout the episode, flashbacks provide insight into Stefan's past, as viewers learn more about his relationship with his best friend Lexi, who is also a vampire. The flashbacks serve to flesh out Stefan's character, showing him in a different light than the brooding, guilt-ridden vampire viewers have become accustomed to.

Overall, "162 Candles" is a standout episode of The Vampire Diaries' first season, offering both character development and plot twists, as well as some memorable party scenes. The episode sets up several future storylines and leaves viewers eager to see what will happen next in Mystic Falls.