Ep 1. The Birthday

The Vampire Diaries season 3 episode 1, titled "The Birthday," picks up a few months after the events of the season 2 finale. Elena (Nina Dobrev), Stefan (Paul Wesley), and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) are still reeling from the sacrifices they had to make to save Mystic Falls from Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and his wrath.

As Elena's 18th birthday approaches, she is struggling to come to terms with her new reality. She is now a vampire, having been turned by Klaus in a sacrifice ritual. Stefan is constantly by her side, helping her cope with the transition, but Damon is worried that Elena won't want him anymore now that she is a blood-sucking creature of the night.

Meanwhile, Klaus is still on the loose and determined to turn more werewolves into hybrids like himself. He wants to build an army that he can control and use to take over the world. He is also determined to get his hands on the remaining doppelganger, Elena's ancestor, who is believed to possess the power to break the curse of the sun and the moon.

The episode is filled with drama, action, and romance as the characters face new challenges and try to navigate their way through the dangerous world of vampires and werewolves. There are also several surprises and twists that keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

One of the highlights of the episode is Elena's birthday party, which is thrown by Caroline (Candice Accola) and features a surprise visit from one of Elena's old friends. The party is disrupted by Klaus, who crashes the festivities and makes a chilling announcement that sends shockwaves through the town.

As the episode comes to a close, Elena is faced with a difficult decision that could change the course of her life forever. She must choose between her two vampire suitors, Stefan and Damon, and the choice may not be as easy as she thought.

Overall, "The Birthday" is a thrilling and emotional episode that sets the stage for a gripping season filled with love, death, and supernatural intrigue. Fans of the show will not be disappointed by the twists and turns of the premiere, which promises to deliver another season of heart-pumping excitement.