The Vampire Diaries
Season 8 Episode 1: “Hello, Brother”
Directed by Michael Allowitz
Written by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec
Created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec
Starring Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice King, Zach Roerig, Matthew Davis, Michael Malarkey
The CW
Air Date: Friday, October 21, 2016, 8pm

Last season on The Vampire Diaries, there were a bunch of flash forwards in the midst of the present hijinks. Mommy dearest and her Heretics took over Mystic Falls, but our gang evacuates it to make sure no one gets hurt – of course that did not work out that well. The Phoenix stone captured vampires and made them live in their own personal hell, and Damon and Stefan (Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley) got a taste of it. Damon’s was during the Civil War, and although he did manage to escape it, it followed him out, until he burned Elena’s coffin (or so he thought). Their stepdaddy, more of a monster than anyone, was resurrected, but was eventually killed again.

Caroline (Candice King) gave birth to Jo and Alaric’s magical twins, then they became a family. Bonnie and Enzo (Kat Graham and Michael Malarkey) fell in love. The huntress, Rayna, made everyone go on the run, until they managed to put her down, and it temporarily transferred to Bonnie. Damon sacrificed himself to save Bonnie, and was captured by a monster, Enzo falling prey soon after.

Spoilers below.

October is right around the corner, and with it comes the busy, busy television season. For me, I end up married to my television in large part to the shows on The CW. Before we get there, let’s have a little fun with our favorite funny and oh-so-beautiful people. The CW has released photoshoot videos for Arrow, The Flash, The Vampire Diaries, iZombie, Supergirl, The 100, The Originals, and new shows Frequency and Riverdale.

Check out their photoshoots below.

The CW, home to most of my favorite shows, has announced that 11 of its current shows will be renewed for the 2016-2017 season. Some of these are proven fan favorites like The 100, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Arrow, and The Flash, completely covering the primetime slots for the entire week.

Check out the rest of the list and The CW’s tweet and press release below.

The Vampire Diaries
Season 7 Episode 9: “Cold as Ice”
Directed by Geoffrey Wing Shotz
Written by Brian Young
Created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec
Starring Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Matthew Davis, Michael Malarkey, Scarlett Byrne, Todd Lasance
The CW
Air Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015, 8pm

The midseason finale of The Vampire Diaries helped move the plot closer to this “three years from now” world we keep getting glimpses of, and continued to explore the common TVD themes of kindness, family, revenge, and betrayal.

Spoilers ahead.

In Chicago three years from now, we see Valerie (Elizabeth Blackmore) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) together as a couple. At the beginning of the season, this idea would have seemed crazy, but the story has brought the two closer and closer together, and this couplet is very believable. Stefan declares that he must go save Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Caroline (Candice Accola King) because they are both people he cares about, and that Valerie can’t come because he won’t add a third to the list of people he loves that are missing.

The Vampire Diaries
Season 7 Episode 8: “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”
Directed by Leslie Libman
Written by Brett Matthews
Created by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec
Starring Paul Wesley, Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Candice Accola, Zach Roerig, Matthew Davis, Michael Malarkey, Annie Wersching, Elizabeth Blackmore, Scarlett Byrne, Teressa Liane, Todd Lasance, Jaiden Kaine
The CW
Air Date: Thursday, December 3, 2015, 8pm

The latest episode of The Vampire Diaries is titled, “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me.” Can I actually NOT end that title with, “Kill Me?” The answer is no. But all you teens will have no idea what I’m talking about. Batman Forever, anyone?! U2?! Ugh, maybe I’m old. Let me know.

ONTO my spoiler-filled recap/review!

Three years from now, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is kidnapped at the very news studio where Caroline (Candice Accola King) used to run the show! Finally, we see it’s Lily (Annie Wersching) who has Damon captive. He apologizes, but…no…it’s not Lily; it’s someone else…