Previously, on The Vampire Diaries…

Thomas: Would like to point out that he is still pissed off at how fast people smother to death on TV. Go ahead, try to hold your breath for as long as Katherine was pillow-killing Caroline. Bet you didn’t die, did you?

Caroline Forbes: Wow, that sure was a wacky dream I had about Elena being a vampire and murdering me in my sleep! Tee hee!

Nurse Threelines: Um, back to bed honey.

Caroline Forbes: Gee, I sure am hungry. And you smell delicious. And that blood pack looks awfully tasty…

Nurse Threelines: That’s nice, dear. We’ll get you a psych consult in the morning.

Caroline Forbes: Blood sneak! Eew, this tastes disgusting! Just kidding! Blood is delicious! Om nom nom!

Previously, on The Vampire Diaries…

Elena Gilbert is the Hot Leading Lady. She’s also an orphan, and lives with her Aunt Jenna, who appears to be about twelve years old. (She’s twenty!)

Stefan Salvatore is a hundred-plus year old vampire who is oh so emo about his vampire ways and oh so hungry for Elena Gilbert’s girl parts blood. Also, Elena just happens to look exactly like Stefan’s sire Katherine Pierce, so much so that she’s played by the same actress.

Damon Salvatore is Stefan’s older vampire brother, who loves loves loves being a vampire, and also hates Stefan for turning him into a vampire. Well, kind of. Katherine gave them both blood – Damon willingly, Stefan via mind-whammy – but it was Stefan who convinced Damon to eat his first Cute Young Victim, thus completing his change. He’s also totally into Elena, even though he pretends otherwise. At first, it was just to piss off Stefan, but then Daemon realized Elena is totally hot.

The Salvatore Brothers have Magic Rings of Not Exploding in the Sunlight, which allows them to walk around during the day. Many of the vampires in Katherine’s company have similar magic jewelry, while most other vampires do not. The rings were made by Emily Bennett, a powerful witch and sometimes ghost.