The Birthday, 05/17

ITS MY PARTY " On the morning of Elenas (Nina Dobrev) 18th birthday, Caroline (Candice Accola) is busy planning a party, but Elena is focused on searching for any clues that might help her discover where Stefan (Paul Wesley) is.  Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is also searching for Stefan, while trying to protect Elena and keep her from doing anything that would draw Klaus (Joseph Morgan) attention.  Meanwhile, Klaus and Stefan are busy trailing a werewolf named Ray Sutton (guest star David Gallagher, Super 8).  Now working at the Mystic Grill along with Matt (Zach Roerig), Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is struggling to understand why he keeps seeing the ghosts of Vicki (guest star Kayla Ewell) and Anna (guest star Malese Jow) since he was brought back to life by Bonnies (Kat Graham) magic.  Meanwhile, Alaric (Matt Davis) does his best to watch over Elena and Jeremy, while dealing with his grief over Jennas death.  Finally, Caroline and Tyler (Michael Trevino) face a new and unexpected challenge.  John Behring directed the episode written by Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec (#301).

The Hybrid, 05/24

THE NEW ORDER " Klaus (Joseph Morgan) puts a plan in motion that will give him even more power, but even with the unwilling participation of werewolf Ray Sutton (guest star David Gallagher), things dont go exactly as Klaus had planned.  Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Alaric (Matt Davis) reluctantly go along with Elenas (Nina Dobrev) new strategy to find Stefan (Paul Wesley), leading Damon into a dangerous fight with an unexpected enemy.  Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) turns to Matt (Zach Roerig) for help as he continues to try to understand what the ghosts from his past want from him.  Unaware that Caroline (Candice Accola) is in need of his help, Tyler (Michael Trevino) faces an emotional confrontation with his mother (guest star Susan Walters). Joshua Butler directed the episode written by Al Septien & Turi Meyer (#302).