The Departed

"The Departed" is the twenty-second and final episode of The Vampire Diaries's third season, premiering May 10, 2012 on The CW. During the episode, Elena remembers when life was simpler while the rest of her friends attempt to stay away from Alaric. In the episode's initial airing, it garnered 2.53 million viewers. Plot In the third season finale, Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) recovers in the hospital from her fall in the previous episode. Jeremy brings her back home, where Caroline Forbes (Candice Accola), Bonnie Bennett (Kat Graham), Jeremy Gilbert (Steven R. McQueen), Matt Donovan (Zach Roerig) and Tyler Lockwood (Michael Trevino) take care of her. In the harsh reality of the present situation, Elena longs for simpler times when her parents, Grayson (Jason MacDonald) and Miranda Gilbert (Erin Beute), and aunt Jenna Sommers (Sara Canning) were still alive, and her biggest concern was her relationship with Matt. In a conversation with Matt, Elena tells him that Stefan was there at a time in her life when she had nothing, but that when she is with Damon, she feels a passion for him that consumes her. As this is happening, Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) transport a neutralized Klaus (Joseph Morgan) away from Mystic Falls. Jeremy calls them and tells them about Elena's injury and her being in the hospital. Since one of them has to continue on to dispose of Klaus, only Stefan can return to Mystic Falls. Alaric Saltzman (Matt Davis) tries to convince Jeremy to tell him the location of Klaus, believing that Jeremy will also want to get rid of all vampires to protect his sister. Jeremy instead leaks false information to Alaric from Damon. When Elijah Mikaelson (Daniel Gillies) comes back into town, he strikes a deal with Elena, Bonnie, and the Salvatores, promising that in exchange for Klaus, he will revive Klaus generations later. Damon and Bonnie go to retrieve Klaus, but Alaric ambushes Damon. Rebekah arrives and tries to save Klaus, but Alaric manages to stake the neutralized Klaus. Damon, Stefan, Caroline and Tyler immediately worry because Klaus is the originator of their bloodline. An hour later, however, they're still alive which confuses Elijah and Rebekah, as they were positive that Klaus originated their bloodline and were sure it wasn't Kol Mikaelson (Nathaniel Buzolic). Unbeknownst to them, Bonnie created a spell to transfer Klaus into Tyler's body, meaning Klaus is still alive.