The Vampire Diaries backdrop
Drama•Sci-Fi & Fantasy

The Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries Season 5

Every episode of The Vampire Diaries Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Vampire Diaries Season 5!

Binge this in 15h 40m•Peaking at 8.9/10

The story of two vampire brothers obsessed with the same girl, who bears a striking resemblance to the beautiful but ruthless vampire they knew and loved in 1864.

Airs on
The CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons8

All12345678

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 1 - I Know What You Did Last Summer
    8.2/10(2650 votes)

    #1 - I Know What You Did Last Summer

    S5:E1

    As the fifth season opens, Elena, after a passionate summer with Damon, heads to college nearby with Caroline as her roommate. Plus, a terrifying appearance by Silas.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writer:Caroline Dries

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 2 - True Lies
    7.8/10(1794 votes)

    #2 - True Lies

    S5:E2

    A fellow Whitmore student named Jesse gives Elena some intriguing information about Professor Wes Maxfield. Damon asks for help finding Stefan.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writer:Brian Young

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 3 - Original Sin
    8.2/10(1861 votes)

    #3 - Original Sin

    S5:E3

    Elena and Katherine both dream that Stefan is in danger and convince Damon to help them find him. But their plans are thwarted by a mysterious woman who seems to know everything about Stefan's past and Damon's disturbing future.

    Director:Jesse Warn
    Writers:Rebecca Sonnenshine, Melinda Hsu Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 4 - For Whom the Bell Tolls
    8.1/10(1770 votes)

    #4 - For Whom the Bell Tolls

    S5:E4

    Damon and Elena try to help Stefan through a confusing time, which ends up taking Elena on an emotional journey. Caroline makes an effort to know Jesse better.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writers:Brett Matthews, Elisabeth R. Finch

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 5 - Monster's Ball
    7.8/10(1667 votes)

    #5 - Monster's Ball

    S5:E5

    Elena meets a sad and secretive student on campus. Elena and Damon attend the Whitmore Historical Ball dressed as Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. While there, Elena receives a disturbing message from Dr. Maxfield. Nadia reveals her surprising history to Katherine;. Silas demands that Damon commit an unthinkable act.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writer:Sonny Postiglione

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 6 - Handle with Care
    7.9/10(1648 votes)

    #6 - Handle with Care

    S5:E6

    Silas announces his new goal to Damon and Elena. Tessa tells Stefan about her next move. Katherine discovers an unexpected consequence of being human and realises she needs a new place to stay. Bonnie is touched by Jeremy's determination to stand by her. Damon is stunned when he learns the secret to Tessa's plan.

    Director:Jeffrey G. Hunt
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Holly Brix

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of The Vampire Diaries

    READ
  7. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 7 - Death and the Maiden
    8.0/10(1639 votes)

    #7 - Death and the Maiden

    S5:E7

    Dr. Wes gives Katherine some disturbing news. Jeremy and Bonnie share a glimmer of hope after talking with Amara. Silas fails to keep a promise which causes Damon to turn to Tessa for help with his new plan. Stefan makes a heartbreaking confession to Damon and Elena.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writer:Rebecca Sonnenshine

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 8 - Dead Man on Campus
    7.7/10(1587 votes)

    #8 - Dead Man on Campus

    S5:E8

    Elena and Caroline plan a big party at school, but their plans are interrupted when Jesse suddenly needs Caroline's help. Meanwhile, Damon makes a terrifying discovery about a secret society.

    Director:Rob Hardy
    Writers:Brian Young, Neil Reynolds

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 9 - The Cell
    8.1/10(1613 votes)

    #9 - The Cell

    S5:E9

    Caroline offers Stefan an unusual form of therapy. Meanwhile, Damon tells Elena about a terrible ordeal in his past that he has kept secret for decades, and she shares with him some disturbing information she recently learned about her family.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 10 - Fifty Shades of Grayson
    7.8/10(1593 votes)

    #10 - Fifty Shades of Grayson

    S5:E10

    Damon is forced to deal with a part of his past he thought was gone forever when Dr. Wes unleashes a secret weapon to stop him from rescuing Elena. Elena learns about the dark history of Whitmore College. Katherine turns to Matt for help.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writer:Caroline Dries

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 11 - 500 Years of Solitude
    8.6/10(2144 votes)

    #11 - 500 Years of Solitude

    S5:E11

    Katherine recalls the traumatic night in 1490 when she gave birth to a daughter who was immediately taken from her. Meanwhile, Nadia creates a frightening plan to protect her mother; and Caroline indulges in some scandalous behavior.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Caroline Dries, Julie Plec

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 12 - The Devil Inside
    7.8/10(1566 votes)

    #12 - The Devil Inside

    S5:E12

    Damon tries to get back together with Elena, however, Katherine has a plan and attempts to take Elena's body permanently. Tyler is upset with Caroline and Matt is used by Katherine. Enzo finds Damon and they decide to become a team again.

    Director:Kellie Cyrus
    Writers:Brett Matthews, Sonny Postiglione

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 13 - Total Eclipse of the Heart
    7.7/10(1498 votes)

    #13 - Total Eclipse of the Heart

    S5:E13

    Caroline convinces Elena and Bonnie to attend Whitmore College's Bitter Ball for broken-hearted students. Bonnie meets a fellow student who appears to be dabbling in witchcraft. Tyler worries about Matt's relationship with Nadia. Damon and Enzo resort to violence to convince Bonnie and Jeremy to help them get revenge, but their plan takes a horrifying turn.

    Director:Darren Genet
    Writers:Rebecca Sonnenshine, Holly Brix

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 14 - No Exit
    7.8/10(1480 votes)

    #14 - No Exit

    S5:E14

    Damon's behavior escalates from destructive to deadly. Stefan begins to regret their last conversation and tries to track Damon down and intervene. Dr. Wes enlists the Travelers to set a trap that will test Damon's friendship with Enzo; and a talk between Caroline and Stefan leads to a horrifying realization.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writer:Brian Young

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 15 - Gone Girl
    8.6/10(1761 votes)

    #15 - Gone Girl

    S5:E15

    Nadia recalls her centuries-long search for her mother. Stefan, Caroline and Matt come up with a desperate plan to save Elena's life. Damon baits Tyler into an ugly confrontation and seeks revenge against Dr. Wes. Bonnie learns a terrifying secret that threatens the lives of all her friends.

    Director:Lance Anderson
    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 16 - While You Were Sleeping
    7.7/10(1493 votes)

    #16 - While You Were Sleeping

    S5:E16

    Damon tries to find the right way to make a disturbing confession to Elena. Caroline discovers a scary secret in Dr. Wes' files. Enzo claims to have a solution everyone is searching for. Sloan reveals new information on the importance of doppelgangers.

    Director:Pascal Verschooris
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 17 - Rescue Me
    7.9/10(1425 votes)

    #17 - Rescue Me

    S5:E17

    Bonnie has an unsettling encounter with Luke, and learns more about his family history. The Travelers' leader, Markos, arrives in Mystic Falls.

    Director:Leslie Libman
    Writers:Brett Matthews, Neil Reynolds

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 18 - Resident Evil
    7.8/10(1501 votes)

    #18 - Resident Evil

    S5:E18

    Stefan and Elena experience unsettling dreams of the life they might have had together. Bonnie has a disturbing encounter with Grams. Enzo searches for a woman he loved decades ago. Bonnie learns that Jeremy is working with Liv. Matt has a terrifying encounter with inhabitants of the Other Side.

    Director:Paul Wesley
    Writers:Brian Young, Caroline Dries

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 19 - Man on Fire
    7.8/10(1396 votes)

    #19 - Man on Fire

    S5:E19

    Enzo holds Elena, Stefan and Bonnie hostage to uncover the truth about the love of his life. Markos performs a ritual to undo witch's magic.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writers:Melinda Hsu Taylor, Matthew D'Ambrosio

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 20 - What Lies Beneath
    7.6/10(1391 votes)

    #20 - What Lies Beneath

    S5:E20

    Damon and Caroline suspect Stefan and Elena of keeping a secret while they hide from the travelers, unaware of the dead man out for revenge. Meanwhile Matt, Jeremy and Bonnie help Tyler get rid of Julian.

    Director:Joshua Butler
    Writers:Elisabeth R. Finch, Holly Brix

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 21 - Promised Land
    8.5/10(1706 votes)

    #21 - Promised Land

    S5:E21

    Stefan and Elena become stranded in a remote location, after escaping from Markos, and he gets philosophical about her relationship with Damon. Damon sets a trap for Markos. Bonnie admits that she's been keeping the truth about the Other Side from everyone. Caroline witnesses an unthinkable act of violence by one of the Travelers.

    Director:Michael A. Allowitz
    Writer:Rebecca Sonnenshine

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 22 - Home
    8.9/10(2529 votes)

    #22 - Home

    S5:E22

    Damon's plan causes a huge explosion in Mystic Falls, and everyone is caught up in the confusion, leaving a trail of heroism, sacrifice, relief and despair.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Brian Young, Caroline Dries

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 5 Ratings Summary

"I Know What You Did Last Summer" is the best rated episode of "The Vampire Diaries" season 5. It scored 8.2/10 based on 2650 votes. Directed by Lance Anderson and written by Caroline Dries, it aired on 10/3/2013. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "True Lies".