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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
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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 22 - Home
    8.9/10(2758 votes)

    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:Caroline Dries, Brian Young

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  2. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 11 - 500 Years of Solitude
    8.7/10(2350 votes)

    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

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  3. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 15 - Gone Girl
    8.6/10(1954 votes)

    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

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  4. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 21 - Promised Land
    8.5/10(1890 votes)

    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

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  5. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 1 - I Know What You Did Last Summer
    8.2/10(2814 votes)

    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

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  6. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 3 - Original Sin
    8.2/10(2021 votes)

    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

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  7. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 4 - For Whom the Bell Tolls
    8.1/10(1935 votes)

    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

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  8. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 9 - The Cell
    8.1/10(1780 votes)

    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

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  9. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 7 - Death and the Maiden
    8.0/10(1801 votes)

    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

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  10. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 6 - Handle with Care
    7.9/10(1805 votes)

    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

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  11. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 17 - Rescue Me
    7.9/10(1609 votes)

    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

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  12. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 2 - True Lies
    7.8/10(1967 votes)

    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

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  13. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 5 - Monster's Ball
    7.8/10(1833 votes)

    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

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  14. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 10 - Fifty Shades of Grayson
    7.8/10(1764 votes)

    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

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  15. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 12 - The Devil Inside
    7.8/10(1745 votes)

    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

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  16. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 14 - No Exit
    7.8/10(1656 votes)

    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

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  17. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 18 - Resident Evil
    7.8/10(1683 votes)

    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:Caroline Dries, Brian Young

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  18. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 19 - Man on Fire
    7.8/10(1576 votes)

    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

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  19. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 8 - Dead Man on Campus
    7.7/10(1755 votes)

    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

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  20. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 13 - Total Eclipse of the Heart
    7.7/10(1677 votes)

    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

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  21. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 16 - While You Were Sleeping
    7.7/10(1676 votes)

    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

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  22. The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 20 - What Lies Beneath
    7.6/10(1570 votes)

    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

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Season 5 Ratings Summary

"Home" is the best rated episode of The Vampire Diaries season 5. It scored 8.9/10 from 2,758 votes. Directed by Chris Grismer and written by Caroline Dries, Brian Young, it aired on May 15, 2014. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "500 Years of Solitude".