The Best Episodes Written By Melinda Hsu Taylor

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.9/10(65 votes)

   #1 - Ab Aeterno

   S6:E93/23/2010

   Richard Alpert's back story is shown: In 1867, he is brought to the island on the Black Rock as a slave. He makes a deal with Jacob to be his representative in exchange for immortality. In the present day, Hurley convinces him to help the candidates replace Jacob and stop the Man in Black from leaving the Island.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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2. 

   8.5/10(13 votes)

   #2 - Gone Girl

   S5:E153/6/2014

   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.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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3. 

   8.4/10(5 votes)

   #3 - Jump Start

   S1:E72/14/2005

   Allison investigates the supposed suicide of a girl who was dating D.A. Larry Watt's son Greg. When the girl's body is found in a ravine, new evidence is presented that implicates the defense attorney. Meanwhile, Joe is concerned about one of his colleagues after Allison has a premonition of the colleague having a heart attack.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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4. 

   8.3/10(55 votes)

   #4 - The Substitute

   S6:E42/16/2010

   On the island, the Man in Black attempts to recruit Sawyer in his attempt to leave the island, while an impromptu funeral is held for the real Locke. In the flash sideways, Locke is fired from his job and becomes a substitute teacher.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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5. 

   8.2/10(12 votes)

   #5 - We’re Planning a June Wedding

   S8:E153/3/2017

   A wedding is quickly planned in order for Damon and Stefan to lure a dangerous enemy out into the open. This looming threat puts the fate of Mystic Falls in eminent danger and must be destroyed.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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6. 

   8.1/10(10 votes)

   #6 - Woke Up With a Monster

   S6:E111/22/2015

   More powerful than ever, Kai holds Elena captive while he learns to control his newly acquired magic. At the Salvatore mansion, Liv and Alaric try to prepare Jo for the impending merge ceremony with Kai, but they quickly realize Jo is weaker than they thought. After bringing Sheriff Forbes home from the hospital, Caroline travels with Stefan to North Carolina in search of a cure for her mother's cancer. Meanwhile, Stefan, who has his own intentions for traveling to North Carolina, is caught off guard when Enzo shows up demanding to know what Stefan is hiding. Lastly, when Damon discovers Elena has been kidnapped by Kai, he is forced to rethink his strategy after an unexpected visitor throws a wrench into his plan.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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7. 

   8.1/10(9 votes)

   #7 - Man on Fire

   S5:E194/24/2014

   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.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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8. 

   8.1/10(57 votes)

   #8 - Some Like It Hoth

   S5:E134/15/2009

   Suspicions about a possible breach intensify after Ben is taken from the infirmary, and a reluctant Miles is forced to work with Hurley when he's asked to deliver an important package to a top Dharma official.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor
9. 

   8.1/10(56 votes)

   #9 - The Little Prince

   S5:E42/4/2009

   Kate discovers that someone knows the secret of Aaron's true parental lineage. Meanwhile, the dramatic shifts through time are placing the lives of the remaining island survivors in extreme peril.

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   Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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10. 

    8.0/10(11 votes)

    #10 - Original Sin

    S5:E310/17/2013

    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.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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11. 

    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #11 - Because

    S6:E194/23/2015

    Wrestling with whether or not to tell Elena about the cure, Damon brings up their future together and what life would be like if they weren’t vampires. Meanwhile, it’s all hands on deck when attempts to stop a humanity-free Caroline doesn’t go as planned. Elsewhere, when Bonnie discovers that Damon has betrayed her trust, she takes matters into her own hands, setting off a chain of events that leaves Damon dealing with the fallout. Lastly, after being forced to face his traumatic past, Enzo sets out for answers and is surprised when he learns the truth about the day he was turned into a vampire.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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12. 

    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #12 - The Cell

    S5:E912/5/2013

    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.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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13. 

    7.6/10(5 votes)

    #13 - Dead Aim

    S2:E610/24/2005

    Allison helps the district attorney put away a murderer whose lawyer is also using a psychic....

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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14. 

    7.5/10(11 votes)

    #14 - Things We Lost in the Fire

    S7:E112/5/2016

    With the traumatic effects of the Phoenix stone taking a toll on his brother, Stefan attempts to help Damon regain his grip on reality, while secretly struggling with his own experience in the stone. Elsewhere, Matt and Bonnie deal with the fallout after Julian and his men take over Mystic Falls, leading Matt to spiral out of control and into trouble with an officer named Penny. Meanwhile, Tyler returns to town for Alaric's baby shower and Caroline makes an upsetting discovery involving Alaric and his future plan for the babies.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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15. 

    7.5/10(26 votes)

    #15 - Grace

    S1:E47/3/2011

    Tom and his team head out to track down more motorcycles for the 2nd Mass., relying on Pope to guide them to a good location. They hit the jackpot until they meet some skitters and harnessed teenagers at the bike shop. Back at the base, Dr. Harris and Anne disagree over the best method to gather more intelligence on the aliens.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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16. 

    7.5/10(21 votes)

    #16 - Sanctuary (2)

    S1:E77/24/2011

    Hal takes the lead fighting an unexpected threat against the children of the 2nd Mass. Anne has her hands full when Sarah goes into labor while the 2nd Mass base is being evacuated.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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17. 

    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #17 - Being Mrs. O'Leary's Cow

    S1:E134/25/2005

    Evidence shows that a pilot is indeed guilty of his wife's murder. However, in Allison’s dream, when the pilot is put in jail, there is a plane crash where hundreds of people are killed. Should Allison put forth the evidence to land this guilty man in jail, or let him go free in order to save hundreds of innocent lives?

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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18. 

    7.2/10(18 votes)

    #18 - 3 X 1

    S1:E111/1/2018

    As tensions heat up among the team at Mutant HQ, no one knows who they can trust. Fearing for his family's safety, Reed rethinks their future at the compound. Meanwhile, Dr. Campbell proposes an improved program to Jace that could change everything.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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19. 

    7.2/10(9 votes)

    #19 - You Made a Choice to Be Good

    S8:E112/3/2017

    Cade returns to Mystic Falls and presents Damon and Stefan with additional assignments, each with unthinkable consequences. Even with tension growing in their friendship, Caroline and Matt do their best to protect the town’s residents from Cade’s appetite for their souls. Bonnie and Enzo hit the road on a romantic trip, taking the bell with them in hopes to keep it safe.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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20. 

    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #20 - Sanctuary (1)

    S1:E67/17/2011

    Lt. Terry Clayton of the 7th Mass arrives with word that the aliens are on their way to attack the 2nd Mass. Clayton’s plan to lead the children to a safe haven while the adults remain behind to fight is met with some resistance from the parents, including Tom.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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21. 

    6.8/10(13 votes)

    #21 - gaMe changer

    S2:E912/4/2018

    Tensions within the Inner Circle are at an all-time high, as Andy comes to Rebecca's defense against Reeva. After making an important discovery about Dr. Risman's research, Lauren convinces Reed and Caitlin that they must take action to destroy it. Frustrated with not being taken seriously, Jace begins to strategize with the Purifiers. Meanwhile, the Mutant Underground continues to work on saving mutants. However, tensions flare between Blink and Thunderbird as they confront their differences.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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22. 

    6.6/10(10 votes)

    #22 - Age of Innocence

    S7:E310/22/2015

    In the aftermath of a clever plan orchestrated by Lily, Damon sets off on a road trip with Bonnie and Alaric in search of leverage they can use against his mother. Meanwhile, Caroline, who is being held hostage by the Heretics, learns some shocking information about Valerie’s past, while Stefan learns a few unexpected details about his own past from Lily. Finally, Alaric turns to Bonnie for her help after coming clean about a secret he’s been keeping.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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23. 

    6.6/10(19 votes)

    #23 - got your siX

    S1:E611/6/2017

    Thunderbird coordinates a mission to discover what Sentinel Services had done to an old friend of his and Lauren encounters a new friend with useful powers.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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24. 

    6.2/10(12 votes)

    #24 - Days of Future Past

    S7:E164/1/2016

    In an attempt to make things right with his brother, Damon offers to have Stefan’s scar magically transferred to him, only to discover that doing so may come with some unexpected consequences. With time running out and Rayna closing in on Stefan, Valerie desperately attempts to reason with Damon before it’s too late. Elsewhere, after being framed for breaking Rayna out of The Armory, Enzo attempts to clear his name, but not before a violent run-in with Nora forces him to make an upsetting discovery.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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25. 

    6.2/10(15 votes)

    #25 - Today Will Be Different

    S8:E210/28/2016

    After learning that someone from Stefan’s past may be Damon and Enzo’s next target, Stefan, Bonnie and Caroline head to North Carolina. There, Bonnie takes drastic measures in an attempt to break Enzo free of whatever has a hold over him. At the Armory, Alaric and Georgie stumble upon a mysterious symbol that may be related to the supernatural force controlling Damon and Enzo. Finally, Caroline gets an unexpected surprise from Stefan.

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    Writer:Melinda Hsu Taylor

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