'The Vampire Diaries': Executive producer Julie Plec previews The Klaus Chapter

Dilemmas will abound when “The Vampire Diaries” returns with six new episodes Thursday on the CW. The Klaus Chapter, as executive producer Julie Plec has dubbed the final episodes of the season, will be full of challenges and choices, not to mention some possible character deaths. As the series prepares to introduce the much-talked-about Klaus (Joseph Morgan), the biggest dilemma facing Elena (Nina Dobrev) and her friends will be figuring out how to kill the Original vampire before he can sacrifice her. They already know of one way to do the trick using the white oak ash-dipped dagger, but there's just one problem: The dagger is embedded in Elijah (Daniel Gillies), and taking it out would mean letting him come back to undead life.

“There’s one weapon, two originals. I wonder what’s going to happen,” Plec mused coyly during an interview with Showtracker. “That is their big conundrum. As soon as we get back from the hiatus, we’re going to start asking that question and seeing what our characters decide to do about it will be pretty big.”

Deciding how to handle the ritual and best protect Elena will cause tension between Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), who have a difference of opinion on the matter. (Elena's biological parents, John (David Anders) and Isobel (Mia Kirshner), also put in their own two cents.) “Damon will stop at nothing to insure Elena’s survival,” said Plec. “Stefan is sort more willing to let Elena have a voice in the process. Damon doesn’t necessarily like what Elena has to say.” But just because he doesn't like what she has to say doesn't mean Damon's actions aren't loaded with feelings for Elena. Stefan not only will have to deal with the fact that his girlfriend could die — “The threat that Elena might not live to see her 18th birthday is definitely weighing heavily on them,” teased Plec — but also his girlfriend and brother's growing closeness.

“Damon and Elena’s closeness is a big obstacle in Stefan and Elena’s relationship,” said Plec. “Not because of how Stefan feels about it because he’s fully aware that Damon has feelings for Elena. It’s the decisions Damon makes and the actions Damon takes to protect Elena, which are in direct conflict often with the way Stefan would like the situation to be handled.

“Stefan is in the ultimate predicament, which is that he has this wonderfully solid, beautiful love story with Elena, but he’s also got a very complicated love story with his brother. So when he’s trying to achieve both relationships successfully, there’s always going to be a problem of 'I can’t kick my brother’s ass because he’s after my girl without losing my relationship with my brother, but I’m not going to let my brother go after my girl.' ”

Relationship issues will also be plaguing Caroline (Candice Accola) and Matt (Zach Roerig), who's now in the know about the town's vampires. “The future is complicated for them,” shared Plec. “When we first come back from hiatus, the very first question is, 'How is he going to ultimately handle this information, and what is Caroline going to do about it?' And the answer to that, which is in the first episode back, really sets the stage for some big relationship issues that will take us to the end of the season.” And then there's the inevitable return of Tyler (Michael Trevino), who's got his own stake in the Caroline-Matt relationship. “We can’t have a triangle without your third point. So one day, we will be seeing Tyler again.”

Showtrackers, what are you most excited for in the Klaus Chapter?

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Complete "The Vampire Diaries" coverage on Show Tracker

— Vlada Gelman (follow my TV musings on Twitter at @stayingin)

Photo: Damon (Ian Somerhalder), Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) get ready for “The Last Dance” episode. Credit: Annette Brown / The CW.

Comments

[b]

Luv me some delena

[Jay Marie]

Stelena <3

[hayley]

When will vampire diaries be on again? seems to only last a short while and be ages between each series!

[tamara]

Love the vampire diaries. Elena's strength during all this has been fantastic she is so strong. Love the epic love story between her and Stefan. My friends and I all agree it's Elena's life, she should be allowed a say. It's pretty disgusting how Damon just does things, his way or the highway attitude. Caroline is great with Matt, love there epic love story. When we seen the pictures of Damon dancing with Bonnie our hearts melted. Those two without question do look hot together. The way they were looking into each others eye's and there fingers intertwined with each other. There is no denying it, they do have chemistry.

[Noelle]

STELENA ALL THE WAY! Obstacles are meant to be overcome.

[maya]

I just want for this show to come back already!! this hiatus has been WAY TOO LONG!!! Thanks God we'll be relieved tomorrow. Also, I want Stelena forever...

[amanda]

Totally agree with you Noelle!! Stefan and Elena are the reason I watch the show.

[Elyse]

Delena! I can't wait for their relationship to develop! Stefan is overprotective and boring, Stelena's love is bland and lifeless. I can barely keep my eyes open when they're on the screen. Delena, on the other hand, have so much chemistry and are perfect for each other.

[Lucia]

Delena all the way baby they are the true love story of the show im sure because they are believable and taking its time thats what i love about Delena and Omg yes Cyler all the way too Caroline and Tyler are so good together just like Delena
so Cyler and Delena Ftw!!!! :D

[Donna]

i love the vampire dires so much esp when damon kissed ellan but it was really kathren and aswell he ser thought it was her and she loved him as much as he did

[Blair_Bass]

STELENA! Ofcourse Stefan would want his love to have a say in her own life decisions. What normal, wonderful boyfriend wouldn't? Stefan is truly the perfect guy.

[lacySOS]

Julie really dumped here. Can't wait to get started tomorrow watching it all unfold. It sounds like conflict all around. Too bad the brothers are falling apart at the crucial moment since they've had this fragile alliance all season. Still I can't wait to watch all the madness. Whew!!!

We're under the 24 hour mark now. Won't be long!!!!

[br]

Jippie!!!! Can't wait, Delena for ever!!!! I can't wait to see them together again. If Damon is so protective and it is his way or no way, it is just because he is in love with her and can't stand seeing anything bad happen to her. Please, please let them get together in the end.

[Alina sky]

delena all the way! Now THATS love..unlike the boring relationship between her and stephen

[martha]

i love delena but i dont want it to happen just yet cuz i want elena to get tird of stefan "protecting her" and go to damon who doesnt lie to her! and without time to build th felings and chenistry and watevr else delena wont be epic it will soon be like stelena and kinda boring

[Delena]

I love Delena. It is true love.
Get out of way, Stefan.

[DEvotion]

Delena & Forwood forever.