Spoilers From TV Line - 19th April 2013

PRE-FINALE EPISODES

Bonnie's storyline with her immortal menace/mentor is "going to explode in the penultimate episode as our characters race to get Silas out of the picture," teases executive producer Julie Plec. "The consequences of his plot and what Bonnie has to do to try and stop his plot then live on in the finale." You can also expect "at least one, if not 10 familiar faces" to pop back up in the process. And for those craving some Originals flavor, the April 25 episode is a planted spinoff set in New Orleans that finds Klaus meeting up with his diabolical former protégé Marcel (Grey's Anatomy's Charles Michael Davis). 

MAY 16 SEASON FINALE

Once again, a supernatural crisis gets in the way of what should be a happy occasion: Graduation Day for the Mystic Falls seniors. The cure will be ingested, and "the implications of what that means will be a great story to tell next year," previews Plec, who adds that the hour will close with two cliffhangers that will "send the show spinning in a whole new direction." Change is also in store for the series' core trio. "We will know, when the finale is over, where everyone stands in the context of the Stefan/Damon/Elena triangle," reveals the EP. "It will definitely set all three of them on a very different and interesting path when we move forward." Lest you think that means the episode is all about heartbreak and breakups, the EP says that "when all is said and done, it's got some pretty good romantic moments." And some goodbyes? "I cannot comment on permanent deaths, but I will say there will be lots of destruction," replies Plec.