4. Klaus and Caroline

I mean, come on. This plotline was just great. For one thing, I love when a villain gets reformed and so Klaus’s interactions with Caroline went a long way toward humanizing him. In my opinion this plotline is widely misinterpreted as romantic; I found it much bigger and deeper than a simple love story. First of all, it’s only romantic if you’re assuming Klaus wants a girlfriend. I think it’s more about what Klaus sees in Caroline (kindness, humanity) and how he wants to be around THAT for the rest of eternity rather than an interchangeable army of useless hybrids (or a former friend who doesn’t love him back!). In exchange, he can offer Caroline a life OUTSIDE of Mystic Falls. Because let’s be honest, it’s kind of hilarious to think immortal monsters-slash-superheroes are going to want to finish their high school educations and remain in a tiny, terrible town. If any of you have ever been a teenager who dreamed of escaping your hometown, Klaus’s offer probably resonated. I’m slightly disappointed that there wasn’t more of a payoff here; Caroline remained pretty into Tyler, despite him not being the best boyfriend—’member when he Vervained her at Homecoming? But at least the season-ending reveal that Klaus now lives in Tyler’s body will create an interesting wrinkle for Season 4. That’s something.

Price Peterson totally ships Klaroline! Can we be BFFs?

7. Caroline’s Rescue

Let’s not talk about how much I hated the Bill Forbes stuff. Because BOY, did I. It was unfocused (sunlight and torture fixes vampires? What about magic and/or science, you a-hole?) and sickening in its message (gays are villains too? Good thing we leap-frogged that whole normal-representation thing and gays are back to being TV villains again!). Whoops, I’m ranting. Sorry, guys, this is supposed to be about highlights! Moving on… The culmination of this otherwise troubling plotline was the redemption of a previously useless character: Sheriff Forbes! Sheriff Forbes and Tyler’s team-up was just straight-up satisfying. And touching! Maybe I’m just a sucker for when characters scoop up other characters into their arms and carry them away. But still: You treat Caroline well and I’ll like you.

The last sentence says it all.

11. Klaus and Stefan’s Bromance Romance

I mean. I don’t know. I am 100 percent reading a little too much into these scenes. Or am I? Klaus was DEFINITELY in love with Stefan, it’s just a matter of what kind of love? Either way, it was downright touching to see how devoted to Stefan he was. Who would’ve imagined that the biggest motivation for Klaus ensnaring Stefan into his schemes was Klaus’s simple need for a bro-friend? Season 3 walked the line between presenting Klaus as an irredeemable villain and also a tragic, relatable dude. Few things humanized him more than the fact that he loved his friend more than the friend loved him back. We’ve all been there, right? (Though with less murder, hopefully.)

I have to admit, I ship Klefan too.

20. Caroline and Damon’s Brawl

This was just a brief, throwaway moment, but it was about as crowd-pleasing as this show gets. Go Caroline! And credit where credit’s due: Let it be noted that Damon clearly wasn’t giving it his all, as ANY GENTLEMAN wouldn’t when it comes to laying a hand on our sweet angel.

I love that Caroline is his favorite character too!

24. The Ballroom Dance

I love when The Vampire Diaries gets theatrical and “Dangerous Liaisons” was basically operatic. Put people in black-tie formal and choreograph a waltz and I’m happy every time. But what I especially loved about this dance was how it distilled each character relationship as it was. Just a good, crowd-pleasing scene that enhanced the various romantic longings of each character. Jane Austen, eat your heart out. (No wait, that would be horrifying, nobody should do that.)

One of my favorite episodes of the season.

Source: http://t.co/xP8Pv3tx