Last May, devastated vampire fans everywhere watched as The Vampire Diaries actually killed Damon Salvatore during its Season 5 finale. It was an event that rocked The CW fan base and sent hundreds upon hundreds of folks ugly-crying into their pillows for weeks on end. (No? Was that just me? Moving on…) Since then, we've all been desperate for more details regarding this smoldering vampire's fate in Season 6. Is he actually gone for good? Could Damon possibly return as a human? What will this mean for Delena's future? Does this mean no more Damon bathtub scenes? (Gasp!) Seriously, TVD — I need to know these things! (Otherwise, how am I supposed to properly schedule time for my emotional breakdowns?)
And while many of those questions have yet to be answered (hey, they gotta leave something for that TVD Season 6 premiere), Julie Plec & Co. have been kind enough to dole out more than a few juicy clues regarding what lies in store for our beloved Mystic Falls gang this fall. But if you're like me, it's hard to keep track of everything we've been told, especially when it's happened over the course of a three-month time period. Which is why we here at Bustle thought it would be helpful to round up all of the important things to keep in mind as we head into Season 6. So from one fellow vampire fan to another, here's what you need to know about the upcoming season:
Damon & Bonnie Will Be Back
We may not know where they are or even when they are (if my Damon time-travel theory proves to be true), but we do know that both actors portraying these characters, Ian Somerhalder and Kat Graham, are contracted through Season 6. Let's all take a moment to breath a collective sigh of relief.
There Will Be a Time Jump
Plec revealed during the San Diego Comic-Con panel this year that there will be a four-month time jump between the TVD Season 5 finale and the Season 6 premiere, and show how everyone is coping with the aftermath of Damon and Bonnie's departure. “Some are doing it very well, and some are not doing it very well at all," Plec teased. In other words, get ready for another Elena meltdown.
Mystic Falls Is a Supernatural-Free Zone
Thanks to the Travelers' spell, no magic can penetrate this town's barrier and live to tell the tale. That includes all supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, hybrids, and witches (aka the majority of the cast). This means Jeremy, Matt, and a newly hybrid-less Tyler will be on their own, out of reach from their supernatural friends. And while part of me hates the idea of the group being separated, I look forward to seeing what kind of shenanigans this epic bromance leads to.
A Crossover with The Originals Is Definitely Happening
Plec has confirmed that a Vampire Diaries and Originals crossover is a definite go. Granted, we still have absolutely no idea in what capacity these two supernatural worlds will collide, though a potential Klaroline reunion is by far the most popular theory. Let's make this happen, love. (That was me attempting to sound like Klaus. You're welcome.) Though, others sadly feel that Klaroline is doomed due to the fact that…
Steroline Will Finally See The Light of Day
Even though it doesn't sound like it will happen right away due to the fallout from the whole Damon-Bonnie situation, the show is definitely going to delve more into Caroline and Stefan's relationship. Steroline 'shippers have waited a long time for this moment, and while I'm sure it's not going to be smooth-sailing (though when is it ever?), I'm always up for anything that involves these two having more scenes together.
New Faces Will Emerge
For starters, Eureka's Colin Ferguson will play the role of Tripp, the head of a community protection services in Mystic Falls who will become a father-like figure for our very own Matt Donovan. However, Tripp is being pegged as a potential bad guy right now, so let's just hope our blue-eyed boy doesn't find himself fighting on the wrong side.
Then there's also the addition of Gabrielle Walsh playing the part of Sarah — a newbie to Mystic Falls who's full of "spunk, street smarts and a shady agenda." She could also end up serving as a love interest for one of the remaining bachelors in town. (My vote's for either Matt or Tyler.) Meanwhile, Chris Wood, Marco James, Jayson Warner Smith, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, and Emily C. Chang have all been cast in minor recurring roles as well.
There Will Be a New Big Bad
It wouldn't be a new season without a new villain, right? Not much is known so far about who or what this new character will be, but Plec recently described the big baddie as being "a long, slow-burn mythology that will unfold over the course of the entire season and will really impact each of our character in deep ways." Sounds interesting! Though, to be honest, anything's gotta be better than Silas, right?
Damon & Bonnie Will Become a Thing?
Believe it or not, there's a serious chance that Damon and Bonnie will hook-up next season. Not only did Plec recently hint at the idea, but those acquainted with the TVD novels know that Bamon have quite the history together — something that the show has yet to delve into. Could now be the time to do so, given that they're currently trapped together? But the even more important question to consider is — what could this mean for Delena?
No More Doppelgängers
Plec has assured fans that the doppelgänger story arc ended in Season 5, which in many ways is a relief since that whole concept was starting to get rather tiresome. But on the other hand, I wouldn't have minded seeing double of this guy:
Images: Nino Mu-oz/The CW; Wifflegif (5); hatformychapstick/Tumblr; thefuturemachine/Blogspot; touchme-youdie/Tumblr; Giphy (2)
