The Vampire Diaries returns on Thursday, March 15th from it’s month long hiatus by returning to a concept that has done this show so much justice in the past. They’re going back in time again. That’s the fun of this series, so much history can be explored when your main characters were born in the mid 1800’s.

Before I go any further, Spoiler Alert! You have been warned.

The last flashback primarily focused on Stefan in the 1920’s. This week, it’s Damon’s turn. In the episode, titled “1912,” Damon and Stefan are reunited for the first time in fifty years. Things are quite a bit frosty between the brothers to say the least. Stefan is not drinking human blood and Damon is learning from a beautiful and seductive woman named Sage, played deliciously by Cassidy Freeman (Smallville), “the joys and the beauty and wonderful side of feeding on women,” according to Executive Producer Julie Plec.

“It’s about how Damon went from this angry, judgmental Damon, that we met in 1864 after he became a vampire, and how he grew to this suave, seductive, hilarious Damon that we met in the Pilot,” said Plec during The Vampire Diaries’ appearance at PaleyFest on Sunday.

“Cassidy Freeman’s amazing. She’s kicking some major ass,” said Ian Somerhandler (Damon) at the same event.

Just like with prior flashbacks, this little trip back in time ties into current day events in the always busy Mystic Falls. As learned from recent episodes, there’s a killer on the loose targeting Council members. We left off with Dr. Fell firing a gun point blank at poor Alaric. Geez, hasn’t the guy died enough this season? Judging from a scene in a released preview from Julie Plec, Alaric survives but he ends up in hot water with the law. He’s being framed for the murders.

Plec in the preview promises a lot of answers over who’s killing the Council members. So who is it? The main suspect is Meredith Fell, and Elena and Matt are determined to prove it.

Here’s the synopsis of “1912”, courtesy of The CW:

The present-day murders in Mystic Falls remind Damon of a similar crime spree a century earlier. In flashbacks to 1912, Damon recalls a beautiful vampire, Sage (guest star Cassidy Freeman), who showed him a whole new way to exist. Sheriff Forbes warns Damon not to get involved in her investigation, but Damon is convinced she’s going after the wrong suspect. Elena and Matt resort to breaking and entering in their search for evidence to prove Dr. Fell (guest star Torrey Devitto) is a murderer. For reasons known only to her, Rebekah (guest star Claire Holt), becomes interested in locating one of the town’s oldest landmarks. Finally, Elena comes to a new understanding of the path her life has taken, and Damon makes an emotional confession to Stefan. John Behring directed the episode written by Julie Plec & Elisabeth R. Finch.

The Producer’s Preview clip can be seen here:

A special preview clip from a 1912 flashback scene can be seen here:

So who’s looking forward to seeing Cassidy Freeman on TV again? I for one cannot wait to see where this all goes. Happy episode everyone.

The Vampire Diaries returns Thursday, March 15 at 8 p.m. on The CW.