The Return of Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder in VAMPIRE Diaries

This week is a big week for television, as a good chunk of everyone’s favorite series are returning from their holiday breaks, including The Vampire Diaries. Thursday, January 5 sees the return Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev as Damon and Elena, as well as the rest of the cast in the episode “The New Deal.” Actually, Stefan (Paul Wesley) is missing from the episode, which is a-okay in my books. Less Stefan means more time for Damon to move in closer to Elena. This is where I would normally laugh maniacally.

As you can see from the gallery of photos for the episode below, Damon and Elena will spend a lot, a lot, of time together. They are pissed at Stefan and that anger is bringing them together like magnets. Though there’s only the two of them in some of the photos it feels like a third person is present; someone by the name of Sexual Tension. There’s only one way to get rid of that annoying companion, if you know what I mean. But then Klaus shows up and everyone is refocused on him. Meanwhile, Damon and Alaric are hanging out, and so are Tyler and Jeremy.

Also included in the gallery are images from the second episode back, “Our Town.” This one will be airing January 12 and sees Stefan returning to confront Klaus. Also appearing in the episode is Paul Wesley’s real life wife, One Tree Hill’s Torrey DeVitto.

Photo: Bob Mahoney/The CW