The wait is now over for fans of "Vampire Diaries" as the hit show will make its highly-anticipated return to the CW on Thursday night. Not only will there be a new vampire in the upcoming fourth season, but more romance, back-stabbing and death as well. The newest episode titled "Growing Pains" will focus on Elena's return from death and transition into a vampire, amongst other bloody situations. The turmoil in the Founders' Council is also explored, as Alaric's vampire exterminating ways are addressed.

The latest installment of the series kicks off shortly after Elena's (Nina Dobrev) deadly plunge off of Wickery Bridge in last season's finale. Clearly not thrilled about it, she begins turning into a vampire. Most of the respective episode seemingly focuses on everybody else's reactions to her painstaking switcheroo.

Ian Somerhalder, who plays Damon on the program, had the opportunity to speak to Zap2it regarding how Elena's change to a vampire will affect the rest of the main characters in the upcoming season.

"I think now there's a whole other element that is sort of in play here, and that is by virtue of the fact that there is this transition, this thing that's happened in our lives, and it's altering the course of the way things are going down in Mystic Falls, at least between Stefan, Elena, and Damon."

The newest vampire on the show, Connor (Todd Williams), comes aboard as Elena's EFFL (Enemy Friend For Life). Although many female viewers will take the blood lover for mere eye candy, Executive Producer Julie Plec stated to Wet Paint that Williams' character does possess a strong sense of intelligence to him.

"He's got a history that presents a bit of a mystery that needs unraveling. Every time they think they've got a one-up on him, he turns the tables and gets the best of them."

CW's "Vampire Diaries" will be premiering at 8 PM ET on Thursday, Oct. 11.

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Vampire diaries, Television