Expect The Vampire Diaries season 4 to hark back to season 1 in some big ways! Julie Plec reveals what storylines she’s eager to revisit. Beware of spoilers.

Speaking to TV Guide, Julie Plec shares her thoughts following a recent season 1 rewatch! Long-time fans will be relieved to hear about some of these.

First of all, season 4 will be the year we meet Bonnie’s dad! “It’s time,” Plec says. “This year is a big year of transitions. It’s the end of senior year, and there’s a rich home life for everybody we’re going to explore.”

Second, we’ll see a lot of developments with Caroline – for anyone hoping for a Carolaus development, don’t hold your breath; if anything, she’ll go back to Matt. “I think Caroline and Matt, in the long run of the series, will have another moment,” she reveals.

We can also expect some great Stefan/Caroline friendship moments, and if Plec’s comments are anything to go by, Candice Accola’s job is safe for a while:

I always look at Caroline as Stefan’s future Lexi. You’ve seen little pockets of a friendship spark between them, and I see Caroline in the long run of the series becoming that important in Stefan’s life. I remember saying in Episode 203 when Stefan takes Caroline under his wing that the two of them and their chemistry was so delightful… It’s such a pleasure to watch.

She also confirms that Alaric’s return in ghost form is still very possible, and that Damon’s evolution will continue:

This is a reminder that Damon is a character that started in a very dark place, but with a lot of love and emotion brewing under him. All of our characters, including his own brother, had to witness his evolution as a person and he has done some really extraordinarily sh—y things, but he has also done them in the name of love, pain, abandonment, self-preservation, survival and family. He’s going to keep evolving and Elena’s feelings for him are going to continue to evolve.

After reading all of these things, we think it should be mandatory for showrunners to rewatch their first season at least once a year! Don’t you?