The Vampire Diaries' Season 3 Episode 8 'Ordinary People' Preview: Original Family's Past

October 28, 2011 09:55 AM EDT

The Vampire Diaries season 3 continues next week with episode 8, "Ordinary People," and it's time to take a look into the past—far into the past—and learn more about the Original Family as the Original Mother is introduced.

Vampire Diaries season 3 episode 8 "Ordinary People" promo

"With help from Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Bonnie (Kat Graham), Alaric (Matt Davis) tries to decipher the meaning behind his recent discovery Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Rebekah (guest star Claire Holt) engage in a mean-girl power struggle, until Rebekah finally reveals some of her family's ancient secrets and the violent past she shares with Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and Elijah (Daniel Gillies). Damon (Ian Somerhalder) tries a reckless new approach to make a breakthrough with Stefan (Paul Wesley), and they're both surprised by an unlikely ally."

In the next episode, it's time to see just what Mason discovered before he disappeared and what later Alaric found when Damon called him in at the end of "Ghost World." The ghosts may be gone, but that means that Lexi's no longer around to help with Stefan, Bonnie and Jeremy have to deal with the aftermath of him and Anna, and everyone has to figure out what those etchings mean. Meanwhile, Klaus is still on the loose. What will "Ordinary People" bring?

The Vampire Diaries extended promo  begins with Alaric showing Elena what he found: the names of the Original Family written in Viking script. Some of the etchings tell a story, and Elena wants to find out what they mean. Elena reiterates to Stefan that Klaus has a hold on him, and they plan to make that stop. Rebekah pushes Elena against a wall, telling her to shut up. Is this while she's telling her about her family's past? Throughout the promo, there are glimpses at the flashbacks that will be part of this episode and introduce the Original Mother. What will Rebekah reveal when she talks to Elena? Will they be able to figure out what the weapon was that the Lockwoods supposedly had to kill an Original with what Alaric has found? Will they be able to get through to Stefan soon, or will he continue to be his Ripper self? Who is the unlikely ally who's going to show up? Could it be Mikael, whom they seem to have written