The Vampire Diaries will take off next Thursday for Thanksgiving, but allow us to give thanks early for last night's installment of this CW smash.

It moved the story away from dopplegangers and Other Sides and scorned ancient lovers and turned the focus back toward Damon, his past and the shady Augustine society.

What the heck went down with this Salvatore brother in 1953? (NOTE: That year ought to ring a bell for long-time viewers.)

What does this secret society want with him now? And with a number of other blood suckers?

You can watch The Vampire Diaries online to relive this week's strong episode - and then click on the following promo for The Vampire Diaries Season 5 Episode 9 to take a look ahead to the December 5 installment:

(NOTE #2: Are Stefan and Katherine really gonna hook up?!?)

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.