'The Vampire Diaries' season 8 news: Final season brings back old characters, themes

The eighth and final season of "The Vampire Diaries" is bringing back a bunch of old themes and characters so that fans of the series can bid them a proper goodbye.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, "The Vampire Diaries" showrunner Julie Plec spoke about her plan of bringing back some of the things that the series has introduced over the last seven seasons.

According to the "The Vampire Diaries" boss, season 8 features several Mystic Falls events, including the carnival that appeared in the season 2 episode in which Caroline (Candice King) became a vampire. The final season is also bringing back decade dances, Founder's Day, and Miss Mystic Falls.

Even the titles of the "Vampire Diaries" season 8 episodes hearken back to season 1. The titles, such as the premiere episode "Hello, Brother," are lines from the dialogues in the show's freshman season.

Plec also revealed that season 8 explores some characters — or aspects of characters — that have been alluded to but never really seen. Given that both Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) are over a hundred years old, the writers have a lot of material to draw from.

"This season is all about finally telling the stories that we've talked about over the years but have never seen," Plec told EW. The "Vampire Diaries" showrunner said the flashback scene they have been filming is "the time where Stefan was known as the Ripper of Monterey, so we'll get a little glimpse of that world, which we're all very excited about."

Stefan and Damon have often referred to this dark period in Stefan's life, when he was known as the most famous of the savage vampires called Rippers.

Meanwhile, Plec also spoke about where fans will find Alaric (Matt Davis) when the new season debuts. "Alaric is living in a small bachelor apartment with a guest room for his girls close to the armory," Plec said to Entertainment Weekly.

Alaric and Caroline would reportedly be sharing custody of their daughters, and because Caroline has moved back to Mystic Falls, Alaric has a good reason to visit the town.

"Alaric is feeling a little bit detached from everyone back in Mystic Falls," Plec said, "and so he may find his way there sooner than later."

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 debuts Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. EDT on The CW.