Jeremy’s (Steven R. McQueen) giant arms aren’t the only surprise guests coming to Mystic Falls on the Dec. 13 winter finale of The Vampire Diaries — we’re also getting a visit from our old buddy Death! Someone’s biting the big one this week, and thanks to EW.com, we can narrow down the list of potential victims to six.

>> Bonnie (Kat Graham): If I’m being honest, there’s usually one point every season where I genuinely think Bonnie could die. Besides the fact that she’s barely been seen all season, she has no idea her powers are being manipulated by the evil Professor Shane (Dave Alpay). I’m hoping she sticks around, though, because the very idea of “Evil Bonnie” leaves me tickled.

>> Liz Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre): Mystic Falls’ fearless sheriff is always putting herself in harm’s way, which means there’s always a good chance she could — pun intended — bite the bullet. Plus, this show is all about turning its characters into orphans, and Caroline (Candice Accola) is already halfway there!

>> Carol Lockwood (Susan Walters): Having a werewolf for a son has always made Carol a target in Mystic Falls, but now that Tyler (Michael Trevino) is plotting to take down Klaus (Joseph Morgan) once and for all, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Original uses Tyler’s mom to send a message to all potential rebel hybrids.

EW.com includes Jeremy, Matt (Zach Roerig) and Tyler on its list of potential victims, but I think it’s safe to cross those three off the list. Michael has tweeted about working on future episodes, Jeremy seems too integral to the central story line, and Matt — in my opinion — will always be “dying” but will never actually die.

Personally, I think it’s a 50/50 toss-up beween Mrs. Lockwood and Sheriff Forbes.

Like my grandmother always says, I’ll “eat my hat” if I’m wrong — which I hope is an old-timey saying, and not reflective of my grandmother’s literal taste for hats.

Who do YOU think will be killed off on this week’s episode? Vote below, then drop some comments with more predictions!

EW.com

WATCH: Vampire Diaries Nina Dobrev Interview!

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Vampire Diaries on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘Vampire Diaries’ Video: Can Damon & Elena Save Jeremy From Himself?
2. ‘Vampire Diaries’ Sire Bond: Why Damon Needs To Set Elena Free
3. ‘Vampire Diaries’ Recap: Will Damon Choose To Let Elena Go?

Considering Stefan (Paul Wesley) is now in full-on Ripper mode, I was sure the third season of The Vampire Diaries would be all about Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) giving into their sweet, nasty passions. But man, was I wrong! The Sept. 15 season premiere was loaded with enough Stefan-Elena moments to convert my Delena-shipping heart. Well… almost.

The episode began, as expected, with Klaus (Joseph Morgan) and his new bestie Stefan literally killing their way up and down the Eastern Seaboard. Apparently they don’t call Stefan “the Ripper” for nothing. He straight-up rips people’s body parts off, then feels guilty and tries to re-assemble them like they’re freakin’ Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s kind of hot.

Back in Mystic Falls, Caroline (Candice Accola) threw Elena a bitchin’ 18th birthday kegger to help get her mind off of her M.I.A. boyfriend. But sweet baby vamp Caroline had her own relationship drama to deal with, as her feelings for Tyler (Michael Trevino) were intensifying, and Matt (Zach Roerig) continued to pine for her from a distance.

Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) — who appears to have spent all summer at the gym — remained haunted by the ghosts of Anna (Malese Jow) and Vicki (Kayla Ewell), who we heard utter “help me” before a clueless Matt entered the frame and sat on her. But when Jeremy wasn’t playing Ghost Whisperer — move the eff over, Jennifer Love Hewitt – he was getting stoned with his new BFF. (And honestly, even if you’ve never smoked a joint once in your life, don’t tell me you wouldn’t love to light one up with Matt and Jeremy.)

While the Mystic Falls gang got its party on, Klaus and Stefan played a nasty game of darts with a werewolf named Ray Sutton (David Gallagher) so he would tell them the whereabouts of his pack. When he refused to comply, Klaus forced Ray to nom on his blood, then killed him, effectively turning him into — you guessed it — a hybrid! (Seriously, was anyone else totally disturbed watching Simon Camden bleeding and tied to a pool table? Happy have mercy on us all!)

Now here’s the part that really got to me: In an attempt to shake Damon off their backs, Klaus and Stefan returned to Mystic Falls and compelled ace reporter Andie Star (Dawn Olivieri) to jump off a high platform at the local news studio. Damon helplessly watched as his fake/compelled girlfriend lept to her untimely death. Honestly, I’m mostly pissed that she’s dead because now I won’t be able to pretend Damon talks to me through the TV. (He says “Andie,” but I hear “Andy.”)

While Damon broke some chairs in a fit of rage, a super-emotional Stefan decided to give Elena a call. But he couldn’t bring himself to talk to her, so he was forced to stand there while she poured her heart out to the silence. She cried, he cried, and you know what? I almost did, too. “Stelena” fans, this season is still yours — for now!

The episode ended, just as last season premiere’s did, with a tweet-worthy twist: When Caroline tried to sneak out of Chez Lockwood — apparently vampires are also familiar with the walk of shame — she was confronted by Tyler’s mom (Susan Walters), who shot her with tranquilizer darts! Possibly filled with vervain! Damn you Carol Lockwood and your beautiful blue eyes of death!

P.S. Where the heck was Bonnie (Kat Graham)?

OK, now YOU talk: What did you think of tonight’s big premiere? Was that heart-wrenching moment between Elena and Stefan enough to make you think they actually belong together?

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Vampire Diaries

We’ve still got two weeks to go until Elena (Nina Dobrev), Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and the rest of Mystic Falls’ finest return for the third season of The Vampire Diaries — but thanks to SpoilerTV, we don’t have to wait to find out what kind of supernatural shenanigans they’ll all be up to. Read on for the latest scoop on season three, and don’t say I didn’t warn you!

OK, here we go. In what should come as a surprise to absolutely no one, Elena doesn’t give up on finding Stefan (Paul Wesley.) In fact, on the season’s second episode — ominously titled “Hybrid” — Elena actually enlists Damon and Alaric’s (Matt Davis) help! But as is the case with most of Elena’s plans, Damon ends up in hot water, this time engaging in “a dangerous fight with a new enemy.” (Seriously, why do they keep letting Elena come up with plans? I love her, but she kind of sucks at it.)

Meanwhile, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) asks for Matt’s (Zach Roerig) help as he tries to figure out why he’s being haunted by the ghosts of Vicki (Kayla Ewell) and Anna (Malese Jow.)

And the family drama continues over at the Lockwood mansion, as Tyler (Michael Trevino) and his super-hot mom (Susan Walters) clash in what’s promised to be “an emotional confrontation.”

And finally, David Gallagher‘s new werewolf character, Ray Sutton, will factor heavily into Klaus’ (Joseph Morgan) plan to “give him even more power.” Unfortunately for the big-bad hybrid, “things don’t go exactly as Klaus had planned.” (What a pity.)

OK, let’s start talking. Do you hope Damon and Elena find Stefan right away, or do you think they deserve a little more alone time? And will Jeremy soon replace Tyler as Matt’s best friend? I guess we’ll find out in 14 days!

— Andy Swift

Follow Andy on Twitter for more Vampire Diaries